Apple Computer has filed to trademark the phrase "Mobile Me" for use in a wide range of businesses, furthering speculation it could introduce an iPod phone.

There has also been speculation that Apple would, along with an iPod phone, resell cellular phone service provided by a cell service provider, becoming what's known as a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO.

The speculation seems pretty sound. From USPTO, entry #1:

Word Mark: MOBILE ME
Goods and Services: IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: Computer services; computer data recovery; data analysis being computer services; computer programming; updating of computer software; maintenance of computer software, computer and communications networks, and computer systems; research and development of computer hardware and software; website design, creation, hosting services; customized imprinting and design of messages, correspondence and other written communication which are delivered by electronic transmission; computer on-line services for the search, retrieval, indexing and organization of data on computer and communication networks; providing use of on-line, non-downloadable software; providing use of on-line, non-downloadable software for communications via local or global communications networks, including the Internet, Intranets, Extranets, television, mobile communication, cellular, and satellite networks; analyzing data to detect, eradicate and prevent the occurrence of computer viruses; computer services relating to the protection of computer hardware, computer software, computer networks and computer systems against computer viruses, attacks, or failures; computer services for enhancing the performance, security and functionality of computer and communications networks; computer help-line services; technical support services relating to computers, computer software, telecommunications, and the Internet; consultancy and provision of information and advice relating to the aforesaid; all provided on-line from a computer database or provided from facilities on local or global communications networks, including the Internet, Intranets, Extranets, television, mobile communication, cellular, and satellite networks

Serial Number 78785959
Filing Date January 5, 2006
Owner (APPLICANT) Apple Computer, Inc.

Entry #2:

Word Mark: MOBILE ME
Goods and Services: IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: providing digital music from local or global communications networks, including the internet, intranets, extranets, television, mobile communication, cellular and satellite networks; operating chat rooms; publication of electronic books and journals from local or global communications networks, including the internet, intranets, extranets, television, mobile communication, cellular and satellite networks; providing on-line electronic publications; electronic games services provided from local or global communications networks, including the internet, intranets, extranets, television, mobile communication, cellular and satellite networks; information relating to music entertainment, education, interactive entertainment and education, provided on-line from local or global communications networks, including the internet, intranets, extranets, television, mobile communication, cellular and satellite networks; music library services; organizing and conducting seminars and training courses relating to science, engineering, computer systems and business; education services relating to planning, production and distribution of live or recorded audio, visual or audio visual material; education and entertainment information services; providing online databases and directories in the field of music, concerts, videos, radio television, news, sports, games, cultural events and entertainment; providing online magazines, newsletters and books in the field of music, concerts, videos, radio, television news, sports, games, cultural events, and entertainment; organizing exhibitions for entertainment, educational and cultural purposes, music, concerts, film and motion picture events, audio and video events; publishing of text and graphics from local or global communications networks, including the internet, intranets, extranets, television, mobile communication, cellular and satellite networks;

Serial Number 78785950

Filing Date January 5, 2006
Owner (APPLICANT) Apple Computer, Inc.

Entry #3:

Word Mark MOBILE ME
Goods and Services IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Telecommunication services; electronic transmission and retrieval of data, images, audio, video and documents, including text, cards, letters, messages, mail, animations, and electronic mail, over local or global communications networks, including the internet, intranets, extranets, television, mobile communication, cellular and satellite networks; electronic transmission of computer software over local or global communications networks, including the internet, intranets, extranets, television, mobile communication, cellular, and satellite networks; electronic mail services; facsimile transmission; web site portal services; providing access to databases and local or global communications networks, including the internet, intranets, extranets, television, mobile communication, cellular, and satellite networks; internet service provider services; message transmission services, namely, electronic transmission of messages; telecommunication services for the dissemination of information by mobile telephone, namely the transmission of data to mobile telephones; mobile telephone communication services

Serial Number 78785943
Filing Date January 5, 2006
Owner (APPLICANT) Apple Computer, Inc.

Entry #4:

Word Mark MOBILE ME
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Portable digital electronic devices and software related thereto; handheld digital electronic devices and software related thereto; digital audio players, including digital music players, and software related thereto; digital video players and software related thereto; MP3 players and software related thereto; handheld computers, personal digital assistants, pagers, electronic organizers, electronic notepads; telephones, mobile phones, videophones; computer gaming machines; microprocessors, memory boards; monitors, displays, keyboards, cables, modems, printers, disk drives; cameras, digital cameras; prerecorded computer programs for personal information management; database management software; character recognition software; telephony management software; electronic mail and messaging software, paging software; database synchronization software; computer programs for accessing, browsing and searching online databases; computer operating system software; application development tool programs for personal and handheld computers; handheld electronic devices for the wireless receipt and/or transmission of data; handheld electronic devices with video, phone, messaging, photo capturing and audio transmission functionality; software for the redirection of messages, e-mail, and/or other data to one or more handheld electronic devices;

Serial Number 78785931
Filing Date January 5, 2006
Owner (APPLICANT) Apple Computer, Inc.

Apple files 'Mobile Me' as US trademark