Years before it came out with the iPod, Apple registered a domain with the name "iphone.org". It was 1999, but since then, a click on the domain's name would redirect you to Apple's home page. It is thus of little wonder that speculations about Apple's move into the cellular phone business have been around for six or seven years. Nick DePlume, a keen-eyed Apple observer, says that the day has finally arrived. Specifically, he writes that Apple has reached an as-yet secret agreement with Cingular Wireless, giving the carrier exclusivity in offering the phone during the first months of marketing. We note that Cingular had a similar exclusive arrangement with the Motorola ROKR E1 in fall 2005 (the Motorola phone was the first to offer iTunes, even as it imposed a 100-tune limit on users). 

Oh, yes: The Apple phone will feature a 2.2-inch display, a 3 megapixel camera, and iPod/iTunes functionality. Launch: At the Macworld Expo/San Francisco in early January 2007.

Also, DePlume reports that in the first quarter of 2007, Apple will begin to ship its iTV set-top box. The device will feature HDMI, component video, stereo audio, and optical audio connectivity; it will also have wireless connectivity, Ethernet, and USB 2.0. Although Apple will say only that the iTV will offer 802.11, it now appears to be clear that the company will equip the device with 802.11n.

For more on Apple's moves on cellular phone and iTV:
- see Nick DePlume's PCMag report
- and this ThinkSecret report