Rumor: Apple moving to new '3D-like' etched logo, starting with next-gen iMac
As Apple's industrial design language continues to evolve, a new rumor claims the company will change the way it affixes the famous logo that adorns its products, moving to a new process that produces a "3D-like" mark.
The updated logo is said to "shine at the edges," which would be a departure from the current flat aesthetic employed throughout the product line. According to DigiTimes, it will be seen first on a new 27-inch iMac with Retina display that Apple is expected to debut at its event on Thursday.
The rumor should be taken with a grain of salt, however, as DigiTimes has a poor track record with respect to Apple rumors. But the claims will be put to the test quickly on Thursday, when Apple's presentation kicks off at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern, and AppleInsider will be there live with full coverage.
Since Apple moved to its current design language -- heavily featuring metal, rather than plastic -- the company has added logos to many of its desktop products by cutting the logo's shape out of the rear casing, then adding a plastic insert. That is alleged to disappear in favor of a new "printed" style that uses "laser cutting and unique embedded technologies."
Apple's mobile devices have traditionally been an exception, featuring a logo that is integrated with their rear casing. The new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, however, moved to a new cutout style that allowed for the addition of a flush-mounted stainless steel logo to the otherwise aluminum case.
The publication also reported on Wednesday that production of Apple's 12-inch MacBook Air with Retina display is expected to begin in November and said its sources expect it to be unveiled on Thursday. That seems unlikely, however, as the well-connected John Paczkowski of Re/code reported earlier this week that Apple will not in fact unveil a new Retina MacBook Air at the event.
In addition, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities reported this week that the supposedly fan-less device will be delayed until next year as a result of supply issues with Intel's Broadwell processors. He believes that production of the new Retina MacBook Air won't begin until 2015.
Finally, in a separate report, DigiTimes said on Wednesday that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is expected to build the new "A8X" processors rumored to be featured in the next-generation iPad Air. If true, this would come as no surprise, as TSMC is already building 20-nanometer A8 chips for Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
The updated logo is said to "shine at the edges," which would be a departure from the current flat aesthetic employed throughout the product line. According to DigiTimes, it will be seen first on a new 27-inch iMac with Retina display that Apple is expected to debut at its event on Thursday.
The rumor should be taken with a grain of salt, however, as DigiTimes has a poor track record with respect to Apple rumors. But the claims will be put to the test quickly on Thursday, when Apple's presentation kicks off at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern, and AppleInsider will be there live with full coverage.
Since Apple moved to its current design language -- heavily featuring metal, rather than plastic -- the company has added logos to many of its desktop products by cutting the logo's shape out of the rear casing, then adding a plastic insert. That is alleged to disappear in favor of a new "printed" style that uses "laser cutting and unique embedded technologies."
Apple's mobile devices have traditionally been an exception, featuring a logo that is integrated with their rear casing. The new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, however, moved to a new cutout style that allowed for the addition of a flush-mounted stainless steel logo to the otherwise aluminum case.
The publication also reported on Wednesday that production of Apple's 12-inch MacBook Air with Retina display is expected to begin in November and said its sources expect it to be unveiled on Thursday. That seems unlikely, however, as the well-connected John Paczkowski of Re/code reported earlier this week that Apple will not in fact unveil a new Retina MacBook Air at the event.
In addition, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities reported this week that the supposedly fan-less device will be delayed until next year as a result of supply issues with Intel's Broadwell processors. He believes that production of the new Retina MacBook Air won't begin until 2015.
Finally, in a separate report, DigiTimes said on Wednesday that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is expected to build the new "A8X" processors rumored to be featured in the next-generation iPad Air. If true, this would come as no surprise, as TSMC is already building 20-nanometer A8 chips for Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
Comments
DigiTimes = ignore
Even a dead clock is right twice a day. It will be interesting to see what's coming out tomorrow. Processor upgrades are old news, Retina screens are becoming routine these days.
I also wonder if the magnetic remote hanger (like on the plastic iMac G5) is coming back.
DigiTimes is wrong more than twice a day.
Personal computer/mobile technology is leveling out in my opinion. Most computers, smartphones, etc. are already powerful enough to accomplish most anything the user wants to do. Faster processors, more memory, the usual incremental upgrades are no longer the catalyst for sales. So how does a manufacturer differentiate themselves from the rest of the pack? Software and industrial design, two things Apple completely dominates the market with. I see nothing but positives and upsides to Apple’s future.
DigiTimes is wrong more than twice a day.
That is true.
People say that a broken clock is correct twice a day, and that may be true.
But it also means that a broken clock (like Digitimes) is incorrect 22 out of 24 hours a day. Hardly an impressive or reliable track record.
This would have never happen if Steve Jobs was alive
Can't innovate! – That's what I was waiting for! Get your credit cards ready!
If we don't see a Mac mini refresh tomorrow does that mean Apple is giving up on the product?
Even a dead clock is right twice a day.
But DigiTimes isn't a dead clock.
They're like a running clock that's off by 5.34 hours, thus they never have the right time.
Since we haven't see a part leak, I'd guess there isn't much to this. Either it doesn't look like anything noteworthy, or it's a new design that's not yet in production where it could leak. A new iMac being announced and not in production yet would be bad news for the holiday quarter and potentially a repeat of the 2012 iMac supply problem.
I don't think so, they have their way of surprising us. I don't think anyone saw the4th gen iPad coming. Nah, Apple is more like this:
Gil Amelio would never have allowed this.
An implementation of touch ID, for example replacing all hassle with passwords. A real solution to the idea of a docking station / iPad / laptop hybrid. Getting rid of cables. On the software side there is also way to go. A macos device is still something I cannot out I front of a 5 or 75 years old person and expect them to get it wothong short time. Ios OTOH can do this trick. Looking up photos, music quick like using Spotlight (I rman without entering file name / artist etc). The whole Siri business. Or how about when I answer a FaceTime call I can seemlessy switch over to my Mac?
I think there are still many things in terms of evolution and revolution that await us.
I'd love to see an iMac without a chin. I don't expect it tomorrow but one can dream, right?
If we don't see a Mac mini refresh tomorrow does that mean Apple is giving up on the product?
I don't understand this "chin obsession." What difference does it make? Are you inconvenienced by the fact that the bottom of the screen can't be at desk level? Are you distracted by the slab of neutral colored aluminum below the screen? You must have some basis for this complaint, but I can't imagine what it is.