Using force touch Apple Watch can provide the user with new user interactions and offers an unobtrusive way to access menu within an app or even change watch faces. According to AppleInsider’s report which cites people familiar with the matter, Apple could be looking at including the same ‘force touch’ technology in the upcoming ‘iPhone 6s’.

While describing the technology Apple refers to force touch as the “most significant new sensing capability since Multi‑Touch”. Apple introduced multi-touch technology first on the iPhone, then on the iPad and it was also extended to its trackpad. The company is known to offer unified user interface across all its devices so it is possible that after Apple Watch iPhone 6s could be the next device featuring the new technology.

It is interesting to note that the report mentions that Apple was working on including the technology even on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus however, due to technical reasons it was scheduled for inclusion in the next iPhone. It is possible that with phone screens getting bigger, sensing force could be a great way to add contextual menu’s in the middle of the screen to avoid stretching your thumb all the way to the top.

Apple is holding ‘spring forward’ special media event on March 9 where the company is widely expected to announce Apple Watch apps, availability and pricing. As the watch becomes available sometime in April we will have to wait and see how ‘force touch’ can change the way we interact with touch based interfaces.

The publication quotes Taipei-based analyst Jeff Pu who suggests that Largan Precision Co, a major smartphone camera lens supplier to Apple Inc. will “face limited earnings” due to slow transition to higher-resolution lenses.

Pu said that the camera specifications of the next-generation iPhone, dubbed iPhone 6S, will stay the same as the current iPhone 6 at 8-megapixels, limiting potential catalysts to push Largan’s stock price higher in the second half of the year.

The report published by Taipei Times contradicts Daring Fireball’s John Gruber belief that Apple may be working on major camera improvements for the next iPhone.

Apple has been following a pattern when it comes to launching new iPhone each year. The company introduces an all-new design one year and then follows up with the same design but with new processor and camera enhancements.

Most companies have launched new phones with more megapixels each year whereas Apple has retained the 8 megapixel camera since the iPhone 4s but, improved the sensor and added new technologies to allow users to take better photos.

Apple leads the list of most popular cameras on Flickr and to retain that spot the company would need to continue making the iPhone camera better each year. It will be interesting to see if Apple features a higher megapixel camera in the new iPhone. The new iPhones are likely to be unveiled sometime near September this year.

The campers often have an ‘agenda’ which is either to gain fame, promote their products or earn some money in exchange of the first spot in the line. Apple has been known to be extremely supportive of its customers lining outside the retail stores by offering food and coffee for free. Other companies are also eager to join the bandwagon by sponsoring the campers with their products of course.

Rob Shoesmith camped outside Apple’s retail store for 10 days in anticipation of iPhone 4S which got him a lot of media attention and sponsors. This year Jason and Moon Ray got the first spot after paying $2500 to Brian Ceballo and Joseph Cruz of BuyBackWorld. Jason and Moon Ray are promoting a health app called VideoMedicine which can used to videoconference with doctors.

This year Apple is widely expected to announce 4.7 inch and 5.5 inch screen iPhones. The next iPhone is rumoured to feature sapphire crystal display, improved camera sensor, new biometric sensors, improved battery performance and NFC chip. Analysts report suggest that Apple will finally enter the mobile payment segment with NFC enabled iPhone by partnering with American Express, Visa and MasterCard.

iPhone 6 / iPhone Air is also expected to be available in 128GB capacity in addition to 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models. The pricing of these models is unknown however, it is estimated that 5.5 inch model will cost $100 more that the current price points.

Apart from iPhone announcement the company is also rumoured to enter wearable product category. Apple CEO Tim Cook has commented on wearable technology in the past and has noted that the wrist continues to be an area of interest. In the recent past the company has made notable hires from Nike which further fuel the rumours about an iWatch.

All rumours will be put to rest on September 09, 2014 when Apple kicks starts its special iPhone keynote event. Are you excited about the new iPhone 6? Do you think Apple will unveil an iWatch during the event? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Apple’s next gen iPhone, widely rumoured to be called iPhone 5S or iPhone 6, is expected to be unveiled later this fall. According to a new rumor published on WeiPhone.com, iPhone 5S will carry twice as many pixels as iPhone 5. The hardware will reportedly receive minor makeover with a narrow bezel.

According to sources, iPhone 5S (or iPhone 6) or to have a more narrow screen frame, is now preparing, will ship in September. In addition, the product also has a screen 1.5 million pixels, compared to nearly 730,000 iPhone 5 the number of pixels, if not the screen size continues to increase, the resolution will be greatly improved.

Apple could be looking at increasing the pixel density in the next iPhone which would result in a resolution of 1704 x 960 with 489 pixels per inch (PPI). This could however, pose potential issues for developers who would be forced to change the app design to fit the increased pixel density by 1.5 factor in each dimension.

The design of iPhone has remained same for two generations such as in iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Rumor posted on WeiPhone is contrary to the popular belief that iPhone 5S / 6 will retain the same design as the iPhone 5. Apple invests a huge amount in researching and developing the hardware design and could possibly look at retaining the existing design.

Apple’s next iPhone will compete directly with Samsung’s Galaxy S4 which boasts a large screen of 4.99 inch and 441 pixels per inch with a Super AMOLED screen of 1920 x 1080 resolution. It is highly unlikely for Apple to introduce a new iPhone with a larger screen and it will be interesting to see how exactly does Apple plan to increased the number of pixels if this rumor indeed turns out to be true.

{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}

Rumors about Apple’s next iPhone 5S are popping up all over the internet, with reports coming directly out of Apple’s supply chain. These new rumors suggest that Apple will be launching the cheaper iPhone alongside the iPhone 5S, instead of launching the two separately over the course of the year.

Topeka Capital Market analyst Brian White reported on the iPhone 5S earlier this week, and after attending a trade show in China, reiterated this latest claim about both iPhones launching at one event. As mentioned before, both of the iPhones are expected to release in June, with White previously reporting on a June/July release date.

In White’s report earlier this week, he noted that the iPhone 5S would likely have the same 4 inch screen size as the current iPhone 5 and that the fingerprint scanning technology would be the signature feature in the next iPhone, similar to Siri on the iPhone 4S. White has been reporting on a number of claims that have appeared across the web, making it very likely that an iPhone 5S and a cheaper iPhone will, in fact, be launching later this year.

{Via AppleInsider – Image Credit: iMore}

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 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}

Apple released its iPhone 5 last September and has been reportedly working on the upcoming iPhone 5S. Although the ‘iPhone 5S’ was expected due to the company’s naming of previous iPhone generations, a new rumor now suggests that Apple is looking to launch the iPhone 5S as well as a 5 inch iPhone 6 in 2013.

According to Brightwire, which translated a report from a Chinese source, Apple will be launching both an iPhone 5S and the 5 inch iPhone 6 this year.

– A source told Chinese mobile phone information site Laoyaoba.com that he has seen the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 at Apple’s suppliers. Both models may be released in 2013, according to the website’s microblog on Thursday evening.
– The source noted that the iPhone 5S resembles the iPhone 5, and the five-inch iPhone 6 is lighter and thinner.

Many reports in the past denied that Apple would release a 4-inch device, let alone a 5-inch device. Now, after the iPhone 5 received a taller 4-inch screen, a 5-inch screen seems could be something that the company is testing internally. Reports of a 5-inch iPhone have now taken over the web, with Samsung making big waves with its assortment of larger screen devices.

Since the iPhone 4, parts of almost all Apple devices have been leaked online, including the iPad mini and iPhone 5. With Apple using Chinese vendors for parts, and prototyping all of their devices, leaks are very common and happen with many of the company’s products.

Secrecy is a large part of Apple’s marketing mystique, leaving much of a device’s design to the imagination. However, in recent years, Apple has had issues with preventing leaks of its products. It is unclear exactly when Apple plans to release the new iPhone models, although it is likely that the 5S will arrive in June followed by the iPhone 6 in the Fall.

{Via MacRumors — Image Credit – iMore}

Apple is rumored to be working on the next generation iPhone, currently being called the “iPhone 5S”. According to Jeffries analyst Peter Misek, Apple is now testing two prototypes of the next gen iPhone, and will start initial builds in March in order for a early release date in June or July. Since the iPhone 4S, Apple has been releasing iPhones in the Fall, alongside or close to the iPod refresh. Now, with rumors that the Cupertino company is creating a ‘cheaper’ iPhone for emerging markets, Apple is expected to move up the iPhone debut to the June/July timeframe in order to release the new device in the Fall.

Misek claims that the iPhone to be released in June will be only an incremental upgrade, likely internal changes such as a faster A6X chip, and better cameras and that an entirely new design with a larger 4.8” screen will be seen with the next generation iPhone 6. As noted, the cheaper iPhone will likely be a more concentrated device, such as the iPad mini, which isn’t built of cheaper materials, but rather of a smaller size.

As expected, Misek believes that with reports of a “iPhone 5S” on the horizon, sales of the current iPhone 5 would slow, although he also predicts that Apple will sell 44 million iPhones in the March quarter. He also pinpointed some reasons as to why a decrease in iPhone 5 part orders does not necessarily mean a decline in demand for the product.

– An assembly bottleneck that caused component inventories to rise in the holiday quarter.
– Planning for preliminary production of the next iPhone in March.
– Demand may be either in line or “slightly below optimistic expectations

It seems that Apple will likely keep its iPhone line consistent and in line with Misek’s claims. Since the iPhone 3G, the company has always followed with an ‘S’ version, with the letter signifying a new feature. In the iPhone 3GS, it was Speed; the iPhone 4S was Siri, and the 5S will likely signify a newer feature.

{Via AppleInsider}

Apple’s media event to unveil the iPhone 5 is just under 90 minutes away and unexpectedly the company’s website seems to have confirmed the name of the sixth-gen iPhone as “iPhone 5″. Many reports on the web have now revealed that if you search for “iPhone-5″ on Apple’s website you’ll notice links to inactive webpages that clearly confirm the name of the next iPhone.

In order to view the search results, just type “iPhone-5″ on Apple.com search field and the search page will return results with links to press release and tips for iPhone 5. However, when the links are accessed you get a page not found error as these links appear to be just placeholders and will go live once the iPhone 5 keynote event is over.

This is the first time ever that such a leak has happened on Apple’s website before the launch event for the next-gen iPhone. The website also seems to confirm another rumor, that the iPhone 5 will indeed support faster 4G LTE network. Using the same search field if you type “iPhone-5 LTE” the website will return an inactive page with iPhone-5-LTE as the URL. It’s safe to assume that this webpage will be used to introduce users to LTE capability of the next iPhone and also provide more information regarding speed and usage.

The iPhone 5 keynote event will go live later today at 10:00 AM Pacific Time at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.

Details about the upcoming iPhone 5 have been steadily leaked online over the past several months, including rumors about the iPhone 5 charger and cases. On Saturday, Japanese site Tinhte.vn posted a video of what they claim to be the headphones for the next gen iPhone 5, which is expected to be announced within the next two weeks.

Translation of the video which explains the details about the headphones goes as follows:

In my hands are the new earphones for the iPhone 5 that is about to come out – Apple’s next generation of iPod [sic]. These will replace the current earphones that are on the market. These are manufactured at Phax Co factory in Vietnam. They have the appearance of a horse’s head, not like earbuds. When they are worn, they have a much smaller profile. They have the appearance of a fully integrated, single unit – there’s no part that looks like it would come apart – not like earbuds; the integrated design is characteristic of Apple products. Here I have the old earphones for comparison. The new ones are much smaller; when they are worn, they do not hurt the way earbuds do. You can see on the old ones the surface is a separate part that looks like it can be detached – not like the small surface of the new one. The old earphones were mostly made in China, with some in Vietnam. But the new ones are clearly made in Vietnam. (Reading from the wires): “Designed by Apple in California, assembled in Vietnam.”

Tinhte notes in the video that the headphones are being assembled at a Foxconn plant in Vietnam and even posts an image of the cable, which supports the claim. In the past, Apple headphones have been assembled in China, and displays the words “Made in China” on the cable.

Tinhte has a proven track record, previously obtaining a prototype of the iPhone 4 prior to release, and only several weeks after the model obtained by Gizmodo. In their blog post, Tinhte also notes that these headphones may in fact be genuine and not fake:

All factors such as design, quality finishing materials fabricated wire, plastic body headphones are led to the conclusion this is genuine and not counterfeit headphones.

Apple’s next generation iPhone is expected to be announced at a keynote event on September 12th and released on September 21st. The iPhone 5 is also expected to have a larger 4 inch screen, a redesigned dock connector, and an entirely new unibody outer shell.

{Via MacRumors}

Apple is expected to announce iPhone 5 release date early next month, with sources pointing to the 12th September as a possible date for a media event. Earlier this week, a report from TechCrunch noted that Verizon is blacking out vacation days starting from Friday, September 21st. This is likely in preparation for the release of the new iPhone 5 and the wave of new activations that would take place that day. Rumors over the past several months pegged September 12th as a date of announcement and the 21st for release in stores. In the report, Jordan Crook of TechCrunch mentioned the following:

A trusted Verizon employee has just confirmed to TechCrunch that the carrier is having an all-staff vacation blackout from the dates of Friday, September 21 to September 30. You know what that means, right? The next iPhone, whether it’s called the iPhone 5 or simply the new iPhone, will almost certainly be available in stores (with lines wrapping around the back of them) starting Friday, September 21.

Apple’s next generation iPhone 5 is expected to include a larger 4 inch screen, a redesigned 9 pin dock connector, and relocated headphone jack as well as the latest 4G LTE networking, which has already made an appearance on the current generation iPad. This would give Verizon one of the biggest iPhone launches to date, utilizing the carrier’s newly set up LTE network and providing customers with significantly faster upload and download speeds. The next generation iPhone 5 is expected to be released alongside a new iPad Mini and the final version of iOS 6.

{Image Credit: Wired}

Apple’s next generation iPhone 5 has been rumored to be released this fall, more specifically during the September/ October timeframe. On Monday, iMore reported that September 12th was likely the day of announcement for the release date of iPhone 5, and perhaps even an iPad Mini and new 5th gen iPod touch. Following iMore’s report, major news sources have confirmed that this date is likely the day that Apple’s special media event will be held. AllThingsD was the one of the first to confirm that the announcement would be that week.

Apple hasn’t yet officially announced the fall event at which it is expected to debut the next iteration of the iPhone, but it’s definitely planning one.

iMore was first to report that the company has scheduled a special event for Wednesday, September 12, and now we’ve confirmed it as well. Sources tell AllThingsD that Apple is currently planning an event for that week. And while we haven’t yet confirmed its focus, history suggests it will indeed be the new iPhone.

With iMore’s initial report, followed by confirmation from AllThingsD, other sources including The Verge and The Loop confirmed the date of the week of the date. The Verge discussed the date and why it is likely accurate, saying the following:

The rumor cycle this time around for the next iPhone has been a bit unusual — multiple leaks have all depicted the exact same components — but it looks like we’ll be seeing what Apple has up its sleeves come Wednesday, September 12th. Our own sources have confirmed that date, and multiple websites have similar reports as well.

Following these announcements, Reuters, Bloomberg and NYTimes also followed up with their own reports, confirming that September 12th is most likely the announcement date of the next generation iPhone 5. Apple’s next gen iPhone is expected to be accompanied by an iPad Mini, possibly an iPod touch and the public release of iOS 6.

Apple’s next generation iPhone 5  is expected to be releases later this fall and numerous news reports and images spreading across the web suggest that the announcement is imminent.

On Monday, a report from AppleInsider speculated that Apple is in fact already working on accessories for the upcoming iPhone 5 release. The report mentions that the first case is likely a Bumper case, which was introduced with the iPhone 4 and would likely be adjusted to fit the larger 4 inch screen of the next gen iPhone.

However, the second case is reportedly a new and different design and is said to have “major impact on the accessory market.”. iLounge reported that while the case would disrupt third party case makers, the design would not be “hugely surprising”. Further speculation suggests there may even be a kickstand included in the case, as seen in some third party cases available for the iPhone 4S.

Early Monday, a report from iMore suggested that Apple’s sixth generation iPhone, as well as the rumored iPad Mini and perhaps even a new 5th gen iPod touch would be announced on September 12th. Apple announced availability of the Bumper case on the same day as the iPhone release, and released the Smart Cover on the release day of the iPad 2, so it is very likely that this iPhone 5 release would follow suit.

The next generation iPhone, being called the “iPhone 5” is expected to sport a larger 4 inch display, a smaller dock connector, as well as other minor changes including placement of headphone jack and FaceTime camera. The iPhone 5 is expected to be released alongside the public release of iOS 6.

Apple’s next generation iPhone, being called the ‘iPhone 5′ has been rumored to be in the works. In recent weeks, parts of what appears to be the next generation iPhone 5 have appeared online, including a metal back cover which seemed to justify rumors that the next iPhone will have a larger screen and a smaller dock connector.

On Thursday, a report from Reuters mentioned that Chinese vendors have begun to take orders for an ‘iPhone 5’, parts of which may be created entire from speculation with no specs or announcements from Apple.

Sellers on Taobao, a unit of Alibaba Group, are accepting orders for the iPhone 5, in some cases asking for a deposit of 1,000 yuan ($160) for the new phone. One seller, “Dahai99888″, who started accepting pre-orders this week, is asking for full payment upfront, at a cool 6,999 yuan ($1,100).

Taobao sellers that Reuters spoke with said they planned to buy the iPhone 5 in Hong Kong or the United States and then bring it to mainland China. Apple products are often available in Hong Kong before they are released on the mainland.

Chinese vendors often create models, and prototype devices based on rumors on the web of what an upcoming Apple product may look like. The report also focuses on similar vendors selling cases for the purported ‘iPhone 5’, which may also have been created based on speculation. Case vendors have been wrong in the past about iPhone’s design, more specifically the rumored tapered design.

Images of the claimed next generation iPhone 5 posted by KitGuru show iPhone design consistent with rumors on the web, including the elongated body, smaller dock connector, new speaker grill, and a headphone jack located at the bottom. Although the photos may appear to be genuine, the rough and unfinished body of the device, as well as the absence of an LCD display show that this may, in fact be a physical mockup based on previous rumors. KitGuru did not specify as to where the images came from, but mentioned that it was seen “in the Far East”.

Numerous parts for the upcoming iPhone 5 have been found, but it is unclear whether many of these claims are genuine, especially when considering that some Chinese vendors and casemakers have been wrong in the past. Apple’s next generation iPhone is expected to be released in October, along with the rumored iPad Mini and the final version of iOS 6.

{via MacRumors}

Apple is expected to release its next iPhone 5 later this year, and a number of reports have suggested that the screen is going to be made taller to accommodate up to 4 inches. These rumors were entirely speculative until a recent report from japanese site Macotakara, which posted images and a video showing what appears to a taller iPhone 5 screen, with an overall design that looks very similar to the current iPhone 4S screen. The front panel also had a relocated FaceTime camera, now above the earpiece of the iPhone and centered on the device, similar to the iPod touch.

This is the first time that a part capable of being for the next gen iPhone 5 has surfaced and is likely not only taller, but from the images, wider as well. With iOS 6, Apple will likely expand the existing apps on the App Store, in order to fit the new screen size without compromising the number of pixels per inch. Earlier in the month, reports that Apple was purchasing 4 inch screens from a number of suppliers surfaced. Suppliers included LG Display, Sharp, and Japan Display Inc., which also supply Apple with screens for a number of its other iOS products.

The iPhone’s screen size has remained the same since the introduction of the original iPhone in 2007, only experiencing a major change during the release of the Retina Display. This would be the first time that Apple would change the 3.5 inch display in any way, and it appears in good fashion too, making it much taller than the current display. Apple has not changed the width, and has emphasized in the past that this would cause issues with resolution and users being able to text with one hand.

Apple’s next gen iPhone 5 is expected to be released during the same October timeframe as the iPhone 4S and will likely be released alongside iOS 6 after a developer preview of the new software during Apple’s WWDC conference from June 11-15.

{via AppleInsider — Image Credit: Macotakara}

Apple’s next iPhone 5  is expected to be released later this year, most likely in the October timeframe when the iPhone 4S was released this past year. Late last week, Apple won the domain iPhone5.com from a small online forum that operated under the name.

The Cupertino company filed a claim with the World Intellectual Property Organization earlier in the month, to secure the iPhone 5 name. Although there have been no credible reports that the next iPhone would in fact be called “iPhone 5″, Apple is just keeping its options open and would reroute the domain back to the iPhone page on Apple.com.

Apple had trouble securing the domain iPad.com as well as iPhone.com in the past, but is looking to acquire any and all possible names for the next generation iPhone, so as to avoid any confusion. Apple’s WWDC conference is coming up next month on June 11, and iOS 6 is expected to be announced and maybe even a developer preview is made available.

The next generation iPhone 5, slated for an October release is rumored to include a larger 4 inch screen, a micro dock connector, LTE connectivity and perhaps even LiquidMetal offerings either on the bezel, stainless steel frame or on the back. Names for the next iPhone remain unclear, even with a number of rumored features, and at this point, iPhone 5 is the best bet until an official announcement is made.

{via iMore}

Sprint’s CFO, Joe Euteneuer earlier this month suggested that Sprint could offer 4G LTE iPhone 5 on its network if Apple was to release one down the line. At that moment, questions as to whether Sprint would still offer unlimited data plans arose and many wondered if Sprint would switch to a tiered data plan. On Wednesday, in a report from CNET, Sprint confirmed that they will continue to offer unlimited data plan, even after they set up and release the 4G LTE network.

“If the next iteration of the iPhone arrives with LTE, Sprint will continue to offer a no-strings unlimited plan, CEO Dan Hesse told CNET. The company is already sticking with unlimited for its first batch of LTE phones, but it was unclear whether the offer would apply to next iPhone.

“I’m not anticipating the unlimited plan would change by that point,” he said. “That’s our distinctive differentiator.”

Sprint’s Unlimited Data has been the focal point of its advertising and its strategy in drawing in potential new customers. Even Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint mentioned that the offering of unlimited data plans has brought over customers from other carriers to Sprint. On a similar note, during Sprint’s earnings call earlier Wednesday, it was reported that 44% of all iPhone sales on Sprint were sold to customers new to the carrier.

During the release of the iPhone 4 and 4S on Sprint, a number of users complained that the data speeds were relatively slow, however, LTE would give a major boost to the slower network speeds, allowing users to download and upload data much faster.

{via MacRumors}

Apple is known for being secretive when it comes to announcing new products, however, parts leaks for the company’s popular products are also very common. The latest product part to be revealed is possibly the next generation iPhone 5 home button. On Monday, a report from Apple Bitch revealed images from parts vendor TVC-Mall, which is currently selling iPhone 5 home buttons, in both black and white.

The new home buttons have a rounded shape on the outside, but retain the same depression currently seen in the other iOS devices, such as the iPhone 4S. Since the home button is not attached to a device itself, it is hard to tell whether the new home button would be visible to customers. It has also been noted that there is the possibility of the home button being flush with the screen of the iPhone 5, which would give the face of the phone a seamless appearance.

This is very likely because of Apple’s attention to minor details such as home button location, appearance and the overall sleekness of the screen. Rumors in recent months have also suggested that Apple may be replacing the classic home button with a large gesture area, similar to the Palm Pre, however, it has yet to make an appearance on any iOS devices.

This rumor was rampant prior to the introduction the of new iPad, which received multi-touch gestures that added onto the features of the home button in iOS 4.3, and after the invitation for the iPad 3 media event were sent out. The new home buttons are likely only one of the many parts of the next gen iPhone that will make an appearance over the coming months. The next iPhone is expected to be announced in Fall, likely in the same October timeframe as the iPhone 4S.

{via MacRumors — Image Credit: TVC-Mall}

Apple released the New iPad 3 about a week ago and new rumors about iPhone 5 continue to surface on the web. On Friday, a report from iMore suggested that Apple’s next generation iPhone 5 is expected to release this Fall and will include LTE, as expected and retain the same 3.5 inch screen.

A number of sources have suggested that Apple is looking to upgrade the new iPhone to a 4-inch screen, but iMore’s sources suggest otherwise. The report also suggests that if not the same 3.5 inch screen, it will be “very similar”.

So to sum up, iPhone 5,1 is on track for:

– Similar if not same sized screen (currently 3.5-inch but not set in stone)
– 4G LTE radio
– New “micro dock” connector
– Fall/October 2012 release

The online publication has a good track record of reporting on Apple product announcements, including the March 7th announcement date for the New iPad as well as the addition of LTE. The fast 4G connectivity is widely expected to be included in the iPhone 5, however, a larger screen size is still questionable.

The inclusion of larger battery, LTE and quad-core graphics to support the retina display has raised some concerns regarding heat, data consumption and battery life. It will be interesting to see if Apple will have to let go of iPhone’s thin form factor in order to include LTE and support quad-core graphics.

{via MacRumors}

iPhone 5 rumors are reaching an all time high and you know that when online publications transition from reporting speculation to publishing leaked images of the next gen iPhone.

Just weeks before the official announcement of iPhone 4, the actual handset was found in a bar and then later sold to a reporter who published videos and photos of the unannounced device. The entire episode turned out to be quite messy as Apple called in an investigation. However, this time it seems that an Apple employee may have unknowingly exposed the iPhone 5.

According to 9to5 Mac’s tipster an Apple employee was seen using the next gen iPhone in public. He immediately captured a photo as the device appeared to be similar to the rumors about design changes in iPhone 5.

The image actually doesn’t reveal much. However, it must be noted that the device is unlike any other iOS hardware available in the market. Apple has acknowledged the fact that products have to undergo real-world testing. iPhone in particular has to undergo rigorous testing as the performance of battery and cell tower switching can only be analyzed in real situations.

What do you think? Could this be iPhone 5 / 4S? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Apple’s sales estimates of the new iPhone is quite aggressive. It told us to prepare to help the company meet its goal of 25 million units by the end of the year,” said another person at one of Apple’s suppliers. “The initial production volume will be a few million units… we were told to ship the components to assembler Hon Hai in August.

Apple has been rumoured to reveal a new iPhone 5 this September during the annual music event. It is widely believed that new device will retain the original iPhone 4 design. Some claims suggest that manufcaterer Han Hoi/Foxconn is having trouble producing the iPhone units, particularly because it is “complicated and difficult to assemble.” Two of the people, however, cautioned that shipments of the new iPhone could be delayed if Hon Hai can’t improve its yield rate which has been impacted by the manufacturing process.

Apple has not revealed any date for any upcoming event as yet. The company will be releasing Mac OS X Lion later this month and then release iOS 5 this fall. It will be interesting to see if Apple announces the new iPhone 5 in September. Until then, stay tuned, we’ll keep you posted.

{via MacRumors}

According to the latest rumors published by Macotakara, Apple could be looking at making minor changes in iPhone 4S this year and then launch iPhone 5 in 2012.

Just before the launch of iPad 2 similar rumors hit the web which claimed that iPad 2 will just be a minor revision but, the second gen tablet actually turned out to be a completely new design.

The latest rumor is based on an anonymous source. It wasn’t clear if iPhone 4S just like the iPad 2 will support dual-cores but will most likely support an ARM Cortex-A9 CPU (A5 chip). The next gen iPhone will reportedly feature 8 mega-pixel camera.

We recently reported that Apple is looking at introducing a world-phone capable of running both, CDMA and GSM networks on the same chip. Macotakara further adds to the existing rumors and reports that Apple’s next gen iPhone could be SIM less. The possibility of Apple moving forward with integrated SIM doesn’t seem quite likely as most operators around the world do not support such standards.

The report further says that the Cupertino based company could be looking at introducing an all-new design with iPhone 5 during WWDC 2012.