[NewsPoster]

Detailed blueprints of Apple's iPhone 5 that have been created for use by aftermarket product manufacturers have appeared on Apple's Developer website. Unusually, despite being posted on the Apple developer portal, the link to the document (pdf) appears to be accessible by anybody. @JoelJohnson made the find and posted the link to his Twitter account.

The blueprints advise case makers not to make metal on metal contact with parts of the iPhone 5 that are made from aluminum. It also advises case makers not to obstruct the rear glass portions of the device with metal as these were deliberately designed by Apple in this way to reduce the radio interference that would come if they had used an all-aluminum back case. More obvious directions include advising case makers to avoid covering acoustic openings including those for the front mic, rear mic, earpiece and speaker. The same advice applies for cameras, the flash, and sensors. Also provided are detailed measurements of the iPhone 5. It is yet another detailed insight into the iPhone 5, ahead of the device actually going on sale, joining the numerous accurate leaks ahead of its formal launch last Wednesday.

[Mario Halevi]

These resources are available (https://developer.apple.com/resources/cases/) so that anyone interested in designing cases for Apple products have the right dimensions and specifications.
Nothing extraordinary here.

[prl99]

Mario is correct. These have been available for every iPod, iPhone, and iPad since they first came out. I don't remember if they were restricted to only ADC members but they definitely don't have anything to do with the leaks. Apple opened up the various resource libraries to everyone as well. Xcode is now available without an account so the only thing you still need an ADC account for are the beta versions and way too many people, as well as this website, violate the terms of the NDA by talking about pre-released software so MacNN is as guilty of leaking information as anyone else.

[blahblahbber]

Macnn is only guilty if the acquired information was obtained through crApple's website directly, which then you would have to read the terms and conditions and agree before continuing. If the information is obtained through journalist means, then there is a layer of protection... but since crApple is crApple, they too seem to strong-arm journalists as history has shown.

[Gazoobee]

Why does everyone keep calling these "blueprints"? Doesn't anyone know the difference between a blueprint and a simple measured drawing? Blueprints would allow one to recreate the iPhone. These are nothing more than the outside measurements of the device so case manufacturers know where to put the holes. NOT "Blueprints."

[Dave Sidaway]

Originally Posted by Gazoobee 

Why does everyone keep calling these "blueprints"? Doesn't anyone know the difference between a blueprint and a simple measured drawing? Blueprints would allow one to recreate the iPhone. These are nothing more than the outside measurements of the device so case manufacturers know where to put the holes. NOT "Blueprints."

The term "blueprint" harkens back to the days when a draughtsman would create prints of his drawings that would result in the print having white lines on a blue background. Eventually that changed to become blue lines on a white background and then CAD changed everything.

Today the term "blueprint" refers to a working print from an original drawing... any drawing... issued for the purposes of conveying information... for any purpose.