New Apple iPad Minis And iPod Touch Found Lurking In iOS 12.2 Beta Code

Apple fans love rumors, and one of the best places to find hints of upcoming hardware is within new developer versions of iOS. The iOS 12.2 beta is currently available and one developer dug into the code looking for references to future products. Not surprisingly, iOS developer/guru Steven Troughton-Smith found references in the code to four new iPad models.

The models referenced include "iPad11,1"; "iPad11,2"; "iPad11,3"; and "iPad11,4". The iPads with the 11,2 and 11,4 designations called out in the code are rumored to be cellular versions with the other two offering Wi-Fi only. All we have to go on right now is speculation, but the thought it that these iPad designations are for new iPad mini models. 

Rumors about new iPad mini tablets surfaced last month and suggested that these new tablets would be lower priced and aimed at the low-end tablet buyers that usually go for Android-based devices (or Android forks like the FireOS-based Amazon Fire tablets). There have been rumors that a new iPod Touch is in the works and rumors have pointed to a new version of the 9.7-inch iPad that would possibly have a slightly larger 10-inch screen.

Interestingly, there is also a reference to a new iPod in the software referencing "iPod9,1" that corresponds to no current iPod device. The assumption is that it might be for a new iPod touch, the current iPod touch is "iPod7,1." Apple has registered seven iPads with the Eurasian Economic Commission, and some of the models might be for the units spied in the iOS 12.2 code. The numbers registered include A2123, A2124, A2126, A2153, A2154, A2133, and A2152.

iOS 12.2 is expected to launch in late February or early March, and the new tablets and iPod Touch might launch around the same time. Recently there have also been rumors that second-generation AirPods are coming and will have "Hey, Siri" and health monitoring support.