iPhone 4 expands: T-Mobile and Three UK added, Telus silent
updated 07:40 am EDT, Fri July 30, 2010
iPhone 4 ships in 17 more countries
The iPhone 4 today launched in 17 more countries and included more carriers. Apple's phone is now available in Australia and New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Scandinavian countries, Singapore and new European countries that include the Benelux area and Spain. South Korea, which had been included in the original "second wave" list, is only due to get the device later this year due to delays.
In the UK, T-Mobile UK and 3 UK expand the number of British carriers to six. Pricing for the two varies sharply: 3 UK is the more aggressive and will give a 16GB iPhone for free on a two-year contract with a £45 tariff with 1GB of data, 2,000 minutes and 5,000 messages where T-Mobile requires a £60 plan with just 500 messages but unlimited UK calling. T-Mobile's plans are less generous with data and offer just 500MB on most tiers where 3 provides 1GB, more texts and more minutes with its lower prices.
In Canada, Virgin Mobile has joined its parent Bell and competitor Rogers in providing iPhone 4 details: it sells the 16GB and 32GB models for $160 and $270 respectively and is offering a promo until September 30 that gives a 6GB smartphone data plan for $30 per month.
Telus has raised questions, however, as the company is noticeably silent. Although it has promised to sell the iPhone 4 today, it still markets the phone as "coming July 30" and doesn't have listings. It also hasn't issued a press release.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2009
international launch
Personally, I'm actually offended at how Apple has handled the International launch. It took until a day before the launch to even hear the details of the pricing or if we would be allowed to buy it. Even then the pricing is pretty horrible.
Apple itself refused to provide details on pricing or even if the iPhone would be available to order online. All the managers were specifically told *not* to tell the customers anything. On top of that, they took away the "pick it up in your local store" option the day before the launch. So unless you want to take a day off work and line up with all the teenagers, we have to wait three to four weeks longer.
On top of that, we don't know anything about stock levels, so it could be that I'm waiting three weeks even though they might even have stock in the store down the street.
Apple's launches are absolute freaking disasters lately from the customer point of view. Just because people *will* line up around the block, doesn't mean that they shouldn't treat their customers with a little more respect.