NEW YORK – Apple shares shot higher yesterday after reports that the tech giant is has settled on a September date to launch a new version of its hot-selling iPhone – possibly along with a new “iPad Mini” tablet. The shares traded up almost US$10, or 1.7 per cent, to close at US$595.03.
The Wall Street Journal Web site AllThingsD said it had confirmed that Apple has scheduled a “special event” on September 12, but not whether it was for a new iPhone.
A Reuters report quoted the same date, saying a “source familiar with the plan” had told it this would be the long-awaited launch of the redesigned iPhone.
Reuters said the phone is expected to sport a thinner, larger screen and a smaller dock connector.Apple-monitoring blog iLounge meanwhile said it had heard “from a highly reliable source” that the new iPhone would be ready in mid-September” but cast doubts on whether the 7-inch iPad Mini would also make its debut on that date.
The iLounge report said reported plans for the mini-tablet “is a big question mark right now” and suggested that Apple could hold a separate event for the tablet – if indeed it becomes a reality.
