Uncle Walt says Apple is working on an iPhone

"He also mentions that the xbox team is working on a iPod competitor"

Isn't that the Zune???
I think so....

If you click on my name, it links to an engadget article explaining the Zune

Sorry, I don't buy that. You know a lot and I have seen you demostrate it time and time again. So forget about crying! :)
As for Uncle Walt, the only person who listens to this guy is Non-techies and marketiers! No techie worth his weight in 010101010 won't take 2 second of his time reading this guy. As for iPhone, well I know it is in the works - in fact it has been in the works for a long time... But Apple does not see such a service in it's future, unless carrieres will take it up. Probelm is, with what Apple did with Motorola's Rokker, well let me tell ya, Mr. Moto is pretty mad and when Mr, Moto gets mad, the carrieres listen. So, no iPhone in the near future. Uncle What'shisname can go and play his drum somewhere else...

How about just releasing the phone unlocked? Then you can get whatever provider you want. That's how I buy all my phones. Somewhat more expensive, but I'm never locked into a particular provider.

I assume everyon'e already seen this "possible italk commerical". I stumbled accross is late one night on google video's popular:

you can watch it here.

Apple doesn't sell hardware below cost, so they need a service that drives the sale of their hardware: Macs, iPods, Airport, and make their phones worth more than competing hardware, but cannot alienate the cell industry. So it's not a cellphone service, it's a *communication service* that works over cell or internet connections. Let's call the service "iPhone" since it's not just for Mac users.

Apple's cellphone would combine iTunes, iChat AV, iCal, Mail, Safari, Sherlock and VoiceOver so it should be called "MacPhone." It would use iPhone seamlessly as its repository over Cingular's network, maybe others. There's no limit to the number of songs it can play because it doesn't have to hold them all. iTunes-equipped cellphones or a Web browser could access at least some of iPhone's features, so you don't have to replace your cellphone. But the MacPhone would be better for watching TV shows, playing music, or getting info from the Internet as well as voicemail and email. You'll want one. Desperately.

iPhone service should include VoIP, too. Replace your landline and long distance, so the net cost difference could be zero. A "MacPhone" app would make your Mac the world's best home phone, and let you configure iPhone easily. No more voice prompts and pressing number keys!!

Future WiFi-equipped iPods could have an "iPhone" feature to access iPhone at home, work or public hotspots. iPhone kits for legacy iPods co-opt loyal fans into signing up for iPhone.

"MacHub" is probably a strategy as well as a product. MacHub would enable you to connect your home phones to your Mac and use them with the iPhone service. Just cancel your home phone service, plug in MacHub like an extension, and your phones work just like before. It should have some kind of video input, so Apple can offer a PVR. But it may rely on its Firewire ports to connect to Cable boxes, and just add the needed DRM. And you'll be able to play your content on Macs, PCs and via iPhone anywhere.

#20 All your dreams are real (obviously not in US), and been around on millions of UIQ phones since 2003.
The latest is the Sony W950, started with the p800. Moto has A920 which does all the above, expandable to 2Gb and runs UMTS broadband at up to 2mbps.
Latest Moto has all the above, runs linux, gps, business card reader, 4x zoom camera, etc.
You yanks will cath up to the rest of us soon I expect, like your cars LOL!

"The real question is: will it ever be released? Apple works on all kinds of nifty gear in their R&D labs, many of which never see the light of day."

Excellent point.

Becoming an MVNO as suggested by some, would require Apple to move into an entirely new industry with which they have no experience and it's a business that has proven not be profitable with very few exceptions (Virgin Mobile)

A much easier job would be for Apple to sell GSM iphones that anyone can purchase directly from a retailer and use with their existing GSM wireless carrier (Cingular, T-Mobile..). Deals can also be struck with carriers to offer the phone to their customers at a subsidized price.

iPhone... media center. Those are great ideas, even if Microsoft has already ventured down that path.

But what makes Apple and Walt's defense of end-to-end work better is the simplicity. Things just work. And they normally work without having to learn things like registry or mapping a drive.

As for Apple's venture into the media center world, I welcome it. It would be a nice addition to the living room and to have a way of working with TV and DVD like Media Center 2005 does.

meh, im tired of rumours, so many, and no show...