The iPhone 5 appears ready to break cover, according to one technology expert, who predicted that the new wireless communications device will influence "every other manufacturer for at least the next 12 months".
James Holland, editor at electricpig.co.uk, a gadget news website that aims to deliver the latest on technology and gadgets, also observed that Microsoft and Nokia are edging closer to pushing Windows Phone 7 into the mainstream.
"The first Nokia devices to run Microsoft's software have been promised soon and could be the stiffest competition to the iPhone and Android yet," Mr Holland remarked.
This comes shortly after Jason Jenkins, editor of CNET UK, said that the iPhone has gathered momentum like no other phone before it.
Unless Apple makes a major error, Mr Jenkins said that it is hard to see its market dominance being threatened in the next six to 12 months.
"That said, the smartphone market is incredibly competitive, and phones running Google's Android software are getting better all the time, so there are no guarantees of success here," he conceded.
Posted by Simon Jones