tw.apple.pro posted on Monday a photo of a part claimed to be from the iPhone 5. It appears to show the 30-pin dock connector and the ribbon used to attach it inside of Apple's handset. The part is labeled 821-1300-02 HF/c1.
A rough translation of the report via Google Translate claims that recent online photos of a different part claiming to show an edge-to-edge 4-inch display in the next iPhone are fake. Some reports have suggested that Apple is considering a slightly larger screen size for its next handset.
Instead, the report claims Apple has built a new iPhone model with a "sliding cover." It notes that the alleged device has a "frame shape" similar to the current iPhone 4, though the device is "slightly thicker" than the current-generation iPhone.
Though the roughly translated report does not specifically indicate that the "sliding cover" would involve a keyboard, the same site earlier this month said that Apple was evaluating three prototypes for the iPhone 5, and one of them allegedly has a slide-out keyboard. In that report, it was said that a "sliding cover" would conceal a keyboard on the handset.
Finally, the translated post also makes mention of a "3D screen." It seems to suggest that a future iPhone will employ 3D, "but not iPhone 5," it states.
Apple.pro has been the source numerous hardware leaks from Apple's overseas suppliers. Last July it showed off a mysterious small touchscreen it speculated could be used in an "iPod touch nano." Apple eventually, in September, unveiled its new iPod nano with a tiny multi-touch display.
Other parts obtained by the site before their formal announcement include a white iPhone 4 panel, an iPhone 4 battery, and Apple's redesigned MacBook and unibody MacBook Pro both in 2008. However, also in 2008 the same site was the source of a false 13-inch MacBook Pro casing, as well as claims that Apple was working on a 15-inch MacBook Air.
63 Comments
Out of all the supposed features for the new iPhone 5 coming out, I find a slide out keyboard the hardest to swallow. Am Ithe only one?
I really hope this rumor is either false, that it's just for a prototype, or that there will be iPhones both with and without the hardware keyboard. I've never cared for a hardware keyboard at all, I never will, and in fact, to me a hardware keyboard woul be a downside instead of a feature. The slide mechanism inevitably means design and construction compromises, it will add another point of failure, it's susceptible to wear and tear, it will collect dirt, and I wouldn't use it anyway.
If every iPhone 5 will have a hardware keyboard I will get myself an iPhone 4 the day the 5 is announced.
Out of all the supposed features for the new iPhone 5 coming out, I find a slide out keyboard the hardest to swallow. Am Ithe only one?
No, you're not the only one. The touch-screen keyboard on the iPhone is probably the best out there and works really well. Apple doesn't need and shouldn't add a physical keyboard.
Am I the only one?
No, you are not. What is more likely is that (like previous reports have mentioned) Apple puts out many prototype designs to identify security leaks. My guess is Apple will follow the links back to the source if possible and note them as security threat.
Out of all the supposed features for the new iPhone 5 coming out, I find a slide out keyboard the hardest to swallow. Am Ithe only one?
If Apple wants to gain more market shares, there would be a need to create a phone with keyboard, given that most of the Blackberry non-corporate customers who are willing to stick to RIMM basically stay because of the keyboard.