Apple iPhone?

Research-investment firm Piper Jaffray has weighed in on the possibility of an Apple-branded phone, in light of the forthcoming iTunes-compatible "Rokr" phone from Motorola. "We question Apple's motive to partner with Motorola when they themselves are a hardware manufacturer." The firm believes that if the long-term threat to iPods is a phone/MP3 combo device, then "Apple should make its own iPod phone (iPhone), turning the threat into an opportunity." At this time, the firm is "not aware that Apple has plans to come out with an Apple-branded cell phone." However, if Apple is already planning such a device, it would likely take at least a year to bring to market, Senior Research Analyst Gene Munster says.

by MacNN Staff