Apple Plans Surprise: vPod? iTunes Phone?
Posted on: Wednesday, 31 August 2005, 12:00 CDT
Aug. 30--Apple Computer plans a major announcement next week in San Francisco, sparking speculation that the company that revolutionized digital music will unveil a video-playing iPod or an iTunes mobile phone.
The Cupertino company e-mailed an invitation to reporters Monday, alerting them to a "special event" Sept. 7 at Moscone Center. The invitation featured a close-up image of the watch pocket on a pair of jeans, and text that hinted at something big -- or more precisely, something compact.
"1,000 songs in your pocket changed everything," the invitation reads, in a clear allusion to the 2001 introduction of the iPod. "Here we go again."
Well-placed music industry sources believe Apple will introduce a version of the iPod that plays videos. The Cupertino computer maker has been engaged in active negotiations for the rights to sell music videos and has secured rights from at least one major record company, according to people familiar with the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The e-mail sparked rampant rumors about what Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs might announce.
"A big flash iPod? The Motorola iTunes phone? Let the rumor-mongering rule," wrote one blogger on TechRepublic.com.
Apple-watchers say the debut of the much-anticipated iTunes phone is just as likely as a video iPod. The iTunes phone would allow callers to buy songs using a mobile version of Apples's music software. Tracks would be stored on the phone's flash-memory chip.
The Federal Communications Commission earlier this month gave Motorola regulatory approval to start selling the E790, a cell phone that runs a mobile version of Apple Computer's iTunes software.
Motorola CEO Ed Zander has been quoted as saying the phone would be on the market by September.
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Source: San Jose Mercury News
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