iPhone 3G mania hots up plus Vodafone Aust pricing revealed?

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 08 July 2008 22:04

Your IT - Mobility

It’s all systems go for the iPhone 3G on July 11 in 22 countries around the world, with people already in line in the US, while Optus, Vodafone and Telstra in Australia all have special iPhone events planned. Meanwhile, does officially released – and surprisingly high - Vodafone NZ pricing effectively show us what Vodafone plans on charging in Australia?

Apple hippies may well be in line at the US Apple on 5th Avenue in New York, but in Australia, Optus sounds like its pre-iPhone party will be one to remember.

Starting at 10pm on June 10 with sales to start at midnight, the party is set to have a “yellow” theme (one of Optus’ corporate colours), Faustina "Fuzzy" Agolley as the “celebrity” MC, iPhone 3Gs to try and for pre-registered customers to buy, with plenty of food, drink and more to keep the crowds happy.

The Optus Store in Sydney’s George St is said to be officially opening at midnight for sales, but with festivities starting at 10pm there should be quite a crowd of eager iPhone beavers, although anyone missing out might on actually buying an iPhone will have to wait until at least 7am before getting another chance to be part of day 1 iPhone 3G history.

Sydney is the only city Optus was planning a midnight launch but its Chadstone store in suburban Melbourne and its Queen Street store in Brisbane would have “events” on Friday morning to celebrate the iPhone 3G.

Now, even though Optus will start selling iPhones from 12.00am on July 11, hours before US citizens get to join in the iPhone 3G buying fun, New Zealand will in fact be the first country in the world to sell iPhone 3Gs.

According to Engadget, Vodafone NZ in Auckland already has “Jonny Gladwell” camped out the store hoping to be the world’s first official owner of an iPhone 3G at 12.01am July 11 New Zealand time (two hours ahead of Australia), but with other Vodafone NZ stores also planning to open at 12.01am, Mr Gladwell might have to share the honour with some of his compatriots.

Vodafone in Australia is planning on hosting 200 people for its own iPhone event on Friday morning in Wynyard at the Regimental Square, but its Friday morning iPhone parties won’t be limited to Sydney alone, with all capital cities in Australia expected to have Vodafone stores hosting similar iPhunctions.

Telstra’s “T-Life” store in Sydney, a clone of the famous Apple store concept, and ironically directly across the road from the brand new Apple store in Sydney’s CBD, will also hold a Friday morning event, although whether other T-Life stores in Melbourne, or other regular Telstra stores across Australia will also hold iPhone events is as yet unknown but is expected to be confirmed soon.

So, what is the iPhone 3G pricing that Vodafone has officially set for New Zealand, and what is the likelihood this will be replicated in Australia? Furthermore, are these prices a delight – or a disappointment?

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