Apple's little September get-together is over. As expected, the iPhone- and iOS-centric event produced a line of colorful iPhones, a new flagship...and, well, that's about it. So what about all the stuff that wasn't announced? We've parsed the patents and rumors that didn't materialize this week, and ranked them in order from "utterly ridiculous" to "Duh, of course." First up…
DON'T COUNT ON IT: Text-to-Speech Capabilities Coming to Notes App
A European patent filing from Apple shows that the Notes app could be getting a text-to-speech function that supports multiple languages. According to the filing, Apple will add a "speak" button to the app's option menu. This function seems useful, but somewhat out of place for the Notes app.
ASK AGAIN LATER: A New Apple TV Box for October?
Apple is reportedly working on a new Apple TV set top box, and it could arrive as soon as October. After a series of rumors and reports over the last few weeks, it seemed likely that some big Apple TV updates are in the works. None of them happened Tuesday, but it's possible an updated Apple TV set top box could make an appearance at Apple's next event, which may be in October.
ASK AGAIN LATER: The iPad Could Get an Anti-Reflective Display
A recently published patent filing shows that Apple could be developing a new anti-reflective display for the iPad. Apple would add another process to its display manufacturing, an anti-reflection layer, and a layer of UV absorption film. This could be something Apple is getting ready to implement, or it could just be a process the company is exploring and what to put some IP behind.
SIGNS POINT TO YES: Redesigned iPad and Retina iPad Mini at Apple's October Event
A number of us were surprised that iPhones and iOS were the only focus of Tuesday's media event. But not to fret. All those rumors of a slightly redesigned iPad and Retina iPad mini still carry some weight. Apple is expected to hold another media event in October, and at it, we'll likely see new iPad models, as well as the release of OS X Mavericks and new MacBook Pros. These are products that will definitely be released before the holiday season. The only thing up in the air is when (and if) Apple will hold an event to debut these guys.
SIGNS POINT TO YES: Apple TV Refresh Coming September 18
A number of us were surprised Apple made no mention of the Apple TV in Tuesday’s keynote. But apparently that update is scheduled for September 18 according to AllThingsD. This is the same day Apple is opening up iOS 7 to the masses, so this could mean that Apple TV is getting updated with something iOS 7-specific like iTunes Radio, as well as an AirPlay update.
