The iPhone 4 has been out for nearly a year now, so you know what that means – the iPhone 5 rumor mill is in full swing. And, lucky us, it will probably last even longer than usual.
Traditionally, Apple (AAPL) unveils the iPhone during their Worldwide Developer’s Conference in June. But now, sources are saying the iPhone 5 won’t even go into production until September, pushing its release back until late this year or (more likely), early 2012.
So why the delay? Of course, no one knows for certain yet, but it seems like Apple is focusing on other items on their to-do list first.
According to The New York Times, the company is considering a cheaper iPhone. While others have hyped the “iPhone nano,” it seems likely that the phone itself won’t be smaller, just its inner workings. Think iPhone 4 with less memory and a lower resolution screen. Selling the iPhone for less will make it much more appealing to the mass market, and maybe take a bite out of Google’s (GOOG) Android’s business. In 2010, the use of Android devices grew 888 percent globally.
That’s not the only Apple rumor that could save you money. A new version of MobileMe is expected very soon (as in, possibly this month soon) and it’s expected to be free. The current MobileMe runs $100 a year…that’s $100 more than its main competitor, Google Sync.
And, what seems like the final nail in the iPhone 5’s June-release coffin: No keynote address, where iPhones and iPads are usually unveiled, is scheduled for Apple’s WWDC.
But some changes will be coming. Apple is expected to reveal its latest operating system, Mac OS X Lion. Already-released previews show that Lion, based heavily on the iPad, will have an updated iChat application (compatible with Yahoo!), multi-user screen sharing, a “Launchpad” for apps, multi-touch gestures and cloud-like streaming.
And Apple TV might have some major updates. It’s strongly believed Apple is working with TV manufacturers to expand AirPlay directly to a TV set. Even greater, according to Apple insiders, the company is considering a “smart TV,” which would include “TV/video content, gaming, DVR, apps and FaceTime in one product.”
No matter what’s unveiled at the WWDC, it will be done in front of a packed house. Passes to the June 6 – 10 conference in San Francisco sold out in a record 10 hours. On eBay, tickets are selling for $3,500 already.
