Even though Apple rumors pile up on the web like Legos, there is still enough information recently that Apple is looking at adding 4G LTE connection support to the iPhone. The Apple iOS 5 beta version is out now and there is specific code that some think points to the support for 4G LTE. What we also know is that Apple is hiring LTE engineers and equipping Apple stores with LTE network equipment. Other news and images came from well-known blogs regarding the move Apple may or not may not make to LTE with the iPhone.
BoyGeniusReport reported that Apple was already testing the 4G LTE capability of the iPhone and Engadget posted an image where you could see LTE equipment being installed at an Apple Store, however, that image has since been removed. The rumors about Apple hiring engineers came from Forbes, this past week, who found a couple of listings posted on LinkedIn looking for LTE experts and those who can test iPhone functionality as part of the iOS Quality Team. And finally, MacRumors posted the code that was found in a couple of devices that is pointing to the fact that 4G LTE support is available in the iPhone and iPad 2. In the same MacRumor report, an article points to Tim Cook’s comments about LTE becoming a strain on battery life, being a bad thing of course.
Could the new iPhone 5 have the support for the 4G LTE networks that everyone is waiting for? Some say that even if the support does not come in the iPhone 5 or iPad 2, that it will be available for the iPhone 6 or iPad 3 release some time in 2012. Another interesting item is that chip makers are going to try and get the 3G and 4G technology on one chip whereas, today you need to separate chips, one for each type of network. The fact that Apple is testing 4G LTE shouldn’t surprise anyone, but with the iPad 3 launching in 2012, you should know that if Apple needed a product to pack full of components to support LTE, the iPad is the largest. Because the code was found in iOS 5 beta, does not mean it will be the iPhone that is 4G LTE enabled, it could be the iPod Touch or the iPad 3.
