If you head on over to Gizmodo you can take a look at a plethora of other pictures of the purported new iPhone from Apple.  I’m sure many of you are ready to call shenanigans, but the guys over at Gizmodo have carefully examined, tinkered with, and agreed that this iPhone is the real deal.  It came from an anonymous source who found it in a bar, which, isn’t inspiring really, but what is inspiring is that after dissecting the device and poking around its innards, all of the hardware was meticulously crafted and multiple components had Apple’s name on them. Further lending validity to this device being the new iPhone is the fact that when connected to iTunes it is recognized as an iPhone.

There’s video of the device itself, but nothing of it operating as Apple apparently nuked the device remotely.  From what the guys over at Gizmodo could discern, the following features will be present in the next iPhone if this alleged prototype is any indication:

• Better camera with flash
• Front-facing camera
• No more tapered edges, opting for a flush, flat look and feel
• Slightly heavier due to larger battery
• Back casing remains plastic, likely in a bid to increase reception for the internal antenna
• Two volume buttons instead of a continuous rocker
• Microphone located at the top of the device as well as the bottom, possibly in a bid to increase call clarity
• Aluminum edging with exposed seams (however, it’s possible this will be changed once the final model makes its debut)
• Screen appears slightly smaller, though much higher resolution as was evidenced by the ‘Connect to iTunes’ screen

Now, I’m not going to say that this isn’t a legitimate leak, but what I will say is I think this may be a purposeful, coordinated marketing effort by Apple to jump-start the hype machine prior to its announcement at the WWDC this summer.

What do you think of the new device?  Was it a leak, or a carefully orchestrated marketing effort?