Apple and Orange together for forthcoming Netbook

A number of reports are surfacing that Apple and Orange may come together in the same proverbial fruit-bowl to offer the soon-expected Apple Netbook in the UK.

Mobile Today reports that Orange could be about to sign a deal to sell a range of Apple MacBooks via its direct channel from the summer. Orange already offers a number of Mobile Broadband plus Laptop deals from around the £25 mark. It makes sense that Apple to not get totally left out of this market.

It’s commented that this is expected to be a direct only deal, excluding the likes of Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U, although potential exclusivity is not known. Orange is already an exclusive partner for the iPhone in a large number of countries, but of course not in the UK.

In the last week, various rumours have surfaced about a forthcoming 10-inch Apple Netbook based on the iPhone. What will be interesting is to see whether this would have a touch screen. This would build on the already familiar navigation method loved by many. Also interesting will be to see if it even has a keyboard. Maybe it will rather be more like an Apple Tablet (MacTablet? iTablet?) with an ‘optional use’ keyboard.