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iPhone Likely Set to Launch in the UK Next Week

Posted by Zonk on from the leaving-the-brits-in-the-cold dept.

An anonymous reader writes "According to CNet, the iPhone is likely to be launched in the UK next Tuesday. 'Yesterday we were invited to an Apple press conference to take place next Tuesday — and we think it's most likely going to be the UK iPhone launch. Apple, as always, is keeping tight-lipped but there are several clues that point in the iPhone's direction'. No word yet on a UK operator, pricing or whether or not it will have 3G."

10 of 127 comments (clear)

  1. I don't think no 3G is really a problem by Realistic_Dragon · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You can get a 3G plan (with data card) for your laptop for 10gbp/month here which is a bit more convenient than hooking up a cell phone.

    I use my N95 as a modem (it's faster than my home DSL! 10gb/mo transfer for $25) as well as streaming BBC radio (the on demand service) over the internet direct to the phone. However most people are not geeks and don't use the software toys that come with the handset.

    However they will have problems if they think they can charge for ring tones here (especially 2gbp/4usd each, which would be 2* the iTunes price as per the US). Unlike the US devices are *much less* locked down in the UK - USB mass storage mode is enabled by default and a cable comes in the box etc. This is true even of many sub $100 cheap phones. While people aren't geeks this doesn't extend to copying on/off ring tones where suddenly the most undereducated yob seems to acquire the technical skills of an IT expert. It must be something to do with motivation.

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    1. Re:I don't think no 3G is really a problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yes, what could be more convenient than carrying a laptop around in your pocket all day. Typing on keys the size of pencil erasers?
    2. Re:I don't think no 3G is really a problem by FyRE666 · · Score: 3, Informative

      I think it's fair to say that if Apple don't add 3G, then the iPhone will be dead in the water over here in the UK. It's pretty poor in comparison to most current phones here (as the parent mentioned, we don't have too many restrictions on the phones here; due to more competition between companies I guess) It's got a pretty poor still camera, no video, no replacable battery, and if there's no way to move files - like games, ringtones etc - on and off it via USB/Bluetooth, then it's not going to have much of an audience beyond the wide eyed "oh shiny!" gumbies that seem to buy Apple kit.

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      Code, Hardware, stuff like that.
  2. Oh, Steve Jobs, your lock-in turns me off by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    In the middle of the night, in the middle of the night iPhone your name...

    Anyway, Mac OS X is going completely closed source - 10.4.9 was the last open sourced release of the base kernel/BSD toolset. InputManager plugins - i.e. the technology underlying just about every Safari plugin - have been disabled as a "security risk" in Leopard, even though any application installed as a regular executable is able to cause as much mischief. Apple's iPhone has no official SDK support, the iPods have disabled video out unless you're using an official Apple dock, and a hash in the music library on the player means 3rd party clients can't sync properly with the new iPods.

    As such, although the iPhone appeals to my desire for Apple's approach toward usability, its increasingly Microsoft-like lockin puts me off investing in any new Apple hardware or software. Come on, Apple, compete on merit, not on artificial restrictions!

    1. Re:Oh, Steve Jobs, your lock-in turns me off by arivanov · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Merit is in the eye of the beholder.

      The artificial restrictions are a definite merit as far as shareholder value and suitability for media from the perspective of the MAFIAA is concerned. Most MAFIAA members are making funny noises about going elsewhere with their wares. So, I would expect Apple to show itself as even more compliant and more determined to deliver obscene market models. They want the MAFIAA members back onboard and they do not care about the consumer in the slightest.

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  3. UK pricing by Dr.+Stavros · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No word yet on a UK pricing

    For a good first estimate, simply take the US price, and change the $ to a £ symbol.

    In the U.K., we're well accustomed to paying an awful lot more for tech goodies than do Americans. We'll complain a lot, but only to each other (or like me, on Slashdot), and nothing will get done about it.

    1. Re:UK pricing by Indecision+Bob · · Score: 3, Informative

      Indeed. At the time of writing:

      iPod Touch
      8Gb - $299 (~= £150) - £199
      16Gb - $399 (~= £200) - £269

      The US iPhone is the same price as the 16gb iTouch, so I imagine that's the price it'll be over here.

  4. Operator by jaavaaguru · · Score: 3, Informative

    Isn't it O2?

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  5. Next headline in 3 weeks by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apple announces 200 GBP price drop!

  6. Differences in the UK market by abigsmurf · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I have the nagging feeling that Apple will try to clone what they did in the US in the UK ignoring the differences in the market. The UK is big on all the things the iphone can't do or does in a restrictive manner. People want to download ringtones, wallpaper and games. Picture and video messaging is something people expect from expensive phones as well, the UK is big on messaging in general. As far as I know the iphone doesn't support this kind of messaging and doesn't even notify if you've received one you can't view. Other major point is the price plan. People simply won't pay £399 and have a £30+ 18 month contract. You could get a prada phone AND an N95 for that price.