Apple has been attracting a lot of media attention lately as rumors regarding its next-generation iPhone, new MacBook and AR glasses continue to swirl. A recent thread appeared on Reddit from supposed Foxconn insiders revealed some interesting details about the upcoming products, just days before the tech giant’s annual WWDC kicks off on Monday (June 5, 2017).

 

(Image: public domain CC0)

 

Major tech media like 9to5Mac, The Verge, and BGR all picked up the information posted by Foxconninsider, which is believed to be a team of three Foxconn employees. They claimed that the Touch ID on the iPhone 8 will not be moved to the back, and the device looks “more like an iPhone 7 with glass and without the AuthenTec's capacitive touch module,” and has thinner vertical bezels. In addition, the fingerprint scanners below the main display glass were tested but yields were not satisfying. The user noted that he saw iPhone 8 prototypes in the factory around January.

 

During its high-profile annual event World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC), which runs from June 5 to June 9 in San Jose, California, Apple is expected to launch its voice assistant device Siri Speaker. The insider source said the device looks like the small, trash can-shaped Mac Pro.

 

As to MacBook Pro, the source noted there will be only internal updates in 2017, but major hardware changes may appear on future devices. Possible feature includes a dynamic e-Ink keyboard that will be added to the OLED Touch Bar. The existing Touch Bar would still be the function key row, and other keys would be “smart key”. Moreover, the new external Magic Keyboard Apple plans to introduce in 2018 will be fitted with Touch Bar and e-paper smart keys.

 

Regarding iMac, the poster said a major update will only be seen on the 2018 models. The redesigned iMacs will feature more glass and a dark black finish. The glowing Apple logo may return as a Micro LED panel.

 

Among the extensive list of information, Apple’s AR smart glasses got the most attention. Foxconninsider said the glasses are still in early testing stages, and may be launched in 2019. The glassed are said to have “a cellulose acetate frame, bone conduction modules, multiple microphones, an internal battery and a prism to reflect information into the user’s vision.” The optics are purportedly sourced from Zeiss. The AR glasses would also include a microphone for voice commands and 絲accelerometer to detect users’ head gestures including shaking and nodding. On one side of the glasses frame, there will be a capacitive strip to control volume and accept calls.

In the past, Foxconninsider broke news about Apple’s partnership with Sydney smart keyboards provider Sonder Design, which was later proven to be true by the Wall Street Journal. However, it is hard to know how trustworthy the foregoing leaks are. Reddit said it was able to proof the team is legit, but not the information they provided. Maybe we will find out at the upcoming WWDC.