Click through this story to see the goods. Steve is apparently on the ground and TC writer Mike Butcher is ready. Mike is in line and ready to roll. They’re fussing about Wi-Fi at the Apple Store so it looks like we’re using SMS and Twitter to get the job done.
In honor of our friends over the pond, I’d like to offer one free 8GB iPhone — already unlocked by our own team here in New York — to a random commenter on this thread. To enter simply comment in this thread and enter your real email address (it won’t appear on the site anywhere). Tell us how bummed you are that Europe isn’t getting a 16GB 3G iPhone with automatic translator and a crisps packet. We’ll close entries at midnight EDT tonight and pick one winner at random — hopefully someone in the UK or Europe who can take advantage of the weak dollar and can get themselves a nice new, unlocked iPhone. Chip chip cheerio and all that. If your comment doesn’t appear immediately, wait a few minutes. Our caching system sometimes gets a little screwy. Just don’t enter more than two times in a row and you’ll be fine.
UPDATE – As you see I’ve abandoned the live-blogging platform tonight. Looks like our updates are coming a bit more slowly. Just read this thread for full info.
10:06 am – Have just kicked up almighty storm with apple about wifi. May have to live twitter this for my US editors.
10:14 am – Tight small crowd.
10:23 am – Mike has just gone off air but Engadget is reporting that Apple is selling the iPhone in the UK under O2 for 269 English pounds or about $542 US. No 3G as we had predicted and unlimited EDGE data plans will be available. Engadget.
10:27 am – carphone warehouse sales points. confirmed. Wifi deal with The Cloud for free WiFi roaming. 8GB version for 269 quid.
10:34 am – Wireless ITMS also available next month in UK.
A’ight, no 3G was something to expect, but at that price? Hellooo?
269 pounds ? Hmm, that doesn’t sounds good for us when the iPhone will come here in France :-(
If at least I knew someone in the US! :’-|
The good news: they managed to close a deal for free Wifi, I hope we’ll get to have one too here…
Apple seems to be the only company that could announce a non-3G phone in Europe in 2007 and get away with it.
Maybe now that it’s been released in the UK other countries will finally follow…Bring it on down here to Australia!
Very expensive and no 3G – it’s not a big deal in Europe where 3G gains mass-market
No 3G and o2s coverage? Unless they’ve sorted out that over the last year I’m not too sure businessfolk will switch from Voda.
I estimate that there are roughly 45 posts before mine. With everyone else who will post, it will take quite a bit of luck to win this.
i’m tired of waiting, when can we get an iphone in Italy?
Can 3G really require that more battery power that they could not put it on the phone?
Will we have to wait for the next version of the iPhone to get the functionality everyone wants?
Despite the lack of 3G, I’d love to win this iphone to prove what a tech-junkie I am. Although I could just get the artful dodger to nick it for me! Pip pip cherio!
All the luck with this comment!
8GB is not enough for me to hold my music alone, EDGE coverage in the UK is non existent where I live. And damn that price sucks. but at least it’s on the right network :)
somehow i don’t think that the mayor of london will be queueing up all night for this!
With no 3G-support and the poor camera, I don’t think the iPhone will be as big a hit in Europe as in the States.
I look forward to see what the prices will be in other European countries. Here in Denmark, for instance, contracts with cellphone-carriers have a maximum length of 6 months. This may cause the iPhone to be very, very expensive. Also, if the SMS-capabilities are as poor as we ahve heard, that will also be a major drawback, as I think text messages are used way more here i Europe…
I’ve been holding out to see what Apple had to offer, living with a phone that dies randomly and doesn’t charge properly.
8GB version only, no 3G with only 30% coverage for EDGE, without the “free phone on a monthly” deal we are used to? Yeah, good luck Apple. I’ll drag my dying phone elsewhere :(
The ‘Cloud’ (http://www.thecloud.net) deal is kinda sweet but it’s a shame that we’re not getting the 16Gb iPhone in the UK, and to add insult to injury we get a price hike on the 8Gb model! Sucks!
Here’s looking forward to iPhone 2. :)
I fully agree: it’s expensive considering that it’s a non 3G phone, the competition might then be harder in the UK. But I would still love to win this Phone for its user interface and all the great apps already developped for it ;)
Finally, there’s a reason to get a phone on O2.
I’m just hoping the battery life is better than my N95.
I heard the iPhone would cost 300 EUR in France. That makes sense since the dollar is very weak (1EUR=1.38USD). I wonder why the price of the iPods is so high in France though, I did some calculations based on VAT difference in France and US, additional tax on portable music players, it is still way more than it should be.
I would appreciate a 4GB iPhone as well – simply, I would love to have one.
With skype on the Itouch I’m not sure anyone would bother with a non 3g iphone
Gimme gimme gimme.
Pity about not getting the 16GB iPhone. However, I would be over the moon with just having a 8GB! Please consider me as my current phone is a dinosaur.
I think it’s going to be interesting to see if the Apple name is enough to offset the fact you actually have to pay for the iPhone. We’re just not used to paying for phones in the UK, I’ve currently got a Nokia N80, bought the day after it rolled out on Orange. It didn’t cost me a penny, but was free with a contract renewal. A 12 month contract at that. It’s interesting to see they’re trying to push an 18 month contract as well, the networks are keen and have been pushing them hard, not many people have been signing up.
Darn, I was so hoping for 3g as well. At least were not getting as ripped off as we normally do when it comes to anything with a microprocessor in it, 18 month contract is nice too.
I’m really gutted that we won’t be getting a 3gb 16G iPhone.
I’m not going to lie, I am commenting to enter your competition. I am SOOO bummed that Europe isn’t getting a 16GB 3G iPhone with automatic translator and a crisps packet.
So ya, I would love an iphone.
Meh, I just feel like the UK has been cheated again. Over priced. Less features. Typical Apple.
I am dumping my brand new BlackBerry pearl in Novemeber for this (which I love). Who needs 16GB when the 8GB is just as sexy!
I’m currently an 02 customer have been for years going back to the days of BT Mobile. November is when my contract is due for renewal and as always I opt for a new phone to go with it.
£270, 8Gb, no 3G and plus having to take on an 18mnth contract!!
What am I thinking!! Cause I’m gonna get one!
iPhone = friends
;)
it’ll be interesting to see how this goes – with no 3G, expensive layout (initially and ongoing) and currently scant EDGE coverage the iphone has only 1 thing going for it: a beautiful UI… oh and willy waggling one-upmanship for the metrosexual crowd
ps – count me in for the draw ;)
The things I would do with an iPhone, oh wait, you already unlocked it….. I guess I would find something to use it for:)
Oh, snap. After the news that Apple will not partner with Vodafone (which is, afaik, largest carrier in terms of countries), I expect to see iPhone officialy in Latvia in.. i don’t know.. 2012? Will get unlocked one from USA.
Shame it does not support 3G… I can imagine what I will miss if I get one :)
Jobs told nothing more about the Itunes Wifi, or ringtones stuff etc?
ps: i want an iphone so baaaaaaaaaaaaaad!!!
Why is O2 installing EDGE when they are also rolling out HSDPA? Seems like a retrograde step to me and purely to allow them to sell the iPhone.
Saying that, I wouldn’t mind a free unlocked one!
Cheers
Matt
PS Did I mention I could do with a free unlocked iPhone?
No 3G, no unlimited data plan available. It hurts but still I’ll gladly take your unlocked iphone.
I’ve been waiting for the arrival of the iphone in order to finally ditch my 30gb ipod, however this wont be happening soon as an 8gb iphone cannot replace my almost full 30g classic ipod.
Why do we have to pay so high for a phone with a memony so small.
I think O2 realised that the only reason they could break even (presumably because of the revenue sharing formular in place beteen the 2 companies) is to push the cost to gadget-nuts consumers.
Not fair enough.
Shame it is launching in Europe without 3G. You have to think that that will change with v1.1
Still, I use wifi on my current phone regularly and never use 3G because 3G access is still too expensive here.
Yeah, bummed, but still wanting to get an unlocked one. (FR Orange sucks)
It’s a pity Apple doesn’t see the benefit with 3G. :(
Hopefully one day they will see the light :) :)
Poor UK : ) Tiny European countries would be happy with that 8 gigs : )
I was hoping for a 3G, 16GB iPhone with GPS but all I got was this free iPhone contest entry.
sux, that there is no 3G :evil: although I think that Google Phone will beat iPhone ;)
A high price for the iPhone was expected, but together with such contracts it really is an insult to every European who has ever bought a mobile phone (which usually come for free with those kind of contracts).
Grrr, Apple, grrr! … we European suckers can wait for the next version of the iPhone … then hopefully not outdated and overpriced ;-)
I am certainly a more upset human being than I was when I woke up this morning. That shiny unlocked 8-gig would help, though I imagine I’ll have to provide my own crisps.
Yay, i want one.
The deal with The Cloud is the clincher, unlimited data in with the tariff, cool. I’m gonna get one just ‘cos it synchs so well with Facebook.
Not sure what all the fuss about 3G is about. What’s really interesting about the deal with O2 is that they’ve got a deal with The Cloud for decent wifi roaming. Hey Presto, use your phone as normal everywhere, then find a hotspot once a day to pick up your email.
I’m far more interested in using this as a phone/modem than as an iPod.