Staying with Apple related things, and an analyst for Morgan Stanley has said that she expects the computer firm to enter the mobile phone space in the next twelve months with the launch of an Apple-branded handset with direct access to the iTunes Music Store.
In a research note in a new report, Morgan Stanley's Rebecca Runkle writes: "Apple hasn't confirmed its phone strategy (or even acknowledged that one exists), but at our recent meeting management did suggest a) handset makers will eventually get an MP3 offering right and b) Apple's strategy is to be an innovation leader".
Apple, of course, partnered with Motorola to launch an iTunes compatible phone last year, though the industry was generally critical of the resulting ROKR phone which seemed to lack both the user-friendliness and 'cool factor' associated with Apple's own products. Apple, in fact, seemed to play down the importance of the Motorola device, which in many ways was overshadowed by the concurrent launch of the iPod nano.
Insiders say that any future Apple phone would not come from a partnership with an existing mobile manufacturer, rather the computer firm would enter the mobile phone space in its own right. Another Morgan Stanley analyst, Johnny Chan, has told investment website Barron's Online that he thinks Apple will work with Taiwanese electronics company Hon Hai Precision, who manufacture components for the Nano, on the Apple phone, rather than with a major mobile player like Motorola or Nokia.
Other insiders also reckon Apple would look to launch its own airtime package rather than selling the phones via other mobile networks. By bulk leasing airtime and launching its own consumer offer Apple would have more control over the mobile iTunes customer experience, which has always been an important area for the computer firm.