Arun 795 Report post Posted April 15, 2008 Business Standard April 16, 2008 03:23 IST Indians will no longer need to illegally buy, unlock and then use the most-desired item on gadget lovers' lists -- the Apple iPhone. Its much-awaited and delayed India launch is expected with telecom operator Vodafone in the first week of September. The Cupertino, California-based company, according to Apple retail sources, said initially the 8 GB version of the much-hyped touchscreen device -- which combines Wi-Fi capabilities with a powerful email client, TV feeds, online music store and map-based location guide -- will be launched at a price ranging between Rs 27,200 and Rs 28,000. Based on buyer response, the launch of the 16 GB version will be staggered to the middle of 2009. Apple sources in Singapore, when contacted last month, had maintained that the India launch would happen in 2008, but were tight-lipped on the exact date. Apple reportedly claims to have shipped four million iPhones this January since its US launch on June 29 last year, and its chief Steve Jobs has targeted sales of 10 million units by December 2008. The tie-up is an exclusive arrangement with AT&T. Initial sales targets for the iPhone in India or unit numbers at the time of launch are as yet unavailable, with Apple wary of grey market sales in India. "The carrier deal for India is being worked out with Vodafone," said an Apple source, adding: "Vodafone could also become the carrier for the Australian market once iPhone is launched there, though more than one carrier is likely for Australia." When contacted, a Vodafone spokesperson denied any knowledge of the deal. However, company sources confirmed the iPhone carrier deal with Apple, though the exact commercial terms were not disclosed. Mobile carriers that offer the iPhone share a percentage of their sales with Apple. The Apple retail sources also did not rule out Apple extending universal access for iPhone users to all major telecom carriers in India. "Post launch in India, the iPhone can be 'unlocked' (or configured to use SIM cards from all telecom carriers), though the company is not fully open to such a possibility," the source said. The real signs of 'iFatigue' in India over the long wait for the iPhone are evident on Internet chat forums where users debate thorny issues like how to unlock the iPhone without losing call quality, free open source hacker kits like AppTapp, the best unlock deals at the right price, and quick bargains in the grey market. Meanwhile, Apple India's tentative expansion plans in the coming year include opening a second branch of its exclusive product station, the iStore, in Bangalore's southern suburb of Jayanagar to tap growing demand for the iPod series and the Mac Book Air workstation launched early this year. A third iStore is planned to be launched in Chennai this August. As the Indian mobile subscriber base gets set to almost double to 500 million by 2010, brand positioning and pricing schemes will be crucial. Customer churn has increased across telecom circles from 18 per cent in 2006 to 20 per cent in 2007, according to IDC India figures. The iPhone's entry could tilt the balance further, say industry watchers. Further, the introduction of number portability could prompt customers to jump to competing networks or go in for superior handsets with better offerings. No matter how much of the iPhone's feature basket will be available to the user initially, those awaiting the launch agree that it's better to have the ecosystem in place before buying the phone. The rewards of buying the kosher version far outstrip the risks of stalking it down the murky alleys of the grey market, and hacking and re-hacking the device every time Apple releases a software upgrade. Till September, then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HetalDP 947 Report post Posted April 16, 2008 Its not illegal to Unlock or Imports it The Buyer have Right to Buy and Unlock it and use it in any carrier !! even US Courts have Endorsed the Buyers Right but only thing is it will Void the Warranty!! again the Apple have inked the Deal with Vodafone so Airtel and Other users will have to Unlocked it to use it in Other Network Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sadikk 301 Report post Posted April 16, 2008 will be launched at a price ranging between Rs 27,200 and Rs 28,000. Considering it price in gry market, it will be a big flop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rajat8676 0 Report post Posted April 16, 2008 IPhone with 3G and GPS is due to be launched in September, first in Australia. So the current model will be outdated. Again India will become the dumping ground for an outdated model. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vishalkumar 0 Report post Posted April 16, 2008 will be launched at a price ranging between Rs 27,200 and Rs 28,000. Considering it price in gry market, it will be a big flop. Yup, the price does look high. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greatest 55 Report post Posted April 16, 2008 IPhone with 3G and GPS is due to be launched in September, first in Australia. So the current model will be outdated. Again India will become the dumping ground for an outdated model. This is insane... hope the ppl in apple read this... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dj 25 Report post Posted April 16, 2008 ^^^ they would have thought of this in the first place man how else do they get the old toys replaced with the new ones... cant keep holding inventories forever... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dkaile 1,051 Report post Posted April 16, 2008 will be launched at a price ranging between Rs 27,200 and Rs 28,000. Considering it price in gry market, it will be a big flop. Yup, the price does look high. Here are few links for people looking to buy iPhone from Hong Kong. I have dealt with this shipper and the best thing is that he ships FREE to India and marks it as a gift. Fully unlocked with latest version of software - 16 gb iphone for 710$ (Rs. 28,000/-) Link - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...3FMyEbayBeta%26 8 gb iphone iphone for approx 550$ (Rs. 22,000/-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Honest 836 Report post Posted May 16, 2008 3G iPhone is on the Way! Any which way you look at it, Apple's iPhone does manage to get around! Rumor has it that a Gen-Next 3G iPhone is on its way. Stoking the speculation are a couple of factors. One, as reported by a leading tech Web site, a top-brass O2 (exclusive iPhone carrier in UK and Ireland) executive vaguely said that Apple and Telefonica (of which O2 is a subsidiary) will make a joint statement in 'the coming weeks'. Two, rather uncharacteristic of Apple -- the company has let its iPhone inventory go limp in recent weeks. The public announcement came earlier this week -- that Apple online stores in the US and UK have run out of iPhones -- with no indication whatsoever about re-stocking. O2 did much the same thing last month when it slashed iPhone prices leading to an erosion of inventory, giving no indication of renewing stock. Three, the much-publicized deals Apple is getting into with carriers across the globe. Take India for instance; apparently two carriers, Vodafone and Bharti Airtel seem set to market the iPhone in the country. Meanwhile, Apple, in characteristic fashion, continues to keep mum about any such phone. For the showman he is known to be, Steve Jobs might be leaving the best for the last, i.e. the annual developers conference scheduled for June 9 this year. All eyes already on Jobs, have we? Source : Techtree Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
