Where are you getting the idea that the next iPhone is coming out soon? Base on rumors? By definition, normally the iPhone would have been out now if it was following the old pattern. Rumors have speculated Fall as well as early 2012. It's all speculation at this point.
I think the strategy has more to do with increasing reach and sales and maybe possibly due to the fact that they're potentially working on a dual GSM and CDMA compatible phone and may want to sell direct vs through a partner. Could be part of a larger plan (of course this is all my speculation as well).
>Where are you getting the idea that the next iPhone is coming out soon? Base on rumors? [...] It's all speculation at this point.
The speculation is the idea. By definition. Some people play it "safe" and apply probabilities of either 1 or 0 depending on whether something has been officially announced or not, respectively.
Others are less binary, opting instead to base their speculation on available information and past trends. martingordon seems to be from this school, rejecting the idea that something simply cannot exist before its announcement.
He probably speculated correctly about the release date of the Verizon iPhone in the US weeks before it was officially announced because the amount and depth of available information made it incorrect to speculate any other way. The binary folks waited until they heard it from someone official.
"Right on schedule, we are now hearing from 9to5Mac that the iPhone 5 has reached the final testing stage and should be ready in time for a September launch."
I think the strategy has more to do with increasing reach and sales and maybe possibly due to the fact that they're potentially working on a dual GSM and CDMA compatible phone and may want to sell direct vs through a partner. Could be part of a larger plan (of course this is all my speculation as well).