Ah, another chapter to the Euro-iPhone rumourfest.  Latest is the news that UK carrier O2, according to one major cellphone retailer, has "'taken the deal on the table from Apple" in an attempt to prevent arch-rival Vodafone from clinching the exclusive contract. 

"'It is the world's worst kept secret that the have the deal but it is a question of whether they take it out to the wider channels" Anonymous major UK retailer

Some analysts have speculated that the announcement will be held at the former Millennium Dome, now renamed The O2 and used as a concert arena, multi-screen cinema and exhibition space, sometime this month.

Meanwhile, retailer The Carphone Warehouse is apparently in talks with Apple regarding setting up a "store within a store" at one of its Oxford Street locations, presumably similar in concept to the programme rolled out in Best Buy stores in the US.  It is not yet known whether this will be to promote the iPhone or the iPod range, but given the store's obvious cellphone links and early rumours regarding their involvement with the UK iPhone launch it would indicate the former.

[via Digg]