If the recent part leaks of the upcoming iPhone 6 weren’t enough a new HD video published by Russia-based YouTuber Rozetked, shows the parts of alleged new iPhone completely assembled. The assembled parts are claimed to be of iPhone Air / iPhone 6 which is rumoured to be 4.7 inch in size. This year Apple is expected to release two new iPhones with 4.7 inch and 5.5 inch screens sizes.

According to the reports published by various news outlets, iPhone 6 will feature sapphire crystal display, NFC chip, improved camera sensors, longer battery life and new sensors. There has been a lot of debate concerning the cost of the new iPhones as the sapphire crystal displays are costly and very hard to produce. It is possible that 4.7 inch screen size may be available at existing price points however a 5.5 inch screen iPhone could be priced $100 more.

Apple will be holding the iPhone event at  Flint Center for the Performing Arts which is much bigger than the venues Apple typically selects for new product announcements. It is interesting to note that the company is also building a three-storey structure at the event venue. There have been a few reports about Apple introducing a new wearable product during the event, it is unclear if the new structure is being built to showcase some specific functionality of the wearable product. If rumours are to be believed then the new iWatch(?) will only be demoed at the event, its availability is scheduled for early next year. Steve Jobs introduced the original Macintosh at the same venue almost 30 years ago.

Even though there have been many part leaks and we may have already seen the iPhone 6 which will be announced in 6 days from now it’s possible that a few surprise await us. Are you excited about the event? What are your expectations from the event? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

{via 9to5 Mac}

According to the latest rumours based on schematics posted by GeekBar, Apple’s upcoming iPhone 6 could feature NFC and include 1GB RAM. Rumours about Apple including NFC aren’t new there have been many reports even before the introduction of iPhone 5 suggesting that Apple was looking to include Near Field Communications technology. However, Apple introduced AirDrop and PassBook but left out NFC.

This year once again we are hearing about the possibility of NFC in iOS devices. The leaked schematics appears to be design for a NAND flash component according to 9to5Mac.

Todd DeRego, a SoC memory engineer, says that the schematic does not have enough signals for it to be a DRAM interface. He also points out that the AP_TO_NAND text refers to an application processor to NAND link, indicating this memory is actually used as a way of storing the booting firmware and not the main memory of the iPhone. Although the RAM claim is almost certainly untrue, the NFC claim cannot be so easily dismissed.

iPhone 5S just like iPhone 5 features 1GB RAM. Apple hasn’t felt the need to follow in the footsteps of its competitors who market the amount of RAM their smartphone has. Instead Apple has always focused on user experience, even with a dual core 64-bit chip it beats a quad-core Samsung Galaxy S4 in benchmarks.

iPhone 6 release date is expected to be announced at a special media event on September 9th. The new iPhone is widely rumoured to be available in two screen sizes and feature sapphire glass in the high end model.

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 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.

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}

On Monday, a set of photos were posted by a case company called Tactus with claims that the parts in the images belonged to the rumored iPad 5. A separate report also leaked images of what it claimed to be genuine iPhone 5S parts. Tactus had published an image earlier this week of what it claimed to be the rear shell for Apple’s upcoming lower cost iPhone.

Now, the company has posted what appears to be the rear shell of the rumored iPad 5. The shell, which has the same slate color currently seen in the iPad mini and iPod lineup suggests that this part may be genuine. For the past several months, numerous reports have claimed that Apple’s iPad 5 would have a design similar to the current iPad mini.

This would allow the company to sync up all of its devices in terms of design and use the same materials and color scheme on their entire iOS lineup. This is the first time the entire interior is seen, since the initial reports that go back as early as January. Apple has yet to set up an event or a timeframe to release the iPad 5, however, several reports are suggesting that this time frame will likely be around September. The September timeframe is in accordance with previous releases of iOS devices, including the iPod touch, iPhone 5 and the iPad mini.

Alongside the image of the claimed iPad 5 rear shell, Japanese parts shop Moumantai posted a pair of photos showing what it claims to be the nano-SIM tray from the iPhone 5S. The trays appear to be identical to those currently seen in the iPhone 5, which may suggest the screen size and depth of the device will likely remain the same in the next generation. In the report, Moumantai noted that the iPhone 5S trays were in several colors, including gray and bronze/gold colors, however, it is possible that this was done to match the Slate/Black and White/Silver colors of the iPhones themselves.

Despite the site claiming that the SIM trays are from the upcoming iPhone 5S, it is hard to tell which parts are genuine and which parts are older pieces from the current iPhone 5. Parts for the iPhone 5S have surfaced earlier this year, however, there has not yet been any solid claims that suggests that the parts may be any different than anything seen before.

{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}

New photos of Apple’s upcoming iPhone, widely referred to as “iPhone 5S” have allegedly been leaked and posted online. Chinese website Zol.com.cn sourced photos of iPhone 5S and were posted by The Times of India.

Photos of the claimed iPhone 5S model reveal internal components of the alleged device. The front and rear panels shown appear to be a pre-production model. As rumours reported earlier had suggested, the design of the device appears to be similar to iPhone 5.

Details about upcoming Apple products start appearing online as Apple’s suppliers start ramping up production. It’s possible that iPhone 5S production has reached its final stages and now internal parts of the device have surfaced online. According to a post published by Sina Tech user, 5S will retain the same form factor as sixth gen iPhone while the iPhone 6 will get a 5-inch screen.

We recently reported that Apple could be preparing the launch of the next gen iPhone 5S and follow up with the release of iPhone 6 later this year. However, it’s worth mentioning that since the last six generations of iPhone, Apple has launched only one model of its phone each year. So, it remains to be seen if the company could be looking at offering more screen sizes to its users.

The competition from Android has been heating up and Samsung has clearly been gaining substantial market share with its range of devices that offer a lot of choice and variety. Apple on the other hand continues to offer only 3.5 inch and 4 inch screen devices.

Do you think Apple could be working on a 5-inch iPhone 6? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

{via CNET}

The rear panel looks very similar to the one currently shipping on the iPhone 5, likely because of Apple’s pattern of introducing two models with the same design before redesigning. However, the rear panel of the 5S does have some differences, including the placement of several screw holes for attachment of the logic board to the shell. They are located in different areas than in the iPhone 5.Apple appears to be already working on the next generation iPhone, being called the iPhone 5S based on Apple’s naming pattern for previous generations. On Wednesday, parts company ETrade Supply published images of what they claim to be a rear panel of the upcoming iPhone 5S. Apple’s iPhone 5 was released less than 4 months ago and already, there are reports that a new generation is in the works.

There are several other differences in component placement in the rear panel, such as the writing on the back which typically describes the IMEI and other regulatory identifiers. However, nothing confirms that this is in fact an entirely different phone than the one currently available for sale. It is likely that this was an earlier prototype of the iPhone 5 and Apple scrapped this design for one being used now. Last month, reports from DigiTimes suggested that Apple was already working on the trial production of the iPhone 5S. The rear panel released in the images above appear to have a build quality similar to Apple’s, suggesting that this is likely not a knockoff.

If Apple is in fact working on the iPhone 5S already, the company will likely retain the current iPhone 5 design, include the faster A6X chip found in the fourth generation iPad, and bump up the quality of the front and rear facing cameras.

{Via MacRumors}

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}

Over the past several months, numerous photos have surfaced online, with websites suggesting that they are genuine parts to Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5. Rumors have also pointed to a media event for the release date announcement of iPhone 5 on September 12th.

The most recent leak comes from Apple.pro, which has posted a set of images of what appears to be a fully assembled iPhone 5 front panel with the home button and the front camera installed. The images were originally posted to a photobucket account, which has a track record of Apple leaks, including the thickness of the new iPad and one of the first to release images of a white panel for the next generation iPhone.

These latest images all but confirm that an iPhone 5 is set to be released in the coming weeks and show the home button and front camera attached to the LCD with metal brackets. The front facing camera is now located on the center of the device, similar to the iPad and iPod touch. The iPhone 5 front panel is expected to be attached to the two toned unibody shell, leaked several weeks ago. The shell would also be 4 inches, to match with the LCD screen.

Japanese site Macotakara has also released details suggesting that the square shaped metal piece at the bottom of the leaked panel may in fact be an NFC chip, which can be used to set up credit cards and other wireless features.

Apple’s next generation iPhone 5 is expected to be announced at a media event on September 12th, followed by a release in retail stores on September 21st. The iPhone 5 is also said to be accompanied by a new iPad Mini and the public release of iOS 6.

{Via MacRumors}

Over the past several months, numerous reports about the next generation iPhone 5 have appeared online, including a fully assembled iPhone 5 unit and other parts. Most recently, high resolution images of the upcoming iPhone 5 and iPad Mini dock connector cables were posted by site iResQ. The flex cables shown in the images are reportedly for the next generation devices and are seen in both black and white, suggesting that they are from a device of that color.

The parts assumed to be for the new iPad Mini have a part number of 821-1516, different from another part found earlier that indicated a headphone jack on the bottom of the device. The part found earlier had a part number of 821-1476. This is the first time that a part for the iPad Mini has appeared as it has been entirely speculation until now.

Images in the report also show the dock connector of the devices up close, pointing out that it in fact does have 8 pins and likely a ninth in the surrounding metal enclosure. The next generation iPhone 5 and the iPad Mini are both expected to be announced in the second week of September, likely the 12th and will be accompanied by the public release of iOS 6.

{via MacRumors}

Earlier in the week, Sprint reduced the price of the iPhone 4S down to $149 on its website, likely in preparation of Apple’s announcement of iPhone 5 release date, next month. Apple’s prices remained steady even as carriers began to make changes, remaining at the $199/$299/$399 for the iPhone 4S, $99 for the iPhone 4, and free for the iPhone 3GS, all with a 2 year contract. However, now that Apple will be following suit and reducing prices on the 4S as well.

On Thursday, MacRumors reported that Apple would be reducing the price of the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 models by $49.01, lowering the prices to $149.99/$249.99/$349.99 iPhone 4S, $49.99 for the iPhone 4, and free for the 3GS respectively. This offer is valid only when a customer requests for a price match and shows an offer for a lower priced iPhone.

Apple, with the latest discounts at its retail stores will now be leveling its prices with carriers and retailers across the country, and preparing to clear stock for upcoming iPhone 5 release date announcement. Apple’s price match discounts, according to the report, will only be available in Apple’s Retail Stores only. It is very likely that Apple will also extend this to their online store several weeks prior to the iPhone 5 release date.

Several days after releasing images of the next generation iPhone 5 mini dock connector, French site, Nowhereelse.fr reposted images from forum Weiphone of what appears to be the iPhone 5 logic board. The logic board, which houses the processor and chips for other functions appears to be built differently than the iPhone 4 and the current iPhone 4S. Leaked parts for the upcoming iPhone 5 have been coming out for several months now, and new parts have been appearing as the announcement date draws closer.

Nowhereelse noted in their report that this logic board likely belongs to the iPhone 5 because of how the screw holes line up with other logic board shells leaked prior to this one. Weiphone has a proven track record with photos of iPhone logic boards, accurately releasing images of the iPhone 4S logic board which turned out to house the A5 chip.

In recent months, a number of parts have surfaced for the next generation iPhone 5, including a 9 pin charger and even a fully assembled model. The iPhone 5 is expected to be announced as soon as September 12th and will likely be available for pre-order soon after, perhaps even the same day. The iPhone 5 is expected to have a larger 4 inch screen, likely a faster processor, mini dock connector, relocated FaceTime camera and headphone jack, and a thinner unibody design. Apple’s iOS 6 is also slated for release alongside the iPhone 5.

{via MacRumors}

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}

Following rumors that Apple would be opting for a 3.9 inch screen for its next generation iPhone 5 come new rumors and images that reveal iPhone 5 cameras as well as what appears to be a 4.1 inch iPod touch. Photos of the leaked parts show a taller screen, very similar to the face of the iPod touch, leading to outright claims that this is in fact the new iPod that will come to fruition later this year.

Alongside the claims of the new iPod touch, images of new camera parts and home buttons have surfaced, believed to be parts of the next generation iPhone 5. The iPod touch is the most popular iPod in Apple’s lineup and brings a multitude of features over from the iPhone, over to a cheaper and thinner device. Apple is expected to release the new iPhone in the same October timeframe as the iPhone 4S, with a taller screen, faster A5X chip and possibly better cameras (on the front and back).

The iPod touch will likely also make an appearance around the same time as it normally does in a September event, bringing a number of new features to the iPod. To top off the upcoming iPhone and iPod touch, Apple is expected to release the next version of iOS with an updated Maps application at the WWDC to be held on June 11th-15th in San Francisco.

{Via CNET — Image Credit: MacRumors}

Apple released iPhone 4S last October, with a very positive adoption and witnessed increase in sales figures when compared with previous launches. However, rumors on the web are already focusing on the upcoming iPhone 5 (sixth gen), expected to debut this September or October. Japanese blog Macotakara reported on Monday that the sixth gen iPhone will arrive in September or October, similiar to the iPhone 4S and will retain the Fall release pattern.

The report also suggested that Apple is looking to keep this announcement cycle for “many years”. This would allow Apple to release the next gen iPhone exactly one year after the 4S debuted in October of 2011. It would not make any sense for Apple to scale back the announcement to June and release a re-designed iPhone only 8 months after the last generation. However, the possibility of Apple looking to introduce new hardware during WWDC 2012 can’t be completely ruled out.

The iPhone launch now occupies the place of the iPod event, usually held the first week of September as the iPhone and iPad begins to gain more attention from Apple. The iPod line has remained unchanged from the previous year and may experience some serious changes in the coming months, with iPod sales declining drastically over the past few quarters.

The launch of a new iPhone 5 in the September / October timeframe works well for Apple and allows them to take advantage of the upcoming holiday season and experience an increase in sales. The iPhone 4S saw a record 37 million units sold during Apple’s December quarter because of the late debut.

There have been many rumors that Apple is looking to switch back to a June release, however based on this report and many others, it appears that the September/October timeframe will be kept for iPhone 5 release.

{via AppleInsider}

Now that we’re less than a week away from the launch of the iPad, the most hotly anticipated Apple device is the next generation iPhone. The fact it will launch this summer at WWDC is almost a given at this point. The real cause for speculation now are the device specifications. Thanks to John Gruber’s excellent Daring Fireball blog and word from the Wall Street Journal, a picture is now forming about the capabilities of the next generation iPhone.

The actual visual appearance of the device is still a bit of a guessing game. We recently reported on a YouTube video that purported to be an Apple advertisement for the next iPhone. If this is the new iPhone, and not some glorious KIRF, it embodies an appearance change that seems to support some of the specs I’ll discuss below.

According to Daring Fireball, the new iPhone will vastly improve the existing product. Under the hood, the device will dispense with the current processor in favor of the A4 system on a chip custom built for the iPad. The display will be upgraded to a 960 X 480 double resolution from the current 480 X 320. A second, forward-facing camera will be added to enable video calling and conferencing. Lastly, the Holy Grail of the iPhone OS, true third party multitasking in conjunction with the upcoming iPhone OS 4.0. The Wall Street Journal article adds to this by confirming the introduction of the new device this summer and reporting a Verizon iPhone may also appear in the coming months.

All of this adds up to some really exciting news for iPhone aficionados and those waiting for a new iPhone before switching. An iPhone with improved resolution, multitasking, video conferencing and the power of the iPad will make for an even more compelling product for Apple. It’s obvious at this point the direct threat to the iPhone is Google’s Nexus One and the upcoming HTC Desire. Both run the Android 2.1 platform and the Nexus One has been the only serious competition for the iPhone. By overtaking the latest Android platforms in hardware, the comparison turns back to software and Apple is clearly the head and shoulders leader in that department. Especially if true multitasking comes in OS 4. With my contract expiring this summer, I’m really excited to see what Apple brings to the table. This might be the year I finally get an iPhone.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming iPhone? Would you be tempted to switch if these specifications come true? Are you a tried and true Android person regardless of what Apple does? Leave us a comment, we’d like to hear from you.