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Bloomberg: New iPhone with touch-sensitive casing coming

by Mike Schramm Jan 14th 2010 at 6:30PM

Bloomberg is the latest outlet to come up with some rumors about the possible new iPhone model coming this year (the iPhone, not the tablet, although doesn't it seem like the flood of tablet rumors has encouraged all kinds of Apple speculation lately?). They say that the new handset will include a 5 megapixel camera to match Google's Nexus One, and will also include a touch-sensitive casing, working similarly to the Magic Mouse. That one just seems strange -- what would you gesture on the back of the iPhone while you're using it?

They also say, quoting Goldman Sachs analyst Robert Chen, that there'll be plenty of new innovations in the software as well. We certainly hope so. According to this round of rumors, the new phone would go into production in April, and be released to stores in June or July, a timeline that actually matches up with what we've heard before.

Rumors are a dime a dozen, and even if a new phone does come out in July, that's too long to wait if you need to buy a phone right now. But we'll keep our ears open -- there certainly is a lot of increased speculation about Apple hardware lately, and there ought to be something in the pipeline driving it all.

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Bloomberg is the latest outlet to come up with some rumors about the possible new iPhone model coming this year (the iPhone, not the...
 

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Sam Williams

Given Apple's current obsession with "edge to edge" screens, perhaps a touch-sensitive back would replace the iPhone's home button, enabling the screen to wrap right up to the bezel.

January 16 2010 at 6:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
aditya

give iPhone metallic or aluminum case, Apple!

January 15 2010 at 2:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tuaw.com

3D manipulation...

Imagine twirling a screen image of a marble by using your thumb on the screen... index finger on the back side....

Brilliant!

January 15 2010 at 7:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mikko

Touch sensitive casing sounds something what traditional iPod would benefit more than iPhone.

My guess for 27th of January are more powerful MacBook Pros, some new iPods and a tablet device.

January 15 2010 at 2:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ryan Sandberg

Am I the only one that sees TONS of gaming capability if they make a touch sensitive back? Triggers FTW! It's hard to play a FPS on the iPhone, when your finger is in the middle of the screen trying to fire and move your guy. It would be great to do that from the back, where you could have the whole screen to view! Of course, make it a toggle to save battery, accidental swipes, etc. It would make a lot of sense, IMHO.

January 15 2010 at 1:05 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
B

Now if they could get rid of the cheap plastic backs they went to after the first year. My original is still going strong, plan to upgrade if Verizon wins them over. Also I hope they put a great camera in the phone so I will no longer need to take a digital camera with me, you never know when you might need to take a surprise picture or video!

January 15 2010 at 12:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paul C.

My 2-year contract with AT&T runs out in AUG, right around the time the new iPhone is supposed to come out. Do you think it'll be available through Verizon by then?

January 14 2010 at 8:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Martin

I can't believe the number of people that find it difficult to scroll unobtrusively on their current phone.

1. Touch a place where your eyeball is not currently pointed
2. Drag upward while continuing to read
3. As you were

How is the phone supposed to know that you're in scrolling mode, not just ... holding the phone mode?

January 14 2010 at 7:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Todd

Hold the phone in one hand and look at something that needs scrolling and a magicmouse-like scroll gesture on the back is really easy to imagine.

January 14 2010 at 7:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chuck

The back being touch sensitive as well might not be bad. Cases could be made to be compatible and it would be better for certain games and apps where your fingers get in the way of viewing. My biggest complaint is the lack of sound. Better speakers would be nice as well as longer battery life.

January 14 2010 at 7:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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