Apple Reportedly Seals iPhone Deal in Japan
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They said it would never happen. They also said that Apple would not even try to bring the iPod to a mobile phone. Apparently ‘they’ were wrong…
Mobile-phone users in Japan might be the first to get their hands on the long-rumored iPhone, an iPod-esque handset that would be capable downloading songs from the iTunes Music Store. According to reports in several Japanese newspapers, Apple and Japanese telecom company Softbank have struck a “basic deal” to produce the iPhone.
Discussions in a meeting this past Saturday between Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive, and Masayoshi Son, president of Softbank, reportedly included talk of a new component to iTunes. The new service would enable mobile-phone users to download songs directly to compatible handsets from iTunes.
Both Apple and Softbank have declined to comment on the rumors.
Analysts have expected Apple to make a move to produce its own iTunes-compatible mobile phones since the lackluster debut of Motorola’s Rokr in September 2005 and Slvr in January 2006. Consumers and reviewers mostly have been disappointed with the limited storage capacity of both handsets.
Adding to the ongoing speculation about the iPhone are patent applications that Apple recently filed for a display screen able to detect multiple, simultaneous touches. Such technology is commonly used in smartphones for a bevy of functions, such as e-mail, Web access, and so forth.
In addition, speculation about the rumored iPhone was fueled at the end of March by a Piper Jaffray report in which the financial services firm said there is a strong chance of an Apple-branded phone.
“We believe Apple will benefit from the new Intel-based Macs, along with what we estimate to be a 75 percent chance of an iPhone in the next 12 months,” wrote Gene Munster, a Piper Jaffray analyst, in a research note to clients. Source: NewsFactorNetwork
[tags]apple,softbank,rokr,consumers,iphone[/tags]
One Comment
Apple iPhone Trademark, Analyst Speculation - Page 2 - Mac Forums
October 16th, 2006
at 9:39pm
[...] The trademark was posted with a "Far Eastern" patent office…hmmmm… That is Japan I believe. 1) Japan is the only "Far Eastern" nation with an iTunes Store. 2) Softbank has stated in the past that it was in talks with Apple to become a provider of an "iPhone". 3) iPhone is critical for Apple sales in Japan as iPod and iTunes sales have been losing out to AU and DoCoMo’s music download-to-phone services Reason? Japanese people don’t like using their credit cards online to buy things. Apple has been pushing pre-paid cards sold at convenience and electronic stores. Softbank is rebranding the Vodafone product in a "Apple fashion" by offering more stylish, intuitive and creative products. Currently when you sign up with Softbank, you get a 4GB iPod Nano. Unlike the G5 powerbook, this is not a white elephant. It is going to happen and probably in the next few months. Previously Discussed here. Apple Reportedly Seals iPhone Deal in Japan Previously Reported here. Apple partners with Softbank for iPhone __________________ Without my mac, I would be lost and frustrated. Last edited by kashimo : Today at 09:48 PM. [...]