Two pieces of interesting Apple tidbits...

The first is specifically targeted for the French waiting on the arrival of the iPhone in their market. On Apple's press release, it states that Orange in France will be the exclusive carrier to offer the iPod-plus-phone product for the local market from November 29th, at a price of 399 Euros inclusive of V.A.T. upon subscribing to "one of the dedicated rate plans" to be offered. It's not the first mention of Orange when the iPhone is concerned, as there have been firm rumours and speculation on the number-one-wireless carrier partnering with Apple.

But what was more surprising, and not mentioned in the Apple press release, was the fact that unlocked iPhones will be an option also available. TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog) reports that this second option will be available alongside the aforementioned, and will be offered "for some as-yet-unannounced higher price" - a pretty-much-expected scenario. Reason being for this is due to a law which forbids telco carriers to network-lock handsets beyond a six-month introductory window.

This second option may be of greater relevance to those outside of the French market, for people who are in markets yet to be served with a local iPhone offering (which, currently, is most of the world), than those within it.

And, finally, the second piece of news is a personal note from Steve Jobs himself (apparently) - he goes on record to say that an SDK (or "software development kit") for the iPhone and iPod touch will be made available sometime in February next year, and justifies as to why the long wait. While this may be a few months off, developers waiting to have their software working on the platform - as well as those users who can't wait to make their devices so much more practical - probably won't mind too much about this slight setback.

Time may be of the essence. But at least Steve himself has firmly assured the community (with his words of persuasiveness) that web apps certainly won't be the final frontier.

Thought I'd jot a note here - specifically for iPhone users - to say that Apple has finally launched their third-party applications listing for both the iPhone and iPod touch devices. Finally, we can now expect more from these devices - whichever one (or two) you may own...

As of my last count, there are 215 applications currently listed - where most of which are directly accessed through the Mobile Safari browser. For those "web app" links, the browser will act as the primary interface between it and the user.

You can access the directory from either your PC browser (where a summary of each app is shown) - or directly from an iPhone or iPod touch, which would launch the respective web app in a 'new page' within Mobile Safari.

Enjoy, and have fun!

(original article posted on 18th September, 2007)

Next stop on the iPhone's world tour will be in Britain on November 9th, and its telephony services proudly hosted by local operator O2.

The CEOs of both Apple and O2, Steve Jobs and Matthew Key, were present at the Regent Street Apple Store this morning where they made the announcement.

Pricing and availability, in a nutshell (quoting from the official press release):

"iPhone is scheduled to go on sale on November 9th and will be sold exclusively in the UK through Apple’s retail and online stores, O2 and The Carphone Warehouse’s retail and online stores. iPhone will be available in an 8GB model for £269 (inc VAT) and will work with either a PC or Mac. Three new great value iPhone tariffs will be available from O2 starting at £35, which all include unlimited anytime, anywhere mobile data usage and, in a market first, free unlimited use of the UK’s largest single public Wi-Fi network, covering over 7,500 cafes, restaurants, airport lounges, pubs and other locations across the UK."

... and, as expected:

"iPhone activation will require an Internet connection; an iTunes Store account or a major credit card; the latest version of iTunes..."

Update:
Looks like Steve has crossed the Channel, and over to Germany, to do the very same act with T-Mobile International CEO, Hamid Akhavan, on the very next day! Germans can look forward to the same iPhone model that the Brits will get, as well as an identical release date of November 9th. Sadly, no 3G model as many had hoped for (thanks partly to rumours) - but users will have full EDGE data connectivity, as T-Mobile is the only operator having adapted the technology fully on their GSM-based network.

And, in final:

"iPhone is scheduled to go on sale on November 9 and will be sold in Germany through Telekom Shops of Deutsche Telekom and the T-Mobile web shop. iPhone requires a new 2-year T-Mobile tariff and will be available in an 8GB model for €399 including V.A.T. and will work with either a PC or Mac."

Resources: Apple UK - iPhone home page | O2 tariffs for iPhone chart | Apple Germany - iPhone home page

The European market has always been Apple's next move for the iPhone after the US. Therefore, it is not at all surprising to see Euro operators warming up to the Cupertino-based computer maker for the sole purpose of gaining its sale exclusivity.

The Financial Times has reported the signing of three operators by Apple - T-Mobile of Germany, Orange of France, and O2 in the UK. Apparently, part of the deal is for Apple to take a cut of "10 per cent of the revenues made from calls and data transfers by customers over iPhones" - sweet huh?

In the mobile handset space, it is rare to see how a handset maker is able to woo operators into revenue sharing of such fashion. But because it's the iPhone, and the fact that it's "Designed by Apple in California", what this particular device can bring to these operators won't simply be increased patronage and revenue - but also a significant boost in the mobile operator's image.

And, most importantly:

Apple has also lured the mobile operators with the prospect of a financially risk-free business, as it will not allow the now common subsidies on the sale of handsets. Most mobile phones are sold by operators to subscribers at a highly subsidised rate.

Yes, it does seem the ball is in the other court now...

An official announcement of the partnerships is expected to come at the IFA consumer electronics trade fair in Berlin at the end of August.