Rumor du jour: Apple developing second iPhone device

While Apple has yet to even confirm rumors [1] it is developing one iTunes-enabled mobile handset, American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu claims the company is already hard at work on a second iPhone, this one incorporating messaging capabilities. "From our understanding, it will leverage off existing iChat software that runs on Macs," Wu told clients on Monday. "We believe it will focus initially on mobile IM as opposed to e-mail." According to Wu, the second handset is likely Apple's response to the growing smartphone market, and may be branded under the "iChat mobile" banner.

"We remain uncertain on the exact timing for iPhone, Apple's first in-house iTunes cell phone with a nano-like candy bar form factor," Wu said. "We believe its 'go-to-market' strategy continues to be the gating factor (MVNO vs. traditional carrier or both)." Wu added he believes that Apple is nevertheless close to resolving its strategic concerns and will release the iPhone in 2007.

For more iPhone conjecture:
- read this AppleInsider article [2]

Related article:
- Cingular [3] to offer Apple's iPhone?
- Analyst: Apple to go mobile [4] in '08-'09