Apple iPhone 5: New features and rumors

Guys, with the potential release date of iPhone 5 approaching we are having a lot of news (and rumors too!) and we thought of sharing some of those here.

iPhone 5: Revamped Home Button and bigger display

Well, the home button has been an integral part of iPhones for the last five years or so. But according to information we are having, Apple is looking forward to drop the Home button and replace it by two buttons on the side of the iPhone.

The idea of replacing the Home Button with alternative buttons on the side of the iPhone dates back to the concept of AppAdvice—to distinguish ‘the next big thing’ from predecessor iPhone 4. Though there’s not much info we can offer at this point of time, but it sounds like when the two buttons are pressed at once would act like the home Button we are familiar with. Alongside this, these buttons would be individual functions, details of which we do not know yet.

Other big developments we are expecting include a bigger display, possibly a 4.6-inch one; much bigger than 3.5inch iPhones we are using these days and also an OLED display replacing the LCD. This may be an attempt of Apple to keep up with other smartphones manufacturers, who seems to have been poised to make bigger screens. On the LCD to OLED move, going by Samsung’s recent switch to OLED and Apple’s heavy investment in OLED technology since last year; it seems likely.

Apple iPhone 5 to sport Liquidmetal casing: Reports

According to industry insiders’ iPhone 5, set to hit the market later this year will be sporting a ‘Liquidmetal’ casing—giving the next iPhone a sleek and much more robust look.

iPhone 5: Apple looking forward to metallic glass

There are reports emerging that the next Apple iPhone is switching over to a casing of ‘metallic glasses’ better known as Liquidmetal, in an effort to cut down the thickness of the handset as also enhanced durability.

Well, this metallic glass developed by California Institute of Technology is no new; the amorphous metal alloy has been in commercial usage since 2003. After its wide application in boiler tubes, petroleum drills and sporting accessories like golf ball cores and tennis rackets it looks like a surety to make inroads into the iPhone casings too.

Apple following Sandisk: Casing to embrace Liquidmetal

You excited Apple’s gonna introduce a unique stuff in gadget world? Hold on guys, that’s not the case.

Sandisk has already been using Liquidmetal in their Cruzer Titanium Flash for a long time. Well, they are strong, sleek and sporting—no doubt about that. But there’s a catch! Owing to a mix of Titanium, zirconium, copper, nickel and niobium, Liquidmetal posses a unique property of holding elastic energy—it exhibits bouncing effect. The implication is simple, it’s hard and durable for sure, but while dropped it may lead to bouncing of the iPhone–multiplying the chances of a shattered display.

But guys, Apple has surely taken note of that too. Perhaps, it not the durability of Liquidmetal that has got Apple engineers interested—rather it’s the high strength-weight ratio that have caught their eyes. Apple Inc. have secured the exclusive license to use Liquidmetal in consumer electronics (Swatch held the same for timepieces)—there’s must have enough reason to make the investment.

What’s your take on Liquidmetal iPhone casing? Feel free to drop in your thoughts.

The iPhone 5 – Release and Specifications Rumors

Listed above in this graphic we made are some of the most prevalent iPhone 5 rumors that we could find out there.  Some ideas may have seemed pretty obvious like a possible larger screen or a new revised form factor for the iPhone 5.  Additionally, it is quite likely we will see either a June or October release date.  Apple has followed this in the past, and it seems likely that they would do the same for the iPhone 5.

In line with previous iPhone releases, it would make sense to see the iPhone 5 have a new upgraded 128GB model.  This would increase the size from the current maximum of the 64GB model.  With the passed two iPhone releases both having 720P video, it seems like it would be time to upgrade to the highly anticipated 1080P, Full HD, video recording to stay competitive against other smart phones in the industry.

While the iPhone 4S saw an upgrade to the processor, it is still quite possible that we will see an even faster processor in the upcoming iPhone 5 release, although it is more likely we will see some of the other features mentioned first.  Same deal with the camera, while the iPhone 4S saw an improvement in camera quality, the iPhone 5 could add a few megapixels for an even stronger release, likely upgrading to 10MP.

Recently, new rumors regarding an in-cell touchscreen for the iPhone have been anounced, leading to speculation that the new iPhone could be slightly thinner than previous generations, making this the thinnest iPhone yet!  Finally, there have been leaked images of iPhone 5 replacement home buttons, which show that the iPhone 5 will have a different body than previous generations (although the home button will actually appear the same).

That’s it for now, but stay tuned for all the newest updates with regard to the new iPhone 5!