I don’t usually like to blog about rumours but one of the really popular one is a mobile phone by Apple. But with all the news this past week, I’m starting to think that the rumour may be more substantial than I initially thought.

Could this be the iPhone?

First, AppleInsider broke the story that Apple has filed for a trademark on the term ‘iPhone’. The filing describes 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 next day, Think Secret pointed to a story about Prudential analyst Jesse Tortora who claims to have information that Apple will release not one, but two, iPhone models. Besides the expected candy-bar style phone with iTunes integration, Tortora claims that the other model would be a smart phone with keyboard and WiFi. Hmm…

And then, T-Mobile USA Chief Executive Robert Dotson said

The [upcoming] Leopard [OS X 10.5] operating system does an incredibly good job of integrating video, and you’re starting to see the integration of voice. It is a good precursor to how this marketplace can evolve, and how you can really start making money off products and services in a mobile environment.

Hmm.. Now why would he say such nice things about Apple if the two companies don’t have a relationship?

The MacBreak Weekly podcast also covers the iPhone in episode 11, although I haven’t heard it yet. I’m keeping my fingers crossed – I’d toss out my W810i in a heartbeat if the iPhone is available.