It is official-- the next big Apple launch event will happen on September 12 2012, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco.
The location is significant, seeing it is where Apple tends to launch new products. What product this time? The invitation image says "it's almost here," on top of a giant "12" with a shadow reading... 5. What else?
Maybe some were expecting a glimpse of the legendary (as in like a unicorn) Apple TV set, or a smaller iPad mini, or... something entirely new?
Then again recent rumours suggest Apple does not want to dilute media attention (or free marketing) from the iPhone 5-- meaning any non-iPhone devices will get a separate launch event on a later date.
What will the iPhone 5 look like? Maybe just like an iPhone 4, but sharper eyed IFA 2012 visitors might have seen an interesting beast within the jungle of smaller, more obscure stands... an iPhone 5 cover mockup from to an unnamed device cover maker.
First spotted by GSM Israel, the supposed "new" iPhone has an elongated 4-inch screen, shrunken dock connector, repositioned headphone jack and a 2-tone colour back.
Either way, knowing Apple the only way to actually know on what will be shown on the September 12 is... to actually follow the event. Mark the date on your calendar, if you must.