These images come via TUAW, and show placeholders for the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4S. These screenshots do not show images of either device, but offer a look at the possible specs for Apple’s new iPhone.

Before you get too excited, these could just be placeholders put up by an expecting carrier — but even that is a telling sign. Just yesterday, we saw the Sprint iPhone 5 show up in Radio Shack’s inventory system.

You see, these screenshots appeared on the pre-paid pages of Cincinnati Bell. This is the first time we have heard about this carrier getting the iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S.

The first screenshot shows the specs of an iPhone 5. This includes a larger 4″ display, up from 3.5″ on the current iPhone 4. We also see an 8MP camera listed, which is an improvement over the current 5MP iPhone 4 camera, and we also see 4G data speeds listed. While this might get your heart beating a big faster, calm down. This isn’t real 4G LTE, which delivers super fast downloads. Instead, this is HSPA+, which is only 4G in a fantasy world where marketers control definitions.

Are these the iPhone 5 Specs?

Next up, we see a screenshot of an iPhone 4S placeholder. This is the rumored low cost, tweaked iPhone 4. The iPhone 4S claims to have the current iPhone 4′s 3.5″ display and 5MP camera, but has an upgraded A5 processor. This device is notably cheaper at $99 after an instant $300 rebate.

Are these the iPhone 4S specs?

We are waiting for Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, to announce the new iPhone on October 4th at the company’s headquarters in California. We expect at least one new iPhone, but we may actually get two unique devices on Tuesday. If the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S are announced by Apple, we expect a release date of mid October on Sprint, AT&T and Verizon.

Apple is also expected to announce the iOS 5 release date. iOS 5 is a new version of the software that powers the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. This new version is rumored to bring voice control in the form of a new Assistant app, only available on the new iPhone, as well as over 200 new features to the iPhone 5 and older iPhones.

This leak gives us hope that Apple may go even broader with the launch and allow regional carriers that use Verizon, AT&T or Sprint towers to get in on the iPhone 5 game.

[Thanks: http://www.gottabemobile.com]

The Life of George is based around the Life of George iOS app, a game that provides the user with prompts for different shapes built in LEGO bricks. The user has to build that shape as fast as possible, photograph it, and place it on a card, at which point the smartphone will evaluate how accurate it is. The faster you build the model, the more points you get.

The eponymous George is a software engineer LEGO model that goes to different locations in his photo album, which show different themes for the other models. The Game mode focuses on these collections of models, while the Creation mode lets users make their own models and share them with friends for challenges.

The app is currently iOS-only and limited to the iPhone and iPod touch, though an Android version is being considered. The Life of George will retail for $29.99, and initially be available only at LEGO’s Web site and LEGO retail stores.

The Life of George is LEGO’s first attempt at a mobile game that works with building, but it isn’t the first time LEGO has combined its building sets with technology. The LEGO Mindstorms robotics set combines LEGO blocks with programmable modules that let users build functional robots. LEGO Digital Designer is a PC program that lets users model LEGO sets in 3D for free, and then order all the blocks you need to build that model.

[Thanks: http://www.pcmag.com]

Though we’re certainly not sure of the legitimacy of the online sales site (our tipster encouraged us to buy, so we’ll tell you NOT to buy, of course), it’s interesting to see these new renders.

Or perhaps they’re photos? More likely they’re not quite real in the sense that they probably haven’t been manufactured quite yet, but they certainly appear real enough to be real in the near future. There’s one called “Air Series”, another called “2.0 Cover”, and another called “Ex-Sleek”. Legitimate names, right? The online store says they’ll be shipping these cases on October 1st, 2011, this of course tying up nicely with the early October guess for the Apple event.

What these cases reveal (see the gallery below) is that this iPhone will have its camera on the same side that it is on the iPhone 4 but that the flip switch (normally in the upper left) will now be in the upper right – right next to the camera, that is. The volume rocker, on the other hand, appears to be in the same place it’s is on the iPhone 4. The location of the headphone jack also appears to be in the same location as the iPhone 4, right at the top and to the side.

Beyond that, we can see in the dummy image of the actual iPhone that the display seems to be enlarged beyond the borders of the iPhone 4 and that there’s a slightly different background to the icons dock at the bottom of the display. Also the time display reads 9:42 AM, this perhaps pointing at the time of day that the device will be announced. Take a look at all the photos from the online store below, then note that we’re not going to link to the store because that would be silly since its obvious that they shouldn’t have the cases already anyway.

Next notice the complete lack of a flash light for the camera on the back of the device. Interesting! And finally, there’s the curvature to the backs of the devices, closer to the original iPhone or the iPod Touch than they are to the iPhone 4.

See the rest of our iPhone 5 / 4S / everything else news by hitting our big iPhone portal and find out everything there is to know (and to wait for.)

[Thanks: http://www.slashgear.com]

Apple’s much-awaited iPhone is just weeks away from release and reports from various publications are already drifting in its favor. According to earlier reports, the company ordered over 56 million iPhones for this half of the year of which 25 million units are for the iPhone 5 production.

Apple’s main rival Samsung is sailing high after the introduction of Galaxy S2 smartphone, which is widely received around the world outperforming the iPhone 4. The Korean smartphone giant is launching tweaked versions of the eagerly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S2 in the US. The bigger versions featuring 4.5-inch display are available with Sprint while T-Mobile will have its own version. AT&T will showcase the widely popular 4.3-inch Galaxy S2. There is no word on the Verizon version although Samsung recently confirmed about a LTE version featuring 4.5-inch display.

Backed by huge production of the upcoming iPhone 5 and cheaper iPhone 4S, Apple has revealed its fear of Samsung phones as they continue to sue them for patent infringements. Apple and Samsung have taken their fight from the US to Germany, France, Japan, UK and now to Australia. As Apple went on suing Samsung for design patents, Samsung has turned around like a snake that no longer liked to be chased and has started by filing a countersuit in Australia while also appealing a key ruling in Germany.

Samsung has alleged that iPhone smartphones and the iPad 2 tablet computer violate multiple wireless technology patents it holds. By suing Samsung, Apple has actually taken away the public attention from the problems the company is facing, of late. After Samsung Galaxy S2 was received with rave reviews, it looks like Apple, which usually launches the iPhone versions in June failed to introduce their next iPhone.

As most predictions point towards two models being produced — iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 — it is becoming evidently clear that the iPhone 4S which should have been introduced earlier would have lost the appeal of its iPhone fans had it been released along side Galaxy S2. Hence, Apple’s rampant rumor that the iPhone 5 prototype was lost in a bar and suing Samsung paved the way to deflect the public curiosity from the company’s actual issues.

Apple introduced iOS 5 instead of the iPhone 5 showcasing the new features of the phone prominently found in Android to appease the Apple fan base. Noticing the most interesting features found in Android and BlackBerry, Apple perhaps wanted to catch up with the fast moving market. With more Android OS devices coming out with better designs and powerful software along with high quality apps, Apple started suing Samsung, HTC and Motorola accusing them of infringement to slow down their pace and increase the competition. Presently, Android OS devices hold almost double the market share compared to iOS devices.

From Germany Deutsche Telecom to France Telecom CEO of hinting at iPhone 5 releases, all the hype-building technique has attracted the fans who are eagerly expecting the iPhone 5’s release. All the rumors and hype seem to be a smart move from Apple, in fact, a great marketing strategy. Sprint’s unlimited data plan is also the way forward to advance this strategy.

There are many issues that are actually sideling the release of iPhone 5. Most recently, the 4-inch display smartphone has become the norm, hence, having a 4-inch model will surely boost Apple’s prospects. Also MacRumors reported that users testing Apple’s upcoming iOS 5 and iCloud have found juggling multiple IDs to be a major issue. And not many have noticed the decline of iPod’s sales and production. With NFC and 4G being found in Android phones, Apple had to do a lot of catching up rather than innovating their way into the market, which they usually do.

Speaking about the iOS 5, it is actually set to power the iPod touch 5 and has become the forgotten device amongst all. In the last four years, Apple had always held a press event in the first two weeks of September to introduce iPod touch model. As the event has not taken place until now, it indiscriminately shows that there is no new Apple’s iPod Touch 5 yet because the iPhone 5 is still being held up for reasons Apple will only know. This year the iPod sales were, of course, down 20 percent from the last year with “just” 7.54 million units sold – the fastest year-to-year decline for iPod yet.

Now the latest reports show that the iPhone 5 production could be behind schedule, it has been reported, with the tear-shaped design seemingly causing manufacturing issues. Another iPhone 5 case’s leak from a Chinese Vendor last week has taken a new turn as Stuff now claims to have some additional images of cases for the next-generation device originating from Essex-based Fonegadgets. According to certian reports, Apple is also expected to send the “golden master” of its upcoming iOS mobile operating system to its iPhone and iPod Touch manufacturing partners sometime in late September.

Meanwhile, Samsung is not leaving any stone unturned as their new smartphones — namely Samsung Stratosphere and Samsung Illusion — are expected in few weeks. Samsung has leaked the pictures of Illusion which was supposedly a new Android-powered smartphone headed to Verizon. Samsung has posted an official render of the Illusion on its Flickr account, thereby, effectively leaking the handset itself. Illusion is expected to feature 800 MHz to 1 GHz single-core processor, a 3.2-3.5-inch 480×320 touchscreen, and a 3 to 5 MP camera. It looks like a ploy to counter Apple iPhone 4 which has similar features. This smartphone will not be priced above $100 with a new two-year contract.

Samsung Stratosphere is a LTE 4G smartphone with rumored features like Super AMOLED Plus 480 x 800 pixels resolution display, 1GHz single-core processor, Android 2.3.4 preinstalled, 512MB of RAM, 1800mAh battery, 2GB internal storage and 5-megapixel rear along with 1.3-megapixel front cameras. In fact, the display size is not yet certain, but by looking at the leaked pictures, the phone appears to feature a 4-inch screen similar to Sprint’s Samsung Epic 4G, a QWERTY Slider from Samsung launched in September 2010.

[Thanks: http://img.ibtimes.com]

I’m guessing Apple won’t be exactly pleased with Best Buy right now. Almost immediately after an internal document was leaked detailing an Apple fixture install occurring on October 21st, another shows up hinting at a pre-order date. This, as you can tell from the watermark, comes from BGR. In the original article the site claims that the iPhone 5 is set to be available for pre-order from the first week of October. Despite the fact that it would fit in with a launch later in the month, it’s not how I understand the document.

At the top of the document it clearly states “Week 9/4 continued“. So, using some simple common sense, it would seem this schedule is specifically to educate staff on what is happening this week: September 4th-10th. “iPhone 5 introduction expected, pre-sales begin for expected October week 1 launch” is a phrase which is pretty self-explanatory, and somehow seemingly misunderstood by BGR. (Unless I’m misunderstanding the Boy Genius article.) To me, it clearly indicates that Best Buy is expecting the iPhone to be introduced this week, and pre-sales should begin in preparation for an early October launch. There’s also the “Launch dates subject to change” tagged on to the end. Essentially it indicates that Best Buy don’t really know when it’s coming, they’re just expecting something soon.

So, unfortunately, this gives no specific detail. Since Apple haven’t sent out any invitations to any event yet I doubt anything is going to be unveiled this week. We’ll keep you up to date on anything else that’s going on in preparation for the iPhone launch. One tiny tasty tidbit is the Sprint iPhone tagged on at the end. Best Buy management is clearly expecting an Apple flavored handset on the Sprint network. Interesting? It’s about time the device made its way to the other carriers in the States.

[Thanks: http://www.todaysiphone.com]

According to the guys over at MacRumors the guys of MacPost somehow managed to get hold of the image that is a prototype part with the label EVT meaning “Engineering Verification Test” and is apparently dated the 7th of June this year.

The part caries the internal model number of N94, which has previously been associated with the up coming next generation iOS smartphone, however this particular image looks pretty much like the current iPhone 4 without any of the modifications that have been rumoured.

The rumours with the “N94” model is that the device has the same processor found in the Apple iPad 2, the A5, while the AT&T iPhone 4 is model number N90, the Verizon iPhone is model number N92 and both have an A4 processor.

Here’s what the MacRumors guys believe they know about the N94 model, it is similar to the current iPhone 4, has an A5 processor, a redesigned antenna and is destined for T-Mobile, all based on rumours of course.

They say it is possible that the “N94” is actually the upcoming iPhone 5 as the guys at MacPost have posted numerous parts that we have all seen before that are associated with the iPhone 5 along with this new image.

However, there is also a possibility that this new back cover image could possibly be the rumoured iPhone 4S, although if that is the case it would mean Apple would be delivering a less expensive iPhone carrying the newer A5 processor, which isn’t completely out of the realms of possibility.

So take a good long hard look at the image below and feel free to let us know your opinions on the matter, do you think this is possibly the iPhone 5 or perhaps the iPhone 4S, drop us your opinions to our comments area below.

[Thanks: http://www.phonesreview.co.uk]

Why?

Well, first off, Apple manufactured most of their iPhone, iPad models in China so obviously there are every bit of possibility that the Chinese caught the iPhone 5 in the wild and clone it, just like every Chinese do.

Now, we published just yesterday of the first iPhone 5 (possible look) images from the mainland which has incorporated many of the physical attributes said to making it’s way for the next generation kind of thing from Apple. Initially it was believed that the next iPhone was going to be in the outlook of the existing model, the iPhone 4, but recent reports suggests a more 3GS style look, with a curved back. Remember that one?

In an attempt to making a profit on these recent speculations, the usual bootleggers has quickly mustered a black “iPhone 5″, which gave everyone an initial, albeit vague, of what it may look like of Steve Jobs next revelation, if the rumor mill shake is anything to go by.

Today, a Youtube video of a white version which appears closely identical to the the knockoffs we’re about just now, has been uploaded. Although probably the majority of us wouldn’t giving this running a product from such an disreputable source a serious not, it is refreshing though to see some fast releases as opposed to the, “will they, won’t they?” drama started up by Steve Jobs and co. leading up to the white model version of iPhone 4.

By the time it become an official thing by Apple, many of those who wanted the white version so desperate that they had found ways to get what they want by the many conversion kits splashed across the web pages.

Alright now, let’s just watch the show.

[Thanks: http://myona.com]

Earlier today, ChangeWave released the data, which reliability is somewhat skewed. “This survey focuses primarily on the North American smartphone market — with the sample being 89 percent U.S. respondents and 11 percent outside the US”, according to the analyst firm. Pardon my confusion, but when did the United States annex Canada and Mexico? Last I checked, North America wasn’t synonymous with the United States. It’s little details like this that in the past caused me to beat ChangeWave with its own data.

ChangeWave measures consumers’ buying intentions, which gives a snapshot into broader trends but unlikely into future sales. For example, in March, ChangeWave’s 90-day buying intention survey had 44 percent of consumers buying iPhone and 31 percent Android smartphones. But that’s not what actually happened. According to Nielsen, which measured March to May, 49 percent of new smartphone acquirers chose an Android handset, but only 31 percent iPhone. What people say and what they eventually do often differ. At best, surveys of this kind represent what people would like to do.

So take the new survey for what you will. I already can predict that the Apple Fanclub of bloggers and journalists will declare another victory for iPhone over Androids, which only 32 percent of respondents plan to buy within 90 days, according to ChangeWave. I tend to look at what people do (Nielsen’s findings) versus what they say they will (ChangeWave’s).

By the way, ChangeWave’s survey introduces another variable that creates uncertainty. The firm measures mobile operating systems, rather than devices. There’s no guarantee all respondents really know Android from iOS or something else. Google has done a much better job branding its operating system — hey, who couldn’t recognize that cute droid mascot? Apple’s numbers might even be higher if ChangeWave measured iPhone instead of iOS.

Still, that 46 percent number must mean something, especially in context of other data ChangeWave presents. In a measure of customer satisfaction, 70 percent are very satisfied with iOS and 50 percent with Android. But, get this, 57 percent are very satisfied with Windows Phone 7. Uh-oh, Google, watch your back. But wait: “Even so, the higher Windows Phone 7 rating has yet to produce a sustained momentum boost for Microsoft in term of buyer preferences”. Maybe Windows Phone “Mango” will get that momentum going.

Measuring iCloud’s Winds

ChangeWave, as it is wont to do, put a positive spin on a major negative finding. The firm smartly asked consumers about Apple’s forthcoming iCloud and how that might affect intentions to buy other products. Twenty-nine percent of existing Apple product owners would be “more likely” to buy another one in the future, because of iCloud. Among non-Apple product owners: 13 percent.

“This initial look at the impact of Apple’s new iCloud service shows it enhancing existing customer loyalty”, ChangeWave claims. “But the survey also provides highly encouraging signs that iCloud will generate additional customer demand for other Apple products, not only from current Apple product owners but from a substantial numbers of non-owners as well”. Oh? Since when is 13 percent a “substantial number”. Please tell me what new-age Math ChangeWave used to make that assertion? More likely: Most respondents don’t know what iCloud is.

ChangeWave was right to ask. With iCloud, Apple is majorly catchup with other cloud sync services — and even transcending them; and iCloud benefits other Apple products, not just those running iOS. Synchronization is the killer app for the connected age, but perhaps Apple’s implementation isn’t killer enough or its benefits not understood well enough by survey respondents. Based on ChangeWave’s findings, if there’s a perfect storm coming, it won’t be from iCloud.

That circles back to the question posed by this story’s headline. Will iPhone 5 bring a perfect storm? If ChangeWave’s data is believed, quite possibly yes. Apple’s smartphone is hotly desired during a time when a new model is expected to ship, plumped with fresh operating system and shadowed by new cloud services. Mix that up with shockingly high customer satisfaction and it’s the makings of something big.

But, of course, that’s based on the North American, or is that just American, perspective. Android activations are now 550,000 a day, globally. What’s iPhone’s comparable rate? That’s an answer Apple will likely give with fiscal third quarter 2011 results releasing tomorrow afternoon. Oh, and the winds there will help forecast whether there’s a big storm coming or just a squall.

[Thanks: http://www.betanews.com]

Before I reflect, I should point out that the tips in this story might not be applicable to everyone. Even I was a bit surprised by a few twists, which I’ll explain below. However, certain constraints include the iPhone model, the carrier, which country you’re going to and maybe just how nice the sales person you speak to is.

So here we go. Ahead of jetting off to live in France for a year, I decided I still wanted to hang on to my iPhone (the first generation) to use abroad. I had never upgraded at this point, and at the time of departure, this smartphone was approximately three years old. (Obviously, I was eligible for an upgrade with AT&T at that point, but I was holding out for what would eventually be the iPhone 4 I have now.)

I knew my iPhone was locked, but I heard from friends who had moved abroad before that they were able to break or put their contracts on hold for various reasons. When I called AT&T’s customer service (Apple can’t really help in this regard, so don’t bother with them), I explained that I was moving for a work program, and I would be away from the U.S. for at least eight months. I asked what I could do, and the customer service rep informed me that I could only put it on hold in cases of extreme emergencies (i.e. health, death in the family, etc.) or if i was in the military. Neither exception applied to me. However, there was at least one thing I could do to save money:

Tip #1: If you’re going abroad for at least one month or more, cancel the data plan - if possible.

This could be catchy for some users as contracts often stipulate that you have to have both a voice and data plan. However, since I was well beyond the end date of my contract, I could do whatever I wanted with the plan. So I dropped the data plan, which meant I only had to pay $40 each month I was gone. (You might be wondering why I didn’t cancel altogether and just pay , but I still wanted to keep my U.S. number for personal and work-related reasons here.)

The next problem was figuring out how I would be able to use the iPhone abroad with another carrier’s SIM card. I had already resolved to put my AT&T SIM card in a Motorola Razr (which can be unlocked by oneself by just going to the AT&T account page and obtaining a code specific to that model). Using the Razr allowed by to have my U.S. number accessible when needed and then I would put a French SIM card in the iPhone as I would be using that more often and I planned to get a data plan over there.

Tip #2: Go to a local brick-and-mortar AT&T and Verizon store and ask for advice in person.

This is where I might have just gotten lucky based on who I spoke with. When I explained my situation to the employee, he actually gave me a 10 percent off coupon for another private mobile phone shop that would unlock my iPhone for $35 (when you incorporate the discount). This could have been because that local (and truly official) AT&T store had some kind of deal with this shop, and/or because my iPhone was so old that AT&T didn’t care about it anymore.

[Thanks: http://www.zdnet.com]

Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone is now driving U.S. smartphone sales, representing 17 percent of smartphone purchases during the most recent three-month period, up from 10 percent during the previous three-month segment. Research In Motion’s (NASDAQ:RIMM) BlackBerry continues to nosedive, sliding to 6 percent of smartphone sales from 11 percent during the previous three-month block. Microsoft’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows Phone 7 has remained consistent over the last six months, generating just 1 percent of U.S. smartphone sales.

Fifty-five percent of U.S. consumers who purchased a new mobile handset during the last three months opted for a smartphone over a feature phone, the first time smartphone sales set the pace in the American market, Nielsen reports. Just a year ago, smartphones made up 34 percent of U.S. handset purchases. Smartphones now make up 38 percent of the addressable U.S. mobile market.  Android remains the dominant platform, representing 38 percent of the overall U.S. smartphone market. iOS is next with 27 percent market share, followed byBlackBerry at 21 percent. Windows Phone 7 makes up 19 percent, and Microsoft’s legacy Windows Mobile accounts for 9 percent.

Earlier this week, Google senior vice president Andy Rubin tweeted that the company now turns on half a million new Android devices every day worldwide, adding that activations are growing at a pace of 4.4 percent every week. At its annual I/O developer conference in mid-May, Google reported that daily Android activations topped the 400,000 mark, up from 100,000 roughly a year earlier.

[Thanks: http://www.fiercemobilecontent.com]