The iPhone 5 has been a very rumored device for the past two years and, and even after its non existence, and the rather disappointing announcement of the 4S, everyone is wondering, what will happen to the iPhone 5?

Recently, Apple has filed ownership for the internet domain name “iPhone5.com” and what makes this interesting is that the website is already a forum for the device. From the looks of it, there are only two equally possible options. Either the phone exists, and this is Apple trying to claim the domain name in order to set up a redirect for the announcement and launch, or this is a just Apple acquiring domain names related to their brand.

I feel like, and certainly hope, that is the first. Since the closing of Apple’s forums, Apple has always promoted fan sites, so it seems unlikely they would want to close one down. Then again, they could always request the site to transfer to another domain.

I also feel like the next iPhone could go the way of the iPad in the terms of the naming of the device, but in a world of numbered and uniquely identifiable, I don’t see them changing their working advertising method for the very successful phone.

The identification number for the filing is D2012-0951 if you want to follow the news further.

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