Apple iPhone 5 Photos: Is This The Next Generation's Frame? (VIDEO) - Huffington Post

Apple iPhone 5 Photos: Is This The Next Generation's Frame? (VIDEO) - Huffington Post

New potential images of Apple's iPhone 5 have hit the web to the fanfare of techies everywhere.

Apple-centric blog 9to5Mac obtained the first images of the back portion of what is rumored to be the next generation in the iPhone's family.

See the video above for the full breakdown of the photos.

Looking at the photos provided by iPhone repair company iFixyouri, it appears several major changes are on the rise for iPhone owners. Instead of a glass back plate, the back of the iPhone 5 will be metal and two-toned. The frame is also larger, supporting the rumor that the iPhone 5 screen will be larger at 3.999 inches.

As for the functionality, the front-facing camera has moved above the ear piece, centering it on the front of the phone. On the backside, there is a new hole in between spaces for the camera lens and the flash. 9to5Mac speculates that this could be the spot for a second microphone, enabling higher quality sound for videos. The headphone jack also appears on the bottom of the frame, as compared to the top.

iFixyouri sent the photos along the pipeline after recently adding the part to their catalog of replacement parts. Whether or not the speculations are true is still anyone's guess, but the photographed part appears to fit many of the Apple rumors that have been circulating.

Click over to 9to5Mac to see the photos for yourself.

Check out the gallery below to see this week's Apple rumors roundup.

• The iPhone 5 Will Be Much Larger Than The iPhone 4S

  The most discussed Apple rumor of the week surrounded the size of the next iPhone -- I'm going to call it the "iPhone 5," because I feel like it, okay? -- and whether or not Apple will boost the device's display into Galaxy Nexus territory. <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/22/us-apple-iphone-idUSBRE82L01G20120322" target="_hplink">Reuters sure thinks so</a>, putting the Internet on alert with a report titled "Apple's new iPhone will use bigger 4.6 inch display." Above, <a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/2128023/galaxy-nexus-iphone-4s901v_verge_medium_landscape.jpg" target="_hplink">you can see the relative size</a> of an iPhone 4S (which has a 3.5-inch display) and a smartphone that has a 4.65-inch display (Samsung's Galaxy Nexus). That would be a much, much bigger iPhone. But wait! Don't go to Old Navy to start loading up on cargo pants quite yet! Let us here note two things: -First, that Apple could just be ordering 4.6-inch displays for testing on prototypes, and might not necessarily release whatever comes of these tests; - And second, that in August 2011, Reuters <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/23/us-apple-iphone-idUSTRE77M1P220110823" target="_hplink">had an EXCLUSIVE report that</a> Apple would release two new iPhones: the redesigned iPhone 5, and a cheaper "iPhone 4S" for emerging markets. That turned out to be, uh, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/30/worst-apple-rumors-2011_n_1176341.html#s580566&title=The_Totally_Redesigned" target="_hplink">not true or accurate</a>. Nice exclusive though, Reuters! Let us also note, in similarly breathless fashion, that there is an alternative. Sure, The iPhone 5 Might Be Much Larger Than The iPhone 4S. That is, unless...

• The IPhone 5 Will Be Exactly The Same Size As The iPhone 4S

  So says iMore, the Apple-centric blog <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/13/new-ipad-2012-march-7_n_1274847.html" target="_hplink">that nailed the iPad </a><strike>3</strike> annunciation date (but missed on the quad-core processor). According to iMore's "<a href="http://www.imore.com/2012/03/22/iphone-gigantic-screen/" target="_hplink">good source</a>" (confidence inspiring!), the next iPhone <a href="http://www.imore.com/2012/03/23/iphone-iphone-51-coming-fall-2012-lte-similar-sized-screen/" target="_hplink">is currently set to be the same size</a> as the iPhone 4S (or slightly larger -- say, 4 inches?). iMore <a href="http://www.imore.com/2012/03/23/iphone-iphone-51-coming-fall-2012-lte-similar-sized-screen/" target="_hplink">also hears that</a> it's coming with 4G LTE (uh, duh) and a new micro-dock connector (start saving up for new iPhone car chargers and alarm clocks, as your old ones will no longer work!) and that it should be released in October 2012 (one year after the iPhone 4S was announced). All of this sounds very reasonable, and very safe (and likely very disappointing to a lot of buyers who are hoping for a revolutionary new design). Speaking of things a lot of people are very disappointed in: It looks like Apple is starting up production of the new iPhone in China, whatever it looks like...

• Foxconn Is Hiring 20,000 Workers To Build The Next iPhone!

  <a href="http://micgadget.com/24169/refuse-to-build-the-new-iphone-foxconn-workers-went-on-strike-video/" target="_hplink">Via M.I.C. Gadget</a>, the English-language, China-based gadget blog, as an <a href="http://micgadget.com/24169/refuse-to-build-the-new-iphone-foxconn-workers-went-on-strike-video/" target="_hplink">aside to a story about</a> a strike over low wages at another Foxconn plant: <blockquote>Meanwhile, the Foxconn plant at Taiyuan is holding heavy recruitment to meet the production of the Apple new iPhones. Yes, you read that right, not iPhone 4/4s, is the next generation iPhone ! According to local news report, the factory urgently needs 20,000 more workers because Foxconn has already received orders for the production of iPhone 5, Foxconn will responsible for 85 percent of the manufacture and about 57 million set have to be produce for each year. </blockquote>

• Could The iPhone 5 Have Edge-To-Edge Glass?

  We've seen a few mock-ups of the iPhone with edge-to-edge glass, <a href="http://www.adr-studio.it/site/?p=389" target="_hplink">like the one above from ADR Studios</a> -- they're all beautiful, if perhaps overly vulnerable to cracking -- and now we've received a tip that it could become a reality in the next iPhone. This comes from an untested source, but we've heard that the iPhone 5 might be the exact same size and form factor as the iPhone 4S but with edge-to-edge glass, <a href="http://venturebeat.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/nokia-lumia-900-hand.jpg" target="_hplink">sort of like the upcoming Nokia Lumia 900</a>. Again, this is unconfirmed, and more interesting as a conversation starter than hard news, but edge-to-edge glass on the next iPhone makes sense, at least from a marketing perspective. Apple has <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t34S1HW82KU&feature=plcp&context=C4d9bceeVDvjVQa1PpcFMjBl1zqXjIMBl-x_cmZlIXqEAcTQ1vx3Q%3D" target="_hplink">continually boasted</a> that its newest iPad eliminates the barrier between you and the content on the device; an edge-to-edge glass Retina display on the iPhone would further bolster that boast and carry it over to the company's smartphone. And now, we end This Week In Apple Rumors as we try to every week: With a super crazy patent that may never see the light of day but which is awesome anyway...

• Apple Wants To Take A Picture Of Your Television Remote And Make A Working Copy Of It For Your iPhone

  We <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/22/apple-tv-remote-patent_n_1372781.html" target="_hplink">reported on this earlier in the week</a>, but here's the short version: Imagine replacing your television remote with your iPhone completely. <a href="http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2012/03/apple-teases-us-with-a-peek-at-an-advanced-tv-remote.html" target="_hplink">Patently Apple has the scoop</a>: You would take a picture of your remote control with your iPhone's camera; the remote control would be analyzed and a working image of that remote control (with every button on the physical remote control) would appear on your smartphone and work with your television. The iPhone remote would also (hypothetically) be able to turn on and off lights, lock your doors, control your shades and more. Basically, Apple wants you to be able to totally control your home using your iPhone or iPad. Siri, make me a bowl of cereal! That's all for This Week In Apple Rumors; make sure to check back next Sunday, when the entire column will be written via the remote control on my 7.3-inch iPhone 5.

• ALSO ON THE HUFFINGTON POST

  Everything you need to know about Apple highly anticipated new TV offering.

Related on HuffPost:

iPhone 5 with Thunderbolt and price tags - Phones Review

We are currently seeing a number of desirable new smartphones being released or in the pipeline, but one of the most anticipated releases this year will be the next iPhone model from Apple, and as usual we have seen a number of rumours that have hinted at what new features the device will bring, and now an iPhone 5 featuring Thunderbolt technology is being suggested could be a game changer.

While there are a number of handsets being released this year with some nice new features none could be said are truly ground breaking, but according to a report on Cnet an iPhone 5 with a Thunderbolt port could really change things in the smartphone world. We have already heard about the numerous rumours tipping the device to feature a larger display but having a Thunderbolt port is a rumour that hasn’t gained that much attention so far.

Any device that uses the technology is treated to data transfers that are much quicker, and the connection can simultaneously interface with DisplayPort and PCI Express cards, which means it can be used to connect PCs to external displays and HD quality video capture hardware. At the moment the trouble is no one else is using Thunderbolt, and there are limited devices that can connect to Apple hardware that uses the technology.

If Apple were to launch an iPhone that was compatible with Thunderbolt we would then see millions of handsets using the technology, along with a number of third party accessories being launched, which in turn will see the possibility of other big name PC manufacturers jumping onboard. If other handsets also adopted Thunderbolt we could finally see a unified connection for all handsets and peripherals in the future.

Apple would need to find some technical solutions to make this happen though, as the Thunderbolt controller chip that is currently found in MacBooks is too big to be placed in a slim and stylish smartphone. There would also be the need for a cable or an adapter for use with USB ports so not to isolate the handset from existing equipment used by many devices already found in people’s homes and offices.

Meanwhile even though the iPhone 5 may bring a number of new features to the iPhone stable, PopHearld are reporting at least one analyst believes carriers in the US may offer the device at the same $199.99 entry level price tag for the 16GB model. Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray is tipping the iPhone 5 to be the biggest product launch of 2012, and believes the price will remain basically the same.

Carriers in the US are allegedly not allowed to offer cheaper prices for the iPhone because of their contracts with Apple, and recent suggestions have stated that iPhone models will use the same pricing levels for the next 18 to 24 months, as subsides made up $19 billion of Apple’s revenue during 2011. Wireless networks will use data plan prices to try and keep ahead of the competition with the iPhone, and if as expected the iPhone 5 features LTE, analysts believe Verizon will have a slight edge because of its wider LTE coverage.

Rivals such as Sprint do have attractive LTE data plans to tempt consumers, with Sprint currently having unlimited data plans for the iPhone, and AT&T and Verizon both having tiered data plans. Apple is seeing increased competition from high-end Android smartphones and the Windows Phone platform, so increasing prices by much may not be on the cards even though many Apple fans will pay whatever it costs to get the next model of the iPhone.

New iPhone to have metal backplate? - Australian Techworld

The new iPhone? (Image credit: 9To5Mac.com)

Apple's next-generation iPhone may have a metal back and a much smaller dock connector, claims 9 To 5 Mac.

Leaked images of what appears to be Apple's next generation iPhone were published on the . The images reveal what appears to be an iPhone with a taller, 4-inch screen, redesigned speaker grills and a much smaller dock connector.

9 to 5 Mac says the photos were sent to the publication by an unidentified "supply chain source".

The new iPhone appears to have a metal backplate, a move away from the glass finish of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models. Apple's original iPhone, which wasn't released in Australia, used a metal back before Apple altered the design to plastic on the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS models.

The images also show that the headphone jack, currently situated on the top left of iPhone devices, has been moved to the bottom left corner of the new iPhone. The traditional home button remains, despite rumours suggesting Apple could abolish it for future iPhone models.

According to rumours, the new iPhone will have a 4in screen with a resolution of 1136 x 640.

Samsung Launches iPhone-Killer In Europe and Now Facebook Wants To Make One - Yahoo Finance

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The global smartphone business has become a two-horse race between Apple and Samsung.

Apple (AAPL), obviously, makes the beloved iPhone, but Samsung recently surpassed it to become the largest smartphone maker in the world.

This week, Samsung is launching its latest, greatest phone, the Galaxy S3, in Europe. This phone has a huge screen, much bigger than the iPhone's, and many early reviewers love it. The S3 will presumably be an even stronger competitor to the iPhone, and it will put more pressure on Apple to release a blockbuster new product when the iPhone 5 arrives later this year.

Meanwhile, Facebook (FB) is poaching ex-Apple engineers to build a smartphone, Nick Bilton of the New York Times reports.

This is the third iteration of Facebook's smartphone plans--from hardware to software and back to hardware again.

If Facebook is serious about jumping into making smartphones with both feet this time, Facebook investors should be very afraid.

Why?

Several reasons:

• The move would clearly be defensive, not offensive. According to a Facebook employee quoted by Bilton, "Mark [Zuckerberg] is worried that if he doesn't create a mobile phone in the near future that Facebook will simply become an app on other mobile platforms." Translation: Facebook is doing this because it thinks it has to, not because it wants to.
• Hardware is an extraordinarily difficult, low-margin, commodity business. The only two companies that are doing well right now in hardware are Apple and Samsung. Both have been making and selling hardware for decades. Lots of other companies that have been making and selling hardware for decades are cratering, such as Research In Motion and Nokia. Palm already cratered.
• The smartphone "platform" business is already dominated by Apple and Google (Android), and there are already a whole lot of also-rans. Amazon has entered the platform game. Samsung may "fork" Android and enter the platform game. Microsoft is desperate to make its new Windows mobile product matter. RIM still has a piece. And so on. If Facebook really wants to build a brand new mobile platform, it will be starting from miles behind the leaders.
• Hardware distribution is critically important, and Facebook also faces vast, entrenched competition there. How is Facebook going to get shelf space at the carriers? By offering super-cheap phones? That won't do wonders for its margins. Is Facebook going to build a network of stores? Is it going to try to circumvent carriers? Google already tried that. Didn't work.
• Although Facebook might want to be a mobile platform, there's no obvious need for a Facebook phone. There are already a gazillion phones and Facebook is available on all of them as an app or via a browser. Why would anyone want a dedicated Facebook phone, especially if it didn't run all the apps that run on Apple and Android phones?
• A full-fledged hardware business would likely radically reduce Facebook's profit margins. One of the advantages of Facebook's current business is that it is extraordinarily profitable. The hardware business would likely make it a lot less profitable (per dollar of revenue).
• Facebook knows absolutely nothing about making, selling, or supporting hardware. Really--nothing. Yes, Facebook could use its billions to buy RIM or Nokia, and then it would know something about hardware. But RIM and Nokia are deeply troubled companies that are already cratering. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to buy, integrate, and FIX RIM or Nokia? (Google's about to give us a case study in how difficult it is with Motorola).

That's just a start.

Perhaps Facebook doesn't really have any intention of building a full-fledged phone--perhaps it just wants to partner with someone like HTC or Samsung. But even then, all the same challenges apply.

Facebook already has an "operating system" for mobile--it's called the social graph.

So instead of building a phone, which seems like a desperate move, Facebook should partner with every operating system and carrier and hardware maker it can to try to embed this social platform within every mobile platform. And it should build great apps to float on top of these systems. (And if Apple keeps giving it the brush-off, it should probably start by cozying up to Samsung, which is the only company giving Apple a run for its money).

Yes, everyone wants to be Apple.

But there's only one Apple right now.

And Facebook's chance of becoming the next Apple seems even smaller than Apple's chance to become Apple was.

The fact that Facebook is even thinking of going into the hardware business is a bad sign. If Facebook actually does go into the hardware business, it will be a really bad sign.

SEE ALSO: The Global Smartphone Business Is Now A Two-Horse Race--Between Apple And Samsung.