AppleInsider Staff
References to the much-used iPhone 4S moniker could be found in the Info.plist file of the MobileDevices bundle that was included with the ninth beta of iTune 10.5 released Friday. .
Specifically, device preferences for Item 7 and Item 8 in the Info.plist file describe a black and white iPhone 4S whose display icons (below) depict models that look identical to the existing black and white CDMA iPhone 4 introduced earlier this year.
The discovery can be seen as further evidence that Apple is gearing up to introduce iPhones next Tuesday, Oct. 4th that bundle an 8MP camera, 512MB of RAM, support for HSPA+ and the iPad 2's A5 processor and dual graphics, but do so in a the current CMDA iPhone 4 design.
However, the new iPhone 4S is expected to be a dual-mode phone, meaning the same iPhone 4S can be used on either CDMA or GSM networks. Currently, Apple markets separate iPhone 4 models for CDMA and GSM networks.
Talk of Apple taking a dual-route strategy this year by releasing both an iPhone 4S and a more advanced iPhone 5 began to cool off this week, with leaked parts and casings all pointing to a product dubbed iPhone 4S.
In addition, insider Ming-Chi Kuo reported that his industry checks turned up no sign of a redesigned iPhone 5 in the pipeline. Instead, he told AppleInsider that Apple was manufacturing a model that looks largely the same as the current iPhone 4, only with an improved antenna design.
Dubbed "N94," the new iPhone model will reportedly also use the same Gorilla glass for its back panel. Kuo also said it will be available in both black and white models at launch, and 60 percent of units assembled so far have been of the black variety.
Echoing a report from earlier this month, he also said that Foxconn will be responsible for manufacturing 85 percent of Apple's fifth-generation iPhone units. The other 15 percent will reportedly be assembled by Pegatron.
Each will run iOS 5, which is rumored to bundle new voice recognition technology in the form of a new application dubbed Assistant, which will allow users to speak to their iPhone and accomplish a number of tasks through natural language, like sending text messages, looking up information, or scheduling an appointment.
The functionality is believed to stem from Siri, a "personal assistant" application for the iPhone that Apple purchased in April of 2010.
In all Apple is said to be building 30 million fifth-generation iPhone units by the end of calendar 2011. If Apple were to meet that goal and sell all of the handsets in the holiday quarter, it would easily best the record 20.34 million iPhones Apple sold in its June 2011 quarter.
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303 Comments
Hopefully there's also "just one more thing" in the form of an iPhone 5. I'm not sure a basic spec bump after 15+ months will be worthwhile for many. Perhaps there will be an "S" with immediate availability (and a lower price), and an iPhone 5 available a few weeks later.
They must be going to emphasise the software features in iOS 5 that only run on this new device.
Yup...I think that tells the story. We've all over shot the runway with our OCD coverage and speculation of Apple's next move. They've been working round the clock to bring us the new voice feature in iOS 5, and we've ruined the surprise.
We did the same things with the Macbook Pros earlier this year. We were all positive there was going to be a thinner, lighter redesign, and it turns out there wasn't.
I'm disappointed (and a little surprised) there isn't a redesign, given the near 18 month wait for the next-gen iPhone. But, there's nothing I can do about it. I think there are going to be some more disappointed people out there.
You must be kidding me. Wait more than a year just to update cpu and camera?
I hope that's not true. Otherwise, AAPL trading at $381 two days before iPhone 4s introduction means all insiders are so ethical on the stock market.
I would believe this piece of news if AAPL closes below $350 on Monday.
Hopefully there's also "just one more thing" in the form of an iPhone 5. I'm not sure a basic spec bump after 15+ months will be worthwhile for many.
Most of the worth comes in iOS 5 anyhow. Most iPhone customers probably couldn't give a hoot about the features - Apple know this - price is probably more of an issue. An improved camera and faster processor along with iOS 5 will be more than enough for 9/10 buyers. 3GS are still on sale today and being sold to consumers who will still have a great phone and great OS. It would bother those of us who frequent AI but not most consumers.