Rumors

Apple Already Churning Out 150,000 iPhone 5 Units Per Day

With Apple's next media event on the horizon, iPhone 5 production has already ramped up overseas. Foxconn, Apple's main supplier, is allegedly building 150,000 iPhone 5 units per day.

The supply chain is expected to reach 5-6 million iPhone shipments during September, with Apple's next gen iPhone announcement expected to drop at the end of this month or in early October.

Apple Seeds iOS 5 Build to Carriers Along with a Few Surprises

The countdown to iOS 5's release has begun, with Apple now bringing its most valued and prominent carrier partners into the testing phase for the first time.

Carriers have now begun testing the latest build of iOS 5 internally, with reports suggesting that this build is a newer one than the beta 7 version being currently tested by developers...

Best Buy’s New Apple Fixture Isn’t for iPhone 5 After All

Well, that's another rumor quashed. Those paying attention may remember us telling you a couple of days ago how a Best Buy employee had tipped 'This is My Next' that the retailer was expecting a new Apple fixture to arrive in October.

The magic date was October 21st, with a member of store management required to be in-store at some un-godly hour to help facilitate the installation. This led to much excitement, with some believing that the reason behind the new 'point of sale' being the release of a new iPhone.

Unfortunately, it turns out that's not the case, with the real reason being wholly underwhelming. Best Buy is getting an update for its in-store iPad display.

All together now for a resounding 'meh'...

Sprint Getting Ready for iPhone 5, Installing Signal Repeaters Around Apple Stores

A recent report from The Wall Street Journal said that Sprint will definitely be getting the next iPhone this Fall. The publication stated that Sprint would begin selling the device in mid-October.

After the report, Sprint told its staff to not discuss the iPhone rumors with customers. The carrier also scheduled a "Strategy Update" event on October 7th, hinting at an iPhone announcement. The carrier's ETF was also raised to $350 — all of this activity pointing towards a partnership with Apple.

Now, the most boldface piece of evidence for the Sprint iPhone has surfaced...

Apple Working on “Find My Friends” Social Network

Apple hasn't been successful at the social network scene. There was Game Center (Do people still use that?). And there was the diaster known as Ping.

Apple hasn't gained traction with social network integration in iTunes, but the Cupertino company looks to be stepping up its game in iOS 5. It's already been announced that there will be Twitter integration in iOS 5, and recent findings point towards a new social network from Apple dubbed "Find My Friends."

Deutsche Telekom Already Taking iPhone 5 Pre-Orders

Apple hasn't even announced the iPhone 5 yet, let alone a release date and details of availability, but that hasn't stopped Deutsche Telekom from starting its pre-orders.

The German telecoms giant, and owner of T-Mobile, has taken the unusual step of offering pre-orders for a device that doesn't actually exist to the public because it foresees "supply bottlenecks." If previous iPhone releases are any indication, the carrier may very well be right...

Apple Stores Begin iOS 5 and iCloud Training

Today, in Apple Stores everywhere, Apple began iOS 5 and iCloud training for employees. The training is done through the Daily Download application, which was part of the Apple Store 2.0 upgrade.

What's the significance of this? Apple only launches a new OS with a new iPhone, therefore hinting that the iPhone 5 launch is right around the corner...

Apple Manufacturers Begin iPhone 5 Production for October Release

A report from Japanese site Macotakara claims that Apple OEM manufacturers have begun iPhone 5 production for an October launch. Foxconn will allegedly assemble 85% of the units, with Petragon accounting for 15% of production volume.

While iPhone 5 units are being assembled, Apple has yet to install iOS 5 on the devices. This is due to the fact that iOS 5 is still in the final beta stages, and the software will be installed on the new hardware when it reaches its final GM version in the coming weeks.

Best Buy Clue Points to October 21 iPhone 5 Release

We might just found our first reliable iPhone 5 release date rumor, and October 21 is looking like the magic day to mark on your calendars. The Verge has received a tip from a Best Buy employee that suggests the retailer is set for an 'Apple fixture' installation on the 21st.

What makes this seem so plausible is the continued rumor that October is indeed the timeframe in which we should expect an iPhone 5 to go on sale, with an announcement coming some time in the next few weeks. Does Best Buy know something we dont? It's entirely possible...

Apple Gestapo Reportedly Impersonates Police in Attempt to Find Lost iPhone Prototype

This story keeps getting crazier and crazier. As you recall, we told you the other day that another next gen iPhone prototype was presumably lost at another bar in San Francisco. CNET reported the news, citing unknown sources.

The scandal got even juicier this morning when another report from The San Francisco Weekly unveiled that no police records for the incident actually existed. Apple hadn't opened an official investigation with the police. Instead, it's being reported that an Apple security team illegally impersonated police officers and searched a man's home for the lost iPhone 5 prototype...

Good Mockup of Alleged iPhone 5 Design Compared with iPhone 4

Remember that alleged next gen iPhone 5 icon we showed you in the Photo Stream beta yesterday? It was an interesting find because it was designed by Apple internally, and it looked to be a slightly redesigned iPhone with features that match rumors we've been hearing about the iPhone 5.

9to5Mac has put together a comparison of the blown up iPhone '5' icon and the iPhone 4. You'll notice a slightly smaller screen and a redesigned home button...