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Apple announced a revolutionary multi-media (iPod and widescreen video) mobile phone which featured a unique touchscreen interface. The phone features GSM + EDGE, Quad Band, WIFI, Bluetooth, an acceleromoter (which allows for automatic portrait to widescreen rendering by rotating the device), an ambient light sensor, and seemless integration with iTunes, iPhoto, iCal and a host of other Apple applications. The company terms the new phone as a three in one device: iPod/Video + mobile phone + internet communicator.

The phone uses the Safari browser for mobile browsing and features POP/IMAP for email with a built in client which resembles Apple Mail on Mac OS X. Push email (similar to the Blackberry) is also supported. Apple also announced that Yahoo will offer free Yahoo! IMAP email to all Apple phone (iphone) customers.

Utilizing EDGE or WIFI for internet connectivity the phone can switch automatically between the two as necessary. The device is location aware and works seemlessly with Google Maps, indicating the users location in proximity to local landmarks, stores, restaurants, etc.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt joined Steve Job’s on stage during the MacWorld Keynote address and discussed a Google, Apple collaboration, which was termed a “merger without merging” with Google pushing hard for a partnership with Apple. Google Maps and Google Search are built into the device.

Jerry Yang, co-founder of Yahoo!, joined Steve Job’s as well as discussed Yahoo’s attempt to reinvent email with it feels is a killer application on a mobile phone. Yahoo Go, Yahoo oneSearch and Yahoo IMAP email are built into the device.

Over 200 patents have been granted to Apple over the development of the device, which features precision enclosures, sensors, true desktop-class apps, visual voicemail, widescreen, and a world first “multitouch” screen.

The phone is expected to sell for $499 (4GB model) and $599 (8GB model) with availability expected in June 2007 in the USA, 4th quarter 2007 in Europe, and 2008 in Asia. The prices quoted assume a two year contract.

Cingular Mobile was announced as the exclusive partner in the USA, with CEO Stan Sigman joining Steve Job’s in announcing the phone’s available through both Cingular and Apple stores. The deal was termed as a multi-year exclusive partnership.

With appromixately 957 million mobile phones sold worldwide, Apple indicated that it was after 1 % of the market (or 10 million phones).

The company also announced that to better reflect its new direction, it was changing its name from Apple Computer Inc. to simply Apple Inc.

More details to follow.

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