Some have said the iPhone will come with Near-Field Communication technology, or NFC, which lets phones connect with other phones or devices when brought near each other. Already some Android phones use NFC to work as payment devices, but the latest rumors say Apple won¿t be incorporating the technology. Read more: Back and forth NFC rumors.
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Rumor roundup: The new iPhone

The rumor: Near-field communication

Some have said the iPhone will come with Near-Field Communication technology, or NFC, which lets phones connect with other phones or devices when brought near each other. Already some Android phones use NFC to work as payment devices, but the latest rumors say Apple won¿t be incorporating the technology.

Read more: Back and forth NFC rumors.  (Kiichiro Sato / Associated Press)

The rumor: Earlier release for iPhone 5 -- plus that longer screen

In late May, talk was of an earlier-than-October release for the next iPhone. And the Japanese blog Macotakara shot footage of a new, longer glass screen that might belong to the iPhone 5.

Read more hardware details.  (Macotakara / YouTube)

The rumor: A piece of the puzzle? Alleged iPhone 5 back cover

This time, it was the alleged back cover of the next iPhone that emerged. Made of brushed metal, it hinted at a longer, thinner iPhone. It also appears to have a new and much smaller dock connector along its bottom side, redesigned speaker grills, and a headphone jack located along the bottom.

Check out what else this new cover might mean.  (Etradesupply / YouTube)

The rumor: Before his death, Steve Jobs had his say on iPhone 5

In mid-May a report said that before his death Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs had a hand in the design of the upcoming iPhone. Above, Jobs shows off the new Macbook Air ultra portable laptop during his keynote speech at the 2008 MacWorld Conference & Expo.

Read more: Did Jobs compromise on screen size?  (Tony Avelar / AFP / Getty Images)

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