Rumors surfacing on Think Secret say Apple Computer and Cingular Wireless have signed an agreement to make Cingular, the largest U.S. cellphone service provider, the exclusive carrier of Apple's first phone.

Apple's iPhone remains on track for an early 2007 release, the site said.

In addition, the speculation said Apple's exclusive contract with Cingular will last for six months.

It makes sense since Cingular has had an exclusive on the Motorola Rokr, the first phone to feature music from Apple's iTunes. Since then, Cingular has also carried the Motorola Slvr with iTunes.

Apple's phone is expected to feature a 2.2-inch screen and 3 megapixel camera. Thinksecret said Apple insiders are estimating that iPhone shipments will top a 25 million in next year alone. By contrast, Motorola's Razr has sold more than 50 million units since its late 2004 launch.