Now that we’ve all had enough time with the new iPad to separate the facts from the fiction surrounding the device, it’s time to move on to more important matters: The unconfirmed scuttlebutt surrounding Apple’s upcoming hardware and software releases. This week, we're looking at rumors surrounding the MacBook Air, the iPhone 5's probable inclusion of LTE connectivity, and whether or not we'll see a smaller iPad in the near future.

New Line of MacBooks on the Horizon?

According to Boy Genius Report and DigiTimes, Apple is set to release an ultra thin 15-inch laptop featuring ports on both sides of it’s chassis with no ethernet port or optical drive. Whether Apple will be branding it as a MacBook Air, or doing away with their Pro line of laptops over time is hard to say. We have a feeling that we could see the same kind of one unified product rebranding that the iPad recently underwent. MacBook Air? MacBook Pro? Why not keep things simple and just offer MacBook? 

iPhone 5 Could Finally Play with the Big Boys

Rumor has it that the iPhone 5 will feature 4G LTE connectivity. According to Boy Genius Report, along with 4G connectivity, the next iteration of the smartphone will also feature a faster processor and a larger display. Is there any truth to this? Maybe: Reuters has it that the iPhone 5 may use a 4.6-inch display, citing the fact that the company has already started placing orders with suppliers. Unsurprisingly, both LG and Samsung, two of Apple’s go-to companies where display technology us concerned, failed to comment on the subject.

Maybe a Smaller iPad is Coming, After All

Now that we’ve got a new full-sized iPad to satisfy us, it’s time to lust over the possibility of something else: a smaller iPad. The Korea Times claims that Apple may be wheeling and dealing with Samsung in order to secure some of the parts required to assemble a iPad that rocks a 7.68-inch screen. This could provide a similarly sized counter to the Amazon Kindle Fire, which found its way under so many Christmas trees last winter. Whether Apple will be able to come close to the price point Amazon offered their tablet at remains to be seen. (Via TabTimes)