Code Found in Apple’s Latest Mobile Software Teases iPhone 5 and iPad 3

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Thanks to a little digging, sources at TUAW have discovered hints about what Apple may have in store for future iPad and iPhone models. The info comes via code found in developer versions of Apple’s next mobile operating system update, iOS 5, which will be available to the public this fall.

In particular, files found in the version of the iOS 5 software that was recently made available to programmers contained references to the yet-to-be confirmed iPad 3 and iPhone 5.

Here’s the tech-y, comma-filled lowdown:

“[T]here are declarations buried in the iOS system files that reference ‘iPad3,1’ and ‘iPad3,2.’ Likewise, ‘iPhone4,1’ and ‘iPhone4,2.’ The iPhone 5 will be a 4th generation unit because the iPhone 3G was technically 1st generation.”

More importantly, there seems to be no mention of an iPod Touch 5, which could suggest Apple is moving away from the Touch as a standalone mp3 player (allowing them to push the Nano).

History seems to support the evidence: As Apple Insider points out, iOS 4.3 beta also included references to the second-gen iPad with files dubbed “iPad 2,1” “iPad 2,2” and “iPad 2,3,” which went on to become the Wi-Fi, GSM and CDMA versions of the iPad 2 you see today.

But these model registrations don’t necessarily mean that the product will make it to market: For instance, “iPhone 3,2” apparently never became a product, while “iPhone 3,3” took over a year to become the Verizon iPhone.

Confused? That’s OK. The short of it is that Apple likes to tease, and unlike Rep. Weiner and his recent shenanigans, they know how to leave a little to the imagination.

More on TIME.com:

iCloud and More: 10 Questions About Recent Apple News

Apple Debuts ‘iTunes in the Cloud’ (but No New iPhone)

iPad 3 by the Holidays? Rumor Resurfaces