Is Apple Installing LTE Readers In Their Stores? [updated]

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One of the big rumors about the next generation of iPhone is if it will be LTE or not. The big draw would be much faster internet browsing — let’s face it, 3G can feel pokey — but at the same time, it’s expensive and a battery suck. The general feeling among commenters is that this year won’t see a 4G/LTE iPhone, but that next year migh.

However, an anonymous commenter href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/16/why-is-lte-equipment-being-installed-in-an-apple-store/">just emailed Engadget a shot of what they claim is LTE equipment being set up in an Apple Store.

Frankly, I have no idea what that bunch of wires is, or if that’s even an Apple store. Engadget’s source claims that it’s 4G LTE device that AT&T themselves are installing and that it functions on the  700MHz and AWS bands, which AT&T and T-Mobile use.

This comes on the back of BGR posting yesterday that an LTE iPhone href="http://www.bgr.com/2011/08/15/exclusive-4g-lte-iphone-currently-in-carrier-testing/">was being tested by carriers.

Don’t consider this proof of anything yet, but it’s certainly worth keeping an eye on.

UPDATE: href="http://9to5mac.com/2011/08/16/verizon-lte-is-also-being-installed-in-apple-stores/">9to5Mac says Verizon is doing this too…