iPhone tantalisingly close as Apple register trademark. Dual model rumours start.
An Apple iPhone or two could be a step nearer as there are reports of Apple officially filing for the ‘iPhone’ trademark. An analyst from Prudential Equity also believes that his ‘sources’ and ‘recent checks’ suggest that Apple could release two models – one a smart phone and the other a slim music phone. At least one of them will have wi-fi connectivity, and a keyboard for messaging.
American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu has written “Our research indicates that an Apple-designed smart phone has moved from concept to prototype and recently has progressed to near completion as a production unit. We believe this smart phone has been in development for over 12 months and has overcome substantial challenges including design, interference, battery life and other technical glitches”.
Apple have filed a number of patents recently, suggesting that something big is on the way.
Other rumours speculate that Apple will launch the iPhone in the US by partnering with the Cingular mobile operator.
Whether Apple will quickly try to enter the more crowded UK mobile phone market, which is more advanced than the US one, remains to be seen. Britain’s consumer market could be harder to break into.
We’ll probably hear about it from Steve at the San Francisco Expo next year.
