Apple Testing iPhones with Physical Keyboards?

[boom_media]

TheRegister.co.uk claims that Apple is currently circulating prototype iPhones with physical keyboards amongst some mobile carriers to gauge demand for such a device.
actual prototypes - not just mockups - have been sent to senior executives at some operators. I'm not allowed to even hint which operators... but I can report that the keyboard has "issues" which are not yet resolved.

The author believes that despite Steve Jobs' open criticism of the fixed buttons on existing smart phones, that he is currently exploring keyboarded iPhones. The design is said to be a "slider" type design where the keyboard would slide out behind the screen. The reason for the interest is an attempt to further penetrate the enterprise market where physical keyboards are the norm.
Worldwide, it has not escaped the attention of mobile network execs that the bulk of corporate sales are not into the executive corridor. Rather, they are phones which are provided for staff, and the vast bulk of them have full-QWERTY keyboards - and all the best-selling ones, Nokia, Sony-Ericsson and HTC alike, have slide-out keyboards. The popular Danger Sidekick, too, has a slide-out (spin-out) QWERTY keyboard.

Of course, even if such prototypes exist, there's no guarantee that Apple will actually release such a design.

[DeadBattery]

I doubt they will release such a design; Apple thinks they are "the best" but I don't think they are.
I really hope they include an update to clear history of the keyboard because once you type something wrong once, it assumes you want the wrong one every time. So annoying...

[componentwarehouse]

I think Apple would be too scared to spoil the clean design of their IPone with a slide out Keyboard. Although it would be a good idea, as typing on a touch screen is near imposible, especially with that size screen. Or maybe its just me, but I like real keys.

Alex

[Smith6612]

If anything, Apple should've put a keyboard on the 3G iPhone, but it would be cool if Apple did put a keyboard on the iPhone.