Apple iPhone changes on the way?

Apple's Tim Cook is reportedly looking at changes to the iPhone

Apple has hinted at the possibility of iPhone price changes, despite expressing confidence that this quarter will be another healthy one for the firm, according to reports.

A leading analyst is quoted in The Boston Times as saying that Apple chief operating officer Tim Cook, currently standing in for Steve Jobs, is thinking about how "Apple could take the iPhone into new markets, and examining iPhone's business model".

The analyst, Toni Sacconaghi, said that "several interesting titbits point to new iPhones, potentially with different pricing/price points this year," reportedly after a meeting with Cook, chief financial officer Peter Oppenheimer and marketing chief Phil Schiller.

Cook is also said to view netbooks as an interesting opportunity for the firm, although it is unlikely that there are any immediate plans in this area.

Apple recorded record results last month, reporting a rise in quarterly profit to $1.61bn (£1.15bn) from $1.58bn (£1.13bn) in the same quarter last year. Revenue was up from $7.9bn (£5.68bn) to $10.17bn (£7.31bn), much better than analyst predictions, although the stats do reveal the firm's growing reliance on the iPhone and iPod lines. The firm said it sold 4.4 million iPhones during the quarter, up 88 per cent.

Despite the strong financials, there has been anxiety among shareholders around the continued ill-health of chief executive Steve Jobs.

Jobs is currently recovering from a "hormone imbalance" and is due back at work in June.