For some time now, the rumor mills have run themselves wild over Apple Computer's prospective launch of an "iPhone".

However, to everyone's surprise, yesterday, Linksys unveiled a series of handheld devices designed to make Internet calls. The handhelds will inherit the 'iPhone' trademark, which is owned by parent company, Cisco Systems, since 2000.

The Linksys iPhones include: iPhone Cordless Internet Telephony Kit CIT200; iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit CIT300; iPhone Dual-Mode Cordless Phone for Yahoo! Messenger with Voice CIT310; iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit for Skype CIT400; iPhone Wireless-G IP Phone WIP300; iPhone Wireless-G IP Phone with Web Browser WIP330; and iPhone Wireless-G Phone for Skype WIP320.

According to Linksys, these iPhones will enable consumers do more than just dial a phone number and wait for someone to answer at the other end.

The iPhones integrate popular communication clients such as Skype and Yahoo! Messenger with Voice, allowing users to actually see when their near and dear ones are online and ready to receive calls. Besides, callers can toggle between traditional landline services and free VoIP calling options available from Skype or Yahoo! All iPhones support popular Skype calling services, including SkypeOut, SkypeIn, and Skype Voicemail.

With the iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit CIT300, consumers can access information in a convenient and timely manner, without having to rummage through a phone book or a computer to find say - a phone number.

The iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit for Skype CIT400 embeds the communications client into a cordless phone base station, which is directly attached to the home network via Ethernet, thus making it easy to place calls to other Skype users, mobile phones, or landlines without having to turn-on the computer.

The iPhone Wireless-G IP Phone with Web Browser WIP330 integrates popular standards-based SIP VoIP protocol, and can be used to access music and photos, and for streaming video from the Internet.

The iPhone Wireless-G Phone for Skype WIP320 integrates Skype into a Wireless-G handset, making it portable, and allowing consumers to place calls from anywhere they can connect to a wireless access point.

Speaking at the launch, Mike Pocock, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Linksys, said, "As the next generation of handheld devices, Linksys iPhone voice solutions and products are changing the way people communicate with their friends, family, and colleagues. They enable compelling Internet services, allow consumers to know when their contacts are available for calls, and offer access to personal content like music, movies and live video cameras."

"The development of the iPhone family demonstrates our flexibility in selecting the right partnerships, feature sets, and product designs to exceed the demands of even our most connected customers to whom the Internet is no longer a destination, but an inextricable part of their lives," Pocock said.

The iPhone Cordless Internet Telephony Kit CIT200 is available globally through e-commerce retailers, retail stores, and VAR partners for an estimated street price of $79.99 (Rs 3,599.55).

The iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit CIT300 is also available globally through e-commerce retailers, and VAR partners for an estimated street price of $99.99 (Rs 4,499.55).

The iPhone Wireless-G IP Phone WIP300 is immediately available in North America, Europe, and Asia through distribution, and authorized VAR partners for an estimated street price of $219.99 (Rs 9,899.55).

The iPhone Wireless-G IP Phone WIP330 is again, immediately available in North America, Europe, and Asia through distribution, and authorized VAR partners for an estimated street price of $369.99 (Rs 12,150).

The iPhone Dual-Mode Cordless Phone for Yahoo! Messenger with Voice CIT310; and the iPhone Wireless-G Phone for Skype WIP320 are available in the US through e-commerce retailers, online retailers, and VAR partners for estimated street prices of $99.99 (Rs 4,499.55) and $199.99 (8,999.55) respectively.

The iPhone Wireless-G Phone for Skype WIP320 will be available in Europe, Asia, and Latin America in Q1 2007.

The iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit for Skype CIT400 is immediately available in the US through e-commerce retailers, and VAR
partners for an estimated street price of $179.99 (Rs 8,099.55). This phone will also be globally available in Q1 2007.