Rumors of an Apple Phone have been ongoing for years with Apple laying claim to the domain iPhone.org since 1999 and the trademark for iPhone in 2002. Meanwhile, a number of Phone related patents have also surfaced showing that Apple has been researching this option.
Recently, analysts have claimed that the Apple phone is essentially ready with a brief description:
The design will be an iPod nano-like candy bar form factor and come in three colors
Meanwhile, Steve Jobs has been said to be talking up the upcoming phone, despite being traditionally secretive about unannounced products.
One reliable MacRumors.com source has provided a more detailed description of one of the prototypes for the upcoming Apple Phone. The description has yielded this artist's rendition of the phone. (Click image for larger view). The phone offers a familiar look to iPod owners, with the preservation of the iPod click-wheel.
The click-wheel is closer to the bottom of the device with the screen taking a vertical orientation. The click-wheel portion of the device reportedly slides down to reveal a traditional numeric dial-pad underneath. The front is black, while the back is chrome like the current iPod.
As an artist rendition, details such as the exact proportions of the screen are not necessarily accurate.
The preservation of the click-wheel navigator could add credence to evidence that iTunes has the ability to transfer the new iPod games to certain mobile phones. Jobs had stated that the games had been designed for click-wheel playability.
Update: Many users are still noticing a confirmed mock-up/fake iPhone, which was seen on RegHardware.co.uk. The original portrayal can be found here.
Note that while bearing some similar features, the fake mock-up in the french paper is unrelated to MacRumor's information regarding the iPhone, and is simply addressed here due to the similar nature of the story.
