Apple iPhone to arrive earlier than most people expect?

Speaking on conditions of anonymity, a second informant has told AppleInsider of an incremental buzz surrounding the phone, which has heightened in recent weeks. The informant, who flourishes a nearly unblemished track record in predicting Apple's future music directions, has said the device is slated to turn up earlier than some people may be expecting, in the form of a "big bang" introduction that will catch even some insiders off-guard.

By now, the notion of an Apple-branded iPod cell phone has grown from rumor to expectation, fueled in part by analysts on Wall Street who have become increasingly vocal in their convictions that Apple is developing such a device.

Upon exiting a meeting with the company's leadership earlier this year, Bear Stearns analyst Andy Neff said it was his belief an iPod phone was "in the works." Similarly, Shaw Wu, an analyst with American Technology Research, recently stated his "firm" belief that Apple has been working on cell phone technology.