iPhone to hit Europe in December - Asia in 2008

[Fire14]

UPDATED: iPhone to launch in Europe by December
Apple testing wireless corporate e-mail


The iPhone will be launched in “a few major countries” in Europe before the end of December, Apple Inc. executives said this afternoon during a conference call to discuss the company’s earnings.

By that time Apple expects to sell one million units between sales in the United States and Europe. Company executives said that, in contrast, it took seven quarters to sell one million iPods.

Apple expects to launch the device in Asian markets during 2008, according to the company. Apple executives clarified that the company’s oft-mentioned goal of selling 10 million iPhones by the end of 2008 meant global sales that combine results from U.S., European and Asian markets. The company’s executives declined to give any market share goals for its foray into the global mobile-phone business.

“Our primary focus is not on early sales,” one Apple executive said in response to an analyst’s question on current demand for the iPhone. “We’re looking for a third business (beyond Mac computers and iPods). It won’t be done overnight. Progress will be measured in years, not months. We’re confident we can succeed.”

Apple executives said that more 8 GB models of the iPhone have been sold at $600 than the 4 GB models, priced at $500—possibly a reflection that American consumers indeed will pay top dollar for skillfully marketed converged devices, a question avidly contemplated by incumbent handset vendors. Apple declined to give an average selling price (ASP) for the iPhone.

The company acknowledged that it would expand the iPhone product line, but would not give details.

Apple executives said that the company would watch carefully for any evidence that the music-centric iPhone was “cannibalizing” iPod sales. Another potential drawback to the iPhone mentioned by analysts is whether it can or will support secure corporate e-mail. Apple executives said this afternoon that corporate customers were currently running trials of such an application.

Apple said it sold 270,000 iPhones during the quarter, which included just a day and a half of retail availability, and that the device generated $5 million in revenues. Apple’s carrier partner AT&T Mobility said that it activated 146,000 iPhones during the same period.

Apple executives apologized to customers who experienced activation problems, but added that AT&T had resolved those problems.

As to whether the company was surprised by any aspects of its foray into the mobile phone market, one executive responded: “We’re beginners, so there’s something to learn everyday.”

Apple’s company-wide profits surged 73% over the same quarter a year ago due to sales of its Macintosh computers and iPod music players, numbers that beat analyst expectations. The company’s stock was up around 10% on the news in volatile, after-hours trading.

UPDATED: iPhone to launch in Europe by December :: RCR Wireless News

[Bugwart]

By "expand the product line", I must assume that they intend to add wCDMA to the handset. I can not imagine launching a GSM only phone Europe or Asia, and certainly not at the price point of the iPhone.

[hf1khal]

Originally Posted by Bugwart

By "expand the product line", I must assume that they intend to add wCDMA to the handset. I can not imagine launching a GSM only phone Europe or Asia, and certainly not at the price point of the iPhone.

The rumer is that a 3G version will be available by year end.

[bobolito]

Why would Apple bother to launch the iPhone in Asia? There are already several more advanced iPhone clones over there...

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by hf1khal

The rumer is that a 3G version will be available by year end.

I heard October they will have it available here, but who knows how true that is with Apple.

[bobolito]

A lot of early adopters are gonna feel dumb when the 3G version comes out. Just a few months away.... hehe...

I hope that by then AT&T has more 3G deployed. It seems the 3G deployment was going well in 2006, but this year it seems that it has been paralyzed. I haven't heard of any expansion in a long time.

[hf1khal]

Originally Posted by bobolito

A lot of early adopters are gonna feel dumb when the 3G version comes out. Just a few months away.... hehe...

I got to use one this past weekend for 2 days and I can say I did not ike its performance on the web. Yes the Safari browser is great but with the time it takes to load one would end up frustrated. The unit seems to also be very sensitive to signal strength and the lower the signal the worse the load takes. I got to compare it head to head with the BB 8800 under the same conidtions and the same pages and the BB out performed it. I might think of the iPhone when it goes 3G but by then the market should be flooded with competetive products that will most likely end up costing half as much.

[Bugwart]

Originally Posted by bobolito

Why would Apple bother to launch the iPhone in Asia? There are already several more advanced iPhone clones over there...

Yes, you're correct.

The LG Prada is getting a big push here, and for less than the iPhone is in the US.