Apple and AT&T Planning for Mid-September iPhone 5 Launch

After truckloads of rumors, everyone is expecting for Apple to release the next iPhone this September. In case you weren't convinced, new rumors are here to fortify all the previous speculation.

A Boy Genius Report has told the website that AT&T has informed its retail locations to finish any employee training as soon as possible to prepare for the influx of foot traffic in September.

MacRumors claims to have learned that Apple Stores are now recruiting former employees to return as part time employees between August 15 and September 15 for “Holidays, new Product Launches and Back to School time.”

While back to school shopping does crank up computer sales, the timing seems too perfect for there not to be a shiny new Apple product to further boost AAPL's climb past $400 per share.
source: 2DayBlog.com

iPhone 5 revealed?

Do check out a CAD mockup of what seems to be an iPhone 5 case – at least according to a Chinese case manufacturer. It seems as though that the future version of the iPhone will see some rather bold changes, where it is most likely a departure from past iPhone concepts, and will be much more different from the iPhone 4 than originally expected.

First of all, the screen size of the iPhone 5 has been extended to 4″ from 3.5″, although the handset's size has not changed. This means less bezel for your eyes to get distracted with, and I can't wait for someone to come out with a software that outputs video across multiple iPhones.

As mentioned yesterday, the new iPhone 5 will also sport a slimmer and tapered back, similar to how the iPhone 3G looked like when it was first revealed all those years ago. Chances are the back will be metal, so we might see an end to the death grip issue as well.

The side buttons seem to have been placed on the opposite side of the handset, which means the lock toggle will be rather close to the camera. As for the volume buttons, those have been transplanted to head down further the phone. Could we be looking at touch sensitive instead of physical buttons?

Let's keep our fingers crossed as to what Apple has in store for the world with the iPhone 5. What do you think of the above – are they real?
source: Ubergizmo

Maxell announces MXSP-U40 speaker dock for iPod/iPhone

It seems like there is a never-ending supply or variety when it comes to iPhone/iPod speaker docks which is definitely a good thing for those who are always on the look out for new accessories. If that is the case, then the Maxell company should not be a name unfamiliar to you.

Maxell who has previously released wireless flash drives, wireless iPhone 4 chargers and soundbar speaker systems has recently announced the MXSP-U40 speaker dock that is not only compatible with iPods and iPhones, but also Sony's Walkman which can be connected via the company's WM-PORT. It even comes with LED built into the dock which the company claims can be doubled as a nightstand light, although we can't say for sure exactly how powerful it is. The speakers reportedly are able to produce an output of 0.8W and can also be connected to your PC/Mac by way of USB.

Unfortunately there is no word on price or availability, although given that it was announced in Japan, chances are we may not be seeing it in the States.
source: Ubergizmo

Images of entry-level iPhone prototype allegedly revealed

Images of what is claimed to be an entry-level iPhone 4 prototype has surfaced online thanks to a site called Tinthe. The same site in the past published photos of an engineering sample white iPhone that featured what is said to have been a very early test build of iOS 4, in addition to having the white plastic MacBook before announcement and release. The iPhone this time around appears to be an iPhone 4-like device, except the user that uploaded the photos claims it's more of an “iPhone 4 lite” with plastic casing on the front and rear opposed to the glass exterior the current model features. From the photos however, this to me looks like a preproduction white iPhone 4, and at the very worst, an aftermarket conversion kit commonly found on the streets of China and online. Additionally, the phone looks like it's jailbroken which wouldn't make much sense. Lastly, we exclusively reported that Apple would be selling their least expensive iPhone product, the iPhone 3GS, alongside the iPhone 4 and soon-to-be introduced iPhone 5. Why would Apple want to have a lower-cost iPhone 4 that looked like the company's now high-end - and soon to be mid-end - iPhone 4? If you're still not convinced that this product is either not ever being released, or is an aftermarket creation, there are a few more photos in the gallery for you.
source: Boy Genius Report

Lighter, cheaper iPhone 4 prototype leaked?

There has been plenty of iPhone 5 rumors floating about. Some have said that it will simply be a refresh of the iPhone 4, while some claim that there will be two variants released – one being the next-generation iPhone while the other will be a budget-friendly version, aimed at developing countries.

As it turns out, there have apparently been photo leaks (as pictured above) of what is claimed to be the prototype device of a cheaper and lighter iPhone 4, aimed at replacing the iPhone 3GS as Apple's entry level iPhone when the next-generation iPhone is released. As far as the pictures are concerned, the device looks pretty much like an iPhone 4, with the exception of the identification numbers on the back of the device being X'ed out which could indicate that it is a prototype device. Either that or it could just be a photoshop job.

The original poster of the leak admitted that it would be hard to convince people that this is an actual leak due to the device looking remarkably similar to the iPhone 4. A little reverse psychology perhaps? Either way, with our previous post on a what appeared to be a design for the next-generation's iPhone casing and now this leak, perhaps those rumors might turn out to be true in the end.
source: Ubergizmo

Apple's jelly roll battery patent could mean longer battery life in iPhones and MacBooks

Battery life on laptops is one of the features manufacturers tend to use in their marketing strategies, which the MacBook Air claiming to be able to run for 5-7 hours. Since laptops are naturally meant for mobility and portability, battery life does play an important role in deciding if a consumer would be willing to sacrifice power for longer battery life or would they favor power over longevity.

As it stands, the MacBook Air has pretty good battery life although if the latest patents are any indication, it looks like Apple might have plans to extend them even further through the use of jelly rolls which are typically found in current batteries such as AA, AAA or D batteries. The filing which has been dubbed “Battery with Multiple Jelly Rolls in a Single Pouch,” aims to improve the existing lithium batteries found in most electronic devices, including the iPhone, iPad and the portable Mac computers.

The patent goes on to describe how jelly rolls of various thicknesses and length can be sealed in a pouch that fits around other components within a device, such as processors, printed circuit boards, memory, storage, etc. What this means is that Apple could develop batteries that fit around the circuits of our mobile phones and computers, extending battery life even further. Let's hope that this is one of the patents that Apple actually plans to use in the near future as longer battery life on iOS or Mac devices is always welcome.
source: Ubergizmo

OtterBox Commuter Series for iPhone 4 in new summer colors

In time for the summer holidays, OtterBox has just announced the arrival of a new addition to its Commuter Series case for the Apple iPhone 4. The cases will now come in a new color in addition to the traditional black and yellow that OtterBox uses for its cases; there is now an option to get it in a black and blue combination as well.

As usual, like their regular protective cases, the OtterBox is made up of multiple layers to keep your device totally fully protected at all times. First there is the screen protector that protects your display from scratches, then there's a silicone jacket wrap around the device which helps to absorb shock, and then there's a polycarbonate shell that makes up the outer layer of the case with silicone plugs to cover your charging port and headphone jack to keep dust out.

The summer style Commuter Series case for the iPhone 4 is available now from OtterBox, retailing for $34.95 each.
source: Ubergizmo

Next iPhone will have plastic, not glass?

Images have appeared showing an iPhone with a plastic front and back, indicating that it might be the iPhone 4S launching alongside the iPhone 5.

Following Apple's supposed “accidental” reveal of an iPod Touch sporting 3G connectivity via the iTunes website on Wednesday, a trio of non-Apple screenshots surfaced on Thursday claiming to be the iPhone 4S.

Instead of a glass screen and a glass back plate, the new pictures indicate that this version simply uses hard white plastic, thereby falling in-line with previous rumors that Apple plans to offer a lighter, cheaper iPhone 4 model come September.

According to AppleInsider, the device in question is a prototype despite it looking identical to the iPhone 4, as the model number and various identification numbers on the rear of the device are X'ed out. The source behind the images, well-known Vietnamese leakers Tinhte, claim that it runs at a speed that “seems” faster than the current iPhone 4, but failed to provide any specs.

Last week brought rumors that Apple plans to launch a prepaid / lower cost iPhone in late August, possibly the iPhone 3GS which AT&T currently offers for $50 with a new two-year contract. It will also supposedly land on the Sprint and T-Mobile networks here in the States later this year.

The rumors also indicated that Apple may sell the super-cheap iPhone 3GS for the low end price tier, the iPhone 4 for the mid-range price tier, and the iPhone 4S addressing the high-end market. That said, the device seen in Thursday's images sporting a new chassis and a reported speed boost may likely be the rumored iPhone 4S.

So where, then, does that leave the iPhone 5? As CNET points out, introducing two new models within a year will be an Apple first. Released alongside the iPhone 5, this new 4S version would be considered the “lower-cost model” but not necessarily the “dirt cheap, discounted” version - that's where the contract-free iPhone 3GS will come into play.

As always, take everything with a grain of salt until Apple supposedly reveals the new gadgets in September. As it stands now, we're looking at the release of the iPhone 5, the iPhone 4S and the iPod Touch 3G this fall while the current iPhone 4 will be reduced in price and the iPhone 3GS will fall into the pre-paid / contract-free zone (possibly meaning it will become a free phone with a new two-year contract).
source: 2DayBlog.com

Namco launches iGunCon app for iPhone and Mac

If you enjoyed playing Time Crisis in the arcade back when you were younger, it appears that Namco, the company behind the game, has put out a free app for iPhones called the iGunCon which basically mimics the same light guns that Namco used back then. Essentially the app will turn your iPhone into a virtual gun that can be used with Namco's games.

For those who weren't aware, Namco has released the Time Crisis series on both the iPad 2 and Mac computers, with the iPad 2 version called TIME CRISIS 2ND STRIKE HD and the Mac version, which is available from the Mac App Store, being called TIME CRISIS 2ND STRIKE. Downloading either game to your iPad 2 or Mac computer will allow you to pair your iPhone with either device and use it as a gun controller.

The app even comes with a variety of shooting sounds that you can choose from, such as the handgun, machine gun, shotgun and grenade launcher. I'm guessing that the only downside to a virtual gun controller is that you will not be able to enjoy the satisfaction of physically spamming the trigger anymore.
source: Ubergizmo

BookBook iPhone 4 casing now available

TwelveSouth, the same company that brought you the BookBook MacBook casings has decided to shrink the design down with the iPhone 4 in mind. So instead of looking like you're carrying around a huge tome, you now look like you're carrying around a smaller tome which judging by its looks could totally pass off as a Bible; in fact, load your iPhone 4 with a Bible app and it wouldn't be too far from the truth.

It looks pretty good and very classy from afar, although some reports are indicating that the "spine" of the casing is made out of distressed embossed leather which sort of cheapens the whole effect. When flipped open it has slots where you can keep some cards such as prepaid reload cards or even iTunes gift cards.

Granted that the old world design is sort of ironic given the modern nature of a smartphone, it has to be one of the more unique iPhone casings we've seen to date and it looks like it could go well with the rest of your antique furniture or possibly steampunk designs.

It is available from TwelveSouth for $60.
source: Ubergizmo