Apple iPhones put on hold
GEEKS might have to wait until the end of the year before the much-anticipated Apple iPhone arrives in South Africa.
A customer who was expecting the iPhone by the end of this month was disappointed when told he would have to wait for an undefined period.
A few dates had been shown on the Internet, including July 22 and August 23, but were proven to be speculation.
The customer was told by a Vodashop employee that the first shipment of iPhones would be delayed until September before the product could be purchased locally.
Vodacom is the only company that will be distributing the Internet- enabled smartphone, which allows access to features including a camera phone, portable media player , visual voice mail, e-mail, web browsing, satellite enabled road maps and local Wi-Fi connectivity.
Dot Field, chief communications officer at Vodacom, said: “Vodacom’s plans for launching the iPhone 3G to the market is still on track and we are not aware of any delays. Due to confidentially agreements we are not at liberty to disclose launch dates.”
While the iPhone is on its way to South Africa, users will not be able to access Apple’s popular iTunes online shopping application.
Steven Dollenberg, managing director of music production company Roman Eight Productions, has tracked the progress of the arrival of iTunes in South Africa since it was launched in 2003, and the entry of the iPhone here since it was launched at the beginning of last year.
“The iPhone is ready and will most probably come on to the market at Christmas. Negotiations on the music front [iTunes] will probably start in a few years.”
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