iPod IPhone appears on the way: here's a mockup

Several analysts and news outlets are reporting that Apple is working on an iPhone- and iPod with phone capability. Just like the one shown above.

In fact, that's a mockup of one, obtained by MobileMag. Obviously not meant for public viewing, the mock-up looks like a trial sales brochure photo taken on the sly by a camera phone with a low-res but curious digital eye. Hence the appearance of the mock-up on what appears to be a board of some kind.

Just today, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster (no relation to "Herman") predicted an iPhone in a research note deemed credible enough to be posted by AppleInsider: 

"We would be buyers of Apple on today's pullback given we believe iPod demand will accelerate in mid-2006, based on upcoming positive seasonality and new form factor iPod's," the analyst wrote. "Additionally, we believe Apple will benefit from the new Intel-based Mac's, along with what we estimate to be a 75 percent chance of a iPhone in the next 12 months."

As for Mobile Mag,they report that Johnny Chan, a Morgan Stanley analyst based out of Hong Kong says that Apple’s iPhone may be manufacturered by Hon Hai Precision, an electronics manufacturer from Taiwan. Other analysts have suggested that Apple may turn to Green Point, also of Taiwan.

I predicted an iPod with an iPhone a couple of months ago. You know, buy a song, call your friends, maybe play a snippet and then recommend that they purchase the song as well.