Al Gore expects more than one iPhone to be released next month

It appears that Apple board member and former Vice President Al Gore just slipped that multiple iPhones were coming out in October, according to reports.

"Not to mention the new iPhones coming out next month. That was a plug," Gore said at the Discovery Invest Leadership Summit in South Africa, as picked up by the The Next Web and CNET.

Yes, Gore said "phones," plural. Is Apple planning to release more than one new iPhone? it's certainly possible: All year long, there have been unconfirmed reports that Apple will release an iPhone 5 and an iPhone 4 "plus", a cheaper, smaller version of the current iPhone with only minor upgrades. How would a low-end iPhone fit into Apple's strategy? It could be an attempt to ward off Android and gain smartphone market share in other parts of the world.

Gore's comment makes three hot sources within a week claiming an October launch date for the next-generation iPhone. Yesterday, All Things Digital, which accurately pegged the date of the iPhone 4's launch last year, reported a source saying Apple will unveil the iPhone 5 on October 4. And last week, France Telecom CEO Stephane Richard reportedly said the iPhone 5 would be released on October 15. Add that all together and we've got the hottest launch date rumor yet.

This article, written by Sara Yin, originally appeared on PCMag.com and is republished on Gear Live with the permission of Ziff Davis, Inc.