Hrmpf reports on Apple's latest patent application which depicts the previous iPod mini casing but with particular attention paid to the materials used in the enclosure.
According to the patent application, Apple suggests the use of Zirconia as a radio-transparent material for part the enclosure:
A portable computing device capable of wireless communications, the portable computing device comprising: an enclosure that surrounds and protects the internal operational components of the portable computing device, the enclosure including a structural wall formed from a ceramic material that permits wireless communications through.
Consideration for radio-transparent material is to allow cellular/mobile phone functionality from the device itself. This is simply further evidence that Apple has been actively considering wireless integration with current iPod devices.
Current iPhone rumors suggest a target date of the first half of 2007 for the possibility of such a device.
Apple today announced the "HomeView," an all-new kind of smart home hub featuring a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and Siri AI.
Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak said:
Apple HomeView is designed to be shared by everyone in the home yet feel completely personal to each user. It recognizes your face to shift from a household screen to your own experience,...
Tuesday October 13, 2026 6:08 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple today announced the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, with key features including an A19 chip, Siri AI support, an updated Siri Remote that has Find My support with Precision Finding, built in far-field microphones, support for surround sound with four HomePods in front and rear pairs, and more.
The A19 chip in the new Apple TV 4K delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance and up to twice...
Tuesday October 13, 2026 9:39 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
MacRumors was first to reveal the name "HomeView" last week, after discovering a trademark filing from a secretive shell company that we correctly suspected was linked to Apple.
Apple was likely behind a "homeOS" trademark filing as well, but the company ultimately decided to stick with generic "HomeView software" naming, just like it refers to the HomePod's operating system as "HomePod...
Apple's first foldable iPhone, with a book-style design featuring a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display with a minimal crease down the middle.
