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Tag: Rumors

  • Nexus Prime Video, Pictures Surface

    Nexus Prime Video, Pictures Surface

    Has the Nexus Prime (aka Galaxy Nexus) been spotted in the wild?

    According to mobilissimo.ro, someone has gotten their hands on the upcoming device – and it’s running Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0).

    Here’s a video demo of the phone, and it looks to have some of the features that have been rumored of the Nexus Prime – that would include the lack of mechanical buttons, replaced by a touch interface. Check it out below:

    We’ve also been graced with this clear shot of the device, which may be the first full on image of the upcoming Google-powered phone:

    Yesterday, we reported on some leaked specs of the Nexus Prime. BGR obtained documents that showed the upcoming device equipped with a 4.65-inch super AMOLED-HD screen with curved glass, 1GB RAM, dual-core A9 processor and NFC capabilities.

    Later, gsmarena posted what they claimed to be the actual specs of the Nexus Prime, which modified the previous rumors to include an 8 MP camera and a battery that would allow for a couple of days use without a charge.

    Could the phone above be that phone?

    We were set to find out this upcoming Tuesday, October 11th at the Unpacked 2011 Samsung/Google mobile event. Invitations went around for that event at the end of last month. Most speculated that the Nexus Prime and Ice Cream Sandwich OS would be unveiled at that time.

    But today, Samsung and Google released a joint statement postponing any new product launch, saying it simply wasn’t the right time.

    It looks like we will have to wait for any official announcement. But until then, check out some more photos of what just might be Ice Cream Sandwich running on the new Nexus phone:

    What do you think? Does it look like an iPhone 4S rival? Let us know in the comments.

  • iPhone 5 Rumors Still Alive and Well Despite iPhone 4S

    There are a couple ways you could look at the announcement of the iPhone 4S, with regards to the lack of an iPhone 5 announcement.

    One way would be that this is the iPhone 5. It just has a different name. Another way would be that the iPhone 5 could still be on the way.

    Many news outlets and blogs have reported on iPhone 5 rumors for a long time now. Some were related to what Apple would announce on this past Tuesday, and some were about an as of yet unannounced product. Gawker has a post up looking at a handful of articles from various publications in the tech press indicating “how everyone got it wrong”.

    Sure, some were flat out wrong, but other rumors may just not be realized yet.

    For example, the first example in the Gawker piece points to the launch of a Facebook iPad app at the Apple event. This didn’t happen, but the app is still expected to be unveiled soon. Timing, yes, dead wrong. It also wasn’t the “iPhone 5” event, as indicated in the article in question. It turned out to be the “iPhone 4S and iPod Nano update” event.

    The list of stories about iPhone 5 rumors on the web is a whole lot bigger than the sampling offered by this Gawker article. We’ve certainly published our fair share, but have always been careful to note when a story is a rumor. People like to read about rumors, and get and idea of what to expect. Still, rumors are rumors, and they should always be taken with some amount of salt.

    All of that said, the unveiling of the 4S has done absolutely nothing to halt the iPhone 5 rumor mill. For example, they’re already talking about the release being delayed until Apple can implement LTE, as late as late 2012 or even 2013. But it’s a rumor. It’s entirely possible that Apple will never launch a phone called the “iPhone 5”.

    It’s a pretty safe bet that “iPhone 5” will continue to be used as the name for Apple phones in rumor pieces about the next such offering from Apple until either Apple says flat out that there will be no iPhone 5 or it becomes clear in some other fashion.

    In the meantime, the responsible reporters and bloggers talking about this stuff will call a rumor a rumor until it becomes fact.

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Release Delayed Until Apple Can Implement LTE

    Feeling let down by yesterday’s “Let’s Talk iPhone” event? You definitely aren’t alone. Although the announced iPhone 4S comes with improvements like a faster processor, a better camera and that interesting Siri voice assistant feature, some folks are kind of bummed that we didn’t get a radically redesigned phone with the name “iPhone 5.”

    Why didn’t we get an iPhone 5? According to one analyst, it’s all about the LTE.

    Will Strauss, president of wireless clip market research firm Forward Concepts, told CNET that Apple is saving the “iPhone 5” name for when they launch a new device capable of LTE speeds, commonly referred to as “4G.”

    Apparently, the LTE technology simply takes up too much room for Apple’s tastes, and we won’t see and iPhone 5 until LTE is ready for smaller, compact smartphones. “They’re saving iPhone 5 for the LTE version and that won’t be out until next spring,” said Strauss.

    He went on to say that the current phones out there equipped with “4G” LTE capabilities like the HTC Thunderbolt are simply too “kludgy” for what Apple wants. “There’s no way they could come out with LTE now,” he said. It just takes up too much room. As of right now, Apple woulds have to make design compromises to include the LTE chip inside their phones. This could include cutting the battery size or making to iPhone thicker to accommodate.

    Apparently, Apple is unwilling to do this. When the LTE technology allows for a smaller, one-chip solution (analysts say next spring), that’s when you’ll have your iPhone 5.

    In the meantime, it’s looking more and more like the iPhone 4S might just be a stopgap device, holding the reigns until Apple can unveil their iPhone 5. Having said that, it’s certainly a vast improvement upon the iPhone 4 – it’s faster, has a sharper display, better camera, and houses new features.

    And what’s in a name, anyways? The 4S is certainly a “new” phone. It appears that many folks are simply let down because of the expectations of a possible redesign. If you’re dead set on upgrading to an “iPhone 5,” it looks like you’ll be waiting until 2012.

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Larger Storage Capacities Upcoming?

    How much information will the upcoming iPhone 5 store when it hits the markets in the near future? If the rumblings are to be believed, the newest iPhone will match the storage capacity of its iPad cousin/brother/relative.

    According to a report in 9to5Mac, there will be three different storage capacities for the device, which could be available in 16, 32, and 64 gigabyte sizes. Not only that, but the various capacity devices will be available in both black and white. Of course, sifting through all these rumors could very well be an exercise in futility/wishful thinking, but the information about the new device’s capacity sizes has hit the wires and is being widely reported by various publications.

    Whether or not the new device is an actual iPhone 5 or if it is the iPhone 4s, the grapevine is pretty solid in its belief the new devices will have an increased capacity. The following block from 9to5Mac demonstrates as much, provided the rumor pans out:

    In all fairness, it is also plausible that the new iPhone will come in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities, but the appearance of a tweaked iPhone 4 (N90A) seems to refute that. Provided that the 8GB iPhone 4 rumor is correct, it would make little sense for Apple to produce both an 8GB iPhone 4 and an 8GB iPhone 4S.

    As indicated, the capacity story is a hot topic around the web, including Twitter, where the rumor is being treated, for the most part, as fact:

    @CammieCurtis
    Cammie Curtis    Hey guys!! iPhone 5 To Come With 64GB Of Storage: There have been many rumors about the iPhone … http://t.co/yDSgyh6h <3 @gizmo_fusion 1 hour ago via twitterfeed · powered by @socialditto

    @MacGazette
    MacGazette    iPhone 5 / 4S expected to ship with 64GB, 32GB and 16GB storage options http://t.co/Yuox4XSq 1 hour ago via Macgazette · powered by @socialditto

    @owaeis
    Owaeis N.    iPhone 5/4S to Debut with 64GB Storage Option http://t.co/b6fCL125 1 hour ago via twitterfeed · powered by @socialditto

    Some have begun speculating about prices for these increased capacity devices, and if the following guess is true, one wonders what the 64 gig model will cost:

    @Vanmo92
    Evan Montgomery    Assuming storage and price structure doesn’t change with the iPhone 5, looks like I can expect to pay $500 for a new 32GB iPhone. 3 days ago via Twitter for Mac · powered by @socialditto

    So? $750 for a 64-gigabyte model? If so, would you be as apt to lay down that kind of money for such a mobile device? What if it’s only $600? With that in mind, does this mean Apple is envisioning the upcoming devices as something much more than a mobile communication device? Let us know what you think.

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Design Prototype Has Larger Screen, Thinner Frame

    If you think that you’ve been following the swirls of rumors surrounding the possible new design of the iPhone 5, just wait until you see what the folks over at BENM.at have done.

    Using all of the most relevant hints and rumors, they have created an iPhone 5 prototype that basically looks like the phone that most users are hoping for. Here’s how they did it:

    Based on CAD designs, hardware components, several leaked hints, cases and recent, believable mockups we created a three-dimensional computer model. This virtual model was then used to build a very detailed, true prototype that you can hold in your own two hands.

    The process to create this prototype is the same that’s used to create the iPad. The back was machined from a sold block of aluminium, which was later treated with glass pearls to get the same slightly rough touch that we already know from the iPad.

    Like many rumors, the prototype is thinner and wider (59.94 mm wider). It also has the much talked about teardrop design with a slightly thicker top and a slightly thinner bottom.

    It also sports a larger screen – 4 inches to be exact. That’s .5 inches larger than what’s currently on the iPhone 4. Rumors have discussed a modified home button for months, and this prototype delivers. The home button is now elongated and rectangular and it is no longer mechanical. Instead of having to actually push it, it is just touch sensitive, like the rest of the screen.

    Check out the prototype in this video. As you would expect, it’s not functional, but it’s cool to see all of the speculations put into an actual device –

    Will the iPhone 5 look anything like that? In the video, they claim that they are 98% sure that their prototype is spot-on. I don’t know, maybe something was lost in the translation. One thing we do know is that we won’t have to wait much longer to see what the next-gen iPhone looks like. Apple has announced their big “Let’s talk iPhone” media event, scheduled for Tuesday, October 4th in Cupertino.

    Rumors were able to pin the announcement date and if the iPhone 5 is released soon after the unveiling (as it should be), rumors would have also predicted the release date pretty accurately. The latest hints point at the new phone hitting the shelves on Friday, October 14th.

    The design has been a little less agreed upon. For everyone that says it’s going to be a radical shift from the iPhone 4 design, there’s a handful of reports that the new phone will look similar to its predecessors, only bringing some hardware changes to the table.

    What do you think of this prototype? If the iPhone 5 was unveiled next Tuesday and it looked just like this, would you be happy? Let us know in the comments.

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Launch Will Be A “Game Changer”

    When the new iPhone is finally unveiled at the just-announced “Let’s Talk iPhone” media event scheduled for October 4th, there’s no doubt that it will already have a massive amount of excitement and buzz surrounding it. People want the new iPhone. Those iPhone 4s and (god-forbid) iPhone 3Gs might as well be Motorola RAZRs sitting in people’s pockets.

    But how much of a “game changer” will the new iPhone really be? What will the much-anticipated phone bring to the table that will position itself as a true “next-gen” device?

    For many, it’s the new voice control platform called “Assistant” that everyone has been talking about for the past few days.

    The leaked reports trickling out of the Apple fountain suggest that iOS 5 on the iPhone 5 is going to come with a new voice control platform that is more than just a feature – but the predominant way that users will interact with the new phone. Details about the “Assistant” system have emerged, and they sound quite interesting.

    Basically, Assistant is said to be voice control that really works. Seamless appointment scheduling, text messaging and even search – simply through the power of your voice. Not only will Assistant understand what you say, but it is apparently intuitive. That’s right, according to reports, you can expect to have a little conversation with your new iPhone from time to time when it needs to specify a command that you give it. “Tell Jim I’m going to be late to the meeting,” you say. Assistant might ask, “Should I notify his work or personal email?”

    For more on those expected features, check here.

    Could this technology be the main new thing about the iPhone 5 – the game changer? In my opinion, this voice control platform is more important than all the other rumored features – the 8 megapixel camera, faster processor, even all of the slick redesigns that people are hoping for.

    Long-time Apple follower and investor Jason Schwarz says that this part of the new iPhone is “the most significant upgrade to the Apple ecosystem since the initial launch of the product back in 2007.” No wonder that the invitation to the October 4th event said “Let’s Talk iPhone.” As many across the internet pointed out, that phrase could easily be interpreted “Let’s talk, iPhone.”

    Schwarz continues to talk about the amazing new user interface –

    At the original iPhone event in January 2007, Steve Jobs stated, ‘We are all born with the ultimate pointing device-our fingers-and iPhone uses them to create the most revolutionary user interface since the mouse.” Well, I would add that we’re also born with the ultimate communication tool-our voice-and iPhone is about to create the most revolutionary user interface in the history of technology. I expect that this voice assistant will quickly make its way into laptops and desktops as well. Apple’s competitive advantage is widening by the day.

    If Schwarz and the details prove correct, the Siri voice “Assistant” integrated into iOS 5 could change the way people interact with mobile technology. Love Apple or hate Apple, iPhone user or not, you have to admit that this is a big deal. It might not dominate the game, but it will sure as hell change it.

    What do you think about a voice-based user interface in the upcoming iPhone? Let us know in the comments.

  • Smarter Google+ Circles on the way?

    Smarter Google+ Circles on the way?

    The competition between Google+ and Facebook continues to heat up. Facebook has made moves recently that make its sharing and friends lists a little more Google+ Circles-like. They also launched “smart lists” where Facebook compiles lists of your friends on its own in ways that it thinks make sense.

    Google appears to be looking to go a similar route, as TechCrunch is reporting that Google is in talks to acquire Katango. Katango is essentially a Facebook app that categorizes your friends into lists that it thinks make sense. We don’t know for sure what Google would do with this acquisition, but it seems fairly likely that they would use this approach with Circles.

    Google+ does come with some pre-made Circles, but this could possibly be used to improve this concept and make even smarter Circles. Just speculation.

    Katango launched in July, then in August, it released a web app.

    The company has a team of 12 people. Co-founders are Yoav Shoham, and Mike Munie. According to Jason Kincaid, the company has raised $2 million so far.

    Google recently added the ability to share Circles. It’s a little surprising that Facebook doesn’t let you share lists. Twitter has been doing this for a long time.

  • Is Apple Killing The iPod Shuffle and Classic?

    As companies move forward with new, exciting products, it’s inevitable that they need to phase out older, less inventive products. It looks like Apple is doing just that, as they might be discontinuing the iPod classic and iPod shuffle.

    TUAW says that they have been “sitting on a tip” for a little while now, and an unidentified source has told them that both the iPod classic and shuffle are both going to be gone by the end of the year.

    Here’s what they had to say regarding to veracity of this report –

    Obviously we can’t divulge our source, but it is NOT an analyst. Most of us listen to analyst predictions with the proverbial grain of salt (or bag of salt). We feel pretty confident that Apple will soon discontinue the shuffle and classic, and we see few changes coming for the iPod touch

    Getting rid of the iPod classic seems like an understandable decision. I have an iPod Classic and have loved it for years, but it truly is a relic of the past. I mean, the iPod Touch is the same device – except minus the wheel and add the touch screen, apps, and wi-fi capability. The only problem is that its max version is a 64 GB version, where the Classic offers 160 GB of storage.

    It’s sad to see it go, but it makes sense.

    For some, I can see how getting rid of the shuffle would be a little harder to understand. It’s Apple’s smallest mp3 player and their cheapest. Basically, it’s a nano without the screen – but this is precisely what some people want. Just going on personal experience, I know a lot of people who use shuffles for exercising. The fact that it’s so tiny and hassle-free has carved it a niche.

    It’s possible that all of this could be announced on or around Apple’s October 4th iPhone event.

    What do you think? Should Apple discontinue these devices? Would you be sad to see them go? Let us know in the comments.

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Release Date October 14th, AT&T Gearing Up

    iPhone 5 Rumor: Release Date October 14th, AT&T Gearing Up

    Yesterday, we got confirmation of the much-discussed rumor of the big Apple media event supposedly happening on October 4th. Apple began sending out invitations to the event, which will in fact occur on the 4th at 10 am PST. The event will be hosted by Apple’s new CEO Tim Cook at their current campus in Cupertino.

    At the event, Apple is expected to discuss the new iPhone – an expectation that was confirmed by the invitation’s only words: “Let’s talk iPhone.”

    If the unveiling of the new device is going down on October 4th, when will it actually hit the shelves? When can you get your hands on the new iPhone?

    “Reliable sources” as Google+Reader”>quoted by The Next Web say that the iPhone 5 will become available on Friday, October 14th. This date corresponds with what we’ve been hearing for a long time – that a mid-October release was highly likely.

    This information is bolstered by the fact that sources also say that Apple is blacking out vacation days during the second week of October. Remember, two weeks ago France Telecom CEO Stephane Richard gave the specific date of Saturday, October 15th as the iPhone 5 launch day. The 14th would make more sense than the 15th, as Fridays are a more common Apple launch day that Saturdays.

    Also corroborating the October 14th release prediction is information obtained by BGR from a “trusted AT&T source.” They say that AT&T has started to black out all employee vacations requests for the first two weeks of October, apparently so they can prepare for the big release.

    Other recent iPhone rumors you might want to check out:

    Is the iPhone 5 coming to Sprint, and if so, with an unlimited data plan?

    The iPhone 5 is going to come with awesome new voice control features

    Is is possible that we might see two new iPhones this fall?

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Sprint Committed To Unlimited Data?

    Today we got confirmation that Apple is in fact holding a big media event on October 4th to discuss the new iPhone. It had been rumored for a little over a week, and today an invitation was sent out that announced the time, date, location and simply said “Let’s talk iPhone.”

    If the iPhone 5 is unveiled on October 4th, it has been theorized that the actual device will hit shelves sometime in mid-October. We know, of course, that AT&T and Verizon will have the device. But what about the guys in third place – Sprint?

    Here’s why people think Sprint will be getting the iPhone 5 –

    Of course, there has been no direct confirmation from Sprint regarding the next-gen iPhone, but many speculate that the network will offer the device when it finally launches. And when they do, it might come with an unlimited data plan.

    At GigaOm’s mobilize conference, Sprint’s CTO Stephen Bye said that Sprint was committed to unlimited data plans.

    From CNET –

    “There’s clearly a cost to support unlimited,” Bye admitted, adding that not every unlimited subscriber is as high a data user as his or her neighbor. At the same time, Bye emphasized the simplicity of supporting an unlimited data plan, citing the hidden cost for customer care and support related to tiered data plans

    Bye acknowledged the pressure of sticking with an unlimited data plan, however. “There’s a challenge for all engineers to work on how we get the cost structure down,” he said.

    If it actually comes to pass, having the new iPhone on its network could strain Sprint’s attempts to keep the unlimited data option for customers. But for now, they say they are committed to keeping it that way.

    Earlier this month, inside sources quoted by Bloomberg said that there was most definitely going to be an iPhone coming to Sprint. They also said that it would, in fact, come with an unlimited data plan.

  • iPhone 5 Release Event Officially Announced By Apple

    It appears as all of those rumors surrounding an official iPhone launch event were correct, as an invitation has surfaced that officially declares October 4th the date for the big media event.

    The invitation was first received and reported by The Loop’s Jim Dalrymple, a longtime follower of Apple who was formerly with MacCentral and Macworld.

    Without further ado, here is the invite:

    As you can see, it’s quite simple but still pretty clever. Consisting of four well-known iOS icons, the calendar says Tuesday the 4th, the clock says 10 (a.m. P.T, says The Loop). The map shows that the event will be held at the expected location, Apple’s campus in Cupertino. And it simply states “Let’s talk iPhone.” Of course, there is no indication of a “5” in that statement – but it it widely assumed that it will be the headlining new product at the event. There might also be a cheaper iPhone 4 model announced, if rumors prove correct.

    People are still speculating as to the design and new features of the device. A big hint came yesterday when details about an iOS feature called “Assistant” surfaced. It is described as a game-changing voice control software that allows users to run almost every aspect of the phone via voice commands.

    The October 4th event will be hosted by new Apple CEO Tim Cook.

    We will give you updates if any more information on the event surfaces.

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: “Assistant” Brings Precise Voice Control to iOS 5

    With the release of of iPhone 5 just around the corner (if you believe all the rumors), folks are anxious to learn what new features will make it worth their money. With all that anticipation, the iPhone has got to bring something to the table to differentiate itself from the previous models of the phone – right?

    This latest rumor suggests that the iPhone 5 will be launching with a pretty substantial new feature: Assistant. Assistant is apparently the evolution of the voice control system that Apple debuted on the 3G. According to the descriptions of Assistant, it really would be a game-changer for Apple.

    9to5 Mac posted an article today that is basically a detailed spec report on the upcoming iPhone – based on what they know so far from sources.

    Most of the specs the they discuss are expected specs that people have been talking about for a while – like the dual-core A5 processor and the 8 megapixel camera.

    But the details regarding the new Assistant feature are new. First off, the iPhone 5 will reportedly come with 1 GB of RAM, which it will need in order to run the Assistant. Because of that, Assistant will not be able to run on the IPhone 4 or 3GS.

    Assistant is basically the new way in which you will interact with your iPhone – and it is all based on voice –

    Assistant taps into many aspects of the iPhone, according to people familiar with the feature and SDK findings. For example, one can say make appointment with Mark Gurman for 7:30 PM and Assistant will create the appointment in the user’s calendar. On noting events, Assistant also allows users to set reminders for the iOS 5 Reminders application. For example, a user could say “remind me to buy milk when I arrive at the market.” Another example would be integration with the iOS Maps application. A user could ask: “how do I get to Staples Center?” and Assistant will use the user’s current location via GPS and provide directions.

    So assistant will allow you to run your calendar and reminders by voice, as well as navigation. But that’s not all. It will also power your text messaging. According to the sources, you will be able to ask your iPhone to text your friend and tell them you’ll be running late. It will even repeat back the text that it generated in order for you to confirm its accuracy. With this, texting while driving will become a little easier (and more legal, at that).

    Also, your iPhone will apparently talk to you. That’s right – robot conversation style. Basically, as you talk to the Assistant, it will ask you questions in order to gain more information about the task it needs to perform. For instance, if you asked your iPhone to set up a meeting with a client, it might ask you which email to use to notify them – personal or private.

    My first thought (and your first thought, I assume) is that it’s probably clunky, like all other voice control. Apparently, the “speech interpretation is so accurate that users don’t even have to speak very clearly or in a slow and robotic tone.” If that’s the case, then Assistant could be truly amazing.

    iOS 5 on the iPhone 5 will also sport Wolfram Alpha integration through Assistant. If you don’t know, that’s an online knowledge engine. I’m sure you’ve already deduced that that means you would be able to ask your iPhone general knowledge questions like “What’s the capital of Tunisia?” or “What’s 144 divided by 37?”

    All of this info seems pretty specific, almost like 9to5 Mac’s sources have already had a hands-on. If Assistant launches on the iPhone 5 and resembles this, it could be an enormous hit.

    What do you think of the voice control possibilities? Let us know in the comments.

  • Apple Rumor: iPhone 5 Successor To Sport Curved Glass Display?

    With Apple devices, the only thing more fun than speculating about the next big device is speculating about the next big device that will follow the next big device. Consider this little rumor as just that – speculation about Apple’s next-next-gen devices.

    According to “industry sources,” Apple is planning on using curved glass displays in their upcoming devices – not the upcoming devices that most people think will launch next month, but in devices that will launch in 2012. This could include all of their products that run iOS, including iPhones and iPads.

    DigiTimes reports that Apple’s competitors are ramping up for curved-screen products as a way to compete with the iPhone. But Apple is also apparently ready for curved glass displays –

    Apple reportedly also has bought glass polishing equipment for its suppliers in preparation for the production of devices fitted with curved cover glass. Lens Technology, Fuji Crystal, G-Tech are said to be major cover glass suppliers of Apple. While Lens and Fuji focus on iPhones, G-Tech supplies mainly for iPad.

    This is not the first time we’ve heard talk about Apple experimenting with curved glass displays for their devices. Back in May, reports emerged that said Apple had purchased a couple hundred glass cutting machines built specifically for curved glass.

    If there’s any truth to this rumor, Apple wouldn’t be the first to give a phone a curvy look. The Android-powered Nexus S, HTC Sensation and Dell Venue all sport curved glass displays.

    Apple and “curved glass” also have another connection, as the brand new Cupertino campus that has been proposed by Steve Jobs would feature a giant curved glass window around its circular frame.

    Folks expect that the iPhone 5 (and possibly a 4S) will be unveiled at the next big Apple media event, rumored to be taking place on October 4th. That would mean that the iPhone 5 would hit shelves sometime in mid-October.

    But those devices aren’t expected to feature curved glass. This new curved glass design would only affect devices into 2012, possibly an iPad 3 or the iPhone 6. Would you want your Apple products to sport this kind of display? Let us know what you think.

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Al Gore Discusses Upcoming Release

    Speaking at the Discovery Invest Leadership Summit in South Africa, former Vice President Al Gore let a little but of information slip regarding the upcoming release of the new iPhone 5.

    While speaking at the conference, Gore had this to say, specifically –

    Not to mention the new iPhones coming out next month. That was a plug.

    If you read the quote carefully, you’ll see that Gore said iPhones, as in plural – multiple phones. Of course, he could have been speaking generally, as in all of the iPhone 5s that will be coming out. Or, the added plural could be a hint regarding two different iPhones hitting the shelves in October.

    Recent rumors have suggested that the iPhone 5 might be launching with another model, possibly called the iPhone 4S. The secondary model would be a cheaper model that would look virtually identical to the iPhone 4 but might have a few hardware upgrades.

    The Next Web first reported this quote, which was apparently heard by Toby Shapshak, the editor of Stuff Magazine. He was attending the conference and heard Gore talk about the iPhone(s) first hand.

    @shapshak
    Toby Shapshak    @NedPotterABC Gore said “new iPhones” but nothing more. It was definitely plural. I recorded it and double checked. Twice. 16 hours ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto

    Of course, you might ask why Al Gore would be talking about the iPhone 5 and why should we care what he has to say? If you remember, Gore joined Apple’s Board of Directors back in 2003. So although Gore isn’t one of the true higher-ups at Apple, this is the first time that we’ve heard anyone that’s actually associated with the company say something specifically about upcoming new iPhones.

    Yesterday we heard that Apple is planning their next major media event for October 4th. There, they are prepared to unveil the iPhone 5. The event will be hosted by new CEO Tim Cook.

    That information suggests the mid-October release date that most have speculated about for weeks now. And Gore said that the new iPhones will be coming out “next month.” Are things finally coming together for the big iPhone 5 release?

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Rolling Out at October 4th Apple Event?

    Although this is currently unconfirmed by Apple, it looks like the iPhone 5 will be unveiled on October 4th – meaning that it will officially launch shortly thereafter.

    All Things D is quoting sources close to the situation that say Apple is planning their next big media event to showcase the new iPhone 5.

    While Apple could certainly change its plans anytime, sources said that the Oct. 4 date has been selected by the company to showcase the iPhone 5. Sources added that the plan is now to make the new device available for purchase within a few weeks after the announcement.

    This time frame fits with previous rumors from various sources including parts manufacturers, distributors, and carrier insiders from the likes of AT&T and Sprint.

    Most recent rumors have said that the iPhone 5 will hit stores sometime in mid-October. If October 4th is the accurate date for Apple’s big product demo, then mid-October would be a good estimate for the product launch.

    While it appears that Sprint will be getting the iPhone 5, whenever it launches, things aren’t looking good for T-Mobile. A leaked document recently quoted the company’s CMO in saying that they would not be getting the iPhone 5 in 2011.

    This news of an October 4th Apple event is significant for another reason. The event is set to be led by Apple’s new CEO, Tim Cook. Not only will this be his first big media event since the resignation of Steve Jobs, but also his first big product demo.

    According to All Things D’s sources, Cook will preside over the event but will probably have help from Apple lieutenants like their Marketing head Phil Schiller and iOS chiefs. Questions have been raised regarded the company’s future without the legend of Steve Jobs running the show – so this big announcement would be perfect time for Cook to show himself as the future of the company.

    [Image Courtesy Appleblogz]

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Not This Year, Says T-Mobile CMO

    This rumor is close to bypassing “rumor” status and jumping straight to confirmed, if the leaked document is correct.

    TmoNews has obtained a release from a T-Mobile employee town hall meeting held on September 15th. The release provides a summary of topics discussed during the meeting. The relevant iPhone 5 tidbit comes from a relatively straightforward statement by T-Mobile Chief Marketing Officer Cole Brodman.

    Brodman says: “We are not going to get the iPhone 5 this year.”

    No frills there. Here’s the screen cap of the statement in context –

    Of course, there are a few ways to interpret that statement. First, does Brodman put the emphasis on “this year?” If so, that could mean that the iPhone 5 might be arriving on T-Mobile in 2012.

    Could T-Mobile simply not be getting the iPhone 5 this year? Could they be getting the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S? There have been plenty of rumors recently that say Apple is planning on releasing two phones this fall – an inexpensive iPhone 4 upgrade (the 4S) and the radically new iPhone 5.

    Even if these two scenarios are possible, the language is pretty clear. If the CMO is correct, there will be no T-Mobile iPhone 5 on the shelves in 2011.

    T-Mobile iPhone 5 rumors have been swirling for months. In August, a supposed T-Mobile informant told MacTrast that the T-Mobile iPhone 5 was set to launch in October. Then, a leaked internal memo surfaced earlier this month that called for an “all hands on deck” meeting on September 24th. Some speculated that such a big deal would not be made for anything short of a meeting about an upcoming iPhone.

    This is by far the most definitive “no” we’ve heard regarding the iPhone 5 coming to T-Mobile. I’m sure T-Mobile customers hope that there is a little more to the story than this seemingly case-closing statement.

  • iPad 3 Rumor: Release Date Not Until 2012, Says Analyst

    It’s looking more and more like the big fall release for Apple is going to to be the new iPhone, and that’s all. Early reports that the iPad 3 might be on the way in time for the 2011 holiday season have been shot down in the last couple of months, and today’s indication follows suit.

    According to J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz, it is highly unlikely that we will see another addition to the iPad family this fall. From All Things D –

    “In recent months, there has been rising investor speculation that a new iPad 3 would be launched for the holiday season,” Moskowitz wrote in a research note to clients. “Our latest research continues to indicate that there is no such device slated for production this year. … There are prototypes in the supply chain related to the next-generation device, but our conversations with industry participants suggest that a new device will not be available until sometime in calendar 2012.”

    Back in July, rumors surfaced that the iPad 3 or possibly iPad HD would be arriving this fall. Those reports indicated that the new iPad would sport an incredibly high resolution screen, a retina display similar to what’s currently available on the iPhone 4. Those rumors suggested a 2048 x 1536 9.7 inch display.

    While more recent rumors have maintained the the new iPad 3 will sport a spiffier screen, they have dispelled the thought of a 2011 release. One report from August stated that the trial production of the device might begin this fall, but the release date wouldn’t be until at least early 2012.

    Although a holiday release would be good for the company, there’s really no reason to rush the new tablet. The iPad 2 is still doing great and is completely dominating the tablet scene. It wouldn’t really make sense for Apple to put out a new tablet before their previous one celebrated its first birthday.

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Release Date Delayed, Launching With Cheap iPhone 4?

    Just how many iPhones are going to launch this fall?

    Back in May, we heard reports of the iPhone 5 launching with two distinct models – a standard version and a “pro” type version. The standard version was said to be a very slight upgrade from the iPhone 4.

    That rumor morphed into the rumor that the iPhone 5 would be launching separately from another iPhone, possibly called the 4S. The 4S was reported to be an upgrade in hardware only, not changing the design very much from the original iPhone 4.

    There were also rumors that there would be no iPhone 5 this fall, just an iPhone 4S. But people are pretty convinced now that an iPhone 5 will be coming out this fall.

    Both of our rumors today come from 9to5 Mac. According to their sources, there will indeed be two different models of the iPhone coming out this October, possibly being announced in September. One will be the low-end model that is basically an iPhone 4 with some upgraded hardware. They say that October 7th is the likely date for that device.

    And apparently, the iPhone 5 launch is still on for October but it might be delayed a bit due to production issues. When it launches, however, it should be a vastly different phone than its predecessor –

    It appears that the tear-drop shaped iPhone 5 with larger screen and thinner, rounder body is seeing continued design and production delays, at least on one assembly line (Apple has multiple production sources – Pegatron, Foxconn, etc). We therefore think that iPhone 5 will be delayed slightly at the very least and may see shortages all the way into 2012.

    The iPhone 5 itself is a sight to behold, we’ve been told. It is impossibly light, yet much firmer than Samsung Galaxy phones which are backed in plastic. The camera rivals point and shoot cameras and will be a major marketing point for this device.

    Well well well, now that sounds like the iPhone 5 that everyone has been salivating over. But with talk of production delays, it could end up just being a beautiful frustration – at least for a little while.

  • iPhone 5 Rumors: A Comprehensive Infographic

    It seems like the iPhone 5 rumors started as soon as the iPhone 4 launched last year – and it actuality, they did.

    Just a month after the iPhone 4 dropped, people were talking about how Apple was already hard at work designing the iPhone 5. By the end of 2010, we had rumors about the upcoming phone’s new processor, release date, and even wireless payment functionality.

    That rumor mill has only intensified up to this point. As of now, most speculations point to the fact that the iPhone 5 will launch soon, probably in early-to-mid October. What will it look like? Reports are conflicting, but many feel that it will be thinner, wider and sport a larger screen.

    Oh, and of course there are all those rumors about what carrier will have the device when it launches. The probability of a Sprint iPhone 5 looks good, while there have even been talks about a T-Mobile iPhone 5.

    This infographic from allareacodes.com shows the “roadmap” of rumors – and boy are there plenty. Displayed as a set of Apple apps, the infographic labels each speculation as fact, rumor, or “correction” of a previous rumor.

    iPhone 5: The Rumors and The Roadmap from All Area Codes

    by All Area Codes

  • Google Said to Be Working on Flipboard Competitor Propeller

    Google is reportedly working on a Flipboard competitor. Robert Scoble, the guy that knows just about everybody in the tech industry, posted the following on his Google+ account:

    I heard from someone working with Google that Google is working on a Flipboard competitor for both Android and iPad. My source says that the versions he’s seen so far are mind-blowing good.

    It sure sounds like Google is storing up quite a few social announcements. I wonder if they are waiting for Facebook to make its announcements next week and then will open the door to a raft of new things? I hope so.

    Those Facebook announcements he is referring to would be the company’s f8 developer conference. It remains to be seen what all the company will unveil, but Facebook certainly has put a great deal of emphasis on using Facebook as a tool for news and journalism in recent memory. They’re also reportedly working on making social versions of publications on their respective Facebook pages.

    It would make a great deal of sense for Google to offer a Flipboard-like service, given the products it already has, such as Google News and Google Reader. I would imagine that these could power such a service with some nice interface design added over top of it, but we don’t know exactly what Google has in store here, though 9to5Google says, “people familiar with the project” say it “will boast a prettified interface,” and..

    “Publishers will be able to package their content for distribution right within their web browser, using a dedicated web app. Layout options are said to include multiple layouts to target various tablet and phone brands, including iPhone and iPad. Navigation capabilities will include individual articles, table of contents, as well as browsing custom-made sections that curate multiple articles. Images, video and other rich media types are also at disposal.”

    It also makes sense in the sense that Google tends to offer up competitors to just about everything in tech.

    If you’re unfamiliar with Flipboard, here’s what that looks like:

    Google is calling its product Propeller, according to Kara Swisher’s sources, though it’s unclear whether that will be the name at launch and when that launch will actually be.

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Bigger Home Button, Bigger Frame

    How much different will the upcoming iPhone 5 look compared to the iPhone 4? That’s one of the biggest questions surrounding the (supposedly) imminent release.

    Some rumors have suggested that the new device will be both thinner and wider than previous models. Another popular rumor that has been floating around for months is that the iPhone 5 will launch with an elongated home button.

    Hong Kong blog unwire.hk has given us what they claim to be the first leaked design shots of a screen protector for the iPhone 5. Their various pics corroborate previous rumors concerning the buzzed-about new specs of the device. This first pic suggests that the phone might have that elongated home button after all –

    This next pic shows how much larger the screen protector is compared to the entire frame of the iPhone 4. Of course the screen protector can’t speak anything to the possible thickness of the new device, but it does suggest the the phone will be wider and longer.

    Assuming any accuracy to these pics, it would mean that the screen of the iPhone 5 will in fact be larger than the 3.5 inch screen that the iPhone 4 sports. Some rumors have said that the new screen will be anywhere from 3.7 inches to over 4 inches. However, two recent rumors have suggested that the screen will remain close to the 3.5 inch standard.

    Most speculate that the iPhone 5 will arrive sometime in early-to-mid October. Yesterday, we reported that a French Telecom CEO suggested the device would be arriving on October 15th, which happens to be a Saturday. Apple usually likes to launch new phones on Thursdays or Fridays.