• iPhone 5 to Launch Early 2012? WWDC 2011 Will be Software Only?

    // Gradly // Apple, blog, iPhone, Rants & Raves, Rumors 1 Response

    The iPhone 5 puzzle has received a few new pieces and they both point to the product launch not taking place at this year’s WWDC. Jim Dalrymple – usually accurate – from The Loop claims that no hardware will be unveiled at the World Wide Developers Conference: no iPhones, no iPads, no Macs. But how could Apple kill their annual summer iPhone launch?

    Apple’s apparent focus on software in its WWDC announcement backs up what my own sources are saying about the annual conference. That is, expect a software show in 2011, not a hardware event.

    As the guys at 9to5mac address the issue, Apple typically sticks to patterns such as new iPods every September, new iPhones in June, now new iPads in March, and major Mac upgrades around October. This year is already different. Based on Apple’s WWDC press release and rumors from last week, Apple won’t be holding their annual March-April iOS preview event. The WWDC invite clearly says Apple will preview the next version of iOS.

    Apple even introduced a new Verizon iPhone 4 in January of this year and it only launched last month (February). Apple is also expected to release a white version of the iPhone 4 next month. These two iPhone 4 upgrades seem to allow Apple to push back the launch of their next-generation handset. Afterall, how could they release updated iPhone 4s in February and April then a whole new device in June?

    If it’s not coming at WWDC when will it? The usually well-sourced Macotakara.jp claims that the iPhone 5 is yet to hit the full production stage and says that the iPhone 5 will go into mass production late in 2011 for an early 2012 launch. This would be around a year after the Verizon iPhone 4 launch, creating a new pattern for iPhone launches. The site reiterates earlier claims of a new, aluminum enclosure which is possibly taking longer to produce. A chinese site recently claimed the new iPhone would go into production in Q3 of this year – backing up an iPhone-less WWDC.

  • iPhone 5 Complete Rumor Roundup Infographic

    // Gradly // Apple, blog, Infographic, iPhone, Rants & Raves, Rumors No Responses

    After all the rumors on the iPhone 5, a French site NowhereElse has created a wonderful infographic of all the iPhone 5 rumors that we’ve seen over the period of last few months. All the rumors have different probability gauges of each one next to them.

    Here’s the complete infographic of all the iPhone 5 rumors:

    + Download Full Size Image Here

  • iPhone 5 with Larger 4-inch Screen & Metal Chassis On Track For Summer Release

    // Gradly // Apple, blog, iPhone, Rants & Raves, Rumors 3 Responses

    With the iPad 2 set to launch internationally on Friday, it’s time to set our eyes upon the next big thing, the iPhone 5′s debut in June or July. China Times is reporting that the iPhone 5 has entered trial production and is scheduled for wide scale release in Q3 of this year, which aligns with the iPhone’s traditional late June / early July release date.

    As for what the iPhone 5 will look like, the latest report supports rumors suggesting that the iPhone 5 will mostly be similar to an iPhone 4s, with the major differences being a slightly larger 4-inch touchscreen in the same form factor (accomplished by having less room between the side bezels of the device), as well as a metal chassis (Liquid Metal?) to make the device lighter and improve antenna sensitivity.

    Coupled with an A5 processor and a new aluminum back plate, it sounds like the iPhone 5 — while not quite the evolutionary leap that the iPhone 4 was — will be a bit more than just the iPhone 4s many people anticipated this generation.

    [via GadgetsDNA]

  • iPhone 5 Will Have A Metal Back, And A Larger Screen

    // Gradly // Apple, blog, iPhone, News, Rumors 2 Responses

    Apple’s fifth generation iPhone will purportedly feature a metal back, and a larger screen. The news comes from a Foxconn source, who has apparently seen the iPhone 5 at one of the company’s plants.

    According to the source, the iPhone 5 will look “fairly similar” to the iPhone 4, despite two changes: A flat, metal back, and a bigger screen. Previously, Digitimes had reported that Apple’s fifth generation iPhone would feature a four inch screen. This statement was supported by a purported iPhone 5 design image, which showed an iPhone handset with an edge to edge screen (made possible by a thinner bezel).

    A four inch iPhone would mean Apple could compete with Google Android handsets in the four to seven inch smart phone market. The iPhone 4 currently boasts a 3.5 inch display.

    Apple fans would most likely appreciate an iPhone handset with a four inch screen. However, I’m more excited about the iPhone 5′s purported metal back – after dropping and smashing my iPhone 4 a couple of weeks ago, I’m really hoping the iPhone 5 is a more durable handset.

    Apple’s fifth generation iPhone will very likely be announced on stage at WWDC ’11, which should take place in June. Until then, let us know what kind of iPhone 5 you’re hoping for in the comments below.