Apple Looms Over 3GSM

Apple may have a ghostly presence at next week's 3GSM expo, according to PC World. Even though the California company won't attend the Barcelona conference and hasn't actually released its first phone, it will have a tangible effect on presentations, the magazine says. Numerous cellphone hardware manufacturers are expected to directly compare their new phone announcements directly against the iPhone. Neonode in particular has already said that its current and upcoming touchscreen phones will beat Apple's device to stores.

A special discussion to be held at 3GSM is an even more telling demonstration of Apple's influence, PC World writes. Dubbed "Mobile Music: The Apple Factor," the conference has been formed solely to talk about the iPhone's effect on music phones and will count a Nokia marketing chief among its guests.

Analyst Nick McQuire of the Yankee Group observed that the discussion was taking place in no small part due to the iPod, as many companies fear that the music player's success could easily translate to strong iPhone sales and erode their own marketshares.

"It's difficult to discount the carry-through success that Apple could have in the mobile arena," McQuire said.

By Electronista Staff