Nikkei claims Apple, Softbank working on Apple iPhone

Nikkei claims Apple, Softbank working on Apple iPhone

News media group Nikkei has claimed that Japanese Web and telecom conglomerate Softbank Corp. is working with the makers of iPod device Apple on mobile phones with the capabilities of storing and playing digital songs.

This could be the possible development program of the heavily rumored Apple iPhone. This device could potentially logon to Apple iTunes digital store and consumers would be able to purchase and download songs wirelessly.

Apple has of course declined to comment on these rumors. Nikkei has said in their report that Apple and Softbank have agreed to co-develop the phone for sale as early as this year. Interestingly, the report claims that the phone would carry the name of both the brands. If this is true, it would be something new for Apple devices.

Softbank would love to use the Apple branded products to compete against domestic rivals like NTT DoCoMo and KDDI Corp.