Apple iPhone just around the corner

Stan Beer
Tuesday, 17 October 2006 19:26

IT Industry - Market

Apple is readying itself to launch two mobile phone models early in 2007, one of which will be a smartphone with a keyboard, and at least one will have WiFi capability, according to a market analyst. The name iPhone, which has been bandied around in past months, has also reportedly been registered by Apple.

According to a research note from Prudential Equity Group analyst Jesse Tortora, both phones will also be iTunes music players and one will have video capability. Tortora believes that Apple may launch the new iPhones at the San Francisco MacWorld conference in January 2007.

Problems with battery life, given the plethora of functions, are reported to be a possible concern. Mobile phone users are used to batteries that last for days without a recharge but music and especially video use can be a drain on power dramatically cutting time between recharges.

Some market watchers also question Apple's ability to bring something fresh to a market that is already bursting with innovation from established players in both the smartphone and regular mobile phone space.

However, with close to 60 million iPod users and the successful iTunes music store, Apple will be doing its best to make a case for convincing users that they can replace two devices with one.

If the iPhone is a hit, the sky is the limit for Apple. There are 2 billion mobile phones on the planet and a large percentage are "given" to users as part of carrier mobile phone plans. Apple has already been talking to potential carrier partners, who may well "give away" iPhones as part of mobile phone subscriber plans.