You bought the PC, the iPod and all manner of peripherals, so how about connecting your iPod phone through Apple's own mobile network? That is a future which the company is exploring, according to US publication Forbes.

Apple declined to comment, and most analysts polled today by vnunet.com think that the speculation is unlikely to be true.

James Governor, co-founder of Red Monk, said: "That's really silly. It's feasible that Apple would become a virtual network operator like Virgin, but it doesn't seem reasonable that it would pay to build a network, and neither would it want to upset other mobile operators by doing so.

"But I could be wrong. After all, Apple is supposed to be working with Motorola to develop a hybrid phone/iPod and it has 70 per cent of the MP3 device market, so it could well have lofty ambitions."

Tom Uhart, a partner at billing company Nimbus Systems, told vnunet.com: "If there is truth in this rumour, it will be one to watch.

"Taking the iPod/iTunes business, Apple controls every part of the supply chain including its significantly strong brand. Apple also manages the relationship with the customer, which is direct. There is no intermediary."

Clem Chambers, chief executive at shares website ADVFN, added: "Rumours suggest that Apple may turn the iPod into a mobile phone. So why not expand iPod into telecoms too? It's a huge market ripe for revolution.

"Can iPod gobble up the mobile handset market, or will handsets gobble up the MP3 market? Only one thing is for sure: if anyone can do it, it's a rampant Ap ple led by the brilliant Steve Jobs."

The Sunday Telegraph claimed last weekend that Apple will unveil the first fruits of its relationship with Motorola at the V music festival on 20/21 August.