iPhone 5 rumor roll-up for the week ending Sept. 23

23.09.2011

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT:

That probably excludes the big-box consumer electronics sales clerks not to mention the Apple supply chain employees, who are the typical go-to sources even if they're not-quite-so-close to the situation.

The tech blog reports that "sources said that the Oct. 4 date has been selected by the company to showcase the iPhone 5. Sources added that the plan is now to make the new device available for purchase within a few weeks after the announcement."

This is a Big Deal for more reasons than just the iPhone 5, as unbelievable as that might sound. And why? Because Steve Jobs, no longer Apple's CEO, almost certainly won't be making the introduction, according to AllThingsD. "It will be newly installed CEO Tim Cook's first big product introduction, and the place where the public will get a first lengthy impression of him that may well set the tone for Cook's new role."

First impressions are so important. Like, will he be wearing a black mock turtleneck, trainers and blue jeans, or make ?