iPhone launches - but not from Apple

Linksys, a division of networking giant Cisco, has unveiled a line of voice over IP phones that will go by the name iPhone.

For many months Apple has been rumoured to be working on a hybrid mobile phone/digital music device with an identical moniker, following the same naming conventions as the company's popular iPod music player and iMac desktop system.

Although Apple has not announced it will release such a device, Apple enthusiasts, bloggers, journalists and even analysts have been discussing the possibility of morphing the iPod into a mobile phone for some time.

Rumour sites cite many facts as evidence of the development of such a device including Apple's application for the iPhone trademark; the iphone.org URL redirecting users to Apple's home page; references to GPS and mobile phone technology in Apple software code; and a job posting on the company's website advertising a role for a mobile marketing manager.

An Apple spokeswoman said the company does not comment on rumours and would not comment on whether it would engage in a trademark dispute with Linksys over 'iPhone' because "at the moment [the iPhone] is a non-existent product for us".

Cisco holds the 'iPhone' trademark, according to the US Patent and Trademark Office.

The wireless Linksys phones run VoIP software from Skype and Yahoo! Messenger and allow users to make low-cost phone calls over the internet. Prices range from $79.99 to $369.99.

Seb Janacek contributed to this report