This summer Apple broke their standard release cycle for the iPhone. Previously, each new version of the iPhone was either announced during Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) or was readily available for consumers to purchase right around that same period.
Instead of announcing the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 or any other mobile product, Apple focused the conference and events on their latest computer operating system OS X Lion. Lion has been a successful release with millions of Mac owners purchasing the product via the Mac App store.
Recently, there have been a number of events that point to Apple announcing their next generations of iPhones any day now. In fact, Case-Mate, an iPhone accessory manufacturer, recently released a landing page highlighting their new iPhone 5 cases. The page has since been replaced with one inviting visitors to register to find out more about iPhone 5 cases when they are made available.
What We Can Expect
Its still not clear if Apple will release an iPhone 4s in the fall and an iPhone 5 in the Spring or if the iPhone 5 will arrive any day now. Many even believe that both phones will be announced at the same time. It is believed that an iPhone 4S would be available without a 2 year contract and available on T-Mobile, Sprint, and other cell networks.
If we can trust the images provided by Case-Mate, it looks a like the iPhone 5 will be thinner than the iPhone 4 and have a slightly different design. It is believed that the screen size will also be slightly larger. Nothing revolutionary but enough of a change that consumers will clearly identify owners of the newer models. It will also be interesting to see if Apple keeps the design with the back panel being made out of glass despite some concern over the durability of the material.
It is believed that an improved 8 megapixel camera will be included in the phone. This improved camera should be ready to take advantage of iOS 5 software improvements that will make taking pictures even easier.
The iPhone 5 Will Be Tough To Find
The initial rumors concerning availability of the iPhone 5 state that the product will be difficult for consumers to find. It seems that the newer iPhone 5 design is facing production delays. Not as many as originally hoped will be ready for shipment when Apple starts selling their new mobile product.
Given the sales popularity and long lines of the iPhone 4 its tough to imagine how things will be if Apple releases the iPhone 5 knowing it will not initially be able to handle demand requests.
Lines are common for all Apple product releases, but nothing can be compared to the lines that never end when a new iPhone is first sold at the Apple retail locations around the world.
Will you be waiting in line the day Apple starts selling the iPhone 5?
Image Courtesy of: Marc van der Chijs
