LONDON (Dow Jones)–France Telecom SA’s (FTE) Orange mobile business said Monday that it has reached an agreement to sell Apple Inc.’s (AAPL) iPhone in the U.K. later this year, bringing to an end a two year exclusive contract held by rival Telefonica SA’s (TEF) O2 mobile network.
O2′s exclusive deal with Apple has helped the company to boost sales and average revenue per user, extending its lead as the largest U.K. mobile network in the U.K. despite the recession.
Seems that O2 will be launching the Palm Pre on Oct 16 to UK punters wishing that had a super duper smart phone but don’t want an iPhone. And the prices is going to be the same as the Apple phone.
O2 has the exclusive UK contract for the Pre.
We visited the London flag ship store on Thursday lunch time to gage the interest level following the new iPod event. It was packed out. We were also surprised to see the new nanos on display and available for purchase as were the new shuffle and touches. Apple certainly have a sweet logistics facility. Announced in San Francisco at 7 PM GM,T available the following morning in volume.
iPods were stacked against the wall in a special location with a number of tellers selling them.
And Steve Jobs takes center stage and delivers and new iPods, latest version of iTunes and iPhone 3.1 software.
Jobs started by saying he now has the liver of a 20 something guy who died in a car crash.
He then showed a bunch of new features – key points.
30M iPhones sold to date.
iTunes now the largest music retailer in the world
iPod huge market share
The announced new nano with video recording.
New nano
New shuffle colours.
New touch pricing.
Apple are holding the standard Sept iPod event today in San Francisco. What will be announced? Speculation is rife. We have iPod with camera, updated to iTunes, iTablet and will Mr Jobs take the stage and more. The truth is we have no clear idea.
Rock and Roll
Check back later for the news….
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