Rumors

9to5Mac has posted several photos of Apple's next-generation iPhone. The photos show the iPhone's new metal back plates, the rumored smaller dock connector and that the earphone jack has been moved to the bottom corner of the device. 9to5Mac also notes that the "speaker grills have been redesigned, and there is a new opening between the camera lens and the LED flash."

"We’re not sure what this opening is, but it is possible that Apple is moving the second microphone (Apple started shipping two microphones with the iPhone 4) to the back for improved audio capture during video recording."

Could bending and twisting iPhones be coming to consumers in 2012? Not likely, however a report in Korea Times has industry watchers talking about flexible screen technology anyway. Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Kwon Oh-hyun told the publication his company is getting ``huge’’ orders for its line of flexible OLED displays.

When it comes to component manufacturers getting huge orders for their products, Apple immediately comes to mind as a likely buyer. Apple has been one of Samsung's largest customers for mobile displays despite their competition in the smartphone market and raging patent battles.

Those "people familiar with the matter" are at it again, this time telling the Wall Street Journal that Apple is "ordering bigger screens from its Asian suppliers." According to the Journal's sources, the next generation iPhone could feature a 4-inch display instead of the normal 3.5-inch display. Many believe that Apple will unveil the new iPhone with larger screen sometime this fall.

It has also been rumored that Apple has been testing and consider releasing a smaller iPad in 2012. Apple has stuck to the same 3.5-inch display for its iPhones, and the same 9.7-inch display for its tablets since both devices were originally introduced.

Google wants to keep 100% of its mobile search revenue, and plans to do so by releasing Google Chrome for iOS devices before the end of the year, according to Macquarie analyst Ben Schacter.

Schacter writes: "Apple may already be reviewing Google’s submitted code for a Chrome browser for iOS."

It's unknown whether Apple will approve or reject the Chrome browser, but Schacter claims we can expect it sometime this year.

"Schacter says we can expect a Chrome browser for iOS as soon as Q2, but if not this quarter, then definitely this year."

According to Business Insider, Google must share an estimated 50%-60% of its search revenue with Apple. If Google cuts out Apple's Safari browser they will then get to keep 100% of their revenue.

iOS 6 rumors are heating up now that the WWDC is about a month away. Here is what Apple is expected to unveil or at least preview at the event.

AllThingsD has confirmed an earlier report by 9to5Mac that claimed Apple would ditch Google Maps in favor for a new Maps app.

“Sources tell 9to5Mac that Apple will abandon Google’s mapping backend in the next major iteration of iOS, replacing it with a brand new mapping application powered by Apple technology. We’ve independently confirmed that this is indeed the case. Sources describe the new Maps app as a forthcoming tent-pole feature of iOS that will, in the words of one, 'blow your head off.' " - John Paczkowski from AllThingsD