Telecomm market research company VisionGain believes Apple will release the iPhone in tandem with Helio's launch in the US.  (Helio is a US MVNO formed by Earthlink and SK Telecomm.) 

According to the analyst, " The iPhone will likely be as disruptive to the existing carrier market as the iPod was to the mobile music industry. When the iPhone adds VoIP capability, it will be even more disruptive to carriers."

Spring 2006 is much closer than the 1-2 year waiting period many were assuming for a potential Apple iPhone and Mobile Me launch earlier this year.  iRadio's big value props were the use of a phone as the central music delivery unit, and the seamless listening experience between car, home, and on-the-go.  If iPhone indeed launches within the next few months, it's going to be quite a contest:  iRadio vs. iPhone vs. Satellite Radio.

Be sure to keep tabs on other iphone extras that are on the way... 

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According to DigiTimes, Apple has contacted a number of Taiwan handset makers (including High Tech Computer, Inventec Appliances, Quanta Computer and Foxconn Electronics) for possible handset production.  It looks like Apple's Mobile Me is on its way...

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iRadio, and every phone and/or portable music device maker will need to keep an eye on this little ditty.  Apple recently filed a trademark around "Mobile Me" using language that suspiciously hints at a possible mobile music device.

"...Providing digital music from local or global communications networks, including the internet, intranets, extranets, television, mobile communication, cellular and satellite networks; operating chat rooms..."

"...Telecommunication services; electronic transmission and retrieval of data, images, audio, video and documents, including text, cards, letters, messages, mail, animations, and electronic mail, over local or global communications networks, including the internet, intranets, extranets, television, mobile communication, cellular and satellite networks..."

3 words:  Beware of the mePOD!

You can't blame Apple for wanting to enter the mobile market.  As Russell at MobHappy points out, Apple has sold a total of 42 million iPods, meanwhile, 2 billion mobiles currently penetrate the global market.  Hey, that's why Motorola's getting in the game with iRadio.

If Apple does pursue mobile music, it will be interesting to see how they approach the challenges of working with carriers, telecomm networks, and hardware manufacturers, all of which Motorola is already very familiar.  More interesting is the question -- what would a mePod look like?

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