Softbank aims to raise stake to 40% in Chinese Internet company

I'm willing to bet Apple wants a cut of the monthly revenue from each subscriber

yadayada, when are we going to hear WHO is releasing the iPhone and WHEN?! Last we heard, Softbank and DoCoMo were negotiating with Apple late last year for an Ocotber-ish 2008 release, but nothing has come up since then.

Yes, I know that the negotiations are secret, yes, I know that Apple is using the pressure of the other competing bid to extract special conditions and so on, but it's may now and I find it hard to believe if there is no announcement soon that the phone can be made Japan ready and released within the year if it takes much more than a month longer to decide.

I want Softbank to get this (do you hear me Apple) - they are more innovative, more customer friendly, and Son is a visionary, an Apple kind of person. Yes, Docomo has a bigger war chest, but in the end of the day, it would not help Apple's brand image to be associated with Docomo, whereas it quite suits that of Softbank.

It is good to see Softbank active in the market like this, but will Apple please hurry up so I can read a story that the iPhone will be released by Softbank in whatever month.

Peace