Apple to Become Wireless Provider?

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."

Comments

Yeah right

[Anonymous Coward]

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

First to predict...

[Ingolfke]

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.

Re:FINALLY!

[Ingolfke]

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!

Another 500 million?

[SonicBV]

The iTunes Ringtone Store? Ack!

but how does a

[VolciMaster]

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

Re:Apparently we have exhausted all the good TLAs

[/ASCII]

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.

Hold Music

[ehaggis]

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.