AppleInsider is reporting that a new patent filing for a "multi function device" that could lead the way for an Apple-Engineered smart phone.
Shaw Wu, an analyst with American Technology Research, said in a research note on Friday that he believes Apple is describing a device that may include the ability to switch between multiple functions such as a cell phone, PDA, music player, video player, game player, digital camera, GPS, handtop and remote control.
"While this is a broad patent application covering a wide variety of areas (not surprising as it was likely reviewed and co-authored by Apple legal), we believe it represents the fundamental basis and technology behind Apple's cell phone efforts," he wrote. "As shown in the schematics (Figure 1 and Figure 2) included in Apple's application, we believe the device will have a candy bar form factor (as opposed to flip phone) with iPod like functionality, including a clickwheel."
With the recent hype in development of an Apple cell phone, sources believe that an announcement should surfact shortly.