Analyst: iPhone’s multi-touch basis of Apple ‘mega-platform’

UBS analyst Ben Reitzes believes Apple is planning a “mega-platform” based on the iPhone’s multi-touch display technology, and sees the company introducing new iPods and Macs that utilize the advanced interface. The analyst said Apple could begin selling other new products with multi-touch technology as early as 2008. “We expect multi-touch to be prevalent in Apple’s major hardware products within three to five years—making its way into touch-screen Macs next year,” Reitzes told clients today. “We also expect new touch-screen video iPods, ultra portables, more phones and possibly even TVs in the future.”