Apple and AT&T are not the only companies with a stake in the iPhone’s success. As early as January, when Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs first introduced the iPhone, accessory makers starting placing big bets on the iPhone as they began working to produce iPhone accessories .

“Since the day the iPhone was announced, we’ve been working, coming up with ideas, creating,” Jackie Ballinger, Griffin spokeswoman is quoted as saying by marketwatch.com. Griffin is the maker of the popular iTrip, an add-on accessory to iPods.

Griffin’s lineup of iPhone carry cases, screen protectors and other accessories will go on sale on June 29, the same day AT&T will begin selling Apple’s iPhone, said Ballinger.

iPod accessory sales have reached $1 billion a year. If iPhone accessories follow the same success of iPod accessories, then accessory makers’ potential payoff could be great. However, the potential risk is also large, as many of them began crafting iPhone accessories without the benefit of actually seeing the iPhone.

The only requirement set by Apple when it comes to iPhone accessories is that accessories with the phrase “works with iPhone” on the packaging must be approved by Apple. However, several accessory makers disclosed that they are going to ship their products without the “works with iPhone” phrase on their packaging to make it early to the market.

If Apple could reach its target to sell 10 million iPhones by the end of next year then this could be a bonanza for iPhone accessories makers.

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Entry was posted on Friday, June 8th, 2007 at 7:30 pm under Apple.

Read more entries by Ruben Francia.
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