The mythical mobile phone iPod may be a creature far from legend - Apple and Motorola "could soon show us" their co-developed solution.


A report on Forbes cites Apple vice president of applications Eddy Cue, who says: "We've said we have something coming on this in the first half of 2005 and we're definitely on schedule for that. Hopefully you'll be able to see more about it soon."


Clearly demarcated areas of doubt and uncertainty


Speculation surrounding the content of Apple CEO Steve Jobs' Macworld Expo keynote speech next month has begun to mount. Cue declined to cast light on whether the device will be a cast member for the event, which generally sees Jobs define Apple's strategy for the year ahead.


Cue stressed that the product is aimed at the mass market, will be "seamless" to use. "We're very happy with the results", he said.


Motorola and Apple are working together to develop a phone that will connect to a Mac or PC using a cable or Bluetooth connection that will be able to play back iTunes songs on the phone, including rights-protected songs acquired from the iTunes Music Store.


Speaking in August, First International Digital VP Randy Cavaiani said: "Hooking a cable up to a phone seems like step backward, but it's the kind of thing that's necessary to pull us forward."


iTunes always with you


When the companies announced the plans in July, Jobs said: "The Always With You mobile handsets will be able to carry about a dozen iTunes songs downloaded from a PC or Macintosh starting in the first half of next year."


"We are thrilled to be working with Motorola to enable millions of music lovers to transfer any of their favourite songs from iTunes on their PC or Mac to Motorola's next-generation mobile phones. The mobile phone market � with 1.5 billion subscribers expected worldwide by the end of 2004 � is a phenomenal opportunity to get iTunes in the hands of even more music lovers around the world and we think Motorola is the ideal partner to kick this off."


Speculation persists that Apple will introduce a flash-based iPod at Macworld Expo.

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D, world destruction
Over and overture
N, do I need
Apostrophe T, need this torture?-They Might Be Giants