Waiting for an Apple Phone? Keep Waiting

Apple faithfuls have been waiting breathlessly for an Apple-branded cell phone that truly combines the iPod and cell phone functions on Apple's terms, rather than in a deal with Motorola. That's why the ROKR and SLVR have 100-song limits, the whisperers say. Apple didn't want to give away its franchise before coming out with its own hard-drive based phone that can hold thousands of iTunes downloads. But it's not going to happen, according to many serious Apple-watchers. Apple doesn't always play well with others and wants to own its markets. The phone market is already glutted with big players and Apple would have a hard time starting up on its own. Bottom line: You won't see the iPod become a music cell phone anytime soon.