Rumor round up - Apple hires new team for the new Newton, iPhones cut in line

Something’s happening at Apple. Their company stock rose above $200 per share for the first time this week amid rumors that over 5 million iPhones have already been sold. Steve Jobs set a goal to sell 10 million units by the end of next year which means they are halfway there in only six months. Did you get one in your stocking this year?

Apple also seems to be hiring an entire engineering team specifically for multi-touch. Could this be for the new Newton, an ultra-mobile multi-touch tablet coming the second half of 2008? If so, you may not have to wait in line for one if Apple gets granted this new patent which would allow iPhone owners to cut in line at participating stores. Sure, you’ll be able to get in an out of Starbucks much faster, but that’ll mean less time buying music at iTunes while you wait for your latte.