Apple 'testing iPhone 6 and iOS 7'

Apple has begun testing a new iPhone and the next version of its mobile operating system, according to developers.

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App developers have found references in their usage logs to a new version of the iPhone - identified as iPhone6,1 - and to iOS 7, the next version of the Apple mobile operating system.

The usage logs track the devices using an app, the version of the operating system the device is using, as well as other information, such as the IP address. According to these usage logs, the IP address of the new device and OS comes from within Apple's Cupertino headquarters.

Several developers have reported seeing activity from the new device and operating system, according to The Next Web.

The appearance of new hardware and software in usage logs suggests that Apple is checking compatibility with some big-name apps. However, it doesn't mean that Apple is close to releasing either a new iPhone or iOS 7.

The Next Web says that Apple has not yet finalised the features that will be included in iOS 7, while the 'iPhone6,1' identifier could refer to an early test model or even be a spoof by Apple staff, following their chief executive's promise to "double down on secrecy".

Apple typically announces the new version of iOS in June at its WorldWide Developer Conference in San Francisco. The final version of the operating system is usually released a few months later.

In the past, Apple has announced its new iPhones at WWDC as well but for the last two years the new iPhone has been announced in the autumn.