New iPhone models in 2009?

While Apple is still experiencing high sales of its iPhone device, there are rumours spreading across the internet that new models of the phone are in the works.

Business news website BusinessWeek has claimed that Apple already has working prototypes of the new devices, one of which is an “iPhone Lite” – a smaller, cheaper version of the iPhone.

The second product is a media pad similar to a graphics tablet that can also play music and videos, view photos and browse the web via the Safari browser.

The two companies involved in the development of the products – Apple and telco Verizon – have not yet commented on the rumours. While Verizon was not involved in the initial iPhone design, analyst Jeff Kagan told InformationWeek that they are changing their position.

“They didn’t want to be involved and now realised it was a mistake. The bottom line is you got to keep your customers happy, or you’ll lose subscribers. As hard as they want to compete, they don’t have an iPhone. And that matters.”