San Francisco DA: Apple Told Me The Next Two iPhone Models Preceded Tim Cook - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

San Francisco DA: Apple Told Me The Next Two iPhone Models Preceded Tim Cook

San Francisco district attorney George Gascón told the SF Examiner (via AppleInsider) that an Apple representative told him the next two generations of iPhones have already been developed and that Steve Jobs was involved in their development, saying "they preceded Tim Cook".

After Jobs passed away, it was reported that Apple had four years of product plans in the pipeline that Jobs had personally approved, matching nicely with the above claim.

Iphone5
Gascón said he also spoke with the Apple representative, a government liaison named Michael Foulkes, about the possibility of a 'kill switch' in iOS devices that could permanently disable them if they were stolen. He said he was "underwhelmed" with the discussion, saying the Apple rep seems to be "trained in the art of doing a lot of talking and saying nothing."

Major U.S. carriers agreed last year to develop a database that would allow stolen mobile phones to be disabled and deny them voice and data service, but law enforcement officials would like to see phone makers on board with a similar service as well.

Popular Stories

Tim Cook Chengdu China

Tim Cook Visits China for the Third Time in 2026

Monday October 12, 2026 6:54 am PDT by
Tim Cook is visiting China for the third time this year, with talks in Guangdong focused on expanding Apple's manufacturing and sales operations, the South China Morning Post reports. This is Cook's first China trip in his capacity as Apple's executive chairman. He moved into the position on September 1 when John Ternus took over as CEO. Apple has said part of Cook's work involves...
Apple Logo and Turkiye Flag Feature

Apple Announces Türkiye Expansion Plans as Tim Cook Visits

Monday November 9, 2026 8:32 am PST by
Apple today announced that it will open five new Apple Developer Academies, one Apple Developer Center, and one Apple Manufacturing Academy in Türkiye. Apple's executive chairman Tim Cook is currently touring Türkiye, meeting with the company's retail employees, app developers, content creators, an athlete, and...
iOS 28 AI

Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28

Sunday November 8, 2026 7:42 am PST by
Apple has made a change to its development process for iOS 28, macOS 28, and corresponding software updates, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, he said Apple separates development of each year's new operating systems into three major stages. Typically, he said each stage consists of four weeks of coding followed by a four-week "convergence" period where...

Top Rated Comments

MrXiro Avatar
178 months ago
This would have never happened if Steve was still alive... oh wait...
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
avanpelt Avatar
178 months ago
They had four years of product ideas in the pipeline as of the end of 2011? Okay; but there's a problem with letting those ideas from almost a year and a half ago continue to guide your decisions today. Mobile technology is fluid and it has changed quite a bit from the vantage point Steve had in 2011.

I suspect (hope) Apple's product roadmap until 2015 is dynamic and is not based upon what Steve knew in 2011. Otherwise, we're likely in for a disappointing next two years, folks.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
178 months ago
How is this news?

Ever read Steve Jobs biography? Mentions several next generation products all in Ive's secret room.

This is the same for other companies.

Slow news day.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nepalisherpa Avatar
178 months ago

San Francisco district attorney George Gascón told the SF Examiner (http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2013/03/san-francisco-da-gasc-n-says-industry-keeps-giving-him-run-around-mobile-device-thefts) (via AppleInsider (http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/04/01/apple-govt-rep-says-next-two-iphones-were-designed-under-steve-jobs)) that an Apple representative told him the next two generations of iPhones have already been developed and that Steve Jobs was involved in their development, saying "they preceded Tim Cook".

After Jobs passed away, it was reported that Apple had four years of product plans in the pipeline (https://www.macrumors.com/2011/10/07/steve-jobs-leaves-apples-pipeline-with-four-years-of-products/) that Jobs had personally approved, matching nicely with the above claim.

I thought we already knew this. :confused:
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
178 months ago
A lot can change in 4 generations of tech. Unless they got something mind blowing up their sleeves they had better start doing some fresh ideas

So unless they have something fresh planned, they better plan something fresh? Got it.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wonderspark Avatar
178 months ago
Haha, nice April Fool's joke.

I'm sure Steve knew four years in advance about the ways he would decide to change his mind, too.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Here's What Apple Fixed in iOS 27.2.1 and macOS 27.2.1
Here's What Apple Fixed in iOS 27.2.1 and macOS 27.2.1
49 minutes ago
Webex Gets iPhone Duo Support
Webex Gets iPhone Duo Support
1 hour ago
Meta's Muse AI Agent Comes to Apple Watch
Meta's Muse AI Agent Comes to Apple Watch
2 hours ago
Anker Launches Eufy Security Cam With Auto-Tracking Light
Anker Launches Eufy Security Cam With Auto-Tracking Light
2 hours ago
macOS 27.2.1 Fixes eMudhra Certificate Flaw in Command-Line Tools
macOS 27.2.1 Fixes eMudhra Certificate Flaw in Command-Line Tools
3 hours ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2
Anthropic Launches Claude Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2
4 hours ago
Apple Releases macOS Golden Gate 27.2.1
Apple Releases macOS Golden Gate 27.2.1
6 hours ago
Apple Releases iOS 27.2.1 With Bug Fixes
Apple Releases iOS 27.2.1 With Bug Fixes
6 hours ago
Apple Releases watchOS 27.2.1 and visionOS 27.2.1 With Security Fixes
Apple Releases watchOS 27.2.1 and visionOS 27.2.1 With Security Fixes
6 hours ago
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Gets $99 Amazon Discounts, Starting at $699.99
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Gets $99 Amazon Discounts, Starting at $699.99
6 hours ago
Apple Pay Ad Features Martial Arts Convenience Store Food Fight
Apple Pay Ad Features Martial Arts Convenience Store Food Fight
6 hours ago
Apple Continues to Say Some AI Features Will Have Fees for Extra Usage
Apple Continues to Say Some AI Features Will Have Fees for Extra Usage
6 hours ago
Apple Announces Türkiye Expansion Plans as Tim Cook Visits
Apple Announces Türkiye Expansion Plans as Tim Cook Visits
7 hours ago
Singapore Saved Apple $2.7 Billion in Taxes This Year
Singapore Saved Apple $2.7 Billion in Taxes This Year
7 hours ago
Apple Music's 2026 Artist of the Year is Olivia Dean
Apple Music's 2026 Artist of the Year is Olivia Dean
8 hours ago
This Could Be Your Last Chance to Pre-Order the HomeView at a Discount
This Could Be Your Last Chance to Pre-Order the HomeView at a Discount
8 hours ago
Some HomePod Mini 2 Buyers Returning Units Over Mac Speaker Issues
Some HomePod Mini 2 Buyers Returning Units Over Mac Speaker Issues
8 hours ago
MacBook Pro With PROLED XDR Display: Details You Might Have Missed
MacBook Pro With PROLED XDR Display: Details You Might Have Missed
9 hours ago
Satechi Offers MacRumors Readers 30% Off Select Accessories in Early Black Friday Sale
Satechi Offers MacRumors Readers 30% Off Select Accessories in Early Black Friday Sale
9 hours ago
Leaker Envisions a Shorter iPhone With a New iOS Layout
Leaker Envisions a Shorter iPhone With a New iOS Layout
9 hours ago
Apple to Give You More Control Over When Your Mac Passwords Lock
Apple to Give You More Control Over When Your Mac Passwords Lock
10 hours ago
Siri Is Getting a Better Memory
Siri Is Getting a Better Memory
11 hours ago
iPhone 18e Could Feature Bigger Display and Battery
iPhone 18e Could Feature Bigger Display and Battery
11 hours ago
Apple's Siri Boss May Leave - Here's Who Could Take Over
Apple's Siri Boss May Leave - Here's Who Could Take Over
11 hours ago
Apple Launching Two More New Products This Friday
Apple Launching Two More New Products This Friday
12 hours ago
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
20 hours ago
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
1 day ago
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
1 day ago
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
2 days ago
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
2 days ago