Apple has released its first TV ad for the iPhone 5s dubbed “Metal Mastered”. This comes just a few days after the company released print ads on the back of many top magazines. The new iPhone 5s ad shows gold taking liquid shape and flowing over the body of iPhone 5s as it turns it gold. It then shows a finger unlocking the device using Touch ID.

This year Apple launched two new iPhones, a plastic version and the flagship model. The company chose to promote the iPhone 5c first and even features in on the homepage as the page loads the first time. Many reports suggest that the company was facing low production yield for the iPhone 5s therefore it could be a thoughtful strategy to promote the model that is available in bulk. Since the iPhone 5c is comparatively easier to manufacture and with internals same as previous gen iPhone the availability wasn’t an issue.

Analysts believe that iPhone 5s outsells iPhone 5c in all major countries. The second round of marketing efforts seem to pass the spotlight to iPhone 5s, the flagship model. The new phone features faster 64-bit A7 processor, improved camera and fingerprint sensor.

The new advertisement plays the song “Ooh La La” by Goldfrapp in the background. This years choice of songs isn’t unique for Apple as it has been used for products such as Motorola KRZR, cometic products etc.

Shipping date estimates for the iPhone 5s have improved since last week as the company finally catches up with pent-up demand. We can expect more advertisements from Apple as the company prepares for yet another blockbuster holiday season.

Check out the new ad below. What do you think about this new advertisement from Apple? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Apple is rumored to announce the fifth-gen iPad (5) during a keynote event later this month. Photos of various leaked parts of the new iPad suggest that the design will be inspired by the iPad mini.

The new iPad 5 (fifth gen) is expected to be lighter, thinner and feature a smaller bezel. Back panels of the rumored device have previously appeared online but now Sonny Dickson has published high resolution images of the design.

We recently reported on a rumor published by AllThingsD that speculates Apple’s next iPad event to be held on October 22nd. The company is expected to unveil the new lineup of iPads for the holiday season.

Fifth gen iPad will be available in silver and space gray finish just like the iPhone 5s. Technical specifications of the new iPad could include A7 64-bit and an improved 8 megapixel camera.

Apple has been struggling with the production rate of Touch ID sensors on iPhone 5s due to high demand. It is unclear if the company will introduce fingerprint sensor technology in the new iPad. There has been no physical evidence of Touch ID being incorporated in the new iPad as yet.

During the iPad keynote event the Cupertino, Calif., based company will also unveil the new iPad mini. The second gen iPad mini is rumored to feature retina display.

Apple hasn’t sent out any media invitation for the iPad event as yet. If the event is indeed scheduled for October 22nd then the media could expect the invite email early next week.

Today Apple issued a press release announcing two new phases of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c launch. It was revealed that the company will launch the new iPhones in 35 new countries on October 25 and in additional 16 countries on November 1 which will include India.

During the iPhone keynote event Apple CEO, Tim Cook, announced that the company will bring its new iPhone lineup to all major markets by the end of 2013. In the next two months the Cupertino, Calif., based company will add a total of 51 countries that will sell the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c.

iPhone 5s and 5c will be available on Friday, October 25 in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, French West Indies, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and Thailand. iPhone 5s and 5c will also be available on Friday, November 1 in Albania, Armenia, Bahrain, Colombia, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, India, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and UAE.

In recent years India has started to emerge as a focus area for Apple. New product launches now typically become available within two months of official launch in the U.S. Sales of iPhone in India since the introduction of iPhone 5 have increased significantly and the company has been making efforts to partner with new distribution partners.

Apple distribution partner Redington in India has partnered with local banks to provide 0% interest EMI payments to buy any product offered at the retail stores. Various schemes such as reduction on price on exchange of any smartphone has also helped to fuel sales.

iPhone 5s is worlds first smartphone to feature 64-bit A7 chip. The new iPhone has improved camera sensor and dual-tone flash that helps capturing better photos in low light conditions. Apple also introduced Touch ID, a fingerprint sensor that allows users to effortlessly unlock their devices.

Many expected iPhone 5c to be low cost iPhone to taget the price sensitive Indian market, however as it turned out iPhone 5c features a new plastic design with the same internals as the iPhone 5. The new colorful iPhone is expected to retail at the same price as iPhone 4s in India. While iPhone 5s will replace the pricing of iPhone 5.

iPhone 5s is expected to be available in limited supply and the gold iPhone could possibly see huge demand. If you are looking to buy the new iPhone on November 1 be sure to book your phone in advance at the nearest retail store or visit the store early.

iPhone 5s Touch ID fingerprint sensor has been bypassed by a German hacker, who claims the process was fairly easy. When Apple announced the new iPhone 5s with fingerprint scanning technology the security and reliability of the new feature was questioned by many.

Earlier this month we published an analysis of the new biometric sensor by a security technologist who said, “… someone with a good enough copy of your fingerprint and some rudimentary materials engineering capability — or maybe just a good enough printer — can authenticate his way into your iPhone”. His analysis has now been proved to be accurate as the hacker whose nickname is ‘Starbug’ described the entire process as “trivial”.

The tools used to bypass the Touch ID  fingerprint sensor included scanning fingerprint from the front screen, high-res laser printer and printed circuit board etching kit. It took the hacker 30 hours for his first attempt but he claims that with proper setup the bypass can be accomplished within 30 minutes. The video shows the detailed process and even though the hacker claims the process is easy it does require skill, knowledge and experience to perform the hack.

iPhone 5s allows up-to 5 failed attempted and then locks the device with the fallback passcode. So, if someone manages to steal your iPhone, they would have only five trails to attempt a successful unlock. Also, it’s worth noting that Apple has included mandatory passcode unlock if the iPhone reboots or hasn’t been unlocked for 48 hours.

It is a well known fact that even the passcode can be bypassed using advanced software tools however, with the new activation lock thieves would possibly not be interested in stealing your phone. With activation lock the iPhone requires your Apple ID and password to turn off Find My iPhone, erase the device or reactivate and use the device.

Touch ID in the new iPhone 5s is an attempt by Apple to encourage more users to secure their device by setting a passcode yet not having to face the trouble to enter it again by again. You just place your finger over the home button and within 1-2 seconds the device unlocks.

Even though Apple’s Touch ID has been bypassed for the average user this shouldn’t be of much concern. Performing the hack to unlock the device would could still render the device useless without the Apple ID and password. The personal data can also be remote wiped anytime using Find My iPhone service.

The latest iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c from Apple went on sale in the US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the UK on September 20th. Apple recently announced opening weekend sales figures of 9 million iPhones sold. However, the company did not give a breakdown for iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c separately.

Judging by the availability of iPhone 5s models at Apple stores and the slipping of shipping dates to October, it was easy to believe that iPhone 5s is clearly more popular. Now, a new report by Localytics gives us some more insight into how popular is the iPhone 5s vs. iPhone 5c. The analytics company examined 20 million unique iPhones and then analysed the breakdown by country.

The report reveals that China leads in terms of users’ preference for iPhone 5s over iPhone 5c. One of the results for the popularity could be the new gold color. Many analysts believe that in the Asian market gold color phone would be extremely popular.

One possible explanation: there was a lot of hoopla around the addition of the gold-colored iPhone 5s as a very attractive addition in particular for Asian markets so this hypothesis may hold true.

Except the UK all other major markets were reported to have a very high ratio of the 5s vs. the 5c. The reason behind this could be due to subsidies not playing a major role in buyers decision and the fact that the economy is still recovering.

Further, the report highlights that the United States accounts for 68% of all active iPhone 5s and 5c devices. In simple terms, these numbers clearly suggest that more users are opting to buy the all-new iPhone 5s than the iPhone 5c.

Apple’s iPhone 5s comes with improved camera, dual-tone LED flash, 64-bit chip A7 processor and Touch ID fingerprint sensor. This year the company added two new colors to the lineup, introducing space gray and gold. Even though iPhone 5c is available at $100 cheaper the launch weekend certainly suggests more interest in the faster flagship model than the more colorful 5c.

The all-new iPhone 5s will go on sale on September 20th in ten countries and for the first time China will be one of them. This year Apple did not take any pre-orders for the iPhone 5S however, in China and Hong Kong the company started accepting reservations for iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s on September 17th.

Shortly after the iPhone 5s reservations went live, the stock for most models were sold out. It was reported that gold color was one of the quick sell outs. The reason behind Apple not taking pre-orders this year is because of limited supplies. We previously reported that Apple was facing issues with the fingerprint sensor and even though the smartphone will launch on schedule the supplies will be limited.

Stock selling out in China is a clear indication that the availability of the new iPhone 5s will be constrained worldwide. Customers in the U.S can either order the iPhone 5s online on September 20th or visit an Apple Store to buy it. However, due to limited stock it might be difficult to buy it on launch day.

Apple’s new iPhone 5s features Touch ID fingerprint technology, enhanced camera and 64bit A7 chip. The design is same as the iPhone 5 with minor changes to the overall look. iPhone 5s also features dual-tone LED flash for natural looking photos even in low light conditions.

iPhone 5s is available in 16GB, 32GB and 64 GB memory variations in white, gold and space gray colors. Are you excited about getting an iPhone 5s? Will you visiting the Apple Store or ordering it online? Let us know in the comments below.

After numerous rumors about Apple including a fingerprint sensor in iPhone 5S were published, we finally have the new iPhone with a biometric sensor that Apple calls Touch ID. The purchase of AuthenTec, a company that specialises in fingerprint lock technology made this feature possible in the new iPhone.

Apple is known for integrating hardware and software features seamlessly and the new fingerprint scanner is probably one of the best examples out there right now. Fingerprint scanning has been used in many devices before however, the ease of use on the iPhone sets a new standard. Instead of swiping your finger over the sensor Apple has made it as intuitive as touching the home button by placing the sensor right below it.

During the keynote presentation Apple’s SVP of marketing, Phil Schiller noted that half of the customer don’t set a passcode on their devices. By introducing Touch ID Apple is making it easier and hassle free for users to remember their pass-codes. With the iPhone 5S once you register your fingerprint your finger becomes your password and there is virtually no need to remember your passcode to unlock your phone.

When we think of setting up a passcode, the first suggestion is to make sure its unique and hard for someone else to figure out. But, with the new iPhone when you set your fingerprint as your password you’re setting a password which is easily available on anything you touch. Bruce Schneier, a security technologist, on his blog Schneier on Security {via GigaOM} has written an excellent piece on how secure is the biometric technology. Schneier notes that it is possible to hack fingerprint locks using various techniques.

… someone with a good enough copy of your fingerprint and some rudimentary materials engineering capability — or maybe just a good enough printer — can authenticate his way into your iPhone

In an old episode of MythBusters, it was shown that after securing fingerprints of a person by making him touch the cover of a CD, an exact replica of the ridges in the finger was created. This was then used in different formats, using 3D thumbprint imprinted ballistics gel, 3D thumbprint imprinted latex strip and photocopy of a scanned image of the fingerprint.

The hack worked on all occasions. Some fingerprint scanners also look for body temperature or moisture and even that could be replicated by licking the latex strip to create a sweaty feel.

Schneier notes that the technology becomes more vulnerable if the database that stores fingerprints is centralised. However, in the case of iPhone 5S it will be encrypted on the new A7 chip.

Apple recently shared some new information regarding the new fingerprint sensor and Touch ID. A spokesperson for the company mentioned {via Wall Street Journal} that in addition to the Touch ID a user will have to setup a passcode.

In an event of failure to recognize the fingerprint iPhone will use your passcode as a fallback. In case the phone is rebooted or hasn’t been unlocked for 48 hours the fingerprint scan won’t be accepted as means to unlock the phone.

Given the fact that Apple realises that it isn’t impossible to bypass the fingerprint sensor, the company has put in place such security measures to ensure the iPhone is protected in any scenario.

A page from the user guide of the upcoming iPhone 5S has allegedly leaked online which suggests the new fingerprint scanner will be called ‘Touch ID sensor’. Apple’s iPhone 5S is about to be unveiled at a media event at 10:00 AM PT in Cupertino, Calif. and now this photo has been uncovered by Nowhereelse.fr.

The user guide photo shows the home screen of the iPhone 5S running iOS 7 and marking labels on the physical buttons of the device. Clearly the home button carries an additional label “Touch ID sensor”. The style of the home button with a silver ring is consistent with previous leak of iPhone 5S packaging photo.

Fingerprint / Touch ID Sensor could be the main highlight feature of the new iPhone 5S. It has been widely reported that Apple’s use of the fingerprint technology as a means to authenticate or unlock the device is very easy and seamless. The additional silver ring on the home button will act as a sensor to record the users fingerprint with accuracy.

The all-new iPhone 5S will also feature dual-led flashlight, new A7 processor and new camera software to support slow motion video recording. We’re just minutes away from the new iPhone being announced. The release date for the new iPhone 5S is expected to be around September 20th. Pre-orders for the new iPhone could go live as early as September 13th.

With the new Touch ID sensor iPhone 5S could be an attractive upgrade for users with previous gen iPhone. We will report on all the tech specs of the new iPhone as soon as the live keynote event is over and all details are available.

We’ve been reporting about the rumors and various leaks surrounding the fingerprint sensor in iPhone 5S. Photos of the home button flex cable that leaked last week was a strong indicator about the inclusion of the new sensor in iPhone 5S. Additionally, packaging of the upcoming iPhone was also leaked that showed silver button on the home button.

All the recent leaks and rumors have provided significant proof that we will indeed see Apple announce the new iPhone 5S with a fingerprint sensor. Analysts have repeatedly predicted Apple’s purchase of Authentec to be closely tied in with the fingerprint sensor making it to the iPhone. Now, The Wall Street Journal has also confirmed the rumor based on sources close to the matter.

Placing a finger on a computer or smartphone has long been proposed as a way to avoid the need for passwords to authenticate users of computers and other devices. People familiar with the matter said last week that Apple will include a fingerprint scanner on the more expensive of two iPhones it is expected to unveil Tuesday at an event at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters.

Even though Apple’s iPhone may not not be the first smartphone to feature a fingerprint scanner, it is believed that Apple’s implementation of the feature is the easiest and seamless. Using fingerprint data to unlock devices or use as a replacement for passwords has been available on computers and phones however, the accuracy and reliability has always been a concern.

iPhone 5S will be unveiled at a media event being held today at the Town Hall Campus in Cupertino, Calif. It will be interesting to see how Apple uses the fingerprint scanning technology to make iPhone even more secure and easy to use.

The new iPhone 5S is expected to be unveiled in less than two hours at Apple’s media event being hosted at the Cupertino, Calif. Town Hall auditorium. Banners resembling the media invite have been put up at the gate entrance. It shows colorful circles with Apple logo in the middle.

iPhone 5S keynote event will go live at 10:00 AM PT. This years media event theme is, “This should brighten everyone’s day.” It is widely believed that Apple will announce iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C at today’s keynote event.

According to various rumors we’ve published in the past iPhone 5S will retain the same design as the iPhone 5. The highlight features in the hardware could be new fingerprint sensor, dual-led flashlight and new A7 processor. The camera sensor is rumored to have new slow motion recording feature. A patent filing we reported on yesterday also suggested that the home button fingerprint sensor could also feature NFC for contactless financial transactions.

Apple is also expected to announce the all-new low-cost iPhone 5C model which will have a polycarbonate body with the same design and tech specs as the iPhone 5. A special media event scheduled for September 11 for Chinese media could suggest deal with China Mobile to carry iPhone 5C on its network. With over 700 million subscribers, a deal with China Mobile could prove to be a huge win for Apple.

In addition to iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, Apple will share updates on iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks release date. Are you excited about today’s event? Will you be upgrading your iPhone based on the rumors about the iPhone 5S? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5S is widely rumored to feature a fingerprint sensor. New photos leaked by C Technology show packaging of the alleged iPhone 5S with the home button supporting a silver ring around it.

The photo of iPhone 5S box shows the front face of the new iPhone with iOS 7 home screen. The authenticity of the picture is hard to prove however, leaks and reports published in the past suggests that these may be real. We recently posted the news about  the photo of iPhone 5S home button flex cable appearing on the web. The cable had a new square  extension which points towards the inclusion of a new fingerprint sensor.

It’s interesting to note that during an episode of TWiT (This week in tech), Clayton Morris of Fox News shared that the new iPhone 5S home button will have a silver ring around it according to his sources. AppleInsider has published a detailed analysis of the possible use a silver ring around the home button of the next-gen iPhone.

According to the report, Apple could be using a smart sensor capable of inserting a low frequency RF signal as the finger touches the silver ring. The technology then recognises your fingerprint even as you touch the home button eliminating the need for any new swiping gestures. The whole experience could be seamless where the user would touch the home button and the iPhone will authenticate the user and unlock the phone.

Apple Inc. acquired Authentec for $356 million in 2012 which fuelled rumors about the possibility of the new fingerprint sensor. The company is known to acquire smaller companies for its talent for innovation in specific fields.

The inclusion of a silver ring around the home button as a mere design change would be against Apple’s design principles so it is certainly possible for the silver ring to be an integral part of the new hardware.

Apple will be unveiling the new iPhone 5S on September 10th as it hosts a media event to announce the release date.

iPhone 5S release date could be set for September 20th as T-Mobile has issued a vacation blackout for its employees starting 20th and ending 22nd. Apple is widely rumored to hold iPhone 5S media event on September 10th so its possible that 20th may in-fact be the release date for the new iPhone.

Apple’s carrier partners usually issue blackout dates in order to make sure that they have maximum workforce during the first week of the launch of a major product. iPhone launch day has traditionally witnessed long queues and such blackout dates have been reported in the past with other carriers as well.

This year Apple is expected to introduce two iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. While iPhone 5S will be the flagship product for 2013, iPhone 5C will be a more economical model geared towards pre-paid users and the Asian market.

iPhone 5S is widely reported to feature dual-led flash, A7 processor expected to be 31% faster, new fingerprint sensor and advanced camera software supported by new motion sensors. The overall design of the new iPhone will remain the same as the current gen phone.

On the other hand iPhone 5C will support a polycarbonate body with a 4inch retina display and will sell in multiple colors. The hardware is expected to run on A6 chip and the same 8 megapixel camera.

If previous years launch is any indication then September 20th launch of iPhone 5S in the United States could be followed by the second round of countries about two weeks later.

{via TmoNews}

Apple is rumored to announce the new iPhone 5S during a special keynote event on September 10. A number of leaks and reports in the recent past provide enough evidence to conclude that the next-gen iPhone will carry the same design as the previous iPhone.

According to a new report published by KGI’s Mingchi Kuo iPhone 5S will feature a new A7 chip. The new chip as the report suggests will be ARMv8 based application processor. This could give boost to the speed and performance to the new device which will run iOS 7 out of the box. In addition to a new processor the new hardware could use an upgraded memory from LPDDR2 to LPDDR3. Even though the RAM will likely remain the same at 1GB it will be speedier.

 Since Apple is in charge of both hardware  and OS design, it is capable of minimalizing memory capacity at an optimized state. Therefore, A7’s RAM will likely be unchanged at 1GB.

In line with recent reports published by various publications Kuo notes that the new iPhone 5S will support a sapphire home button with a fingerprint sensor. When Apple acquired Authentec it was speculated that Apple could use fingerprint sensor technology in future iOS devices. A fingerprint sensor below the home button could provide secure authentication to access the device and even eliminate the need to remember passwords as users could just tap the home button with their finger to log in or unlock the device.

Kuo’s report further suggests that the camera will largely remain unchanged in the new iPhone 5S. While the camera would be same 8 megapixel however, it could feature a larger F2.0 aperture and dual flash lights.

Another interesting prediction in the report is concerning a new color option in addition to black and white. Apple could introduce a gold color casing for the new iPhone 5S. We could also see new storage option for 128GB.

There have been mixed reports about the new gold casing and the new storage option. Apple does offer 128GB iPad so it is possible that the company could be looking at offering a high storage model to satisfy the need of pro users.

Based on these predictions does the new iPhone 5S excite you? Will you be upgrading your phone to iPhone 5S this year? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

{via 9to5Mac}

Apple has been long rumored to be working on a low-cost iPhone to compete in the mid-priced segment of the smartphone market. There have been various reports that suggest that iPhone 5C will feature a plastic body and will come is different colors.

Now, SonnyDickson has posted a high resolution video of yellow color back housing of “iPhone 5C”. The increasing number of parts leaks and images of the purported new hardware could suggest that the low-cost iPhone is indeed in the works.

We recently highlighted a report that predicts Apple’s upcoming iPhone event will be held on September 10th. The company is expected to unveil the next-gen iPhone 5S. The new iPhone could feature fingerprint sensor, new camera, dual-led flash and a faster processor.

Apple has always offered the previous gen iPhone at a low cost with the regular carrier contracts. However, the carrier unlocked iPhones price is still quite high. New low-cost iPhone 5C would offer a great opportunity to offer the same iOS ecosystem to more customers at a lower price point even when the phone is bought without a contract.

A lower price point would expose Apple to larger adoption in Asian countries too which has become an important strategy for Apple’s future expansion plans. Apple’s popular integration of hardware and software at a low cost could boost the sales volumes and thus expose new customers to Apple’s ecosystem.

Apple on Tuesday posted a new TV ad spot for iPhone called ‘FaceTime Every Day’. The ad is similar in concept to the previously released ads ‘Music Every Day‘ and ‘Photos Every Day‘.

The ad shows iPhone customers using FaceTime feature in different locations and situations. It ends with a message that says, “everyday more people connect face to face on the iPhone than any other phone”.

The latest series of TV ad focusses on the popularity of photos, music and now the use of FaceTime on the iPhone. iPhone has been the most popular camera to take photos according to the number of uploads to social sharing sites and iTunes music store is the number one digital store.

iPhone product line is due for a refresh this fall and as rumors about new product launch rise Apple experiences low sales for the existing models. The ad is released just at the time when most news outlets are discussing the next-gen iPhone. With the latest ad Apple would hope to pull customers interest towards iPhone 5.

According to many reports the next-gen iPhone is expected to feature a finger print scanner, most likely, under the home button. In addition to that, new camera hardware and new faster processors would be a part of the next-gen launch.

Apple is expected to announce iPhone 5S release date later this fall. A new report published earlier today suggests that one of Apple’s display partners, Sharp, will begin manufacturing iPhone 5S display panels in June.

The latest claim by Japanese newspaper Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, confirms claims made by The Wall Street Journal last month about iPhone 5S production beginning in the second quarter. The report also mentions that Japan Display and LG Display have also received mass production orders for the LCD panels.

It’s been widely reported that Apple had been facing production issues with the fingerprint sensor in IPhone 5S, which caused delay and the release date was pushed further. Apple had faced production issues even with the white iPhone 4 which caused delay in the launch of the white color model.

Apple has pushed the iPhone release cycle from June every year to September – November timeframe. The iPhone 5S is expected to be announced at a special event later this fall. During the quarterly earnings call Apple CEO, Tim Cook, did hint at a strong product lineup which will be introduced during the fall and beyond.

According to the rumors and reports published online iPhone 5S is widely expected to carry the same design as the iPhone 5 but, will feature fingerprint sensor, upgraded camera, faster CPU performance and more.

{via MacRumors}

Earlier this year, KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi-Kuo reported on Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5S with a fingerprint sensor and the rumored lower cost iPhone. Kup specifically noted in his report that the Cupertino company would run into issues when including the fingerprint sensors, particularly with the color coatings on the sensors.

Although Kuo initially claimed a June/July timeframe, he later noted that this time would likely be pushed back to a September timeframe because of the issues. It appears that Kuo was right, with a report from Reuters on Monday noting that Apple’s suppliers are under pressure due to uncertainty about demand for the company’s products. Reuter’s report highlights all of the same issues noted by Kuo, which may create more issues for Apple, particularly in terms of stock price.

Supplier sources in Japan and Taiwan, home to dozens of Apple suppliers, said they initially expected mass-production of the next iPhone to begin in June.

That date may have begun to slip beyond June, the sources said. The phone, widely referred to as the iPhone 5S, is expected to include new features such as a fingerprint sensor. A supply chain source in Taiwan said Apple was trying to find a coating material that did not interfere with the fingerprint sensor, and this may be causing a delay.

In the report, it was also noted that a Japanese supplier has given word that “small-scale production” of screens for Apple’s lower cost iPhone will begin next month, followed by mass production in June. This likely means that the iPhone won’t be released to the public until at least September. The lower cost iPhone is expected to use the same 4 inch screen as the iPhone 5, but will have a plastic casing and will lack a fingerprint sensor. Apple has been under fire recently, with its stock in a tailspin, and increasing criticism of Tim Cook’s ability to navigate the company in the right direction.

{Via MacRumors}

According to Topeka Capital markets analyst Brian White, Apple’s next iPhone, being called the iPhone 5S will include the same screen size as the current iPhone 5, a larger camera, and a new fingerprint sensor.

Previously, White had reported that the iPhone would have multiple screen sizes similar to the range of Android devices. However, he is now reversing this claim and is reporting that Apple will be retaining the same screen size as the current iPhone 5. This new claim reportedly comes from a trade show in China where his sources detailed the information.

In the report, White also noted that the volume buttons will be arranged differently and that the fingerprint sensor will be the differentiating feature for this generation. This is in line with all of Apple’s other iPhone features such as Siri on the iPhone 4S and the speed bump on the iPhone 3GS. Brian White has reported on a number of iOS devices in the past, including the iPad and previous generations of iPhone.

In his report, White also mentioned some details on the cheaper iPhone:

Strangely enough, the lower-priced iPhone is still being called the “iPhone mini”; however, the general consensus (albeit a few disagreed and expect a slightly smaller screen) was that this new device would actually have the same screen size (i.e., 4-inches) as the iPhone 5. However, the “iPhone mini” will have a curved back casing made of colored plastic and will be thicker than the iPhone 5. We also learned the pricing could be a bit higher than our recently raised expectation, reaching as high as $400.

Typically, solid details on an iPhone refresh do not come to light until the release date gets closer. However, with already existing leaks and more hardware leaks on the horizon, the iPhone 5S is all but confirmed for release later this year.

{Via MacRumors}

Earlier this year, rumors began to emerge that Apple is planning to include a fingerprint sensor in its upcoming iPhone 5S. The reports died down for a few weeks but have once again surfaced, this time from Apple. Apple recently posted a new job listing for a software enginner to work with the AuthenTec fingerprint sensor team in Florida. Apple acquired AuthenTec for $365 million last year, and appears to be finally putting it to use. The location of the job is listed in Melbourne, Florida where the AuthenTec company was based, and is the only listing on the Apple job site for this city.

Apple also notes in the description that the job requires the ability to write “low-level code to configure and control hardware” and requires an educational minimum of a BS (Bachelors of Science) degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or Computer Science. Other requirements are the ability to use the “Labtool” software, which is used for updating the tool to work with new sensors as well as automating lab test and characterization.

LabTool – Develop, maintain, update and optimize the “LabTool” software that is used for lab evaluation and characterization of the Melbourne Design Center sensor ICs. This includes adding new features as specified by the analog and digital design engineers. Updating the tool to work with new sensors. Automating lab test and characterization. Provide support and debug capability to all groups within Apple that use the tool.

Following its acquisition by Apple, AuthenTec became a company focused solely on fingerprint sensing and identity management. This could come in great use to Apple is they choose to include in their next iPhone as it would allow for the Cupertino, California company to redesign their passcode lock which has had a number of issues in recent months and even do away with certain log-in windows in iOS. It would also benefit businesses who would want extra security on devices they provide to employees.

{Via MacRumors}

According to a report from Nowhereelse.fr, a pair of alleged parts for the iPhone 5S have surfaced online. The parts are reportedly from supplier Moumantai and includes an alleged home button, vibrator, and the volume/mute flex cable. The home button appears to be the same but attaches to the main logic board and then routes through the body of the iPhone 5S differently than in the current iPhone.

Apple has been rumored to be including a fingerprint sensor in the next generation iPhone, a feature that doesn’t appear to have changed the layout of the flex cable. The parts in these images may even be a prototype for the current iPhone 5 that was never used.

The placement of all these parts of on the flex cable is much more compact than in the current iPhone 5, likely pointing to a device with more internal space for other parts such as battery. There haven’t been many part leaks for the rumored iPhone 5S, however, they will likely begin to appear as the release date gets closer. The iPhone 5S is already expected to carry the same external design as the iPhone 5, but will likely have different internals and a few new features.

{Via MacRumors}

According to a report from China Times, Apple is looking to include both fingerprint sensors and NFC (Near Field Communication) e-wallet features to the iPhone 5S. Apple has reportedly drafted a contract with Taiwan’s Chipbond Science and Technology in order to develop the fingerprint sensors. The report also notes that both the fingerprint sensors and the NFC capabilities will work in tandem, allowing users to make purchases and verify their payment with their fingerprints.

Earlier this month, Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities reported that Apple was looking to include a fingerprint sensor in the iPhone 5S as well as an improved camera and A7 chip. He also mentioned that next iPhone would have the same design as the iPhone 5 and would release in the June/July timeframe. This isn’t the first time that reports like these have surfaced, however, Kuo has a solid track record, having accurately reported on a number of Apple product releases and refreshes.

Apple has reportedly been working on including a fingerprint sensor in the iPhone since last year, when the Cupertino company acquired security firm AuthenTec for $356 million. The firm was acquired specifically for the its “Smart Sensor” technology, which is only 1.30 millimeters thick and can scan 500 pixels per inch. Kuo noted previously that this “Smart Sensor” would be strategically placed under the home button for easy scanning when prompted. When not activated, the sensor would remain off under the button.

Apple is setting itself up for a much improved iPhone e-wallet experience, with the introduction of Passbook last year and now the rumored fingerprint sensor. This is the first time that the company would utilize the bezel on its iOS devices for anything other than holding the device and to house the home button.

{Via AppleInsider}