iPhone 4S Cases Already Appearing at AT&T

As previously reported, Apple is slated to reveal something on or around October 4. Current Apple board member and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore recently said that the company's "new iPhones" (note the plural) will debut in October. Prior to that, rumors and "insider reports" have pointed to a new iPod Touch, a cloud-based iPhone 4S and the much-speculated iPhone 5 to be revealed at any day.

Now actual products are starting to appear on the market. Reports claim that AT&T corporate stores are currently receiving refreshed iPhone cases provided by Speck and OtterBox, one of which clearly reads "iPhone 4S" on the package. So far there have been no reports of potential iPhone 5 cases arriving as well.

According to images of the case offered by Speck, there's a new, enlarged hole for the camera, reportedly to compensate for the LED flash. Other than that, the case shows no additional changes over the regular iPhone 4 version, and doesn't even sport any visual ties to the rumored 4S model.

However the OtterBox version, which isn't seen unboxed, reads "iPhone 4S" clearly on the package. There's also a depiction of the phone case sporting different locations for the volume buttons than what's seen on the current model.

As reported earlier, the "cheap" iPhone 4S may be cloud-based, thinner, lighter and faster than the original iPhone 4. Backing up this description, supposed leaked images have revealed a hard white plastic chassis and a hard plastic screen, replacing the current model's glass design. The device will also reportedly feature better cameras, an A5 dual-core processor, and HSPA+ support.

Given that the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 (and probably the new iPod Touch) will sport Apple's new iOS 5, there's speculation that the big holdup is based around the software itself. Even Apple revealed at the WWDC back in June that iOS 5 wouldn't be ready until the fall -- or rather, somewhere between the third week of September and the end of November.

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cirdecus Sep 23, 2011, 1:08 PM

why are we assuming they're going to announce an iPhone 5? I think it's pretty obvious that the only product coming down the channels is the modified 4 version...

If they had planned on a second phone release, we'd be seeing cases and other things as well.
2
avaksman Sep 23, 2011, 1:13 PM

I don’t think there will be an iphone 5 in October. I honestly think they will bring out an Iphone 4s with an A5 Chip, maybe 1Gb Ram, and a 8Mp camera. In any case when the Iphone 4s comes out it will sell like hot cakes, so there won’t be a need for an Iphone 5(at this stage at least). I Might be wrong but looking at Apples past this would be the same path they took before. Hopefully I am wrong and there will be something more exciting.
3
mayne92 Sep 23, 2011, 1:24 PM

ZOMG CASES APPEARING?!?!...I'm ready to sell my soul to Apple! /pfft
-6
house70 Sep 23, 2011, 1:25 PM

Wow, an entire page dedicated to a phone case. Only for an iPhone one can see such focused journalism.

wow, just... wow.
4
cirdecus Sep 23, 2011, 1:27 PM

I agree. It makes sense that if they're debuting some cloud features on the 4S that they would want to test it in the market before implementing a sweeping change in their iphone 5. I can see the 5 being released next June with a huge overhaul and lots of cloud features while the 4S paves the way for it
0
belardo Sep 23, 2011, 1:37 PM

Why posts this stuff? An article about packaging or otter skin for speculation belongs on an Apple-fan-boy site.
0
avaksman Sep 23, 2011, 1:46 PM

belardoWhy posts this stuff? An article about packaging or otter skin for speculation belongs on an Apple-fan-boy site.

The standard reason for writing about things that may not be significant, is the writer couldn't find any other news he felt was worth while. Reason being there is really nothing interesting out there or the people getting the news scoops are not very good .
0
lamorpa Sep 23, 2011, 2:05 PM

There definitely will or won't be an iPhone 5 released this fall. One of the two. Of that I'm sure.
1
MxM Sep 23, 2011, 2:18 PM

What a hell "iPhone 4S may be cloud-based" phrase mean? Being cloud based is property of operating system, not of hardware.
-4
cirdecus Sep 23, 2011, 2:23 PM

MxMWhat a hell "iPhone 4S may be cloud-based" phrase mean? Being cloud based is property of operating system, not of hardware.

As you know, they're releasing a revision to iOS at the same time, so there's your answer. As far as the hardware, it will probably be updated to increase speed and even performance of cloud features in the OS. Maybe 4G?
2
cirdecus Sep 23, 2011, 2:24 PM

I can't imagine cloud services in the new iOS running well on hardware that supports only 3G speeds... so yes, the hardware contributes. A 4G capable phone with a faster chip and more RAM would basically compliment any cloud features released in the new iOS
-1
lamorpa Sep 23, 2011, 2:26 PM

MxMWhat a hell "iPhone 4S may be cloud-based" phrase mean? Being cloud based is property of operating system, not of hardware.

'cloud-based' means cloud based.

(remotely hosted applications and data)
1
rajohns08 Sep 23, 2011, 3:27 PM

there's simply no way an iphone 5 comes out this fall also. what's going to have? ios6, 20 megapixel camera, and 2.0 GHz Triple core processor? No. It will come out in the summer at earliest
1
Anonymous Sep 23, 2011, 3:57 PM

"new" phones?
so they are going to have new features, or look different?
-1
back_by_demand Sep 23, 2011, 4:32 PM

avaksmanThe standard reason for writing about things that may not be significant, is the writer couldn't find any other news he felt was worth while. Reason being there is really nothing interesting out there or the people getting the news scoops are not very good .

Really?
Slow news day?
Nothing else of interest to report?
...
Seeing as a lot of stories are copy/paste from other tech sites (nothing wrong with that by the way) are you seriouly suggesting that nothing else in the world of tech and IT is happening that is more important than a speculative story about a phone case?
....
UN-FRIKKIN-BELIEVABLE
...
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/22/cern_spots_ftl_neutrinos/

How about CERN proving that Neutrinos travel faster than light, busting the laws of physics wide open?
...
Nope?
...
iPhone plastic case!!!!!!! oooooooooooh, I just jizzed all over my keyboard, aaahhhhhhhhh
/rant
-2
cirdecus Sep 23, 2011, 5:27 PM

Obviously there should be an age limit on Tom's forums. 12-year olds angry about Apple's success.. *sadface*.

In all honesty, a lot of people are interested in the release on Oct. 4th and articles like this give clues as to what device will be announced.
0
JOSHSKORN Sep 23, 2011, 6:17 PM

Al Gore is on the board for Apple? OK, Apple can have him.
0
santfu Sep 23, 2011, 6:17 PM

CirdecusObviously there should be an age limit on Tom's forums. 12-year olds angry about Apple's success.. *sadface*.In all honesty, a lot of people are interested in the release on Oct. 4th and articles like this give clues as to what device will be announced.

I'm not 12 but i am angry about apples success, apple is the wrong way for humanity to go, we need to be taught that we can learn what we like and not have it taken out of our hands be some corporation or other. You can say what you like about the Microsoft but at least they promote innovation in the people using their software (i'm coding using asp.net MVC at the moment, check out what they give away to help you learn!). Unlike the highly proscribed, some might say overly controlling, philosophy of apple who even make a "feature" of telling you that you already know how to use their devices. Come on people your human, not ameobas. Take joy in learning something new, and smile at the satisfaction you will feel after achieving it.
So you bet Cirdecus i am angry. I've grown up with computers, my first was a speccy my dad bought us when i was 4, and i can't remeber another company that had so much hype about its new products to the point when tech-sites like this one write an article about a third-party case to an as yet unknown product.

I feel better now i've got that off my chest
0
belardo Sep 23, 2011, 8:41 PM

Kind of stupid to insult someone with intelligence.
0
legacy7955 Sep 24, 2011, 3:48 AM

I wonder if payola is going on here at Tom's "news" articles.
0

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