Images of Griffin's 3G iPhone case mold revealed online?

[AppleInsider]

Photographs that appear to show a finalized mold for a 3G iPhone case from well-known iPod and iPhone accessory maker Griffin Technology have been posted online.

Little-known iDealsChinaInsider claims to have personally taken the photos (below), which it claims "should once and for all verify the iPhone 3G size and the position of the new camera and sensors."


Specifically, the photos are said to be of Griffin's upcoming Flex GRIP iPhone 3G silicone case mold, which was built with help from 3G iPhone specifications provided to the company under non-disclosure agreements.

In supporting its claims that Griffin would be privy to such information, iDealsChinaInsider notes that the accessory maker is arguably one of the most trusted companies in the iPod accessory business.

Assuming they're authentic, the photos would appear to corroborate reports that the next-generation iPhone would sport a slightly more bulbous backside with a broader array of sensors near the ear piece, one of which could presumably be a much-rumored front-side camera.







Assuming it already has a design for a case in mind, iDealsChinaInsider notes that it takes accessory makers like Griffin approximately 14 to 19*days to create a silicon case from the time it gains possession of the handset's specs, and another week or so to get the product on the open market.

The process includes a day to obtain the specs, two days to scan a model of an iPhone based off the specs, a day to model the mold, 8-10 days to create the actual mold, and 3-5 days to express mail the mold to a manufacturing partner.

On Tuesday, a similar set of photos purportedly showing an empty 3G iPhone shell were also posted online.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[solipsism]

Okay, I'd like to officially go on record that I believe these leaked photos and mockups are what the new iPhone will look like.

[bukweet]

Agreed. I think this is the real deal.

Whew!... glad to see not much deviation from the original iPhone, to which I've grown quite accustomed.

[ncee]

Not sure if I'd want to be anyone at Griffin right now.
Someone is going to take a ton of shiit for this leaking out … if it's for real.

Skip

[SmallFry]

This is getting very exciting. The anticipation is almost too much for me to bear!

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by bukweet

Agreed. I think this is the real deal.

Whew!... glad to see not much deviation from the original iPhone, to which I've grown quite accustomed.

One deviation is the shape of the bevel. The new style makes it appear that the display's edge is farther from the case edge, making it appear smaller or the case appear larger than the current model. I've already read several complaints about this on AI. Psychological or not, this will surely annoy many more people once the device lands.

[Booga]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Okay, I'd like to officially go on record that I believe these leaked photos and mockups are what the new iPhone will look like.

I think this "Griffin" company (if that is their real name) is just a media rumor. They have a nice website and some very compelling products, which were all set up as an elaborate ruse years ago for the sole purpose of misleading the rumor sites about the 3G iPhone.

[freethinker]

Originally Posted by Kolchak

You got it right earlier in the article -- silicone, not silicon. But a silicon case would be an interesting first. Silicon carbide would be even more interesting.

I think I see the Virgin Mary in that silicon case mold!

[freethinker]

Originally Posted by Kolchak

You got it right earlier in the article -- silicone, not silicon. But a silicon case would be an interesting first. Silicon carbide would be even more interesting.

I think I see the Virgin Mary in that silicone case mold!

[Kolchak]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

iDealsChinaInsider notes that it takes accessory makers like Griffin approximately 14 to 19 days to create a silicon case from the time it gains possession of the handset's specs, and another week or so to get the product on the open market.

You got it right earlier in the article -- silicone, not silicon. But a silicon case would be an interesting first. Silicon carbide would be even more interesting.

[Captain Jack]

I actually stunned how Apple has managed to keep this as secret as it is, there must be a stack of these phones out there and to date the best we have are molds and cases etc. Kudos for keeping it so secret with this insane amount of interest.

Still, this is probably the real deal, but you know, you never know, easy to slip misinformation as well.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by bukweet

Agreed. I think this is the real deal.

Whew!... glad to see not much deviation from the original iPhone, to which I've grown quite accustomed.

Same here. This is not some phony mock-up. Those are real molds. Griffin is gonna get their butts kicked to Taiwan by Teh Furious Steve.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by Captain Jack

I actually stunned how Apple has managed to keep this as secret as it is, there must be a stack of these phones out there and to date the best we have are molds and cases etc. Kudos for keeping it so secret with this insane amount of interest.

Still, this is probably the real deal, but you know, you never know, easy to slip misinformation as well.

It would be hilarious to discover that Apple has been feeding misinformation this whole time to these sites. I'd love that.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

It would be hilarious to discover that Apple has been feeding misinformation this whole time to these sites. I'd love that.

That would be great.

[Macd-to-death]

The shape has pretty clearly been established.

But is anyone else holding out the hope that the color/material scheme is metallic, rather than plastic?

I'd settle for ceramic, I suppose. But black/white casings just seem like an odd movement backward. I have trouble believing Jobs would change the design paradigm back to plastic after all the praise the 1st-gen model got for its "substantial" feeling.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by Macd-to-death

I have trouble believing Jobs would change the design paradigm back to plastic after all the praise the 1st-gen model got for its "substantial" feeling.

Just as parts can be made with cheap metal, plastics can feel substantial. They won't be cool to the touch like metal or feel hot when you pick up a charging iPhone, but the type of plastic, its density and and construction are what is important.

The use of a rounded edge adds structural support and to make it feel more natural when held. So many other inexpensive handheld devices use cheap plastic, poor ergonomics, cheap snap together design, and flimsy access panels for the battery cover. Sure, some will complain, but the images we are seeing here have none of those downfalls.

[pooped]

this finally looks more like it was described to me by 2 different people who've held a prototype in their hands:
thicker and taller (longer). they also both complained about it being heavier.
one works for one of the european phone network companies, the other is a tech-freak, they didn't specify anything about storage size or any extra camera's, just bitched about the size. wouldn't give me any more info.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by pooped

this finally looks more like it was described to me by 2 different people who've held a prototype in their hands:
thicker and taller (longer).
they also both complained about it being heavier.
no other news though, they didn't specify anything about storage size or any extra camera's, just bitched about the size.

But the screen real estate will be larger, therefore the keys will be larger, the 2 lenses will be a much needed improvement, and GPS will more than make up for any weight increase. I'm seriously salivating over iPhone 2 (the fantasy version).

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by pooped

thicker and taller (longer).
they also both complained about it being heavier.

That coincides with the need for a larger battery to maintain the same, or better, battery life. I'd prefer this route over keeping the same size and weight but allowing the device to die sooner.


PS: I am more excited to see new iPhone broken down into its core parts than I am to get one. i want to see how many off the shelf parts they have used this time around compared to the current iPhone.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

But the screen real estate will be larger, therefore the keys will be larger.

Do you think the screen width is slightly larger? I also thought the display looked wider on one leaked pic, but other leaked pics make it look like it's the same screen size and dimensions, with the bevel curve change creating an optical illusion.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Do you think the screen width is slightly larger? I also thought the display looked wider on one leaked pic, but other leaked pics make it look like it's the same screen size and dimensions, with the bevel curve change creating an optical illusion.

Hard to tell... it would be most helpful for these spy pix to include a ruler next to the purported iPhone2.

[nagromme]

I like the case--simpler and less cluttered than most skins.

As for the sensor slot... Apple could have just re-arranged the existing sensors all into a one line. Old cases had extra sensor space around the ear-slot (just not all in a line), and that didn't mean a camera. New designs have space next to the ear-slot instead. That doesn't mean a camera either. Would be cool though.

[SpamSandwich]

Still hoping for the addition of a mind-reading module.

[pmoeser]

Originally Posted by freethinker

I think I see the Virgin Mary in that silicone case mold!

Does anyone know how early Apple sent out device moulds to case makers for iPods?
Steve didn't tell anyone at Apple about iPhone 1. I really struggle with him letting case makers in China have access to iPhone 2 specs before release.

Virgin Mary? I thought it was Steve Ballmer....

Still hoping for the addition of a mind-reading module.

The feature I'd like to see is the toaster attachment. Now that would affect battery life!

[rosstheboss]

i'm sure it'll come in the usual excessive packaging that all third party accessories do.

Why oh why?


Considering Apple's "environmental" policy, and to be honest, their packaging is pretty minimal and thoughtful...yes the accessories are backed in layer upon layer of plastic and fancy materials.

[pcasanova]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Same here. This is not some phony mock-up. Those are real molds. Griffin is gonna get their butts kicked to Taiwan by Teh Furious Steve.

Those molds do look like the real thing but, I see 2 male alignment pins So i don't think this is for a 1 piece silicone case. The construction of the mold looks like it's going to be for a 2 piece cover that clips together.

So I don't think Steve is to upset showing the the outer skins to a mold, but they failed to show the other sides to the mold which in fact shown the shape of the phone.

[Footloose301]

I just hope the ringer/speaker phone is louder, or I'm not buying it.

[bavlondon2]

Its getting closer!!!!! I cant wait.

[addabox]

Originally Posted by Footloose301

I just hope the ringer/speaker phone is louder, or I'm not buying it.

Yeah. Everything louder: ringtones, speakerphone, earpiece, alerts, alarm clock, everything.

Does Jobs have freakishly keen hearing and had everything pitched to his speck? Is it a by-product of making the phone as thin as possible? It's confounding.

[gloss]

Originally Posted by Footloose301

I just hope the ringer/speaker phone is louder, or I'm not buying it.

I hear that the newer builds of the iPhone are considerably louder than the originals.

[Footloose301]

Originally Posted by gloss

I hear that the newer builds of the iPhone are considerably louder than the originals.

And I heard Santa Claus is African-American.

Where do you get that info?

[jennyyu]

yes, it is true. Griffin has released a line of iphone 3g cases. but i am disappointed, it seems that they have little difference with other no-name cases, but more expensive.......
http://www.sourcingmap.com/iphone-cases-c-983_1757.html