Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/12/18/linksys_launches_iphone/
Ladies and gentlemen, will you please welcome the iPhone from... er... Linksys. Yes, the iPhone has indeed been launched today, as forecast, but it's not the device so many people were expecting (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/12/15/apple_iphone_out_monday/). Instead, it's Linksys' new brand name for its range of VoIP handsets.
That line-up includes not only a couple of new models but five handsets that have been on the market for some time. The latest phones include the $200 802.11g WLAN-connectible WIP320 and its CIT400 $180 dual-mode DECT and Skype product. Both are available in the US immediately and will ship in other territories during Q1 2007.
The news will disappoint folk hoping for an Apple announcement, but that was always unlikely given CEO Steve Jobs' annual launchathon at Macworld Expo is just around the corner. Plenty of analysts - let alone rumour watchers' sources - reckon an Apple phone is on the cards. And while iPhone was a handy way to name the as yet unannounced product, we're sure Apple can come up with a better name than one already trademarked by a handful of companies throughout the years.
Still, it's a coup for Linksys and parent Cisco, who can now capitalise on the zillions of iPhone items Google lists for a product that, until now, was not even announced. ®
Netgear SPH200D Skype/DECT phone (20 April 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/04/20/review_netgear_sph200d/
Cisco on brink of losing iPhone name in Europe (12 January 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/12/cisco_apple_iphone_trademark_spat/
Why I want the iPhone to succeed (10 January 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/10/iphone_where_is_the_market/
iPhone... but what happened to the iPod scroll wheel? (10 January 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/10/iphone_no_scroll_wheel/
Jobs unveils iPhone to 4,000 drooling fans (9 January 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/09/iphone0109/
VoIP-powered model car racing is go (8 January 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/08/voip_slot_cars/
Amazon.com reveals iLife '07 update due (4 January 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/04/amazon_ilife_update/
Apple iPhone to be announced on Monday? (15 December 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/12/15/apple_iphone_out_monday/
Apple iPhone to ship H1 2007, analyst claims (14 December 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/12/14/analyst_forecasts_h1_07_iphone_debut/
Apple's iPod roadmap said to list three new models for '07 (8 December 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/12/08/ipod_roadmap_hints/
Apple iPhone to have two batteries, no network ties? (4 December 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/12/04/apple_iphone_details_emerge/
Apple iPhone 'to use PortalPlayer chip' (22 November 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/11/22/portalplayer_iphone_design_win/
Apple orders '12m iPhones', paper claims (15 November 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/11/15/apple_iphone_contract_claim/
Belkin gears up to ship Wi-Fi Skype phone in UK (25 October 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/10/25/belkin_uk_skype_wifi_phone/
3Com flips for Wi-Fi clamshell VoIP phone (23 October 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/10/23/3com_voip_wifi_phone/
Netgear to ship Wi-Fi Skype phone next month (13 September 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/09/13/netgear_ships_wifi_skype_phone/
Linksys ships Wi-Fi VoIP phone in Europe (1 September 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/09/01/linksys_ships_wip330_europe/
Wi-Fi Skype phones to connect this month (20 July 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/07/20/wifi_skype_phones_debut_july/