Countless reports, published over the past few months, claimed that Apple will change the iPhone update cycle and release not one but two generations of its handset in 2015. The company, however, seems to have new plans and it is now rumoured to launch iPhone 7 later. The reason – mysterious electric car project.
Apple was expected by some to introduce two smartphones in 2015 – iPhone 6S and iPhone 7. iPhone 6S was predicted to arrive this spring alongside the company’s first smart wearable – the Apple Watch. iPhone 7, on the other hand, was rumoured to get a big September release this year. A recent report by The Wall Street Journal, however, reveals that Apple will not introduce iPhone 7 this year, due to its secret project codenamed “Titan.”
The U.S. giant’s project “Titan” is rumoured to revolve around an electronic vehicle. There is not much information about Apple’s new endeavor. The machine is referred to as iCar and it is predicted to resemble a minivan, as well as to support various Apple features. According to the WSJ, Apple has already started hiring big names in the automaker industry . Among them was also Marc Newson, Ford’s ex concept designer.
But what does the iCar has to do with iPhone 7? The report claims that the vehicle will work with the upcoming Apple handset. The exact relation between the iPhone and the iCar is not really clear for now. Still, the report suggests that the handset may be used to assist users when driving Apple’s smart car. The smartphone is expected to offer support for the company’s CarPlay service, as well as to serve as a key for the vehicle. This close connection between iPhone 7 and the iCar has lead to the decision to move the handset’s release date from 2015 to 2016, when the vehicle is predicted to be unveiled.
Despite these changes, Apple is said to launch iPhone 6S this spring along with the Apple Watch. However, latest reports indicate that the successor or the 4.7” iPhone 6 will go back to the 4” screen size.
All of that means that for the first time in many years, there may be no new iPhone event in September.
