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The surest sign yet of the impending iPhone 5 release is the reported drying up of iPhone 4 inventory, coupled with the fact that Apple's online store is currently down, triggering speculation that a new product launch is imminent.
The online store had a note Friday morning saying: "We are busy updating the store for you and will be back shortly."
Multiple rumors say that production of existing models of iPhones has been stopped and that Apple's Asian manufacturers have ramped up iPhone 5 production.
From production rumors to the reported loss of an iPhone 5 prototype, and from the "emergence" of the first photo taken on the new device to leaks from retailer sources, there are loads of hints that say iPhone 5 will be released in early October.
Almost everything is in the realm of speculation as Apple has characteristically remained silent about its iPhone 5 release plans.
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There have been numerous reports that pegged the iPhone 5 release in October. Reinforcing the October launch theory, CultofMac reported that Apple hold a press event to launch iPhone 5 on Sept. 21, which will take place in the San Francisco Bay Area. Press invites for the event could be issued on Sept. 14, the report says, adding that pre-orders will be taken Sept. 28.
Right now, here are the various pointers that strongly suggest iPhone 5 will see the light of the day in early October, or even earlier.
Apple Store Down
A BeatWeak report said the fact that Apple was updating the online store hinted at an “imminent” launch of a new hardware product, and suggested that iPhone 5 was one of the probabilities.
The fact that Apple online store is down and being updated doesn’t exactly confirm that Apple could launch iPhone 5 through the online store immediately. But such a scenario cannot be completely ignored, according to tech writers.
Bill Parmer, writing in BeatWeak, says that there is some chance that Apple could do so, considering that one European carrier began taking online preorders for the iPhone 5 this week. Though Apple chose not to launch the iPad 2 through the online store, the incident of an iPhone 5 prototype getting lost could change the situation drastically.
"Apple may also be eager to launch the iPhone 5 this week after a prototype test unit went missing," he writes, reasoning that Apple would not want to be upstaged by third parties who might get hold of the device and show it off to the public.
Drying up iPhone 4 Inventory
Reports say it has become harder now to get hold of an iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS, indicating that production of these devices has probably been stopped. iPhone 4 orders in the U.S now take one to three business days to ship, indicating that Apple is expecting a slowdown in iPhone 4 production as the next generation comes in.
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