Well, it’s that time in the Apple product lifecycle again. As the company begins ordering components for whichever device it’s planning on releasing next and details begin to leak out hearsay and rumors among Apple enthusiasts solidify into something more substantial.
Indeed, the tech blogosphere is abuzz this morning with talk of an 8 GB iPhone that may launch as soon as the end of next month. Apple’s suppliers have been manufacturing a version of the iPhone 4 with an 8 GB flash drive, which is expected to be available at a lower price point according to Reuters.
This is not the much-rumored iPhone 5, which is also rumored to be launched in late September. Rather, the new 8 GB device will serve as a way for Apple to reach more consumers with a more affordable device, especially in emerging markets.
As for the iPhone 5, it is expected to come with a larger touch screen, an 8-megapixel camera and, of course, an improved antenna. The antenna will, hopefully, avoid a duplication of the consumer outcry over dropped calls that occurred with the previous iteration of the phone.
While the fall is shaping up to be a busy season for Apple in terms of smart phone releases and the official launch of its next operating system, iOS 5, consumers anxious for the next iteration of the iPad are going to have to wait. The latest reports have that launching next year.
