iPhone 4S

Did you really believe Apple announcing its big iPhone event would put an end to all the next generation iPhone rumors? Sorry, not gonna happen! Prepare your last grains of salt, because here's the latest, and hopefully the last, iPhone 5 gossip!

While speaking at Macworld Asia, China Unicom's Deputy Director Huang Wenlian said the new iPhone 5 would feature HSPA+ 21Mbps data speeds. This comes from a poorly translated PC Watch report, but the image below is quite convincing.

9to5Mac found three next generation iPod Touch SKUs and two iPhone 4S SKUs in Apple's inventory system. The new iPhones are listed as N90A. The new device is believed to be the iPhone 4S since the iPhone 4 is codenamed N90. The new listings could also be for the rumored 8GB iPhone 4 mentioned by Reuters in August.

The wait is almost over! Apple sent out invites to select media outlets for their big event on October 4. The invitation featured four iOS icons of a clock, the date, a phone and a map with the tagline "Let's talk iPhone." Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to announce either the iPhone 5, "iPhone 4S," or both at the event.

Hopefully most of our questions will be answered and the iPhone 5 will be unveiled. Sprint should be announced as the newest U.S. iPhone carrier, and Facebook is also supposed to launch their new iPad app at the event. At least we know this will put an end to all the wild speculation and internet rumors.

Apple has blacked out employee vacations from October 9th through 12th and October 14th through 15th. A tipster told Apple Insider the first blackouts will coincide with the release of iOS 5, and the second block of dates are for the launch of Apple's fifth-generation iPhone.

"The first block of dates -- the 9th through the 12 -- could pertain to the release of iOS 5 for existing iOS device owners on Monday the 10th. As AppleInsider reported last week, certain segments of the company's AppleCare divisions have been told to prepare for an influx of iOS-related inquiries on that same day."

Up until now the iPhone 5 rumors have been pleasant and hopeful, but as we draw closer to the rumored Apple announcement in October, various sources are reporting things may not be as cheery as they seem.

John Paczkowski's announcement about an Apple media event on October 4th, made fans hopeful that the wait for the iPhone 5 would finally be over. However, 9to5Mac reported earlier the iPhone 5 could suffer shortages in 2011 due to a manufacturing problem. More bad news came from DigiTimes who reinforced 9to5's claim, adding that a bubble defect in the touch panels could be the cause for the delay.

T-Mobile Chief Marketing Officer Cole Brodman confirmed that they would not be getting the iPhone 5 "this year." However, his statement could mean a lot of things.

According to one sales associate, Sprint will be offering the iPhone 4 to their subscribers in 2011, not the iPhone 5. This could be a mistake on the employee's part, or maybe both Sprint and T-Mobile customers will have to wait longer for the next generation device.

J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz thinks Apple is going to have a great year by offering the "iPhone 4-plus", a low-end replacement for the iPhone 3GS, on more carriers. Apple doesn't seem to be in a hurry to launch the iPhone 5, and could have decided to expand its customer base by only offering the revamped iPhone 4 to T-Mobile and Sprint. This could also be due to the iPhone 5 production delays mentioned by 9to5Mac a few days ago. If Apple is expecting iPhone 5 shortages in 2011, they could be limiting the amount going to new carriers until production picks up in 2012. According to 9to5's report, the iPhone 4-plus is flying off the production line, and Apple should have plenty available for the upcoming holiday season, but the iPhone 5 might be limited in numbers.