Apple Expected to Unveil Two iPhones in Early 2007

Apple is preparing to launch two iTunes-enabled mobile phones in the early part of 2007, according to reports from one analyst.

One of the new phones will be a smartphone with a built-in keyboard, and one will feature video capability, says Prudential Equity Group analyst, Jesse Tortora, who notes that at least one model is also likely to be Wi-Fi-enabled.

Tortora boldly predicts that the new “iPhones” will be formally unveiled at the MacWorld San Francisco conference in January.

Despite the much hyped nature of the iPhone concept, however, some industry watchers to question the long-term viability of Apple’s new devices. Many are predicting a problem with battery life, saying that the multitude of seemingly impressive features will ultimately cause annoyance, by dramatically cutting the time between recharges.

Some doubters also question Apple’s ability to bring anything new to the mobile device market, which is already bursting with innovation from well-established players.

Apple is intent on proving these people wrong, however, by tapping into its pre-established market of 60 million iPod users, and the ongoing success of the iTunes music store. By doing this, the company is hoping that its wildly popular portable music franchise will spill over into the 2 billion-strong mobile phone market.