Apple says 'oui' to Orange for iPhone

France Telecom's wireless carrier Orange will be the exclusive carrier of the Apple iPhone in France, both companies announced Tuesday.

The 8GB iPhone will become available in France on November 29 for 399 euros (including VAT) with any Orange-dedicated rate plan subscription, according to the joint company statement.

Didier Lombard, chief executive officer of France Telecom, had told reporters at a September event in Hanoi that his company's Orange brand wireless service was the chosen partner. Today's news release confirms this.

As in the states, French iPhone owners will have access to the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store. The mobile version of Apple's iTunes store allows people to directly download songs to their iPhone without the need for a computer.

Earlier today Apple dropped the price of its DRM-free songs on the iTunes store from $1.29 to 99 cents. It also announced the release date of October 26 for "Leopard," Apple's new Mac OS X operating system.

[imacpwr]

Never mix Apples with Oranges...!!

Orange got the contract in France for Le iPhone..? Oh cr@p, opps
pardon moi French..!! There's Orange here in Switzerland as well
and in Sunday's paper there was a lot of speculating wether or not
Swisscom will get the contract. If Orange gets it you wont catch me
buying the new iPhone..!!! Orange outlets are a rare sight AND
possibly their antennas as well since the coverage area is less and
weaker than that of Swisscom's. BIG mistake if Apple goes Orange.

[imacpwr]

Unlocked iPhone to be available in France.

Switzerland's "SonntagsZeitung" reported Sunday (Oct. 20) that iPhones sold in France through Orange would have to comply with consumer's rights laws of France by suppling in addition to the "locked" Orange version an "unlocked" version which would allow cell phone subscribers to use the cell phone provider of their choice. This "Naked iPhone" comes at a price though as it's expected to cost over $1,200.