(Associated Press via NewsEdge) The iPhone has arrived, but it's not made by Apple, which was widely rumored to be working a cell phone-iPod combination of the same name.
Linksys, a division of Cisco that makes networking equipment for the home and small businesses, unveiled the new line of Internet-enabled phones this week.
The phones use the increasingly popular VoIP, and also allow users to switch over for traditional landline calling.
They also can search the Web and allow users to see when friends are online and ready to accept calls. Several other companies have similar offerings.
But the name has caused a stir. Cisco has owned the trademark on the name 'iPhone' since 2000, when it acquired the company that originally registered the name, InfoGear Technology.
Industry watchers have speculated that Apple was close to releasing some kind of iPod and cellular telephone combination, possibly for unveiling at Macworld in January. Until the Linksys announcement, the name 'iPhone' was a logical guess.
Much of the speculation about Apple's activity centers on an application the Cupertino-based company filed with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office for a 'portable computing device capable of wireless communications.' The company has not discussed its plans, and declined to comment on 'rumors and speculation.'
© 2006 The Associated Press
© 2006 Dialog, a Thomson business. All rights reserved