Apple Testing Three iPhone 5 Prototypes, One With Slide-Out Keyboard?

[MacRumors]

Keyboard Buddy Case for iPhone 4
Taiwanese site Apple.pro reports (via AppleInsider) that Apple has been testing three separate prototypes for the fifth-generation iPhone, including one with a slide-out keyboard.

There are three iPhone5 prototype
one is a sliding cover which
Is the introduction of the keyboard after the side cover

Other prototypes are said to be similar to the iPhone 4 except with an upgraded battery and apparently an 8-megapixel camera, up from the 5-megapixel sensor found on the iPhone 4's rear-facing camera. The report likens those prototypes to the transition from iPhone 3G to iPhone 3GS, with the same basic design augmented primarily by improvements in the device's internals.

As for claims of a slide-out keyboard, the rumor seems incongruous with Apple's devotion to multi-touch functionality with on-screen virtual keyboards. Normally, we would simply cast such suggestions aside, but Apple.pro has a strong track record of providing leaked information from Apple's product pipeline. Most recently, the site posted photos of a small Apple-branded touchscreen that appeared a few months later in the company's latest iPod nano.

The site also notes several times that these are prototypes, suggesting that the model sporting a slide-out keyboard could simply a design put together by Apple for the purposes of testing out various form factors, and may never be intended for a public release.

Today's report from Apple.pro also reiterates ongoing claims that the next-generation iPad will be thinner and will carry at least one built-in camera.

Article Link: Apple Testing Three iPhone 5 Prototypes, One With Slide-Out Keyboard?

 

[scoobierules]

I could see me using that one. I have never seen one with a slide a keyboard that looks sturdy. But, that looks nice!

 

[ciociosan]

Dear god, no! Leave your stupid keyboards in your pocket!

 

[chrmjenkins]

Methinks between this and the iphone nano rumors resurfacing, the false information brigade may be hard at work at Apple to identify leak sources.

 

[darthraige]

Apple would never.

 

[Trakker]

Dear god, no! Leave your stupid keyboards in your pocket!

Or on the damned desk!!

3rd party, sure.

Apple? No.

Jobs HATES miniature keyboards.

 

[stridemat]

Methinks between this and the iphone nano rumors resurfacing, the false information brigade may be hard at work at Apple to identify leak sources.

I had the same thought. Apple may have some big announcements in the future and they are trying to find the 'leakers'.

 

[rwilliams]

I won't believe anything until I hear it from Gizmodo.

 

[Starflyer]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8F5166b Safari/6533.18.5)

Sounds like Apple is busy trying to flush out a leak.

Edit: chrm beat me to it.

 

[Xavier]

Personally, if the next iPhone has a keyboard, I will not be buying it.

 

[Kwill]

Actually the Keyboard Buddy Case for iPhone 4 appears to be a pretty slick solution that also protects the glass back. I just don't believe there's a way to disable the screen keyboard when using the physical one to display more of the screen content.

 

[newdeal]

...

I seriously doubt there will ever be a slider from Apple. They are on a mission for thinness, sure people would buy a slider but I don't think it fits with Apples mission. I would however love a better way to play games on the iphone onscreen D pads and joysticks are horrible.

 

[gri]

Posted double

 

[dukebound85]

yea, no

what purpose would this serve after using a virtual keyboard, having record profits, etc after 3-4 years with the iphone?

Wasn't it Jobs that really made fun of the phone buttons when he introduced the iphone? yea.....

 

[gri]

Hell freezes over?
Not going to happen since Jobs was really bashing the fixed keyboards. That is like him suddenly saying that they just love Flash on the iPhone...

 

[Tones2]

Now this is getting truly ridiculous.

Tony

 

[wordoflife]

Apple might as well just make it a flip phone.

I thought the integrity of the iPhone was multitouch. Don't think this is happening. Cool accessory though, I'd buy it.
If the iPhone comes with this monstrosity (nonremovable), then I won't be buying it.

 

[Warbrain]

As others said, sounds like Apple is trying to identify who is leaking the information.

 

[heehee]

Personally, if the next iPhone has a keyboard, I will not be buying it.

What he said.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Jobs HATES miniature keyboards.

Jobs says a lot of things that are actually misdirection. However, his disdain for miniature keyboards is one that I believe (I hate them too). Heck, every MacBook (Pro) has a full sized keyboard, even the Air. They've yet to compromise on that (thankfully).

 

[Nermal]

I'd welcome a physical keyboard, but not that one. The keys have no offset.

 

[Gasu E.]

Ommmm thin and light.... Ommmm thin and light.... Ommmm thin and light....

Slide out keyboard???? I don't think so!

 

[dethmaShine]

I think of these rumors are cooked up.

 

[apeman88]

How about one that does not break

I see WAY too many cracked screens - both front and back. They really need to address how fragile these things are...I want my phone to last at least 2 years, and have real concerns w/ durability...

Other than that the iPhone 4 design is awesome...

 

[Consultant]

LOL at slide-out keyboard rumor. That's so 2006.

I see WAY too many cracked screens - both front and back. They really need to address how fragile these things are...I want my phone to last at least 2 years, and have real concerns w/ durability...

Other than that the iPhone 4 design is awesome...

I dropped mine a bunch of times and it didn't break. Nobody I know with an iPhone 4 broke their screens either.

Maybe someone has clumsy friends? Or believe everything on the internet are real?