Softbank denies iPhone rumors, kind of

Following a weekend of stiff-drinks and intrepid mulling, Vodafone Japan Softbank just went official regarding the supposed iTunes playing cellphone they are co-developing with Apple – officially denying it, that is. Well, kind of. See, our brethren over at Engadget Japan tell us that Softbank's response (in Japanese) to the claims made in that un-sourced Nikkei article are mere "speculation. The source is not us. We have nothing to say about it." Hmm, that sounds more like a plea to Apple not to kill the deal than a denial that they're in cahoots on the popularly dubbed, and oft speculated iPhone which is not pictured to the right.

[paris @ May 15th 2006 7:19AM]

I try to keep my mobile far from me as much as I can, with all that mobile radiation being harmful stuf we keep hearing. Why would anyone want to have it in their mp3 player?

[Ad @ May 15th 2006 7:40AM]

Apple's design team have done it again! Hulger style headset and rotary dial. Very Cool.

Im glad they've gone with the monochrome screen, it should sort out some if the battery issues

[Todd @ May 15th 2006 8:17AM]

THAT'S THE UGLIEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!!! HOW DARE APPLE DESIGN SUCH A LAME MOBILE PHONE!!! I SLEEP WITH MY iPod TUCKED DOWN IN THE FRONT OF MY UNDERWEAR AND I LOVE APPLE. WHY APPLE, WHY APPLE!?!?!?

[Gaz @ May 15th 2006 8:30AM]

WOW. Following the success of the U2 iPod, Apple prepare to release a Salvador Dali inspired version, minus the lobster.

[Ireland @ May 15th 2006 9:08AM]

All the shit jokes aside about that mock-up. I'm looking forward to the iPhone, but it's taking a while!! My V3 is crap. Terrible reception, and ver dodgy build.

[TriZz @ May 15th 2006 9:36AM]

They may not be outright denying it strictly because they like the attention. When the phone doesn't come out - and people say "hey, where's the iPhone?" They'll simply respond: "We told you so."

...either that, or they're working on one. Who knows?

[David @ May 15th 2006 1:07PM]

I'm waiting for the iPod shoe phone.

[DM @ May 15th 2006 3:53PM]

u guys are so gulliable...cant you see its a fake?

look, the wire(s) have been mysteriously cut off, and the wire attached to the dock is levitating!

[emma @ May 22nd 2006 1:23AM]

i think that pic is just a joke. and i hope its a true story because i just wrote an article on it on jspy....
but i dont know if it'll become a great hit in japan for a lot of us already own an ipod nano and cellphones and/or cellphones that download music. personally, i like my sweet little nano. its cuter than any cellphones that ive seen!