Om Malik has recently written about speculation regarding plans for Apple to launch an unlocked GSM iPhone, combining its iPod with cel phone capabilities.
The phone would allow Apple to compete with the MP3-enabled phones that are now standard at all the carriers. This would in turn permit Apple to continue to dominate the music downloading business.
Implications for carriers? Part positive and part negative. As Om notes, carriers will like the change in the usual paradigm of carrier subsidized handsets. On the other hand, with no handset subsidies, customers may be more likely to take month-to-month contracts. In Canada, there is only one choice of GSM carrier, so Rogers will have the possibility of a significantly lower cost of acquisition and means to reduce churn.
As a negative, an iPhone that integrates into Apple’s iTunes may cut into music downloading revenues for the carriers. Unless… hmmm… call me for this idea.
Update: [January 9, 2007 9:15 pm]
Apple has launched the iPhone at Macworld. For a more complete description with real photos, visit the new posting on January 9, 2007.