IBM will offer <A HREF="http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Messaging-and-Collaboration/IBM-Apple-Team-to-Take-on-Microsoft/?kc=EWKNLEDP012108D">a version of Lotus Notes for the iPhone and iPod touch,</A> ratcheting up its office battle with the software maker.

Big Blue officials the week of Jan. 21 will unveil an e-mail package for Lotus Notes that runs on Apple's iPod Touch music player and the smash hit iPhone, which just surpassed 3 million units sold.

IBM will formally announce the software at its Lotusphere conference in Orlando, Fla., which starts Jan. 21, according to multiple news sources.