California-based Apple Computer Inc. may be preparing to combine its iPod music player with its own mobile phone.

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Such speculation has been fueled by the company's filing of four trademark applications for the term "Mobile Me," covering such possibilities as "digital music,""cellular" and "telecommunications," the San Francisco Chronicle said Tuesday.

Among those fueling rumors of a combination iPod-cell phone are analysts Albert Lin and Shaw Wu of American Technology Research. In a research note they wrote that "Apple has long been rumored to be a (niche phone carrier) candidate. We believe this would be a successful strategy, given the type of content and markets Apple has had success in. We believe additional branding for services coming to the market would heavily involve wireless downloading of content to maximize sales and meet customer expectations for ease of use."