And the Apple phone release date is…

SO, as another Apple press conference passes without an iPod phone appearing, the rumour mill grinds out another fine blend that says the product will be announced in…

(roll of drums, videos of silhouette rockers on AppleTM white background, Bono stinking the place out)

January 2007.

Now that we've lured you in for another hit we might as well disclose our source - the excellent Think Secret site.

Think Secret gives itself a small pat on the back by noting that it never said the phone would ship this year, unlike others it could name.

The site suggests the device will pack a whoa Cupertino, 3-megapixel camera and 2.2in screen. But it also suggests that Apple will use off-the-peg parts. They'll be using Intel chips and USB next. µ