Hasta La Gadget!

Apple’s plans for its next iPhone refresh may be getting very tangible, very quickly. It all started when iMore heard that Apple was preparing to hold an event unveiling the new hardware on September 12th, with a launch the following week on September 21st. Although the relative newcomer to the iPhone release date rumor game is still building its track record, that claim may have just gotten some extra meat: AllThingsD is joining in the chorus and touts its own sources pointing to an event in the same timeframe. While it’s almost a month earlier in the year than Apple’s iPhone 4S event was in 2011, it’s supported by an Apple filing with the SEC showing a sharp uptick in supply purchasing during the spring, which it would need to start production for the fall. All of it is still rumor, of course, but past experience suggests that iOS fans may want to plan any September camping trips for the Apple Store line late in the month, not Labor Day weekend.

Update: Jim Dalrymple at The Loop, who’s well-known for his accurate one-word confirmations and denials of rumors, just posted his trademark “yep.”

Filed under: Cellphones

Two sources talk of Apple iPhone event around September 12th, part sales back it up (update: one more clue) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A report from iMore this morning indicated that Apple is planning to unveil the next iPhone along with the iPad mini on September 12th. The next iPhone would then ship out to customers 9 days later on September 21st, although the exact launch date for the iPad mini wasn’t quite as clear. iLounge corroborates iMore’s sources, saying that the next iPhone will launch in late September, but the site isn’t quite as confident on the prospects of the iPad mini.

iLounge believes that the iPad mini won’t make an appearance at the September event, as the device reportedly isn’t ready yet. A source speaking to iLounge claims that the smaller tablet should ship in time for November, an odd date which is usually untouched by Apple releases but is perfectly poised for the holiday season. In addition, Apple is reportedly working on accessories to accompany the iPad mini, which include smaller versions of the Smart Cover and Smart Case.

The same is true of the next iPhone. Apple is said to be working on two cases for the next iteration of its smartphone. The first will be similar in style to the current bumper case sold for the iPhone 4 and 4S, while the other case will have “a major impact on the accessory market.” It’s not clear exactly what Apple is cooking up, although iLounge believes it could involve a kickstand.

Finally, minor details are hinted at for the fourth-generation iPad. The chassis on the next iPad will be tweaked slightly, retaining the same design and shape but swapping in the new smaller 19-pin dock connector that’s been rumored to make an appearance on the next iPhone. An additional microphone will be also be added onto the rear of the device which will assist in noise cancellation for FaceTime calls and video recording. The iPad mini may see a debut this year, iLounge and its source notes that it’s unlikely that Apple will refresh the new iPad this year.

iPad mini may get own event, ship in November is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Some new photos have hit the web showing what appears to be Apple‘s sixth iPhone. A Chinese case vendor is showing what looks to be the much anticipated iPhone 5 wrapped up in one of their production cases for the new smartphone. These pictures and that new docking port could be the iPhone 5′s final design.

Could final design iPhone 5 units be out in the wild already? It wouldn’t be the first time, and we’ve been seeing countless leaks and different parts of the new iPhone all month. This also wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen cases for a new 4-inch iPhone design either. These newly leaked pictures certainly could be real. The speaker grill on previous leaks seems to not be included in these shots, but again those were never confirmed.

With the new iPhone production already under way in Shanghai could 3rd party accessory manufacturers already have their hands on the new phone? Who knows. At the same time this could also just a prototype from the Chinese case manufacturer themselves, going off the same tips, leaks, and rumors we’ve all seen for months. If you’d like to get caught up on everything iPhone 5 from the month of July check out our iPhone 5 July rumor round-up.

As I’m sure you all know, the next iPhone is rumored to be released later this fall. Stay tuned to SlashGear for the latest leaks and rumors!

[via Gizmodo]

Possible iPhone 5 leaked from case manufacturer is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The iPhone 5 is coming. The latest rumors peg September 21 as its release date. But even though Apple has yet to announce the phone, there are already countless, as in, hundreds and hundreds, of cases available for the model. It was just a matter of time until one of those case makers filled in the blanks by inserting a logical prototype into one of their cases.

Now, the device shown here is likely not a real-life, completely working iPhone 5. Even if it is a real thing, it doesn’t matter since Apple already revealed most of iOS 6′s goodies. Case makers are given specific specifications, and from there, they design cases to properly fit the device. The hundreds of cases available tell a story of a taller iPhone like the one in the pictures here.

As Gizmodo points out, Shenzhen Coolzone Technology is responsible for this latest leak. The case maker is currently hawking 29 different iPhone 5 cases, each with the taller design and with the headphone jack located on the bottom of the device, next to what appears to be a spot for a smaller dock connector.

This isn’t the first time that an upcoming iDevice was revealed by case makers. It has happened to nearly every iPhone and iPod over the last few years. The sheer amount of cases with identical specifications seem to confirm the new, taller design. Last fall, when the iPhone 5 was supposed to hit, just a handful of cases spoke to a radical redesign. But this time around, Alibaba is filled with cases of the same form factor.

Assuming the prototype displayed here correctly foretells the next iPhone’s design, it’s a bit strange that it will look simply like a tall iPhone 4. Sure, the current design has a stately, almost classic design, but the style is over two years old now. And in the mobile world, two years is near-retirement age. Haters will no doubt point and laugh at the rehashed design, but Apple has its massive bank account for comfort.

Companies seemingly patent anything and everything, so it’s always best to take these listings with your recommended daily allowance of salt, but Apple looks to have filed for a patent relating to pairing controllers using NFC capabilities on an iPhone. It doesn’t mean that Apple is working on a game controller, but does suggest that the company is keeping all its gaming options open, entertaining the idea of pairing multiple devices using NFC and even turning the iPhone into a digital controller.

That could lead to some interesting applications for Apple, such as displaying a digital overlay of traditional controls on an iPhone while you play a game on an Apple TV or Mac. Currently games can be mirrored out to an Apple TV with an iPhone or iPad, but this patent may hint at additional controllers being used on iOS devices thanks to NFC pairing.

Gaming isn’t the sole focus on the patent, however, with the Apple looking to control all sorts of technology once devices have been paired using NFC. Rather than limit the technology to mobile payments, the company looks to turn iOS devices into controllers that could interact with cameras or various appliances throughout the home. It’s been reported several times that the next iPhone will feature NFC capabilities, and with more and more Android OEMs including it in their handsets, it seems like the next logical step for Apple.

[via IGN]

Apple patent reveals iPhone’s NFC ambitions is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.