“Well, this is juicy! Following yesterday’s report that Apple was already testing an LTE-equipped iPhone with carriers comes this insider photo [see full article], showing that AT&T is secretly installing LTE equipment in at least one retail Apple store,” John Brownlee reports for Cult of Mac.
“I don’t think that the next iPhone will have LTE for a second: AT&T and Verizon simply haven’t penetrated enough American markets for this to be a major selling point, yet,” Brownlee writes. “In addition, the hardware still drains battery like a mofo. But if LTE isn’t coming with the iPhone 5, what is this LTE hardware for then?”
Read more in the full article here.
Mark Gurman reports for 9to5Mac, “We’ve independently heard that Apple has plans to begin selling the next-generation iPhone on Friday, October 7th; the date first reported by TiPB.”
MacDailyNews Note: We also have independent confirmation of “likely the first week in October” from reliable sources.
Gurman continues, “According to our sources, Apple has been weighing between launching the new iPhone on October 7th or October 14th, but with the product’s latest stages of pre-mass-production currently moving along nicely, Apple is presently shooting towards a launch on the 7th.”
“On top of this, unlike with the iPad 2, Apple plans to offer pre-orders for the new iPhone,” Gurman reports. “Apple currently plans to begin pre-orders for their next-generation smartphone in the final days of September. The company has still not finalized the pre-order start date, but is debating between Thursday, September 29th and Friday, September 30th. The 30th seems more likely at this point according to one of our sources.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Dan K.” and “Mike L.” for the heads up.]