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Apple to Become Wireless Provider?

Posted by Zonk on from the everybody-else-is-doing-it dept.

nonsuchworks writes "Forbes reports on the possibility of Apple becoming a 'mobile virtual network operator,' or MVNO, in order to extend the iTunes and iPod brands into the cellular phone market. This would allow Apple to circumvent the cellular carriers who have so far balked at carrying the iTunes-enabled mobile phone." From the article: "It might sound far-fetched, but the pieces are in place for it to happen later this summer. Apple is already developing a hybrid iPod/cell phone with handset maker Motorola. And companies ranging from the Virgin Group to The Walt Disney Co. are proving that a new network model can allow all kinds of businesses to easily enter the mobile market."

14 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. Yeah right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is about as likely as Apple switching to Intel x86 chips... oh.. wait.

    1. Re:Yeah right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny
      I like to use scroll wheels when I'm reading web pages, and I like to use the right mouse button to right click to open up other browser windows as tabs in either FireFox or Safari. And during that time, I don't want my hand to be on the keyboard...

      What exactly are you doing with that other hand while surfing the web?

    2. Re:Yeah right by Rude+Turnip · · Score: 2, Funny

      "I work on both a Windows system with a 2-button mouse and a Linux system with a 5-button mouse."

      My keyboard has about *100* buttons and I don't have to point it at anything first.

      --
      Bill Clinton: Pimp we can believe in. - The Shirt!!!
  2. Apparently we have exhausted all the good TLAs by sczimme · · Score: 2, Funny


    MVNO

    Apparently we have exhausted all the good TLAs and must venture further into FLAs.

    This is an unfortunate start as it looks/sounds like

    mv? no.

    --
    I want to drag this out as long as possible. Bring me my protractor.
    1. Re:Apparently we have exhausted all the good TLAs by justforaday · · Score: 2, Funny

      Apparently we have exhausted all the good TLAs and must venture further into FLAs.

      I thought they were called ETLAs...

      --
      I'll turn into a supernova and burn up everything. Well I'll turn into a black little hole and you'll turn into string.
    2. Re:Apparently we have exhausted all the good TLAs by /ASCII · · Score: 3, Funny
      Yes. Unfortunatlythe rollover to four letter abbrevations (FLA) will be far less smooth than the rollover from two letter abbrevations (TLA) to three letter abbrevations (TLA). There are several reasons for this:
      • TLA is a TLA, but FLA is not a FLA
      • The abbrevation for four letter abbrevation is not the same as for a three letter abbrevation. This is expected to cause havoc in automated computer systems in much the same way as the year 2000 rollover.

      It is interesting how one can determine the age of many UNIX programs by looking at their age. Programs like mv, cp, sh and dc stem from the seventies, whereas programs like cat, sed, gcc, ftp and man where first introduced in the early eighties. While TLAs are still the most common, there has been some FLA early adopters like perl.

      --
      Try out fish, the friendly interactive shell.
  3. First to predict... by Ingolfke · · Score: 5, Funny

    that a half-baked story predicting that Google will enter the wireless provider market in order to support the foray into their online music business. GMusic store will allow you search 7 billion recordings using lyrics, instruments used, and sound patterns.

    Also, in 3 to 6 months Microsoft will apologize to their employees, customers, and vendors for falling so far behind as an MVNP and music distributor. But Balmer will commit to catching Apple, Google, and AllOfMp3.com within the next 3 to 4 quarters. It's Microsoft's top priority next to releasing Longhorn, WinFS, security, DRM, the next version of SQL Server, Exchange 2007, .NET, .ORG, ethic, combinatorial global business synergies and leverage points and Windows on the Power PC.

    Lastly, Apple frustrated with the iPOD to car stereo interfaces and refusal by many automobile manufacture to integrate the iPOD directly into their automobiles will purchase an Korean automobile company and begin manufacturing iCars. These cars will include new design innovations including ergonomic steering wheels and see through dash panels. Initially the automobiles will run on Honda gasoline engines, but Jobs will announce in the first 4 years of production that the iCar (and soon to be released iSUV) will switch to Toyota engines that can run on electricity, gasoline, jet-fuel, whiskey, and the sweat of some breeds of Tibetan mountain goats.

    Step aside Dvorak I have spoken.

  4. Re:FINALLY! by Ingolfke · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've always wanted the cell-phone/iPod/PDA/scooter/mobile sink/microwave oven/television myself.

    Let's quit paying lip service to convergance and really get there folks!

  5. Re:YES! by Ingolfke · · Score: 2, Funny

    I am looking forward to a handset that costs 2x as much as the average, but has far more fashion and street cred! (I NEED people to LOOK AT ME!)

    Hopefully it will come w/ a stylish and sophisticated laniard so you can wear the device around your neck... and of course the option to purchase other laniards that match your outfit.

  6. Another 500 million? by SonicBV · · Score: 3, Funny

    The iTunes Ringtone Store? Ack!

    --
    -Brad V.
  7. but how does a by VolciMaster · · Score: 3, Funny

    one button cell phone work? Or do we get one of those spiffy thumbwheel doohickeys?

    --
    antipaucity
  8. Hold Music by ehaggis · · Score: 3, Funny

    But can it allow me to put people on hold and force them to enjoy my musical selections?

    Will they have a Tom Jones edition?

    These are the burning questions.

    --
    One ring to bind them - should probably have more fiber and less rings in their diet.
  9. Re:In other words by Itanshi · · Score: 2, Funny

    I just wish I could get an 8 hour battery on a laptop, plug my phone into it for VoIP access and use my laptop for all the other items people tend to think they can cram into a phone with a, this is important, tiny screen that not everyone can see well.

  10. You don't want Batman's utility belt !?!? by javaxman · · Score: 2, Funny
    Or maybe only geeks want to listen to the music of their choice and not carry around a Batman's utility belt full of gadgets?

    You've got that all wrong. Only geeks want to carry around a Batman's utility belt full of gadgets.

    If you don't lust after Batman's utility belt, you're not the geek you think you are. At minimum, your belt should have cell phone and an iPod. Maybe a smallish GPS device? And of course, a grappling hook...

    Sure, my wife would make fun of me. But if I came across a utility belt half as cool and half as full of useful gadgets as Batman's, I'd wear it almost every day...

    Practical, sane, non-gadget-crazy individuals like yourself don't want to carry more electronic devices than can comfortably fit in a pants pocket. Because they're afraid they'll look too geeky...