Pssst! Have you heard? The Rumor Mill’s been a-churnin’ about a new iPhone 5 release in September!

According to inside buzz, the new iPhone 5 might be lighter and slimmer than the iPhone 4, with an upgraded eight-megapixel camera and possibly a larger screen.

Here are some other potential features to look forward to:

• A faster A5 Processor
• IOS 5 Operating System, which brings more than 200 features including Notification Center, iMessage, Twitter, Newsstand, enhanced photo functions and more
• More Storage
• Face Recognition Security
• Video Chat on a 4G network
• Shatter-resistant and scratch-resistant screen
• Longer battery life
• HD Audio
• Built-in GPS
• Separate rear camera from the flash to reduce “red eye”
• Dual Core Processors for speedy downloads
• More powerful graphics chip cards, to provide better video and still images
• Personalized ring tones

Another major feature that’s expected to launch is “Assistive Touch.” Rather than physically pushing a Home, Mute or Volume button, users can simply just tap the screen’s touch panel to perform these tasks, as well as use “Gestures” like “Pinch” and “Swipe.” This is a terrific enhancement for folks that might have trouble with the traditional hardware buttons. Here’s what it might look like:

Word on the street is that beta testing’s already underway at AT&T and T-Mobile, where the phone carriers are verifying that the iPhone 5 is working properly and reporting any issues back to Apple.

Sales are expected to be swift. Reports shows that the iPhone 5 is projected to be five times more profitable than its predecessor. Sources claim that Taiwanese company “Pegatron Technology” already received an order for 15 million iPhone 5 units that are scheduled for a September shipment.

And while Apple has remained mum on everything, Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer hinted in their earnings report that a “future product transition would impact the September quarter.”

So how do you get your hands on one of these new toys? And better yet, how can you get the best price?

Start by buying discounted gift cards at Plastic Jungle! iPhone products can be purchased at Apple Stores, as well as at AT&T Stores, Verizon Stores, Best Buy, Radio Shack and Walmart. Stock up on gift cards now so you’ll have them ready in time for the September launch.

Need to check the balance on your Apple Store Card? Simply call 1-888-320-3301 and follow the instructions. You can also see your balance by visiting the account area of the Apple Store online.

Do you have some old gift cards gathering dust and would rather have the cash to spend on an iPhone 5? Sell ‘em to Plastic Jungle! We’ll buy your unused gift cards for up to 92% of their value.

What iPhone 5 feature are YOU looking forward to most? I personally would love to see longer battery life. In addition to air, food, water and chocolate, it seems like I can’t get through a day without constant access to an iPhone charger!

References: www.iphone5release.org, www.iphone5specs.org, www.hubpages.com/hub/iPhone-5-Review,
www.iphone5rumours.com/2011/07/19/july-19th-ios-5-to-feature-gestures-to-replace-buttons/, www.businessinsider.com/iphone-5-rumors-2011-6#

Apple makes it easy for you to give the gift of technology. Check out the help on their Gifting Page to discover the many ways you can give an Apple gift card for use toward an iPad, iPhone, MacBook, and all the fun Apple devices. Get a deal on an Apple Store gift (or purchase!) by buying discounted gift cards right here on the web’s largest secured gift card exchange.

Delicious! Get discounts on the Apple Store Gift Card at Plastic Jungle.

The Apple Store is an online technology treasure chest for everyone from teachers to professionals to kids getting their first iMac for school. Apple Store retail locations are incredibly fun places to play with the hottest and latest technology-made-friendly. Shop Mac computers (MacBooks, iMacs, Mac Pro), iPhones, iPods, iPads, and accessories. You can also get a ton of help and support online and in-store.

Hot Tip: The Apple gift card is not interchangeable with iTunes gift cards. You can’t use an Apple gift card toward iTunes purchases. BUT you can use an Apple gift card to purchase an iTunes gift card or gift certificate. To get information on checking iTunes gift card balances, check our blog post regarding iTunes gift cards.

To check the balance on your unused or partially used Apple gift cards, we’ve got the information and links you’ll need.

Check your Apple Gift Card Balance

PHONE: 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753)

ONLINE: Note that you will have to create an Apple ID – an Apple account that will give you an online ID to help you find your balance. Check the balance of your Apple Store gift card.

IN-STORE: Check the Apple Store locator for a location near you.

Once you’ve acquired your Apple Store gift card balance, you can sell your Apple gift card to Plastic Jungle, and save yourself the hassle of carrying around unused money. There are a few ways you can optimize your sale, including trading for an Amazon.com Gift Card, funding your PayPal balance, or having a check mailed to you.

To know how much your Apple gift card is worth in exchange on Plastic Jungle, on the main page, click “Sell Gift Cards” at the top of the page. Look up Apple Store, enter the gift card balance you’ve just acquired, and you’ll see instantly what your gift card balance is worth in cash or trade.

Check other Plastic Jungle blog posts for the same “Check Your Gift Card Balance” information for other stores, including Sears, Land’s End, Macy’s, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and more.

Was your latest gift an iPod, iPod touch or iPad or iPhone? Lucky!

iTunes sells music, books, apps and TV shows for your iPad, iPod, iPod Touch or iPhone.

Hopefully you got an iTunes Gift Card to load it with media. The iTunes Gift Card is a hot property here on Plastic Jungle, scoring in the Top Ten of your favorite discounted gift cards to buy. In order to use the iTunes cards, you’ll need to set up an iTunes account online, and Apple is happy to show you how.

With your account, the iTunes Store (which is online only) makes it easy to purchase or give music in the MP3/AAC format to anyone: songs, albums, playlists, audiobooks, music videos, movies, and TV shows. And there are so many ways to pay: iTunes gift certificates, gift cards, the iTunes allowance. You can even send music, videos, audiobooks, and apps as gifts.

The iTunes Music Store Gift Card or Gift Certificate may be applied only toward the purchase of music on the iTunes Music Store online. Buy iTunes gift cards through the Apple Store, or get a deal on iTunes gift cards (or purchases!) by buying discounted iTunes gift cards / eCODEs right here on the web’s largest secured gift card exchange: Plastic Jungle.

Hot Tips:

Þ     The Apple gift card is not interchangeable with iTunes gift cards and vice versa. You can’t use an Apple gift card toward iTunes purchases. To get information on checking Apple Store gift card balances, check our blog post regarding Apple Store gift cards. Get good information on iTunes at the Apple Store Gifting Page (very detailed) or iTunes gift page (much simpler).

Þ     The iTunes Store is available only to persons age 13 or older in the U.S. and many other countries.

Þ     Once an iTunes gift card is redeemed, the ENTIRE BALANCE is transferred to your account. You can use it to purchase other iTunes gift cards, but otherwise you can’t refund this credit.

To check the balance on your unused or partially used iTunes gift cards, gift certificates, promo codes (or eCODES), we’ve got the information and links you’ll need.

Check your iTunes Gift Card Balance

iTunes Gift Cards add credit to your balance in the iTunes Store.

WEB and EMAIL: In order to find out the balance on your iTunes Gift Card, you will need to have the latest version of iTunes downloaded to your computer. When you set up your account, or within your existing account, you will have an opportunity to enter the code from the back of your gift card, or the eCODE from your email. Purchases are deducted from this amount, so the amount shown is the amount remaining.

You can also contact iTunes Support for the information. Click on the iTunes Cards and Codes section. They promise to get back to you within 48 hours.

IN-STORE: Bring your iTunes card into an Apple Store and one of the Apple Geniuses can help you find that balance and teach you how to do it at home. Check the Apple Store locator for a store near you.

PHONE: There is no call-in option for checking iTunes balances; you can call customer support to ask questions: 1-800-My-Apple (1-800-6927753).

Check other Plastic Jungle blog posts for the same “Check Your Gift Card Balance” information for other stores, including Sears, Land’s End, Macy’s, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and more.