Apple iPhone 5 Rumor Points to Liquidmetal Case

In case you’re experiencing iPhone 5 rumor withdrawal, here are a few tidbits to keep you going.

Liquidmetal case

Rumors circulating this week suggest that the next iPhone will be encased in liquidmetal. It’s a metal alloy with a smooth surface that mashes up titanium, zirconium, nickel, copper, and other materials. A liquidmetal shell, said to be like metal glass, has “over twice the strength of titanium,” according to LiquidmetalTechnologies. Apple reportedly acquired a license to use this technology two years ago.

In-cell multi-touch technology

In-cell multi-touch technology is built into a TFT LCD panel, allowing a device to be both thinner and lighter while the screen is brighter. Reports are that Apple is buying this type of panel for use in the iPhone 5.

October availability

Some analysts predict the iPhone 5 will become available in October, one year after the iPhone 4S started shipping. One reason for the fall launch: Qualcomm, which is said to be supplying the iPhone 5’s LTE 4G radio, is experiencing supply constraints.