iPhone Specs
The iPhone is a mobile phone sold by Apple. Just like the immensely popular iPods, the iPhone is a portable media player, but as the name suggests it is also a cell phone. The first iPhone was released on the U.S. market in June 29, 2007, and is an Internet-enabled quad-band GSM EDGE-supported cell phone that comes with both camera and visual voicemail. With your iPhone, you can send text messages (SMS) and e-mails, as well as browse the Internet. The iPhone offers local Wi-Fi connectivity and is controlled through a multi-touch screen with a virtual keyboard and buttons.
As mentioned above, the iPhone was first released on the United States market on June 29, 2007. On the U.S. market, the iPhone can be purchased from Apple Retail stores and Apple online stores, and from AT&T Mobility. The initial price for the iPhone was US$499 for the 4 GB model and US$599 for the 8 GB model. The 4 GB model was discontinued on September 5, 2007, and the price of the 8 GB model was simultaneously dropped to US$399 on the U.S. market. In the United States, AT&T Mobility is the exclusive carrier of the iPhone and this will continue until at least 2009. AT&T Mobility offers two different options for the iPhone user; you can either sign up for a two-year service plan or go for the pre-paid month to month alternative. The pre-paid alternative comes with a slightly higher rate than the two-year service plan. The cheapest two-year service plan costs US$59.99 per month, while the most expensive one costs US$219.99 per month.
On September 18, 2007, Apple announced that the UK release date for the iPhone will be November 9, 2007. The price for the 8 GB model (the 4 GB model is no longer available) will be £269 and you will be able to buy the UK iPhone from Apple stores, O2 stores, and The Carphone Warehouse. O2 will be the exclusive carrier and you must agree to an 18-month contract. O2 will offer three different plans, ranging from £35 to £45 per month depending on how many minutes and SMS you want. All three plans come with Visual Voicemail, Wi-Fi and unlimited data.
One day after announcing the iPhone UK release date, Apple and Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile and unveiled that November 9 will be the iPhone release date for the German market as well. If you want to buy an iPhone in Germany, you can do it at the Telekom Shops of Deutsche Telekom or via the T-Mobile web shop. T-Mobile is the exclusive carrier and you need to sing up for a 2-year long T-Mobile iPhone plan.
On September 20, France Télécom announced that they will offer iPhones in France through their wireless division Orange SA. If you want to buy an iPhone in France, you can contact Orange SA for more details. Orange SA is a part of the FreeMove mobile phone alliance.
Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple, has declared that Apple is planning to release the iPhone in Japan and Australia in 2008.
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