iPhone 6 rumors hit validation stage, Thailand social networks [Update]

August 14, 2014

Every day I wake up to translations of Asian iPhone 6 rumors in my inbox. Mostly I ignore them because I kinda figure Apple isn't getting out of the iPhone business any time soon, so of course we'll get a new one this fall, just like every fall, and when you make tens of millions of something, of course things will leak. But so will canceled prototypes and outright fakes. However, sometimes the leaks are from sources too strange to pass up. Take this tweet from the secretary general of the office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in Thailand Takorn Scullion:

Office of the NBTC through standard iPhone 6 to allow dealers in Thailand then.

That's further elaborated on by ASTV Manager Online:

NBTC secretary. Reveals Apple's request for permission to import two new iPhone models in the code A1586 and A1524 but no other details were revealed. Since it is a company secret Confirmation of this approval faster than the iPhone 5s.

If that's accurate, it's both interesting and remarkably indiscreet. Either way, he's likely not going to get a New Year card postmarked from Cupertino any time in the next ever.

Meanwhile, translations of Weibo rumors suggest the iPhone 6 has entered into product validation testing (PVT) because, you know, Apple wants to make sure the manufacturing actually works as expected and up to spec before tens of millions of devices are pushed out.

All that to say everything is likely right on schedule for the rumored September 9 event day, and the in-keeping-with-pattern September 19 launch day.

Now feel free to speculate on just what exactly those two model codes, if accurate, may refer to...

Update A local Thailand media outlet now claims, via unknown sources, that Apple representatives requested to meet with the country's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. The report says Apple has expressed concerns that currently confidential device specifications could be revealed by the NBTC before Apple makes any official announcements. The same report says that the NBTC defended its actions in revealing the device numbers, claiming they were covered under Thailand's laws.