iPhone with 2MP Camera Available in New Year

Apple Computer’s iPod cell phone, which will include a 2.0-megapixel digital camera, is expected to arrive in the late first quarter or early second quarter of 2007.

According to a report in The China Times, the design of the device has been finalised and released for manufacturing. The iPhone will incorporate traditional cellular capabilities with Apple’s iPod digital music player technology.

According to the report, Foxconn will begin delivering the phones to Apple from its Fushikang manufacturing site in China, at run rate of 500,000 to 600,000 per month beginning in February 2007.

Several component suppliers are providing various elements of the device. Foxconn’s subsidiary AlusTech is fabricating the digital camera module; Largan is supplying the camera lens; Micron is supplying the CMOS image sensor, Intel is providing the memory; Sharp is responsible for the LCM display, Tripod Technology is providing the circuit board, Broadcom is supplying the baseband chip and Sunrex is providing the keypad.

It is believed that Apple will appoint iPod casing manufacturer Catcher Technology to mold and manufacturer the phone’s exterior housing. Catcher has supplied casings for Apple’s aluminum iPod mini and, most recently, its second-generation clip-on iPod shuffle player.

The Apple-branded cell phone will initially be available in only a single model and the price has not yet been disclosed.