Nikkei Business reports [Google translation] that Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo has reached an agreement with Apple that will see an LTE-enabled version of the iPad launch next summer, with an LTE iPhone to follow in the fall. The agreement is said to have been hammered out in discussions that saw NTT DoCoMo senior executives travel to Cupertino earlier this month to meet with Apple CEO Tim Cook.
The two companies reportedly reached a basic agreement on bringing the next-generation iPad and iPhone to the carrier, with more specific negotiations now focusing on details such as guaranteed sales volumes. Earlier this month it was reported that Apple and NTT DoCoMo were in discussions about the iPhone but that DoCoMo was hesitant to agree to Apple's demands on unit volume and its refusal to allow the carrier to add its own applications to the device.
Apple has yet to add LTE technology, which will enable faster data speeds, to its mobile devices over battery life concerns and a simple lack of chips appropriate for Apple's needs. But with carriers such as Verizon reaching a significant buildout of LTE and other major carriers also in the early stages of rolling out the faster network technology to their customers, Apple may be looking to take advantage of forthcoming LTE chips from Qualcomm to begin supporting the technology in 2012.
Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.
The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future.
To set up the...
Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.
Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models.
The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras
Under-screen Face ID
Front camera in...
Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by Juli Clover
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows.
One Thing (Free) -...
Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones.
iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features.
Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen
A new slider in the Lock...
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases.
The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white.
They seem close to some...
Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the iPhone mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...
Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by Juli Clover
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026.
Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...
Wednesday December 24, 2025 7:24 am PST by Joe Rossignol
With the end of 2025 near, the time has come to look back at the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year.
Most of the products that were discontinued this year were simply replaced by a new model with an updated chip. However, the iPhone SE line was entirely discontinued when the iPhone 16e launched, and the iPhone Plus line is being phased out.
Below, we have...
Did anyone really expect Apple not to release an LTE capable phone? Their MO is pretty consistent: adopt the latest and greatest when it doesnt compromise the experience. Sometimes that means Apple products are well ahead of the curve (e.g. FireWire, Thunderbolt, USB) sometimes it means theyre behind the curve (e.g. 3G, GPS, LTE) but they rarely miss the sweet spot of being a first class performer when the average consumer is ready.
LTE is great and all, but I don't totally get how stuck up people are on it. No matter what software tricks apple can do, 3G will probably always trump LTE battery wise. Until you can get an LTE phone to last all day whats the point when 3G does pretty darn good by itself?
I am talking more towards the att people here as Verizons network - while more extensive in more rural areas especially - isn't as fast as att, but do webpages generally load slow for all you guys/girls? I generally wait about one second for a mobile formatted web page to load, maybe 2 for a full version of some site. Id take that plus a couple/few hours longer on the battery? As for file downloads (like iTunes) I am unlikely to do that on LTE anyway, because by time I am forced to switch I am sure I will loose my grandfathered unlimited plan. I am not about to download a full album of songs and eat 150-200mb of a 2gb plan. ymmv of course.
On a completely different note, no one mentioned the other piece of the rumor regarding DoCoMo hung up on wanting to install their own cr@pware on the iPhone. That never flew on the mac (namely bc apple didn't have any third party companies involved with the mac), hasn't so far on the iPhone, and I hope never does. Telecoms can hardly manage their core business. Please stay out of the bloatware business. We see how well that worked on every single phone prior to the iPhone.
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4G LTE iPhone 5 on Verizon, June 2012.
I'm guessing more like October. Dollars to doughnuts thats the new upgrade cycle, Oct to Oct.
LTE support would be a nice addition but, unfortunately, LTE is still very rare in Europe so it will be more of a feature for the Americans and Asians.
Oh, and I would be - well, not pissed, but - dissapointed with Apple if they release a new iPad in Q2 2012, and than to release a newer iPad in Q3 or Q4 of 2012.
--------- I also expect from Apple to announce a huge upgrade over the iPhone 4S for the sixth generation iPhone in 2012. Apple is starting to lag behind when you look at the specs.
I'd just love to see a Super AMOLED Plus display in the next generation iPhone. First I was against it, but the "Plus"-variant is actually quite good. Great viewing angle, great battery life, great colours and a huge contrast. Although unlikely, I really hope they are going to use Samsung's Super AMOLED Plus (2?) displays in 2012 for the next-generation iPhone.
AT&T is really not as bad as people on this site make it out to be.
Yes... they are actually. They've been #1 worst carrier for years now, their tech support is worse than third rate, they nickel and time everyone, they drop calls, have horrible 3G coverage, have a very unstable network, are trying to lie by putting a 4G symbol on their iPhone 4S in place of a 3G symbol. Need I go on?
Did anyone really expect Apple not to release an LTE capable phone? Their MO is pretty consistent: adopt the latest and greatest when it doesnt compromise the experience. Sometimes that means Apple products are well ahead of the curve (e.g. FireWire, Thunderbolt, USB) sometimes it means theyre behind the curve (e.g. 3G, GPS, LTE) but they rarely miss the sweet spot of being a first class performer when the average consumer is ready.
Nikkei Business reports [Google translation] that Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo has reached an agreement with Apple that will see an LTE-enabled version of the iPad launch next summer, with an LTE iPhone to follow in the fall. The agreement is said to have been hammered out in discussions that saw NTT DoCoMo senior executives travel to Cupertino earlier this month to meet with Apple CEO Tim Cook.
