That's a fair point. But it doesn't change the fact the version number isn't printed on anything Apple sell, other than in the marketing info.
Yes, that's one more reason to _not_ have it anywhere, even in Marketing info, Stores, etc...
But there's no doubt, they will continue to have some version 2,1 or 3,1, etc... in the system info as reference. But there's no need to advert as "iPad 3" or "iPhone 5/6"...
Now, it's worldwide famous enough to be adverted as "the brand new iPhone" or "the new iPad"... without referring to any number info.
That way, you don't have to deal disruptive numbers with a potential iPhone 4G, iPhone 5 or iPhone 6, that will actually will be the iPhone 6th Generation, etc...
Well, that's my thoughts
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I doubt they'd get away from some sort of model-specific naming scheme. iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad HD all refer to a model in the present or past. To call every iPad or iPhone simply "iPad" or "iPhone" would subject them to being referred to by their specs, like the "Macbook Pro 2.4GHz". Apple doesn't want to focus on specs.
If you look how Apple is referring to the version of MacBookPro, it's more about "Late 2008", "2009", "Late 2011", etc...
So, I wouldn't be surprise to have an "iPhone" and "iPad" Apple would mention and refer by "Late 2011", "2012", etc...
They surely don't want to focus on specs, but they can focus on Year instead. The only specs would be the size: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
Spid