A world of iPhones

I have to admit that during the past year I've been gloating to my CNET Asia colleagues over the iPhone. I just had to savor the fact that at long last the United States got a hot tech gadget before they did. At least with high-end cell phones, that almost never happens.

But in just a few weeks my bragging days will be over. On July 11, the new iPhone 3G lands not only in the United States with AT&T, but also in 21 19 other countries. In his WWDC keynote address, Apple CEO Steve Jobs included France and Belgium in the initial release list, but Orange has confirmed that French customers will have to wait until July 17. And across the border, Belgium's Mobistar has yet to set a date.

Then, later this year, Apple will ship to an additional 48 nations in every continent except Antarctica. That's 70 countries, kids--a far cry from the six nations in which the current iPhone is available today.

Interestingly, countries such as Australia and Italy will have two supporting carriers. Mainland China and Russia are two big places missing from the list, along with Taiwan, Korea, most of Southeast Asia, and almost the entire Middle East. So for those who missed the rapid-fire map shown during the at the keynote, here's a full list with supporting carriers.

July 11 releases

• Australia - Optus, Telstra and Vodafone
• Austria - Orange and T-Mobile
• Belgium - Mobistar
• Canada - Rogers
• Denmark - Telia
• Finland - Sonera
• Germany - T-Mobile
• Hong Kong - Hutchinson Telecom
• Ireland - O2
• Italy - Telecom Italia and Vodafone
• Japan - Softbank
• Mexico - America Movil
• Netherlands - T-Mobile
• New Zealand - Vodafone
• Norway - NetCom
• Portugal - Orange and Vodafone
• Spain - Telefonica
• Sweden - Telia
• United Kingdom - O2
• Switzerland - Swisscom and Orange

Later releases

• Argentina - America Movil
• Botswana - Orange
• Brazil - America Movil
• Cameroon - Orange
• Central African Republic - Orange
• Chile - America Movil
• Colombia - America Movil
• Croatia - T-Mobile
• Czech Republic - Vodafone and T-Mobile
• Dominican Republic - Orange and America Movil
• Ecuador - America Movil
• Egypt - Orange and Vodafone
• El Salvador - America Movil
• Equatorial Guinea - Orange
• Estonia - Eesti Mobii Telefon
• France - Orange (July 17)
• Guatemala - America Movil
• Guinea - Orange
• Guinea-Bissau - Orange
• Greece - Vodafone
• Honduras - America Movil
• Hungary - T-Mobile
• India - Bharti Airtel
• Ivory Coast - Orange
• Jamaica - America Movil
• Jordan - Orange
• Kenya - Orange
• Latvia - LMT
• Liechtenstein - Swisscom
• Lithuania - OmniTel
• Macau - Hutchinson Telecom
• Madagascar - Orange
• Mali - Orange
• Malta - Vodafone
• Mauritius - Orange
• Nicaragua - America Movil
• Niger - Orange
• Paraguay - America Movil
• Peru - America Movil
• Philippines - GlobeTelecom
• Poland - Orange and Era
• Romania - Orange
• Senegal - Orange
• Singapore - SingTel
• Qatar - Vodafone
• Slovakia - Orange and T-Mobile
• South Africa - Vodacom
• Turkey - Vodafone
• Uruguay - America Movil

Updated June 11, 1 p.m. PDT to reflect French and Belgian developments and additional carrier information.

[benjijk]

Hot tech gadget? - the iPhone??? The technology in the iPhone is years old. The only points Apple gets is for design. Sony Ericsson, Nokia, HTC, etc have all had this technology for a couple years now. 3g also has been available around the world for years, America has been a slow adopter.

[arana2]

none of those phones had multi touch screen with 3g, plus 16gb sttorage

[iwuzbord]

i find it very interesting how apple can make an agreement with t-mobile in Austria and Germany, but not in the us. I dont see AT&T anywhere on that list, but its probably some complicated business matter that i dont understand

[hyphyballa]

How is Globe in the Philippines gonna sell the iphone for less than $199 with prepaid being their only plan?

[marcoinsf]

8,826.13 PHP plus the pre-pay fee..thats actually pretty good deal for folks, for a phone in the PI considering I paid 14,000 pesos for a Sony Ericsson T68 some 6 years ago in Green Hills.

[kmp091]

Hello? Globe has post-paid plans!

[hairulex]

I like how Apple is now in 70 countries. I'm surprised China was not in the list however. Since I'm also interested in the Android platform, I feel that the Android, in order to be competitive with the iPhone, should have a world wide focus on as well. In fact, I think a focus on third world countries may be even more exciting, considering that Steve Job mentioned that affordability is an issue: http://www.openxfer.com/wordpress/2008/06/10/what-the-android-needs-to-do-to-compete-with-the-iphone/?9 I don't think Apple will get much cheaper, but the Android could potentially reach even more of the world. Although I dont know if it could get all the carriers that Apple signed up.

[benfred1234567]

cool new i phone do u know if its gonna be avalibale in the uk on 3?

[reedo777]

Not sure whether it's worth buying the 3G? Take the Test :)

Should I buy the iPhone 3G: A Checklist
http://www.maxim.com/Should-You-Buy-the-New-iPhone-A-Checklist/Maxim-Stuff/blogs/599/26364.aspx?

[marcoinsf]

Referring to the 1st post, even though the technology is 1 year old, and other cell manufactures have been doing the touch screen stuff also, one thing the iPhone will have going for it, is the 3rd party support of applications since Apple open up the source. You will continue to have some very clever apps you can download or install and make the phone more useful for day to day use. I think here in the U.S Mr. Jobs is competing with the Blackberry to hit up the business side with Microsoft Exchange support. Right now in the U.S business market, the Blackberry is the main phone to use, but I can see a battle this year between iPhone and Blackberry.

[kingrah1]

at least hopefully third party apps will let you shoot video -under the camera it says : "iPhone and third-party application integration" on http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html

[marcoinsf]

Hopfully Globe will work some deal out on the iPhone in the PI with post pay accounts, either way your going to have to pay extra for the phone if you want it.

[briankdoll]

I am an American buisinessman living in South Korea and believe it or not, it seems there will never be an iphone sold here. I guess Steve couldn't wrangle a deal with any of the providers. So, how can I get one to work here? Is it possible? Or do I just have to be stuck with my ipod touch and separate Samsung phone? I understand the idea of using a SIM card but when I open any of my phones up I don't see a SIM card. I guess they are imbedded on the board and not replaceable, but I don't know and that is why I am asking. Any ideas? Or help?