speculating about s7 but they havent released the s6
It was mentioned a while back that the S6 model number was going to be skipped.
S6 would have been the BM1384, not the BM1382, per usual Bitmain numbering scheme.
S4+ numbering made perfect sense within the Bitmain numbering scheme as a BM1382-based "upgrade" to the original S4.
I think they decided on the S5+ name 'cause it wasn't an actual rack mount unit, but it's an odd duck however you figure the numbering of it.
S7 and S5+ are not aimed at the same market - and it appears they sold out completely on the S5+ just before they announced the S7, if I remember the timing right.
I suspect they don't have enough BM1384 chips left to BOTHER trying to build/sell anything else with that chip in it, thus the timing on the BM1385 announcement.
They certainly weren't pressed by EXTERNAL competition to any real degree to push up announcement of their next-gen chip.
s7...
...it probably wont be released untill next year.
Reseller announcements have already claimed September.
It's a virtual certainty the S7 has been in production for a month or so, perhaps longer. What were they replacing the Hashnest and main site "Used S5s" with if not the S7?
Please don't say the S5+, I'd HATE to die laughing.
Skipping model numbers is ancient news. Consider Windows version numbers.....
If anybody remembers the PC Jr., The story I hear is that it was a bet between IBM Marketing and Engineering. Marketing said they could sell anything that Engineering could produce. Engineering wanted to prove them wrong.....
That would explain so MUCH - and is actually believable.
Sadly, though, I'm pretty sure the PC Jr. was intended to compete with the C64.