3G iPhone case molds leaked in pre-WWDC hysteria?
By Thomas Ricker 
posted May 28th 2008 6:36AM
posted May 28th 2008 6:36AM
The spy shots just get weirder and weirder in the breathless run-up to the presumed WWDC 3G iPhone launch. In fact, this is the first time we can recall seeing case molds -- in this instance, from Griffin -- leaked prior to an announcement. Nevertheless, that's exactly what iDeals China Insider claims they possess. While consistent with the XSKN case, specs, and other leaks we've already seen, it's proof of nothing except a lot of self-perpetuating nonsense. Check the 3D images purportedly used to make the silicon molds after the break.
[Thanks Cal]
[Thanks Cal]
Gasp. A mold for a case. The amount of new information that was just revealed to me by the rounded impression in a piece of metal could cure cancer.
Actually it can cause cancer, check out Smith v Leech Brain & Co.
It set the precedent for the Eggshell Skull Rule. Fascinating
And it can clone dinosaurs and time travel.
Much like the Holy Stone of Clonricket.
Which is to be upgraded to a class 2 relic ;-)
The next time round we'll be getting microscopic spy shots of the material used in the base.
But seriously, what happened to the Home button?
Wow molds! in the Library! with the candlestick!
I've checked the envelope and you're wrong.
Seriously. Who is this 'news' for?
MOAR!!!
If this is real, it reveals that the new iPhone will still have a shit camera with no flash.
I agree...but will we have a higher megapixel shite camera with no flash? That's the question.
Its still Shite, only in higher res ( if at all)
It doesn't matter if it has a bazillion megapixels, in those size constraints with no flash it'll still produce a nasty grainy image.
Just a much larger nasty grainy image!
it's a phone, who cares how many megapixels the camera has or if it has a flash, get a real camera.
@woot
tbf it had a billion pixels. it wouldn't be grainy nor poor picture, as it would pick up all the colors easier coz it can read them all or what ever, Kind of like the eye. imagine if that had a flash now "/
You are a moron. even with a billion pixel sensor, the picture would still be shit. Think about it, why do professional photographers have cameras with very large lenses?? Duh...
Where is the cutout for the home circle button?
Why would they cut out a part of a silicone case for the home button? surely because silicone is soft, you would just press down on the indent where the home button is?
I think I see the Virgin Mary in the mold.
No matter what leaks there are, you can't steal the thunder of a Stevenote. The image of the device is so integral to what it is that even after seeing the whole thing on a cam-phone shot, the whole media blitz can still completely change how we view or even use the device.
And...?
interesting how the ear piece on the mold and on the 3d mock-up don't match and how the rather prevalent home button is missing on the mold - neext!
"it's proof of nothing except a lot of self-perpetuating nonsense."
Score one for Engadget.
yeah...its amazing how engadget comes up with a little tid-bit about the 3G iphone everyday and enjoy the scene in the forum...you rock engadget
So. the new iPhone looks fairly similar to the old one, but perhaps with a white backplate.
Well I'm excited.
Anyone notice how the moulds have a long bit on the top where the speaker is but in the 3D mockups it's much smaller?
that's for the forward-facing camera . . .
Shattering news for all the .... oh wait, wrong debate
Oh come on guys, these photos can't possibly be legit - they're not even blurry.
iDeals China is owned by the same dodgy person who owns Xskn, which "leaked" some awful-looking iPhone 2 case shots previously to get attention. He is primarily a silicone case manufacturer, and one with no scruples, so his "insider" information can come from his own factory. Note that if you believe the dateline on this piece, he is admitting that his previous iPhone 2 case shots - supposedly dated in early April - were nothing more than guesses, as only these shots from an actually reputable company's products could establish the real design.
iDeals China was set up to rustle up business for this guy's case and export companies, by posing as an independent news resource for people interested in products from China. Looks like it has succeeded.
Not really - I actively try to avoid anything made in China. I don't always succeed, but at least I try.
good investigating Mate!
yawn
well said...
The only new thing i see here is that the home button will now be touch sensitive and not require a hard press, pretty cool, but i hate that.
When is WWDC?
When will all the madness stop?
this isnt madness this is SPARTAAAAA!!
(you did it to yourself, you set yourself up lol!)
If you want a good camera, then buy a good camera. A cellphone makes a poor substitute for a camera. It has something to do with the smaller sensor size in used in cellphones. So now the iPhone is only 98% perfect since it lacks a flash. Big deal.
true...but most companies have decent cameras for their top of the line phones now. n95, g800 and k850i to name a few...
No 3G takes off about 25% - 73%
No MMS is about 15% - 58%
QVGA screen is 10% - 48%
Shitty speaker is 10% - 38%
No tactile keyboard is 20% - 18%
And finally, AT&T is 18% - 0%
So actually, the iPhone is 0% perfect.
oh my god case molds! aaaaahhhhh!!!! i'm freaking out! please have a multi page article the second they reveal the kind of plastic sticker used to protect the screen during shipping. also need more shots of the amazing, amazing white backing. it's white! aaaahhhhhh!!!
That 3D image doesn't match up at all. The top cutout oon the mold is 150% larger and there is no home button it's touch sensitive now.
For all the people saying that the iPhone sucks because it doesn't have a flash, just remember that every phone has it's flaw. The N95 or whatever isn't perfect and I know that without even ever using one. I own an iPhone and there are some things I dislike about it but overall it's the best phone I've ever had. A missing flash on the camera doesn't mean the phone is a piece of s**t so grow up and quit trying to find things that are wrong with it. You sound like a little 2 year-old who can't be pleased no matter what.
Here is your logic:
All products are flawed
Ignore the above statement
/facpalm
clearly, that should be /facepalm.
Yes, they're molds- for the current iphone
so...how is it different from the 1st gen iphone??? can you tell by just looking at the mold of the device??? and whats the buzz about???
Holy mold ejectors!!!! There's like over 100 of them!
I don't really care if this is legit or not, because most likely it is not. To all you people that are complaining that the 3D image doesn't match the mold because the top cutout is sooooo much larger...............did you even stop to think that the 3D image, is a 3D representation of the new iPhone? They then used that as a reference to make the mold around it.......it is obviously not a 3D representation of the mold itself!! I would have thought that wasn't a very hard thing to grasp, but more then a few people in this forum just don't get it. The top cutout is longer because the light and proximity sensor is hidden behind the glass right next to the ear piece on the original iPhone, and maybe that is the same with the next one.
So no forward facing camera? The hole is still in the same place as the original IPhone.
(for the sake of argument becuse i don't believe these are legit)
There still could be a forward-facing camera. Remember, the patent Apple got in 2004 is for lots of little microcameras between the pixels of the screen, which then put together one complete image. It would be perfect for videochatting (as you can look directly at the person), and 4 years is about right to go from patent app to reality (keeping in mind most patent apps go nowhere).
Still, I'm hoping!
Why should be the manufacturer "GRIFFIN" stamped on the backcase???
Makes no sense...
I have a Griffin case and their company name is stamped on the back - on top of the black part of the phone. if it's on the front it'll look ugly. I bought my clear plastic casing because it looked clean and simple.
Nice Pro/e part.
I live in a world with daylight, which is quite handy when producing nice pictures on my iPhone.
Dammit, my comment was @ Engadgetluvsappl
The only 'hysteria' I'm seeing here is Engadget's uncontrollable urge to go on and on and on about the ruddy iPhone.
I mean, come on. What a non story.
I don't about anyone else, but I threw my cases/skins out the window for my iPhone after about the 2nd week. The phone is meant to be NAKED and for you to feel is smooth and sexy body!
But seriously...this isn't news..
Does Engadget have no filter on what it decides is worth posting about iPhone anymore? I don't mind reading real news about the franchise, but come on, we all know the 3G iPhone is coming, so do we really need to hear every detail about every component up until it's actually in stores?
No new design for a upgraded product? thats not very "apple"
The iPhone model pictured is thicker and has a rounded backplate compared to the flat back of the current iPhone
I don't know why people think this isn't news. It gives you an idea of the shape of the phone and tells you that there probably is a new sensor in the front and most importantly tells us there is a new design for the phone.
besides that I guess it tells us that we'll probably see an early june launch if they've already completely the tool for the case and I since its from griffin it seams to back up the previous size rumors.
but the cool thing like most the articles that you don't like, is you can just scroll past them if you don't like them. It seams alot of people haven't figured that out yet?
@ritschie:
Has anyone considered that the whole thing was photoshopped?
Before I say what I'm going to say let me just say it makes me happy as an iphone owner.
I don't think using the word hysteria is appropriate because "people don't care" as much as they did with the first release. Apples biggest flaw was honestly releasing the 2G version(yeah I SAID IT) and not just waiting until it could release a 3G model. We all are pretty much expecting the same thing and they will deliver or not and if they don't we will move over to the competition which has become numerous.
I would like to see more articles showing how many current owners will even bother with 3G or how many have abandoned the 2G for a 3G phone. I love apple products but I am a consumer so first apple fanboy second and the HTC, LG, and samsung phones are looking pretty good already.
What a great laugh this lot is. I'm with adam on this one. It's a goddam phone and if I wanna take a picture of something I use my Nikon D300 which has something less than a bazillion megapixel sensor ut close to it. It might be 20 times heavier that the iPhone but man does it take a kick arse photo...... even has a built in flash too.