One of the oldest Apple rumors is being given a big boost this week, as both analysts and some "Far East" trademark filings add weight to an iPhone cell phone from Apple Computer. International Business Times reported late on Monday that a Prudential Equities analyst said that Apple would be unveiling two different iPhone models in early 2007, while AppleInsider reported that Apple had filed for a trademark on the term "iPhone" in September.

IBT reported that Jesse Tortora of Prudential Equities told clients that Apple will be unveiling two iPhone models, perhaps at January's Macworld Expo trade show. "We have learned that one model will be a smart phone" he said, "including integrated keyboard, video and music capability, while the other model will be a slimmer phone with music capability. At least one of the models will include WiFi."

Mr. Tortora said the phone may have "significant upside earnings potential" for Apple, but he was concerned about such issues as two many features and battery life.

On September 5th, The Mac Observer reported that Shaw Wu, an analyst with American Technology Research, was telling clients that Apple was working on a cell phone. Mr. Wu said at that time that he believed Apple had recently accelerated its efforts to bring such a product to market in the same time frame as Mr. Tortora's speculation.

AppleInsider's report concerned a trademark filing the site said Apple made in an unspecified "Far Eastern trademark office" on September 15th, 2006. The filing described 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."

The filing also suggested the devices may have video game capabilities, which could be related to the games Apple recently added to its iPod line.