As Apple appears poised to fold its first chapter in a new form factor, accessory maker ESR has quietly announced its readiness — releasing cases and protective gear for devices that do not yet officially exist. This kind of anticipatory move, rare in its confidence, speaks to the deeper rhythms of the technology industry: supply chains whisper before companies speak, and those who listen earliest often arrive first. ESR's launch is less a product announcement than a signal — that the era of the flat iPhone, unchanged in its essential shape since 2007, may be drawing to a close.