Apple may make mobile phones

People have heard the rumors for awhile, but now a recent patent filing by Apple indicates they may be close to entering the mobile phone market. Apple flirted with the market with Motorola's Razr, but they appear closer to entering the marketing in a big way:

`They do not waste money on patents,'' said Richard Doherty, an analyst with the Envisioneering Group. ``They are applied for when Apple is beyond the idea process and firmly into engineering and design.'' The filing offers few insights into exactly what Apple plans to do, but Doherty said the company has been meeting with phone manufacturers around the world and could put out a phone ``within the next few quarters.''

Apple is sure to get a lot of attention for a move like this, and cashing in on their red-hot marketing prowess is undoubtedly something they'd like to do. The next few months should be interesting.