It was only the first business day of the new year and there were already mentions of new things from Apple; and the mentions were not that of Apple TV alluded to in a recent interview by Tim Cook. Then, just a few days later, rumors about an additional gadget were flying.

On January 2 Reuters UK, reported that Apple has already started testing, not just a new smartphone, but an entirely new OS as well. According to the article, which cited The Next Web, “Application developers have found in their app usage logs references to a new iPhone identifier, iPhone 6.1, running iOS 7 operating system.” It’s Apple’s practice to name the device — that comes out between devices —with an  S, and speculators predict an iPhone of some name this spring. Analysts suggest that this will be the first Apple smartphone offered with choice of color.

 

Of course, Apple only just released the iPhone 5 in late September, so if this latest iteration comes out as predicated, the company is stepping up production time even more. And while there were record sales if the iPhone 5, they were, at that time, under what most anticipated.

 

If, does not seem to be up for debate, but analysts have taken various guesses as to when Apple might release a smaller version of its iconic smartphone. Accordiing to the International Business Times, along with the spring debut of  iPhone mentioned above, will come the iPhone mini. Others say that the market won’t see a mini until 2014.

 

It’s likely that the actual device will be smaller in size, but what would really be more “mini” about this phone, would be the price. This would enable Apple to offer an option for those who may not be able to afford its typical price point and it allows Apple to compete for share of what is now, by all accounts, a Samsung dominated market.

 

Apple attempted a similar competitive move when it cam e out with the iPad mini. It was supposed to be appeal to those in the market for a 7 in. tablet, but it came in larger, both in size and price and has not seen the pre-launch anticipated momentum.  

 

The enterprise won’t be too concerned with yet another device or two; 2013 should be the year when companies get ahead with device management. Another OS, on the other hand, brings with it a whole other set of issues. In any case, no matter how educated the guesses are, or how prepared IT is, Apple usually has something up its sleeve. Most were taken by surprise when the iPad 4 came out.