We've got a double dose of Apple rumors today, though it looks like only one of the pair may actually have some legs to it. That one comes all the way from the Middle East. The region will be getting its first iPhones shortly, as customers in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will finally be able to purchase the handsets. According to an executive at the company bringing the iPhone to the area, starting in June the company will be selling a new model of the iPhone, making its worldwide debut at the same time.

We picked up on the first clues pointing to a new iPhone last week, with some product code clues buried in the latest firmware. Although these indicated that Apple was probably testing out some kind of future iPhone-like device, there really wasn't anything to go on. While we still don't know just what to expect from a next-gen iPhone, now at least we have a timeline of sorts in place. While this could easily be a misunderstanding or misquote, it's nice to think that someone in the know slipped up. Sure, the executive may have violated an NDA or two, but how else are we supposed to get any juicy rumors?

In other Apple rumor news, some bloggers are waving around the latest Apple patent gaining attention, claiming it's proof of an official MacBook tablet. The application for a patent on a "Display Housing for Computing Device" may look like a tablet at first, but those who have taken the time to read through it all are saying that it's standard laptop fodder: hinged display, keyboard, and all. They can't all pan out, can they?

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