Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve seen the rumored next iPhone’s minuscule docking port more than once. Any of the cabling that plugs into that port, however, has been non-existent until today. If photos slipped to Nowhereelse.fr are more than just flights of fancy, they show a much narrower and possibly slimmer connector that matches up with the hole we’ve seen. It’s so small that a full-size USB connector dwarfs it by comparison, and there’s only eight contact pins per side (or possibly total) versus the 30 overall that we know today. We’re not told if there are any special tricks besides the size reduction, though: while the new cable end looks dual-sided, there’s no guarantee Apple will have eliminated the right-side-up requirement that afflicts just about every mobile-sized port format we’ve seen to date. If real, the redesign could lead to one less hassle for charging and syncing. It just wouldn’t be much consolation to those who’d been hoping for a switch to a standard like micro-USB — or, for that matter, to long-time iPhone owners who may have to give up or convert legions of accessories.

Update: since we first posted, the rumor has fleshed out a bit. It’s claimed that there are eight pins on both sides, but that they perform different functions and might not let us plug the connector in any which way. Supposedly, the connectors also aren’t the final models and reflect the problems the unnamed contractor has had meeting Apple’s standards. Don’t worry about claims of future iPads leaping to the new connector: if there’s really a format switch underway, it’s only natural that other devices will follow suit.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs

Next iPhone’s tiny docking connector possibly spotted (update: more details) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 14:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumors about the new iPhone have basically everything but the screen shrinking. That includes the SIM card and its ejectable drawer. French site NoWhereElse scored some photos of what it claims is the new tray, alongside the 4S version for comparison. As you can clearly see, the new SIM slot is narrower and the insert has a slightly different cosmetic design. If the part turns out to be legit, it will hardly come as a surprise. Apple made a big push for a nano-SIM standard to be adopted over competing designs from Nokia, RIM and Motorola. If the rumors and Cupertino’s reliable refresh schedule hold up, you wont have to wait long to find out for sure. The next iPhone is expected to be announced next month. Hit up the source link for a few more photos.

The next iPhone’s nano-SIM cradle allegedly leaked originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Remember that tall, mostly aluminum 2012 iPhone shell that appeared to have leaked? It’s back. This time, KitGuru has unearthed what it claims is a “test sample” with the glass front panel roughly intact. We’ve seen the darker steel sides, aluminum back and new dock connector before, but the front gives us a much better sense of how the finished product (if real) will turn out. Sitting next to an iPhone 4S, it’s suggested that the new model would stuff in that bigger screen more through a better use of the available area — there’s much less blank space than on the iPhones we’ve known since 2007. While we still don’t know for sure if the design shown here is close to what will go hand-in-hand with iOS 6 in the fall, we’re starting to see enough smoke that there’s bound to be a fire nearby.

Filed under: Cellphones

New 2012 iPhone body reportedly leaks, gives the glass front its time to shine originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 11:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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