Rumour: iPhone 5 With Slide Out Keyboard? Hell No

Lots of iPhone rumours today. First, we heard about the iPhone Nano (check out mockups here), and now AppleInsider reports on the rumours of iPhone 5 prototypes seen with a slide out keyboard, via a Taiwanese website:

The new details come from tw.apple.pro, but are the result of a rough online translation. The site’s source claimed that Apple has built three prototype models for its anticipated “iPhone 5,” and one of them has a “sliding cover” that conceals a keyboard.

Another prototype reportedly built by Apple looks largely like the iPhone 4, but has improved hardware including longer battery life and superior camera. That version of the handset would not be a major physical change from the previous-generation iPhone 4, and would be akin to the iPhone 3GS replacing the iPhone 3G, the report said.

Ain’t gonna happen.

Remember this? Steve Jobs introducing the original iPhone, in 2007:

“What’s wrong with their user interfaces? Well, the problem with them is really in the bottom 40 there. It’s this stuff right here [screen shows physical keyboards]. They all have these keyboards that are there whether you need them or not to be there. And they all have these control buttons that are fixed in plastic.”

Fast forward to 5:05:

I don’t see Apple going back in time, and introducing a physical keyboard. That’s the last thing Steve Jobs would ever do.

What do you think? Do you still crave a physical keyboard?

[AppleInsider via tw.apple.pro]

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