Apple on Monday said that it would launch the iPhone 4 in 17 countries - including Australia, Canada, and Switzerland - on Friday, 30 July.
Currently, the iPhone 4 is on sale in five countries: the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, and Japan. Also included on the list for July 30 are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealanad, Singapore, Spain, and Sweden.
However, Apple did not disclose what the pricing for the iPhone 4 will be in any of these countries, irking some international customers. At the time of this writing, Apple online store listings for the iPhone 4 in those countries still say only “Coming Soon.”
Apple first announced its international rollout plan for the iPhone 4 in June at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, where it said that it would roll out 18 additional countries in late July. Earlier this month, Apple CEO Steve Jobs confirmed in a press conference that Apple would bring the iPhone 4 to just 17 of those countries, with South Korea delayed for unspecified reasons.
The rollout is expected to continue in August with 24 additional countries; Apple hopes to hit 88 countries by the end of September, marking the fastest rollout for any iPhone model. Meanwhile, the company has encountered repeated delays in producing the white version of the iPhone 4, which has now slipped until later in the year.
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Comments received
Galile0 said on Mon, 26 Jul 2010
Another likely setback exporting the problematic iphone 4,it will be interesting to see what's next in the news regarding iPhone issues (antenna, manufacturing) and their steps to refund cases won’t make up for the iPhone 4's lack of function over form.
It's a shame to see so many issues with the iPhone 4 after so many people waited for it's release. What's more of a shame is that it seems Apple knew about some of these issues already, such as the problem with reception.
But Apple have created such a loyal following that people may just put up with what issues there are for the sake of owning the latest Apple product.
Personally, I'd be happier with an older iPhone - at least then the issues are all ironed out.
However, it's also interesting to see how much excitement new technologies can bring. New technology and innovation is important for new business, illustrated by entrepreneurship grants and new business competitions like www.ukesnc.com.
Guess it's not all bad!
Mackly said on Mon, 26 Jul 2010
@MacWorld - better fix your title for this article - the date should not be 20 July but 30 July.
The entire content of this post is that Apple hasn't yet released pricing for the 17 countries to get the iPhone 4 on Friday. Amazing insight!
@Galile0 - you don't own an iPhone and yet you repeat the hyped up media coverage?
Contrary to what PCWorld and others would have us believe, the rumours that there are thousands of disappointed, left-handed iPhone 4 users wandering the streets unable to make a phone call, are quite simply unfounded.
Swede said on Mon, 26 Jul 2010
And yet no date when they will ship any iPads to these countries...
Swede said on Mon, 26 Jul 2010
@Galile0 - You can buy my factory unlocked iPhone 3GS if you want. I would gladly buy an iPhone 4G instead.
But I guess that was only rhetoric on your part...
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