There is no doubt that the iPhone has already become an iconic product but there is one segment of consumers who have kept it at an arm’s length – the enterprise segment. These consumers typically prefer devices with QWERTY keyboards from BlackBerry or those running on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile platform, which are capable of handling e-mails and make it easier to type using the physical keypad. For carriers, this segment are usually the high-net worth customers as their companies foot their cellphone bills.

With a sliding QWERTY keypad iPhone, Jobs can retain the button-less face of the orignal iPhone and at the same time give these enterprise users the familiar physical keypad. It is still early to say whether this Enterprise iPhone prototype will ever become commercial, but it is rather good to hear that Jobs is actually willing to trash his ego and listen to popular demand. If the speculation is true, expect the curtains to be raised at around this time next year!