MacRumors

As is typical for Apple product launch events, the company has posted a video giving a behind-the-scenes look at the development and manufacturing of the iPhone 5. Both Jony Ive and Bob Mansfield make appearances.

By making the screen taller but not wider, you can see more of your content but still comfortably use it with one hand. And yet, even with the larger display, iPhone 5 is the thinnest, lightest iPhone we've ever built.

Today, Apple updated its iPod touch line to a 5th generation model which incorporates the same larger 4" screen as the just announced iPhone 5. At only 6.1mm thin and 88 grams, the iPod touch is the lightest iPod touch they've created. The new iPod touch also contains the A5 processor.

Apple is promising 40 hours of music playback, and 8 hours of video, slightly increased over the 4th generation Touch. The back camera is much improved to a 5-megapixel, backside illuminated, f/2.4, 5-element lens, with the same sapphire crystal lens cover as the iPhone 5. The front camera is also upgraded to a 720p camera. The new iPod touch also supports the new Panaroma feature and also includes Siri.

Finally, there's hidden feature on the back of the new iPod Touch, called the Loop. It's designed to hook to a wrist-strap for added security.

The new iPod touch comes in five colors and will be available in October at $299 (32GB) and $399 (64GB). The 4th Generation iPod Touch will remain at $199 (16GB). Preorders for the new iPod Touch begin September 14th.

Apple also announced a radically redesigned iPod nano. The new iPod nano has a 2.5" screen and multi-touch interface. The design shares a lot of cues from the iPhone with the inclusion of a front Home button. The iPod nano includes an FM tuner, widescreen video, pedometer, Bluetooth, and the new Lightning connector.

The new iPod nano comes in 7 colors and will be available in October for $149. Preorders for the new iPod Nano begin September 14th.

The iPod Shuffle was upgraded with new color choices, but the same $49 pricing and 2GB capacity.

At today's media event, Apple announced that iOS 6, which had announced in June at the company's WWDC keynote event, will be available on September 19th.

iOS 6 will offer several new features. Siri will be enhanced to provide movie information, sports scores, and the ability to post to Facebook and Twitter. The new Passbook app will hold tickets, passes, and payment cards for participating businesses. Safari will have a full-screen mode for better browsing and iCloud tabs to save your open tabs and offer immediate access to them on your other iOS devices and your computer.

Maps app will provide turn-by-turn directions and a new 3D flyover feature to show a more realistic view of buildings and land features. Facebook will be integrated into iOS 6, with the ability to post Photo Stream pictures straight to the social networking service  and status updates through Siri.

iOS 6 will be available as a free download for the 4S, 4, 3GS, new iPad, iPad 2 and 4th generation iPod Touch. The iPhone 5 will ship with iOS 6.

Apple announced a new version of iTunes at today's media event featuring a "dramatically simpler" interface with an edge-to-edge design.

We created iTunes because we love music and we’re going back to our roots with an incredibly clean design that keeps your music at the forefront,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “The new iTunes works seamlessly with iCloud, always keeping your entire library at your fingertips, and we’re adding great new features that make listening to your music more fun.

The updated media application will show albums in a grid interface with song listings unfolding below the album cover art when clicked. Searching is improved, showing inline results as you type and the MiniPlayer has been redesigned to show a miniature version of the album cover art and album and song information and playback controls.

The updated iTunes will also get iCloud integration to show all your media content saved in Apple's cloud storage service and save your position in movies or TV shows automatically so that you can pick up where you left off on another device.

The new version of iTunes will be available in late October.

Update: A new version of iTunes, version 10.7, has been released. It "adds support for iOS 6 running on compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models. This update also adds support for the latest iPod nano and iPod shuffle models."

As predicted, Apple today announced that it is replacing the familiar 30-pin dock connector for its mobile devices with a new smaller one. The new connector bears the name "Lightning".

The new cable is described as an all-digital, 8-signal design with an adaptive interface, and improved durability. Users can use it in either orientation (reversible) and it's 80% smaller than the old dock connector.

Making iPhone 5 thinner and lighter required a pivotal change: replacing the 30-pin connector with something newer, smaller, and better. Introducing the Lightning connector. It features an all-digital, eight-signal design that’s significantly more durable than the 30-pin connector. Another brilliant feature of Lightning: It’s reversible. Which means there’s no wrong way to plug in the cable.

Apple will be providing an adapter for existing accessories and companies like Bose, JBL, B&W, and B&O are already working on the new connector. Apple's adapters include a direct plug adapter priced at $29 and one incorporating a short cable for $39.

Apple is holding a media event today at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, where it appears set to introduce the iPhone 5, updated iPods, and a brand-new version of iTunes. The event is scheduled to kick off at 10:00 AM Pacific Time / 1:00 PM Eastern Time.

Apple will apparently not be providing live video coverage of the event to the public, but a number of news sites will be on hand to provide text and photo updates, and we're including links to several of them here. We will also be updating this article with coverage and issuing Twitter updates through our @MacRumorsLive account as the media event unfolds. Separate news stories regarding the event announcements will go out through our @MacRumors account.

- Engadget
- Ars Technica
- The Verge
- The Loop
- gdgt
- Macworld
- AllThingsD
- CNET
- SlashGear
- AnandTech

Apple's online stores around the world are currently down in advance of the event.

Recent News and Rumors

- iPhone 5 Logic Board Shows A6 Chip, Qualcomm MDM9615M LTE Modem, Hynix Flash
- Updated iTunes, iPod Touch, and iPod Nano Coming Alongside iPhone 5 Today
- 'iPhone 5' Name Prematurely Revealed on Apple's Site
- Apple's New iOS Device Marketing: 'Lightning' Dock Connector, 'Earpod' Headphones, 'Loop' Accessory
- 'Biggest Upgrade Ever' for iPod Touch to Bring New Colors, GPS, Camera Improvements?

Live Transcript

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Late last month, a photo surfaced showing what was claimed to be the iPhone 5 logic board with an A6 chip prominently displayed. There were some questions about the validity of the photo, but now a new pair of photos posted by HDblog.it [Google translation] show in greater detail not only the A6 chip but also other chips included on the logic board.

Beyond the A6, the new photos also show that the Qualcomm chip located opposite the nano-SIM tray from the A6 is indeed the MDM9615M modem, which has long been rumored as the chip to supply LTE compatibility for the iPhone 5. As noted in our forums, Apple's leaky search engine has also just revealed that the company will be posting a page addressing the new iPhone's LTE capabilities.

The other side of the logic board reveals flash memory from Hynix, as well as several other chips from the likes of Murata, Skyworks, and Avago supporting such functions as Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, power amplification, gyroscope/accelerometer, and more. Apple has been rumored to be cutting back on Samsung memory orders, but the presence of Hynix memory is not explicit proof of such a move given that Apple has long sourced memory from multiple suppliers as seen in teardowns showing memory from Samsung, Toshiba and others at various times.

With Apple having prematurely confirmed the "iPhone 5" name in search results on its website, users have been scrambling to try to find evidence of additional announcements today. Several other press release links have been found indicating that Apple will be releasing an updated version of iTunes, as well as new iPod touch and iPod nano models.

One search pulls up results for both the iPhone 5 and new iTunes press releases, while a second search reveals a link to a "New iTunes" page on apple.com.

Searching for "new iPod touch" also reveals a link to Apple's press release announcing new iPod touch and iPod nano models at the bottom of the results page.

As noted by several MacRumors readers, searches for "iPhone-5" on Apple's site are currently yielding a number of search results revealing that Apple will indeed be calling the new iPhone the "iPhone 5". The results point to several currently-inactive iPhone 5 pages including the press release announcement and a "tips" page.

(Thanks, Johan!)

Update 6:45 AM: 9to5Mac has also spotted a link to an inactive press release announcing the new iPod touch and iPod nano.

9to5Mac shares some new details about Apple's updates planned for today, outlining some of the marketing terms the company appears to be using for aspects of its new devices. Among the details:

First, Apple is said to have been referring to its new dock connector as "Lightning" internally, and that branding is now said to be the public name for the feature as well. The term is suggestive of speed, and it seems possible that the cables may allow for faster data transfer than existing hardware. Apple is also said to be introducing several variations of the adapter for using new devices with cables and accessories bearing the old dock connector standard, including a direct clip-on adapter and one with a short cable.

The second item relates to new headphones that appeared earlier this month in a leaked video, and today's report indicates that they will carry an "Earpod" name. On a standalone basis, they will be available at the same $29 price seen on the current headphones.

Finally, Apple is said to be launching a new "Loop" accessory for the iPod touch. While the function of the accessory appears to be unknown, it will retail for approximately $10 and be available in several difference color combinations.

The report also reiterates claims that Apple will be keeping its existing iPod touch available as a low-end model, but notes that the capacity will rise to 16 GB. And as for the iPod shuffle, which will maintain its current 2 GB capacity, the eight color options have now been identified: pink, yellow, blue, green, purple, silver, slate, and red.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a last-minute research report outlining his expectations for the updated iPod touch said to be being introduced today alongside the iPhone 5. Calling the 2012 version of the iPod touch the "biggest upgrade ever" for the device, Kuo outlines a number of features he expects the new model to offer.

- New colors: Beyond the traditional black model and the white model added last year, Kuo expects new colors for the iPod touch in order to attract younger customers. Speculation based on part numbers has already suggested that new colors could be in the mix.

- 4-inch display and thinner body: Apple is expected to adopt the same 4-inch display panel with in-cell touch technology that is making its way into the iPhone 5, enabling Apple to shave the iPod touch's thickness down to 6.0-6.5 mm and weight down to under 100 grams.

- GPS: While the current iPod touch can in some cases determine fairly accurate location information based off of Wi-Fi access points, Kuo expects that the new iPod touch will incorporate built-in GPS in order to better capitalize on Apple's new Maps app.

- Camera improvements: Kuo expects the iPod touch to adopt a FaceTime HD camera on the front, as well as a significantly upgraded 5-megapixel rear camera.

- Cross-device compatibility: The new iPod touch may be able to easily connect with iPad and Mac hardware to serve as a game controller or other accessory. iLounge had previously reported that Apple was working on an unannounced iOS 6 feature that would increase cross-device integration using Bluetooth 4.0.

- A5 chip: In line with a report from yesterday, Kuo claims that the new iPod touch will use the A5 system-on-a-chip, presumably the die-shrunk 32-nanometer version that debuted earlier this year in the tweaked iPad 2 and third-generation Apple TV. The iPhone 5 is expected to adopt a more powerful A6 chip.

- Smaller dock connector: Apple's entire iOS device lineup has been rumored to be moving to a new dock connector containing just nine pins rather than the 30 pins found in the current connector. The iPod touch will of course be part of that transition.

Kuo also believes that the current-generation iPod touch will be discontinued as Apple focuses on the significant improvements available in the new model. This conflicts with recent claims that the entry-level iPod touch will essentially be a minor tweak to the existing model.

Apple has seeded developers with a new build of OS X Mountain Lion (12C50) to developers this evening. The version contains complete release notes as posted by 9to5Mac, suggesting the release is near complete. Apple is holding a media even on Wednesday where they are likely to detail the new iPhone and iOS 6.

The release notes reveal the following features:

Facebook
- Single sign on for Facebook
- Facebook as an option when sharing links and photos
- Facebook friends’ contact information and profile pictures in Contacts
- Facebook notifications in Notification Center

Game Center
- Share scores to Facebook, Twitter, Mail, or Messages
- Facebook friends are included in Game Center friend recommendations
- Facebook Like button for games
- Challenge friends to beat your score or achievement

Other new features
- Power Nap support for MacBook Air (Late 2010)
- iMessages sent to your phone number now appear in Messages on your Mac
- From Safari and Mail on your Mac you can add passes to Passbook on your iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 6
- New shared Reminders lists
- FaceTime now receives calls sent to your phone number
- New sort options allow you to sort notes by title, the date you edited them, and when you created them
- Dictation now supports Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Korean, Canadian English, Canadian French, and Italian
- The Dictionary application now includes a French definition dictionary
- Sina Weibo profile photos can now be added to Contacts

The 10.8.2 update also includes general operating system fixes that improve the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac, including the following fixes:

- An option to discard the changes in the original document when choosing Save As
- Unsent drafts are opened automatically when launching Mail
- Receive Twitter notifications for mentions and replies from anyone
- URLs are shortened when sending tweets from Notification Center
- Notifications are disabled when AirPlay Mirroring is being used
- SSL support for Google searches from the Smart Search Field in Safari
- New preference to have Safari launch with previously open webpages

One notable feature is the unification of the Apple ID and phone number in OS X Messages. As described by TheVerge:

Now, if someone calls your phone number for Facetime, you'll be able to answer on your Mac or iPad. The same goes for Messages — if you get an iMessage on your phone, it'll be delivered to your Mac and other iOS devices, even if the sender sent the message to your cell phone number and not your Apple ID email.

Apple will likely coordinate the release OS X Mountain Lion alongside iOS 6. We will learn more tomorrow at Apple's media event.

Fast Company reports on ongoing internal strife at Apple over the company's use of software skeuomorphism, the inclusion of certain ornamental elements in a product that are carried over from previous tools addressing the same task for which the elements were required for functionality. Daring Fireball's John Gruber has linked to the article, noting that he has heard similar word of an "internal political divide" over the issue.

One of the most frequently-cited examples of questionable skeuomorphism in Apple's software is the company's set of calendar apps, which have recently used a stitched leather design reminiscent of physical desktop calendars, complete with the remnants of torn-off pages visible near the binding. Game Center, which is presented as a gaming table complete with wood grain and green felt, is another oft-cited example.

According to the report, Apple's iOS chief Scott Forstall has long been a proponent of incorporating skeuomorphic features in the company's software, with Steve Jobs having supported and even originated that design direction for Apple's products. But others such as hardware guru Jonathan Ive find the inclusion of such features distasteful, and Apple's designers have reportedly been divided into camps over which direction to take Apple's products. Fast Company's interviews with former Apple designers and others in the industry reveal the degree of controversy over the practice:

Says the former senior UI designer at Apple, "I feel like [Apple] has concentrated too much on mimicking the visual skeuomorphic approach rather than concentrating on the actual functionality." For example, in iOS 6, the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, Forstall recently demoed an animated paper shredder, which will be used to delete e-tickets and coupons. How many iPhone users have ever actually seen a paper shredder in real life? Is it necessary? Or just visual masturbation? "To me, it’s lipstick on a pig," says the source intimately familiar with Apple’s design process. "There’s no need to add glitter if the product can stand on its own."

The report points to Windows 8 as an example of how companies can bring fresh user interface ideas by minimizing reliance on skeuomorphism to try to replicate experiences that may no longer be optimal or even relevant. A follow-up report will be examining the issue from Microsoft's perspective, with the conclusion of today's report hinting that Microsoft sources have unflattering things to say about Apple's approach.

Apple's policies for pre-orders of its popular iOS devices have varied over the years, with the iPhone 4S being scheduled for a 12:01 AM Pacific Time launch on the Friday following the media event, although Apple's pre-orders didn't actually begin until nearly 45 minutes after the appointed time.

Last month, iMore reported that pre-orders were scheduled to begin on the same day as the media event, with availability set for nine days later. An exact timeframe for the pre-order launch was not given in the report, but a same-day window likely pointed toward pre-orders going live soon after the event as the Apple online store comes back online.

MacRumors is now hearing that pre-orders may not begin tomorrow following the media event and that they may instead start on Friday morning in a scenario similar to last year's debut. We're hearing that certain portions of Apple's online sales support team are significantly increasing their staffing levels beginning at 6:00 AM Eastern on Friday, with a major surge for the initial shift beginning at that time and a sustained level of high staffing for at least the remainder of the day.

It is unclear whether pre-orders would begin immediately at the 6:00 AM shift start or some time shortly afterward, but these staffing levels suggest that customers may have to wait until the end of this week to pre-order their new iPhones for delivery a week later.