Case manufacturers building iPad 3 cases, sans specs

in Cnet

Rumors are a funny thing.

In one instance they create a whole culture of fodder for bloggers and their readers. In another, they cause whole factories to produce cases for products that neither exist, nor have official specifications. Such was the story before the iPhone 4S release and has now returned as the rumored iPad 3 launch looms.

The iPhone 4S launch should have proven to be a great lesson learned as several case manufacturers rushed to create case solutions for the rumored iPhone 5, which turned out to be pure fiction.

So now, according to 9to5Mac, instead of simply waiting for Apple's official announcement for the iPad 3 (or 2S as many believe it may be called), Chinese manufacturer Chinee is trying to get a jump on the competition by producing cases that take into account the most popular rumors about the next generation iPad's design--namely that it will be nearly identical to the iPad 2, but slightly thicker to accommodate some of the rumored internal upgrades.

Of course, Chinee claims it has a source inside Apple who has confirmed the 1mm difference in thickness, but I have to remain skeptical. The teardrop design for the iPhone 5 that never came to be was all but confirmed as well.

The only detail that may make this manufacturing switch legit is that next-gen iPad production has begun and it is very likely that documentation on the specs have been shared. Still, if it's my money, I'm waiting for those official numbers from Apple.

Would you start building cases for Apple products based on rumors? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31747_7-57362247-243/case-manufacturers-building-ipad-3-cases-sans-specs/#ixzz1jwjy8m6D

iPhone 5 coming this fall, says analyst

In Cnet

A research note from an investment bank today sees an iPhone 5 coming this fall and sees strong growth for Apple's popular phone in the coming quarter.

The iPhone will comprise roughly 50 percent of Apple's total revenue in the next reported quarter, wrote Tavis McCourt of Morgan Keegan.

"We expect iPhone revenues to represent 47.5% of Apple's total revenues in [the December quarter], up from 38.8% in the Sep. quarter, and up from 39.1% in the year ago period," he wrote.

And he is upping his iPhone shipment estimate for the quarter to 29 million from the previous estimate of 27 million.

The iPhone 5 and Apple TV will be significant growth drivers later in the year. "We expect iPhone 5 in fall 2012 to be a significant revenue and earnings growth driver, and a potential Apple TV as upside to our model if it comes to fruition this year," he wrote.

What else can we expect on the iPhone 5 front? Instead of going through a litany of rumors, suffice to cite one of the most recent rumors about its physical construction. A combination of aluminum on the back and a "rubber or plastic material" along the sides that will bridge the front and back of the device.

Hi-res iPad 3 release date now February 2012?

In Techradar

Not just one but 'several' anonymous sources have colluded to come up with the latest in iPad 3 speculation today, pegging the new Apple tablet's release date as February 2012.

Analyst Richard Gardner of Citi has penned a note based on these sources, saying that a new iPad with a higher resolution display is good to go.

"There do not appear to be any significant technical hurdles remaining," he wrote in a note, which should allay any fears of any white paint issues or battery draining bugs.

Theoretically, anyway

His elusive sources reckon the resolution of the iPad 3 will be double the resolution of the iPad 2's.

Past rumours have indicated this super-high-res display has proven problematic, giving Apple headaches over backlighting and potentially even adding a bit of extra bulk to the currently-slim slate.

The timing isn't far off; Apple launched the iPad in January 2010 and the iPad 2 in March 2011, so February 2012 for the iPad 3 seems feasible.

But with not much more to go on than the word of an analyst and his secret sources, we can't rate this rumour any higher than 'it's possible'.

Apple's Siri 'hacked'

In The Telegraph

Apple's new voice-controlled personal assistant software, Siri, could be adapted to run on Android handsets after developers discovered a way around restrictions designed to limit it to iPhone 4S users.

The hack means that the servers that process the questions users ask Siri could be accessed by devices other than the iPhone 4S.

It was discovered by Applidium, a French mobile software company that reverse-engineered the protocol Siri uses to communicate with its servers. The firm found a way to intercept and decrypt the data by forging security certificates, allowing a detailed examination of the data format.

However, the requests include a unique "key" for each iPhone 4S. To exploit the flaw, each Android device would have to find a way to to impersonate Apple's new smartphone, Applidium said.

So any third party app offering unauthorised access to the Siri server could be quite easily blocked by Apple because all its users would probably have to use the same key.

Apple has restricted Siri to the iPhone 4S. Technical analysis has indicated that older versions are equally capable of running the service, since the hardest computing is carried out by the servers, but it seems Siri is being used to differentiate the latest iPhone.

Apple releases iPhone battery drain software fix

In Reuters

Apple Inc on Thursday released a software update for its iOS 5 operating system to fix complaints on the performance of the new iPhone 4S battery.

Apple, after facing a rash of complaints on the new phone's short battery life, had promised earlier to release an update to address the issue.

The software update also addresses some security issues, including a flaw in the operating system that may allow hackers to build apps that secretly install programs to steal data. (Reporting by Poornima Gupta in San Francisco)

iPad 3 could launch in March, with connector issues, report says

In Cnet

The iPad 3 could debut as early as next March, but will come with a smaller dock connector that could cause compatibility issues with existing products, claims Macotakara.

Citing "a reliable Asian source," the Japanese blog site said that the next generationtablet is being rushed into production due to Chinese New Year celebrations running from January 22-28. Factories in China are gearing up to produce theiPad 3 by the end of January.

Assuming Macotakara's source is reliable, the new iPad will also include a redesigned dock connector that features the same number of pins but a smaller shape than the one on the current iPad. As a result, the new connector could pose a problem with existing products that plug into the dock. The tablet's screen will also remain the same size, though the source didn't know if Apple would bump up it up to Retina Display levels or stick with the current

The report from Macotakara joins a so-far small number of previous iPad 3 rumors. Different sites and sources have debated whether the new iPad would offer a 2,048x1,536 Retina Display. Such a move would give the tablet the same resolution now found on theiPhone 4 and 4S and the iPod Touch 4G.

As for launch timing, March 2012 is probably a safe bet since Apple unveiled the original iPad in April 2010 and the iPad 2 in March 2011. But the Linley Group, a chip consulting firm, believes Apple will outfit the next iPad with an A6 processor, which could potentially push the launch back until next June or later.

Apple sells 4 million iPhone 4S units in first weekend

In Cnet

Apple said today that it sold 4 million iPhone 4S units worldwide between Friday and Sunday. According to Apple senior vice president for worldwide product marketing, Phil Schiller, that figure is "more than double the iPhone 4 launch during its first three days." Last year, Apple announced that it sold 1.7 million iPhone 4 units in the smartphone's first weekend of availability.

That said, it's worth noting that at least in the U.S., the iPhone 4S had a bit of an advantage over the iPhone 4. When Apple shipped the iPhone 4 last year, the device was available only to AT&T customers. The handset then came to Verizon Wireless earlier this year and Sprint last week. The iPhone 4S, however, launched with availability on Sprint's and Verizon's networks, in addition to AT&T's service.

Apple's iPhone 4S, which launched on Friday, features the same design as the iPhone 4, but adds several improvements, including a dual-core processor, 8-megapixel camera, and full 1080p HD video recording. The device also ships with support for virtual personal assistant application, Siri.

Last week, several analysts chimed in on how many unit sales they expected Apple to sell over the weekend. The majority of those folks said that sales would likely hit between 2 million units and 3 million units. However, the Yankee Group thought sales could hit 4 million units.

"The biggest factor driving this is the huge loyalty associated with Apple phones," Yankee Group analyst Carl Howe said. "They have the highest loyalty of any of the smartphone OSes."

For the first time, Sprint was a beneficiary of that. The company reported on Friday that as of 10 a.m. PT, it had witnessed a record sales day. But it wasn't alone: by 1:30 p.m. PT, AT&T said that it had activated a record number of iPhones.

The success of the iPhone 4S in its first weekend of availability seems to eliminate all doubt over consumer reactions to the device. Earlier this month, when Apple unveiled the new iPhone, the company was expected to show off the iPhone 5, as well. That device, rumors suggested, would be the major update consumers were expecting. After it wasn't revealed, however, many called the event a disappointment. But the smartphone's early sales figures seem to prove that many consumers had a much different reaction to the smartphone.

It also appears that some folks are moving to the iPhone 4S from other platforms. In a small, informal poll Reuters conducted on Friday, the news service found that nearly 25 percent of iPhone 4S buyers were ditching a BlackBerry, Symbian, or Android smartphone for Apple's latest device.

Aside from the iPhone 4S, Apple also said that 25 million users have already started using its new mobile operating system version, iOS 5, and 20 million folks have signed up for iCloud.

Although 20 million iCloud users is impressive in its own right, some analysts believe the service will grow to much greater heights in the future. Over the summer, RBC Capital Markets released a study that found 76 percent of the 1,500 iPhone users it polled planned to sign up for iCloud. By applying that percentage to the entire market, the firm said that it believes as many as 150 million users could sign up for iCloud eventually.

Following its announcement, Apple's shares are trading up $1.10 to $423.10 as of this writing.

iPad 3 production starting before the end of the year?

In techradar

Analysts are reporting that Apple has scheduled production of the iPad 3 to begin before the year is out.

Jeffrey Fidacaro, analyst at Susquehanna Financial Group, reports in a note that manufacturers have orders to build at least one million iPad 3s in the fourth quarter of the year.

This latest note echoes Fidacaro's colleague Christopher Caso's intel from late last week. He claims that "iPad 3 has now shown up on AAPL's production forecast for a late-4Q start. We believe 0.6 million to 1 million units are forecasted for 4Q production."

And just what can we expect from the iPad 3 when it launches? Check out our video below for a comprehensive rumour round-up:

Open season for analysts

Not one to be left out of the pontificating fun, Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White threw in his two cents last week too:

"Our research is pointing to the unveiling of a lower priced iPad in the first few months of 2012 that is aimed at expanding the company's market potential by tapping into a more price sensitive consumer segment.

"Essentially, this 'iPad mini' will also fend off the recently announced Amazon Kindle Fire that addresses the low-end tablet market with a $199 price tag but could lead to bigger tablet ambitions from the online retailer in the future."

No sooner has Apple got one much-lusted-after iGadget out of the door do the rumours about the next one begin to surface. We'll be expecting to see an iPad 3 announcement made around March-April 2012.

Apple vs samsung war: Apple wins battle to block Samsung tablets in Australia

in BBCnews

Apple has accused Samsung of copying its touch-screen technology for its Galaxy Tab 10.1.

The two companies are embroiled in legal battles in nine countries.

Samsung is one of Apple's biggest challengers in the smartphone and tablet industry.

The decision by the federal court threatens to hurt Samsung's position in the Australian market, as it could miss the lucrative Christmas season.

The two companies have been locked in patent disputes since April, with each accusing the other of infringing patents.

Apple has already won a victory in Germany, Europe's biggest economy, banning the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1. An appeal hearing is expected in that case.

Last week, Samsung said it would try to stop the sale of Apple's iPhone 4S in France and Italy, accusing the company of infringing 3G transmission patents.

Fake iphone 4S online

In CNET

A Chinese reseller, posting on the reseller Website EC21.com, is offering to sell the non-existent Apple iPhone 5.

As the launch of the latest AppleiPhone draws near, eager consumers should be cautious when buying devices from unauthorized resellers online, because they might be getting a fake.

Some experts estimate that up to 10 percent of technology products worldwide, or roughly $100 billion worth of technology product sales each year, are for counterfeit or fake products. Many of these products make their way into the U.S. market through online marketplaces, like eBay or Craigslist.

"Counterfeit devices are a very big problem in the secondary market," said Robert Auray, president and CEO GENCO Marketplace, a division of GENCO ATC . His company is a legitimate player in the secondary market. "One of the things we do is to control where the products are sold and to enforce protections for the customers who buy from us."

While Auray's company buys excess inventory from big retailers and manufacturers and then sells those devices to other sellers who may list products on a site like eBay or Amazon, the company says that all of its products are from legitimate suppliers. And it guarantees to its customers that the devices are authentic.

But Auray admitted that the launch of new and hot products, such as Apple's iPhone 4S, tends to attract the sale of counterfeit devices in many marketplaces. In fact, several Chinese online stores, including the business-to-business Website EC21.com, have already been selling the new "iPhone 5." Of course, the big catch is that there is noiPhone 5, since Apple announced the iPhone 4S earlier this week as its latest generation iPhone.

A popular online marketplace in China called Taobao.com, which has some 370 million registered users, was listing the fake iPhone 5 for as low as 200 Yuan or about $31, according to the Agence France Press.

Some of the smartphones offered are called "HiPhone 5" or "iiPhone 5" in an attempt to avoid accusations that they are counterfeit devices. But pictures of the devices show the Apple logo and look exactly like iPhones.

Chinese authorities have already seized fake versions of the iPhone 5, which the news agency Xinhua reported earlier this week.

A brief survey of popular consumer shopping Web sites in the U.S., such as eBay, Craigslist, and Amazon, didn't turn up what looked like illicit iPhone 5 or even iPhone 4S smartphones. But Theresa Mock, vice president of global marketing at Opsec Security, which helps companies protect their brands by scouring the Web for fakes, said counterfeits are likely coming.

The iPhone 4S will be launched in the U.S. and in six other countries next week. And experts are anticipating it to sell very well in all markets. Mock said that counterfeiters typically seed the market early with fake products right before a highly anticipated product launch, such as the one of the iPhone 4S.

Last year, Opsec compiled a report that found in the weeks and days before an official launch of a new smartphone, several suspicious listings for products from six manufacturers, namely Nokia, RIM, Apple, HTC, Samsung, and Motorola on reseller Websites. Opsec said that many of these products were being offered for deep discounts, with one seller offering 1,000 units per week at 65 percent below list price. The listings for devices advertised on the Websites also had features listed that hadn't been announced yet by the manufacturers.

"When it came in the mail, it was obviously a fake," she said. "The packaging didn't look right. The icons on the device and the logo from the company were a little different."

To help ensure you don't buy a fake iPhone 4S or any other kind of device, CNET assembled these questions that you should ask yourself before hitting the "buy" button.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20117021-266/experts-warn-shoppers-of-fake-iphone-4ss-online/#ixzz1a6kDda4k

Apple Vs Samsung War

In BBC News

Samsung wants iPhone 4S banned in France and Italy Samsung claims Apple failed to license patented technology in the iPhone 4S Continue reading the main story

Samsung is seeking an injunction to get the new iPhone 4S banned from sale in France and Italy.

It claims that Apple has used 3G wireless technology, which Samsung invented, without paying for it.

A patent war between the companies has been rumbling on for months in courts around the world.

Apple has obtained temporary embargoes on its rivals' products in Australia and Germany and is seeking similar rulings in several other countries.

In a statement, Samsung said: "Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free ride on our technology, and we will steadfastly protect our intellectual property."

Patent law blogger Florian Mueller warned that Samsung was putting the cart before the horse by seeking an injunction before negotiating terms.

"Imagine what would happen if every participant in a standard-setting process could later shut down entire telecommunications networks even if the alleged infringers are willing to pay a royalty to be determined, in the event of a commercial disagreement between the parties, by a court of law," wrote Mr Mueller on his Foss Patents site.

Sales bans

Samsung's claim centres around two patents covering Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), part of the iPhone's 3G wireless connectivity.

Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 has also been the subject of patent cases

Because the technology is essential to the functioning of modern phones, Samsung is obliged to license it to other manufacturers under Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) terms.

Conversely, the patents being enforced by Apple against Samsung in Germany, the Netherlands and Australia relate to specific innovations which it is not obliged to license - primarily around its touchscreen user interface.

It has also successfully argued before the courts that the look and feel of Samsung's Galaxy Tab gave a "clear impression of similarity.

As a consequence of the actions:

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is currently banned from sale in Germany.

A ban on sales of Samsung smartphones is due to come into effect in the Netherlands in October.

Samsung has postponed its tablet launch plans in Australia while its legal battle there is ongoing.

Many observers believe that Samsung is walking a fine line between standing-up to Apple and avoiding jeopardising valuable contracts with its occasional foe.

Samsung supplies parts for many of Apple's devices, including screens for some of its smartphones and tablets. The two companies are said to have agreed a components deal in February worth $7.8bn (£5bn).

RIP Steve JOBS

The man who made possible mass technology, making the revolution of the interface between man and machine twice (Computer & Smartphone).

iPhone 4S UK price confirmed

IN techradar

The iPhone 4S UK price has been made official by Apple, with the latest handset starting at £499 for the 16GB model in black or white.

The iPhone 4S UK release date, along with the US, Canada, France and Germany has already been set at 14 October and now we know the pricing structure.

You can check out our hands on hands on iPhone 4S review or watch our launch event video below

As you may expect, the iPhone 4S pricing it is broadly in line with its predecessors, with the lowest cost version arriving at £499 without a contract.

Appple Vs Samsung War: blocking iphine 4s sale

In Cnet

Samsung is already moving to block the sale of the newiPhone 4S in Europe barely a day after Apple announced its new flagship phone.

In a blog post today, Samsung said that it is filing requests for preliminary injunctions both in Paris and in Milan, Italy, asking the courts to ban the sale of the new iPhone.

In filing the motions, Samsung plans to accuse Apple of two patent infringements related to wireless technology, specifically the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standard used on 3G phones. The mobile handset maker said it believes that Apple's violation of its patents is "too severe" and that sales of the new iPhone should be blocked as a result.

"Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free ride on our technology," Samsung asserted in its blog. "We believe it is now necessary to take legal action to protect our innovation."

Samsung added that it plans to file injunctions against the new iPhone in other countries after reviewing the matter further.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-20115855-38/samsung-targets-iphone-4s-in-france-italy/#ixzz1ZuQzJQ1G

Apple Announces “Cheaper” iPhones: The Old Ones

in techcrunch

Despite predictions to the contrary, Apple did not announce a cheaper, mass market version of the iPhone today. Instead, it announced an upgraded iPhone 4 called the iPhone 4S. It’s the same on the outside, but with all new insides.

However, there are more affordable iPhones now on the market: the old ones. Apple says it’s keeping the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 around. Not only that, it’s dropping their prices. Why would Apple keep these aging devices alive? Simple. To battle Android, Symbian, RIM and Windows Phone – especially in emerging markets.

According to today’s announcement, the iPhone 3GS is now free with a contract. The iPhone 4 has been reduced to $99. While the new lower prices are based on 2-year agreements with mobile carriers, the fact that the phones are not being killed off entirely is important.

These are the “new” cheaper, mass market iPhones.

Apple didn’t specify where these discounted devices would be sold, only noting that the iPhone 4S would be available in the U.S., Canada, Australia, U.K., France, Germany and Japan. It would not be surprising to see these older models used as Apple’s inroads into emerging markets, though.

Here’s why:

More people are buying Android smartphones than iPhones. That fact is not in dispute.

According to recent estimates from comScore, Android’s U.S. market share is 41.8% to Apple’s 27%. In Europe, where Symbian still reigns, it’s 22.3% for Android vs. 20.3% for iPhone. Worldwide, some analysts now peg Android as having nearly 50% of the smartphone market.

What iPhone lacks in volume, though, it makes up for in profit, capturing two-thirds of available mobile phone profits in Q2 2011. One could even argue that Apple does not need to provide a low-cost iPhone – it was doing just fine without one, thank you very much.

Apple anounces iphone 5/iphone 4s

In techcrunch

The specs disclosed so far:

• Dual-core A5 CPU, said to be “2x as fast at CPU tasks”
• Dual-core graphics, up to “7x faster than the previous iPhone”
• Battery life estimates: 8 hours talk time on 3G, 14 hours on 2G. 6 hours of browsing on 3G, 9 on Wi-Fi. 10 hours of video playback, 40 hours of music.
• Theoretical download speeds of 14.4Mbps (as opposed to 7.2 on the iPhone 4.) Interestingly, Schiller called out Motorola, LG, and HTC for calling these speeds “4G”.
• World Phone (in other words, the one model will handle both GSM [like AT&T] and CDMA [like Verizon], and it should work well in most countries around the world)
• 8 megapixel camera (Photo resolution: 3264 x 2448). The camera also takes advantage of image processing on the A5 chip, enabling stuff like Face detection and 26% more accurate white balance.
• 1080p video recording with real-time noise reduction and video stabilization (!)
• Voice-controlled personal assistant. You can ask things like “Will it rain in Cupertino?”, or “Can you find me a Greek Restaurant in Palo Alto?”, or “What’s the time in Paris?” and it’ll answer accordingly. This is the culmination of their purchase of Siri back in 2010 — and surprisingly enough, they’re keeping the “Siri” name
• 
  

Apple Find my friends - Which Parents Can Use To Track Their Child’s Location:

Apple SVP of iOS software Scott Forstall unveiled a new feature that may sound familiar: ‘Find My Friends’, a map-based app that’ll let you see where your friends and family members are, provided they’ve opted into sharing their location with you.

Fire up the app and the location of each of these friends will be indicated by a purplish orb, which could come in handy if you’re trying to figure out how far someone has to go on their commute, or where they are at an amusement park.

Of course, the app sounds quite similar to Google’s Latitude, which has been doing the same thing since early 2009 (Latitude comes pre-installed alongside the Maps application on Android, though you have to opt into it). But Apple’s version includes some features that go a little further (and, once again, will compete with some existing startups).

First: there’s a way to share your location for a few hours at a time, with the feature automatically turning off at a specified hour (a service called Glympse was among the first to start doing this a couple of years ago). It’s a good idea, and one that helps cut back significantly on the creepy-factor associated with these persistant location sharing services.

And there’s a feature that’ll appeal to some parents: they can activate location tracking on their child’s phone, and use parental controls to ensure their kids can’t turn it off. This could be helpful for making sure younger, iPhone touting kids are safe, but it’ll probably lead to plenty of family debates between teens and their parents (my folks wouldn’t have ever tried to get me to use this, but if they did, I would’ve figured out a way to disable it).

Apple Reveals Siri Voice Interface: The “Intelligent Assistant” Only For iPhone 4S

All those rumors of deep voice integration in iOS 5 have just been confirmed. Scott Forstall is back onstage demoing the new “intelligent assistant” service, which surprisingly retains its original name: Siri.

Activating Siri requires a quick hold of the home button, and then Siri is ready to listen. So far, Forstall’s demos seem to confirm what we’ve already heard: it’s surprisingly robust, and is a champion when it comes to interpreting voice input.

So far, Forstall has asked Siri the current time in Paris, how the NASDAQ is doing today, and the location of great Greek food in Palo Alto. So far, Siri has answered all queries with aplomb, and the crowd is really getting a kick out of it.

Hotest: The iPhone 5/4S: The Complete Rumor Rundown

In techcrunch

The iPhone 4S Will Be A Less Expensive iPhone

Argument: Numerous leaked SKU line ups with iPhone prototypes that are made of just plastic rather than glass and aluminum found in Brazil.

Apple would completely disrupt Android and Windows Phone 7 by selling a new iPhone at $100 or less.

The iPhone 4 still packs enough computing power for most users.

Objections:

Unsubstantiated leaks cannot be trusted

Judgment: The stars just seem aligned for this one. The iPhone 4 is still a hot phone despite being over 15 months old. Apple just needs to repackage the current hardware into a less expensive body to completely demolish the competition.

Redesigned, thinner iPhone 5

Argument: Countless thinner cases have leaked over the previous months all purportedly built for the next iPhone.

Every successive iPhone has been thinner than the previous.

Apple likes to keep design cues constant between products and so the next iPhone will look similar to the iPad.

Objection: None, it’s a pretty solid claim

Judgment: Apple has never released a product thicker than the previous model and won’t start with the next iPhone.

Larger screen

Argument: The iPhone 4's 3.5-inch screen is tiny compared to recent superphones from Motorola, Samsung, and LG.

Leaked cases signal that the next iPhone will be physically longer and wider. A larger screen is logical if the size of the iPhone is increasing.

Our own research has shown that a larger screen is “likely.”

Objections: Larger screen could mess with apps designed for the smaller screen

Judgment: Apple cannot ignore the current popular trend of larger screen sizes. As long as the phone is thinner, a larger screen will not make the phone feel any bigger.

Edge-to-edge glass

Argument: Apple has always pushed the limit with its LCD implementation.

Edge-to-edge glass would give Apple something to tout over just using a larger screen.

Objections: Likely higher manufacturing cost, which would cut into the profit margin

Could lead to more broken screens

Judgment: Not likely just yet. Apple pushes the limit but only as far as its financially viable.

NFC Chip

Argument: NFC is the next big thing and already a feature on leading Android handsets

An NFC-equipped iPhone would further the advancement of mobile payments

Objection: Current NFC radios are separate microchips and not integrated into a unified communication chip, which requires PCB real estate and extra battery power

Apple could be waiting until the payment companies make a lucrative offer to them

Judgment: Apple tends to incorporate non-proprietary tech only after its viability is proven. So that’s a “No.”

Dual-core A5 CPU

Argument: Apple tends to include a faster CPU with each iPhone release

iOS 5 will likely benefit from a faster, dual-core CPU

Objection: More powerful CPUs tend to decrease battery life

Judgment: It’s very likely the next major iPhone will have the A5 CPU. However, Apple might stick with the A4 for a mid-model refresh like the rumored iPhone 4S

New home button

Argument: Leaked cases and bezels show an elongated opening/button

Touch-sensitive bezels allows for new controls, multitouch gestures

Objections: Completely changes Apple’s “Keep It Simple, Stupid” design

Could break current apps

Judgment: Don’t start designing your next Kickstarter iPhone case project around this rumor. Apple will likely stick with its traditional home button.

8MP camera

Argument: MP count has increased with every new iPhone release

An 8MP photo previously appeared with iPhone 5 metadata

Megapixel counts are unfortunately a comparison point between different phones

Objections: Higher megapixel counts does not necessarily improve picture quality. Apple knows this. Hopefully.

Judgment: Camera sensors are constantly shrinking in size while increasing in MP count. Expect a higher count sensor but not necessarily an 8MP version.

CDMA/GSM dual-mode radio

Argument: The next iPhone will use Qualcomm Gobi Baseband and run on both GSM and CDMA networks

Dual-mode phones have shown up in developer’s usage stats

Would allow Apple to makes/sell just one version, decreasing manufacturing costs

Allow Apple to sell a completely unlocked iPhone. Buy one from the Apple Store and activate it however you want

Carrier independence is a huge selling point

Objection: Dual-mode mobile radios are still very rare

R&D cost could make it financially unfeasible

Judgment: It’s hard to say. The upsides are huge for both Apple and consumers, but dual-mode radios are not widely used. Apple tends to use highly-available and therefore, high margin components.

Extensive voice controls

Argument:The next iPhone will have powerful voice controls built by Siri called Assistant, which Apple bought last year for $200m

The voice controls would outclass Android’s with more natural navigation paths

These function would need beefy hardware like the rumored A5 CPU, which creates an up-sell point for iPhone 4 owners

Objections: None, really. Seems like a logical step for iOS.

Judgment: It’s hard to predict future iOS features, but more beefy voice controls are probably on the road map.

Hotest: The iPhone 5/4S: The Complete Rumor Rundown

In techcrunch

The iPhone 4S Will Be A Less Expensive iPhone

Argument: Numerous leaked SKU line ups with iPhone prototypes that are made of just plastic rather than glass and aluminum found in Brazil.

Apple would completely disrupt Android and Windows Phone 7 by selling a new iPhone at $100 or less.

The iPhone 4 still packs enough computing power for most users.

Objections:

Unsubstantiated leaks cannot be trusted

Judgment: The stars just seem aligned for this one. The iPhone 4 is still a hot phone despite being over 15 months old. Apple just needs to repackage the current hardware into a less expensive body to completely demolish the competition.

Redesigned, thinner iPhone 5

Argument: Countless thinner cases have leaked over the previous months all purportedly built for the next iPhone.

Every successive iPhone has been thinner than the previous.

Apple likes to keep design cues constant between products and so the next iPhone will look similar to the iPad.

Objection: None, it’s a pretty solid claim

Judgment: Apple has never released a product thicker than the previous model and won’t start with the next iPhone.

Larger screen

Argument: The iPhone 4's 3.5-inch screen is tiny compared to recent superphones from Motorola, Samsung, and LG.

Leaked cases signal that the next iPhone will be physically longer and wider. A larger screen is logical if the size of the iPhone is increasing.

Our own research has shown that a larger screen is “likely.”

Objections: Larger screen could mess with apps designed for the smaller screen

Judgment: Apple cannot ignore the current popular trend of larger screen sizes. As long as the phone is thinner, a larger screen will not make the phone feel any bigger.

Edge-to-edge glass

Argument: Apple has always pushed the limit with its LCD implementation.

Edge-to-edge glass would give Apple something to tout over just using a larger screen.

Objections: Likely higher manufacturing cost, which would cut into the profit margin

Could lead to more broken screens

Judgment: Not likely just yet. Apple pushes the limit but only as far as its financially viable.

NFC Chip

Argument: NFC is the next big thing and already a feature on leading Android handsets

An NFC-equipped iPhone would further the advancement of mobile payments

Objection: Current NFC radios are separate microchips and not integrated into a unified communication chip, which requires PCB real estate and extra battery power

Apple could be waiting until the payment companies make a lucrative offer to them

Judgment: Apple tends to incorporate non-proprietary tech only after its viability is proven. So that’s a “No.”

Dual-core A5 CPU

Argument: Apple tends to include a faster CPU with each iPhone release

iOS 5 will likely benefit from a faster, dual-core CPU

Objection: More powerful CPUs tend to decrease battery life

Judgment: It’s very likely the next major iPhone will have the A5 CPU. However, Apple might stick with the A4 for a mid-model refresh like the rumored iPhone 4S

New home button

Argument: Leaked cases and bezels show an elongated opening/button

Touch-sensitive bezels allows for new controls, multitouch gestures

Objections: Completely changes Apple’s “Keep It Simple, Stupid” design

Could break current apps

Judgment: Don’t start designing your next Kickstarter iPhone case project around this rumor. Apple will likely stick with its traditional home button.

8MP camera

Argument: MP count has increased with every new iPhone release

An 8MP photo previously appeared with iPhone 5 metadata

Megapixel counts are unfortunately a comparison point between different phones

Objections: Higher megapixel counts does not necessarily improve picture quality. Apple knows this. Hopefully.

Judgment: Camera sensors are constantly shrinking in size while increasing in MP count. Expect a higher count sensor but not necessarily an 8MP version.

CDMA/GSM dual-mode radio

Argument: The next iPhone will use Qualcomm Gobi Baseband and run on both GSM and CDMA networks

Dual-mode phones have shown up in developer’s usage stats

Would allow Apple to makes/sell just one version, decreasing manufacturing costs

Allow Apple to sell a completely unlocked iPhone. Buy one from the Apple Store and activate it however you want

Carrier independence is a huge selling point

Objection: Dual-mode mobile radios are still very rare

R&D cost could make it financially unfeasible

Judgment: It’s hard to say. The upsides are huge for both Apple and consumers, but dual-mode radios are not widely used. Apple tends to use highly-available and therefore, high margin components.

Extensive voice controls

Argument:The next iPhone will have powerful voice controls built by Siri called Assistant, which Apple bought last year for $200m

The voice controls would outclass Android’s with more natural navigation paths

These function would need beefy hardware like the rumored A5 CPU, which creates an up-sell point for iPhone 4 owners

Objections: None, really. Seems like a logical step for iOS.

Judgment: It’s hard to predict future iOS features, but more beefy voice controls are probably on the road map.

iPhone 5 cases show up at AT&T stores

In techradar

Someone somewhere has a crystal ball. An unnamed company has managed to make a bunch of silicon sleeves for the Apple iPhone 5 before the device is announced to the world.

The cases, which have arrived at an AT&T retail shop in the US, show a wider device than the iPhone 4, with a tapered (some might say 'raindrop') design.

The only other thing we can see is different from the iPhone 4 is that the mute button seems to be on the opposite side of the handset.

One other detail worth noting is that the sleeve's packaging calls the product "Silicone sleeve Apple iPhone 5" - you'll note that it doesn't say iPhone 4S. But then you'll also note that the name is printed on a dodgy-looking white label.

Missing iPhone 5 may explain new cases from China

In Cnet

An iPhone 5 prototype allegedly taken from a factory run by Apple supplier Foxconn may be the blueprint for all the unofficial cases popping up in China.

Visiting Shenzhen, China, last week, members of the blog site M.I.C. Gadget, who cover stories on China, said they were tipped off by an "iPhone accessories supplier" that the prototype had been missing from Foxconn factory's in the Shenzhen district.

Whoever got their hands on the prototype reportedly wiped its software clean so that it couldn't be traced and then sold it to one of the case makers for around $3,100, leading to the flood of iPhone 5 cases being hawked by online marketplace Alibaba and other Chinese retailers.

Though the prototype was in a case designed to camouflage it as aniPhone 4, the phone itself sported a tapered teardrop shape, which some rumors have claimed theiPhone 5 will use. Compared with cases for the iPhone 4, the cases being created for the new iPhone are thinner but also wider and longer, says M.I.C. Gadget, in some aspects similar to an iPod Touch.

Assuming the story about the missing prototype is true, the blog site says it's "very sure that one or more of these case manufacturers have access to what is believed to be the prototype of the iPhone 5 with the finalized design."

iPhone prototypes seem to have a history of getting lost.

Last year, an Apple employee left an iPhone 4 prototype in a bar in San Jose, Calif. The phone ended up in the hands of tech blog site Gizmodo, which shelled out $5,000 for it, eventually triggering a police probe. And more recently, an iPhone 5 was reported lost, this time in a bar in San Francisco, and again drawing in the local police.

Whatever iPhone 5 prototypes or cases may be floating around out there, we'll know for sure what the new phone looks like when Apple finally unveils the device next Tuesday.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20112775-37/missing-iphone-5-may-explain-new-cases-from-china/#ixzz1ZQU8Z2Pd