14 DAY TRIAL // The latest evidence to suggest that Apple is nearing the completion of its product is the filing for a trademark on the term 'iPhone'. The filing was made last month with a trademark office in the Far East.
In the September 15th filing, Apple describes the iPhone as "handheld and mobile digital electronic devices for the sending and receiving of telephone calls, faxes, electronic mail, and other digital data; MP3 and other digital format audio players." Under the broad primary classification, Apple says that the iPhone may also consist of "electronic handheld units for the wireless receipt and/or transmission of data that enable the user to keep track of or manage personal information" and "software for the redirection of messages, Internet e-mail, and/or other data to one or more electronic handheld devices from a data store on or associated with a personal computer or a server; and software for the synchronization of data between a remote station or device and a fixed or remote station or device."
Further on, in a secondary classification, Apple says that the iPhone may also be a "stand alone video game machine." If anything, this means that the device will be compatible with the games that recently became available for the fifth-generation video iPod players.
This is not the first time Apple has sought a trademark on the term iPhone, as according to this latest filing, the Cupertino Company also filed a similar request a trademark office in a nation off the coast of South America.