Rumors of new iPhone date strengthen

As leaked photos from tech sites multiply on the Web, speculation is mounting Apple will announce a new version of its iPhone on Sept. 12, tech watchers say. The photos and samples from Apple's supply chain point to a longer, thinner phone with a larger screen and longer battery life. There's also evidence of a new 9-pin connector on its base, sure to concern the scores of companies selling accessories for the 30-pin connector on existing iPhones, iPads and iPods. In addition, the possibility of Apple unveiling a smaller 7-inch iPad Mini in October to join its 10-inch big brother is looking more and more certain, analysts say. "I was skeptical about it but there are so many rumors from different sources -- companies in China, colleagues in China -- that it seems it's a reality," Francisco Jeronimo, smartphones and tablets analyst for the research company IDC, told Britain's The Guardian newspaper. The October launch date for the new iPad has been chosen, analysts suggest, so as not to dilute interest in the new iPhone at its September release.