Apple and O2 announced today that O2, the leading wireless carrier in the UK, will be the exclusive UK carrier for Apple’s revolutionary iPhone when it makes its debut in the UK on November 9. iPhone combines three devices into one-a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and the best mobile Internet device ever-all based on Apple’s revolutionary multi-touch interface and pioneering software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. Apple sold its one millionth iPhone just 74 days after it went on sale in the US on June 29.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with O2 to offer our revolutionary iPhone to UK customers,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, in the press release. “US iPhone customer satisfaction is off the charts, and we can’t wait to let UK customers get their hands on it and learn what they think of it.”
“Our strategy at O2 is to bring our customers the best products and experiences,” said Matthew Key, CEO, O2 UK, in the press release. “The iPhone is a breakthrough that is changing the way people use their mobiles forever, and we’re thrilled to have it exclusively for O2 customers in the UK.”
iPhone users in the UK will be able to activate their new iPhones using Apple’s iTunes software running on a Mac or PC in the comfort and privacy of their own home or office, without having to wait in a store while their phone is activated. Activating iPhone takes only minutes as iTunes guides the user through simple steps to choose their tariff, undertake a credit check and activate their iPhone. Once iPhone is activated, users can then easily sync all of their phone numbers and other contact information, calendars, email accounts, web browser bookmarks, music, photos, podcasts and TV shows just like they do when they sync their iPods with iTunes.
In addition to all the revolutionary features that made iPhone so popular in the US, iPhone users in the UK will have access to Apple’s latest music offerings on iPhone including the recently launched iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store. The iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store offers customers the ability to browse, search, preview, purchase and download songs and albums from iTunes over the built-in Wi-Fi on their iPhone. No computer is required and when the customer connects their iPhone back with their PC or Mac, their music automatically syncs back into their iTunes library.
iPhone is scheduled to go on sale on November 9 and will be sold exclusively in the UK through Apple’s retail and online stores, O2 and The Carphone Warehouse’s retail and online stores. iPhone will be available in an 8GB model for 269 pounds sterling (inc VAT, US$542) and will work with either a PC or Mac. Three new iPhone tariffs will be available from O2 starting at 35 pounds, which all include unlimited anytime, anywhere mobile data usage and, in a market first, free unlimited use of the UK’s largest single public Wi-Fi network, covering over 7,500 cafes, restaurants, airport lounges, pubs and other locations across the UK.
iPhone activation will require an Internet connection; an iTunes Store account or a major credit card; the latest version of iTunes and a Mac or PC with a USB 2.0 port and one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X v10.4.10 or later; Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later; or Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise or Ultimate Edition. iPhone requires a new 18-month contract with O2. Existing O2 customers will have the option of keeping their existing phone number and upgrading their account to work with iPhone while new customers can also simply and easily transfer their current mobile number to O2.
at least it’s released pretty much unlocked.
small price to pay considering the mark up UK always gets from apple
that’ll show you how to get free games and ringtons
it’s the best iphone hack tutorial i’ve seen yet
Regarding higher prices in the UK, I really love the iTunes store pricing for the UK. More expensive than continental Europe but then, maybe the UK should have considered joining the Euro zone.
I need the 35 quid package like a hole in the head. Let’s see if the SIM FREE hack app for UK arrives before Xmas.
They’re getting a MUCH better deal than we are.
200 minutes in Europe = 400 minutes in the U.S., or more, since European carriers do not (1) charge for both ends of a call (if you get called, you don’t pay for it), or (2) bill in entire-minute increments (which drove up U.S. carriers’ revenue a whopping 15% once they started doing it; it should be illegal).
They also get free access to 7,500 hotspots in a geographically small country–which is better than free access to the equivalent of Boingo or the Starbucks T-Mobile network (and not just to buy things on the iTunes Store with, either!).
They are only paying £35 a month, which in terms of the rest of U.K. pricing is psychologically and practically the equivalent not of $70–that ‘translation’ of the value of the pound is simply an artifact of the dollar’s current pitifully feeble state–but of about $52.50. They’re paying less than we are for a better deal.
Finally, their contracts are 25% shorter–only 18 months, instead of two whole years.
We better be pretty happy that we got to use the iPhone for . . . what? Four months longer than they did? Because that’s the only benefit we’re deriving.
We are getting robbed by the U.S. cell phone oligopoly, and this deal only spells it out, in painful detail. Ouch. It rocks to be a European consumer, or an American corporation.
I cannot believe the amount of bitching and outright xenophobia on here! Calm down everyone…
I personally think that the iphone is great just for the simple reason that Apple seem to be one of the very few companies who really ‘get it’ as far as real usability is concerned. It is by no means perfect from what I can see, but it promises to really shake things up.
I’m not an Apple fanboy, so I won’t be getting one until 3G is added, but I do look forward to that day…
Right now, I have an UMPC with a HSDPA 3G USB modem (£10 per month for 1GB from ‘3’) and a regular mobile phone. I need the UMPC not only for browsing, but also for quite a number of other apps, and it weights a lot less than 1 kg and is tiny – perfect for me.
So, to all those who will get an iphone on 9th Nov – have fun. It seems like a great device, and I look forward to getting one when a few of the niggles have been ironed out.
more whinging from the english as usual, youre the first country get the iPhone after the US and all you do is whinge that its too expensive. Ive worked in the uk for about 2 years and the wages are higher than anywhere else i know. its the living expenses that eats it all up, and uk have very high tax (for next to useless medical care i might add), blame the government for such high taxes rather than apple.
No way am I getting an iPhone, and no i’m not anti-apple or a windows troll, I use Macbook and iPod nano, but I don’t want a iPhone. I will be getting a iPod Touch!
I don’t think the iPhone will do well with teens in the uk, as most use pay-as-you-go sim cards rather than contract!
why can’t we get free wi-fi access here in the states…they shoulda gone with t-mobile if that was something being offered.
105% of the people owns a mobile telephone here. Apple could experience the sale up to 600 000 units of the more than 2 000 000 sold every year. Finland is the homeland for THE NOKIA. Brind it here if you can
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MDN magic work: subject
You are what people say about you Pommies. Bloody whingers!!!!!!!!!!
Un!@#$ing believable.
All new products will be more expensive the moment they are put into the market place. Then after a while prices come down. Normal market behaviour. STOP COMPLAINING if things are more expensive in one country or the other. Ever tried to buy a german car in the Netherlands. Same car in Germany 33% cheaper. Work that one out. Tax etc. Any product you buy in another country will not be the same with some currency conversion. Move on people. Here we’re always the last to get things we like. Itunes for instance. Available for a year now. You had that years ago. IPhone will have to wait for at least another six months (announcement let alone available).
Bad luck for us. So buy your freaking IPhone and be happy.
The extra couple of pounds shouldn’t stop you from buying it.
It’s a luxury item. And if it all too much for you whingers. Don’t buy one. Buy someting else or spend it on charity (pff that would be a little too much wouldn’t it).
I pay less than £5/month for my mobile phone calls and feel that people that pay £30+ are being raped.