Apple Computer, maker of the uber-popular iPod digital music player, has filed a patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in relation to a device that could prove to be the hyped-up “iPhone”–a combination of the iPod and a mobile phone–industry analysts and pundits have been speculating on for months, Bloomberg.com reports. Said patent–made publicly available on Thursday–was filed with the USPTO back in August, and it relates to a separate patent filed in the summer of 2004, according to Bloomberg. Analysts and writers have suggested that Apple may offer up the iPhone as early as January, and that Apple CEO Steve Jobs could unveil the device at the Cupertino, Calif.-based firm’s MacWorld conference that month. It has also been reported that Apple already ordered some 12 million iPhones from Chinese electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry. An Apple spokesperson did not comment on Bloomberg’s request for additional information regarding the patent filing. The device Apple is attempting to patent will be “tube-like” in form and built of zirconia and alumina so it will be “cost-effective, smaller, lighter, stronger and aesthetically more pleasing” than existing music phone designs, Bloomberg reports. Zirconia casing on the outside of the device could also be colored to make it more visually appealing, according to Bloomberg. Apple’s newest iPod nanos are available in a variety of colors, and they’re also encased in metal. Related content brandpost Sponsored by SAP What goes well with Viña Concha y Toro wines? Meat, fish, poultry, and SAP Viña Concha y Toro, a wine producer that distributes to more than 140 countries worldwide, paired its operation with the SAP Business Technology Platform to enhance its operation and product. By Tom Caldecott, SAP Contributor Dec 04, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by Azul How to maximize ROI by choosing the right Java partner for your organization Choosing the right Java provider is a critical decision that can have a significant impact on your organization’s success. By asking the right questions and considering the total cost of ownership, you can ensure that you choose the best Java p By Scott Sellers Dec 04, 2023 5 mins Application Management brandpost Sponsored by DataStax Ask yourself: How can genAI put your content to work? Generative AI applications can readily be built against the documents, emails, meeting transcripts, and other content that knowledge workers produce as a matter of course. By Bryan Kirschner Dec 04, 2023 5 mins Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence feature The CIO’s new role: Orchestrator-in-chief CIOs have unique insight into everything that happens in a company. Some are using that insight to take on a more strategic role. By Minda Zetlin Dec 04, 2023 12 mins CIO C-Suite Business IT Alignment Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe