Apple has finished decorating the front facade of the Yerba Buena center in preparation for their September 12th media event. Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 5 at that event. At initial glance, the front decoration seems to show no obvious clues as to their announcements.
However, one eagle eyed MacRumors forum visitor believes the facade show stretched iOS icons. Zaym points out that you can see stretched versions of iOS icons including Game Center, iTunes, Music and App Store in the image and provides an example image.
After taking the above image and skewing it and shrinking it, we've verified his findings. Several icons are clearly recognizable in their un-stretched form:
Game Center (upside down above), iTunes and Music icons:
Of course, speculation on the reason for the stretched icons points to the long-running rumors that Apple will be introducing a taller iPhone with a 4" diagonal screen. Our complete iPhone 5 roundup details everything we expect in the new iPhone.
Update: Another take on the icons from roosternugget:
Friday October 30, 2026 3:20 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
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Thursday October 29, 2026 1:47 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
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Thursday October 29, 2026 11:52 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
In the U.S. and most other countries, Apple's website shows the new iPad mini being held by pinched fingers, but this is not the case in South Korea.
The new iPad mini shown with pinched fingers on Apple's website in the U.S.
On its South Korean website, Apple simply shows an image of the iPad mini on its own.
The new iPad mini shown without pinched fingers on Apple's website in South Korea ...
I think this is evidence that each launch page will only have one row of icons, but that each row will be very tall. Icons that aren't updated will be stretched to 5x their ordinary height.
Psh, this is evidence of a 3-story iPhone.
People wanted a bigger screen, and they're getting one.
I think this is evidence that each launch page will only have one row of icons, but that each row will be very tall. Icons that aren't updated will be stretched to 5x their ordinary height.
Edit: Better than MR's distorted picture, just look at the original picture from edge on (IE: open the image on an iOS device and put the charging port to your nose. Adjust the angle until you can perfectly make out the icon.)
If you're standing right against the facade of the building and look up, I imagine the icons will look right. Maybe that's all Apple was really going for when they made the banner.