Traces of new iPhone, iOS 7 found in usage logs

We're not going to get a break from Apple rumours this year either. The Next Web reports that mentions of a new Apple iPhone and another iOS version have started showing up in app usage logs already. Developers apparently got in touch with The Next Web to show them references to a new iPhone identifier and the next big operating system update for Apple's smartphone and tablet devices: iOS 7.

New iPhone, iOS 7 may be closer than we thought.

From what they have seen of the developer logs so far, the guys at The Next Web have learnt that the app requests are coming from an IP address leading to Apple's Cupertino campus—which may mean that Apple's software development and app teams are testing the compatibility of some of the apps already on the App Store.

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The report stated, “Although OS and device data can be faked, the unique IP footprint leading back to Apple’s Cupertino campus leads us to believe this is not one of those attempts.”

There are no specifics on the hardware or software features in the developer logs yet. The sources indicated to The Next Web that the company began working on the new OS version towards the end of last year, and the features will soon be finalised and be a part of the first public release.

This report comes at a time when the Internet is already abuzz with rumours of the iPhone 6. The first news out of the blocks is that there are prototypes of the handset floating around. Peter Misek, an analyst at investment firm Jeffries, stated that there are several prototypes of the iPhone 6. He also noted that the most interesting one is the handset which features a 4.8-inch Retina+ IGZO display, a new A7 quad-core processor and no home button. He also feels there is a huge possibility that it could feature full gesture control.