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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."

3 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. hybrid iPod/cell phone by illtron · · Score: 5, Informative

    The "hybrid iPod/cell phone" this guy is talking about is just a phone with a "iTunes" on it. I put that in quotes because it's obviously not iTunes. It's a tiny program, probably Java, that plays Apple's AAC files from the iTunes Music Store and looks sort of like the iPod color interface, if the pictures floating around the web are to be believed.

    "hybrid iPod/cell phone" Ha!

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    1. Re:hybrid iPod/cell phone by Iriel · · Score: 5, Informative

      then again, how often does a product sketch turn out like the finished piece? I'm not saying that everything will be rainbows and lollipops on the road to a cellular iTunes service, but that picture could have been made to impress clients and partners at a presentation while the gritty work is still being done 'back at the lab'. A java based iTunes emulator is still possible due to the cross platform capability, but don't sell the idea short just because of a promotional pdf.

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  2. Re:Mouse by jbolden · · Score: 4, Informative

    Their logic on the matter is this.

    Beginning computer users (beginners includes those who never become competent regardless of number of real life years they have used the system) have a great deal of difficulty with applications that utilize multiple mouse buttons. Because the apple ships with a single mouse button any program which expects to have beginning users cannot make use of multiple mouse buttons. The result is a less steep learning curve when people switch to Apple. On the other hand the other half of the user base is perfectly willing to install a multi-button external mouse and use context menus and or use keyboard + mouse combinations.

    The result is that the system is essentially the same for advanced users however the ease of use is much higher for beginners.