An iPhone 4 that began smoking and glowing on a passenger flight has been found to have been badly repaired. Thankfully, when the incident took place, the plane had already landed at Sydney airport and airline staff managed to deal with the alarming discovery. The ATSB (Australian Transport Safety Bureau) has now carried out a full investigation and discovered that the iPhone 4 had been tampered with.

The technical examinations found that a small metal screw had been misplaced in the battery bay of the mobile telephone; the screw puncturing the battery casing and causing an internal short circuit leading to heating and thermal runaway. It was probable that the screw had been misplaced during an earlier repair carried out on the telephone. That repair had not been conducted by an authorised service provider.

Source: ATSB

The standing committee on infrastructure and communications in the Australian House of Representatives will be launching an investigation into why digital goods (such as iTunes music and iBooks) are priced so much more highly in Australia than elsewhere in the world. Traditionally, shipping costs drove prices up for physical goods, but for electronic files you're downloading, there's really no good reason for such a price disparity. Stephen Conroy, Australia's Minister of Communications, said in a recent letter:

There is evidence to suggest that the innovative use of technology is not always matched with innovative new business models in the case of products and services distributed online... I agree that Australian businesses and households should have access to IT software and hardware that is fairly priced relative to other jurisdictions … the global digital economy is likely to make it increasingly difficult to sustain business models that are based on a geographic carve-up of markets.

iOS apps in Australia don't really cost any more than they do over here, but there's a pretty big disparity in music prices. For example, Jack White's newest album, Blunderbuss, and Adele's, 21, cost $10.99 in the U.S., but $16.99 in Australia. I'm sure there are different taxes to be paid over there, but they can't be that huge. As for iBooks, there aren't many textbooks that have found their way to the Australian market since the big educational update. Pricing for iBooks can sometimes be even more expensive than a proper paperback, a situation which is exacerbated by a pricing model which is currently under scrutiny elsewhere, too.

Of course, Apple isn't the only one in the crosshairs. Adobe is charging $1400 more than the the U.S. version for one software package in Australia. Microsoft will also be called to explain its pricing model to the government over the course of the investigation, which will be launching sometime this year.

Australians, who have you found to charge the most inflated prices for digital downloads? Have the higher prices stopped you from buying software, music, or e-books?

Source: SMH

Some additional investigation into the "Wake Up" flashmob that happened at Australia Apple stores last week reveals it may actually be BlackBerry and Research In Motion behind the stunt. This conclusion was drawn from a wily forum-poster who checked out the teaser site, and found within the source an account code for DoubleClick (an online ad campaign management system). That code apparently matches up with RIM Australia. On top of that, the countdown in seconds points to July 2 12:30 PM PDT, which a tipster suggests will be the launch day for RIM's new operating system.

Samsung has already denied that they were responsible, so if it isn't them or RIM, who could be in charge of this campaign, and to what end? My only guess at this point is Greenpeace, who had recently published a scathing report on Apple's iCloud operations. Greenpeace has made a similarly high-profile protest at an Apple store in London, but this incident seems like it might be a bit too slick and professionally-executed to be a Greenpeace effort.

(It probably wasn't CrackBerry Kevin -- he seems to have an alibi...)

Assuming RIM is behind this "Wake Up" campaign, how effective is it? Does going after Apple this aggressively actually accomplish anything, especially if the organizers are being so coy about what it is they're promoting or pushing?

Australian consumers may have been duped into thinking the new iPad would work on local LTE bands based on the 4G branding plastered on the latest iOS tablet, but Apple is standing by their usage of the term. In a statement to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, Apple said:

The iPad with WiFi + 4G is a device which performs in accordance with the descriptor '4G' in terms of data transfer speed. The descriptor '4G' ... conveys to consumers in Australia that the iPad with WiFi + 4G will deliver a superior level of service in terms of data transfer speed (consistent with accepted industry and regulatory use of that term), and not that the iPad with WiFi + 4G is compatible with any particular network technology promoted by a particular mobile service provider in Australia.

Have any of you had to explain to your less tech-savvy friends what exactly 4G means? Do you think the marketing term is actively affecting sales?

Source: The Australian via MacWorld

One More Thing is conference all about how to make brilliant iOS apps and, more importantly, how to make a living making brilliant iOS apps. Last year some of the best and the brightest of Australia's iOS developer community took the stage, including our Iterate co-host, Marc Edwards of Bjango. This year they're pulling in some international all-stars including Loren Brichter (Tweetie/ex-Twitter), Neven Mrgan (Panic), Karl von Randow (Camera+), Raphael Schaad (Flipboard), Matt Rix (Trainyard), Shaun Inman (Last Rocket) and many more.

One More Thing isn’t a traditional programming conference. It’s a meeting for iOS developers, designers and those who just want to come along for the ride. You won’t directly learn to code better. Your UI probably won’t improve either. But you will leave with more confidence in your abilities as an iOS developer or designer.

One More Thing is organized by Anthony Agius and Lauren Watson. It takes place in gorgeous Melbourne, Australia on May 25 and 26, 2012. You can find more information, and a complete listing of their all-star speaking lineup below.

More: One More Thing

Apple has quickly responded to the accusations that they're misrepresenting the new iPad in Australia as 4G-capable by offering misled buyers a refund on their device.  That's not much of an offer, considering they're all within their 30-day return window, but a sensible answer to those that are unhappy that they can't get LTE access on their new iPads. Apple will also be shooting out e-mails to those who had bought a 4G iPad to clarify what it's capable of, and by April 5, they'll be putting up signs anywhere selling a new iPad reiterating the point. Apple is set to meet with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on April 18 for a mediation, while a trial is set for May 2, where Apple could face $1.1 million in fines per infraction.

Right now, the new iPad only supports US and Canadian LTE, making any branding abroad as the "Wi-Fi + 4G" iPad a little sketchy.

Following in Australia's footsteps,the Swedish Consumer Agency is actively launching an investigation to determine if Apple's marketing is misleading, while the UK's Advertising Standards Authority is currently assessing complaints made to them.

The new iPad is a great devices, and easily shrugged off claims that it was getting too hot, and though these false advertising claims are fixed easily enough with new packaging, marketing, and signage, Apple may be dinged by a few fines for not taking care of it earlier. There is some defense in that HSPA+ is being marketed by some carriers as 4G,  which is much more likely to be available in these international markets.

I think it's pretty clear that Apple needs to change the wording on the new iPad in areas without compatible LTE support, but how many consumers will be so offended that they'll return their new iPad over the whole thing? A recent survey shows that usage of cellular data on iOS tablets is relatively low.

Source: Sidney Mourning Herald, The Wall Street Journal, PocketLint

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission is going after Apple for advertising the new iPad as 4G capable, even though it's not compatible with their 4G LTE networks. The ACCC says they're after "injunctions, pecuniary penalties, corrective advertising and refunds to consumers affected" in this case.  Simply enough, Australian LTE operates on on 1800 MHz, while the two new iPad models currently available run on 700 MHz and 2100 MHz. Presumably, Apple will offer support for a wider variety of LTE flavors eventually, but for the time being, Australians and others will have to make do with 3G HSPA+ if they want cellular data on their new iPad.

Telstra, Vodafone, and Optus are both saying the new iPad has "ultrafast wireless" instead of 4G in their banners, but the proper model name for the new iPad in their online shops comes with "Wi-Fi + 4G" tacked on the end, so it's easy to imagine some consumers being mislead. As AT&T has proven, the definition of "4G" is very flexible these days, but it's good to see that marketing wordplay doesn't fly in Australia; with any luck, the ACCC will win this case and get the carriers and Apple to change around the branding.

Australia was one of the first regions to get the new iPad, having joined Canada, the U.S., U.K, France and lots of others on March 16. In fact, it was the first country to put it on sale, and was where the new iPad was disassembled for our viewing pleasure.

Source: ACCC

Apple's one day discount event has started going live in Australia and the UK, among other countries. Deals seem to be as expected -- slim but fairly widespread -- on select iPod touch, iPad, Mac, Accessories, and even iTunes Gift Cards.

Unfortunately, you won't be getting any deals on the iPhone, iPod classic, iPod shuffle, Apple TV, Mac Pro and the Mac mini. (Sorry!)

Below is a list of prices for Australia, UK, US and Canada.

Australia

• iPad 2 - A$534 (16GB), A$634 (32GB), A$734 (64GB)
• iPad 2 3G - A$684 (16GB), A$784 (32GB), A$884 (64GB)
• iPad 2 Smart Cover - A$34 (Polyurethane), A$ 68 (Leather)
• iPod Touch - A$198 (8GB), A$298 (32GB), A$398 (64GB)
• iPod Nano - A$138 (8GB), A$158 (16GB)
• iTunes Gift Card - A$45 (A$50)

UK

• iPad 2 - £368 (16GB), £438 (32GB), £508 (64GB)
• iPad 2 3G - £468 (16GB), £538 (32GB), £608 (64GB)
• iPad 2 Smart Cover - £24 (Polyurethane), £48 (Leather)
• iPod Touch - £154 (8GB), £224 (32GB), £295 (64GB)
• iPod Nano - £104 (8GB), £118 (16GB)
• iTunes Gift Card - £45 (£50)

US

• iPad 2 - $458 (16GB), $548 (32GB), $638 (64GB)
• iPad 2 3G - $588 (16GB), $678 (32GB), $768 (64GB)
• iPad 2 Smart Cover - $28 (Polyurethane), $58 (Leather)
• iPod Touch - $178 (8GB), $268 (32GB), $358 (64GB)
• iPod Nano - $118 (8GB), $138 (16GB)
• iTunes Gift Card - $45 ($50)

Canada

• iPad 2 - $478 (16GB), $568 (32GB), $658 (64GB)
• iPad 2 3G - $608 (16GB), $698 (32GB), $788 (64GB)
• iPad 2 Smart Cover - $34 (Polyurethane), $68 (Leather)
• iPod Touch - $178 (8GB), $268 (32GB), $358 (64GB)
• iPod Nano - $118 (8GB), $138 (16GB)
• iTunes Gift Card - $45 ($50)

So are these prices enough to get you buying someone an Apple product for the holidays?

Source: Apple Store Australia, UK, US, Canada

If you're outside the US, don't get too excited about iTunes iCloud music services like re-downloading and iTunes Match streaming, because you'll likely have to wait until 2012 if not later before it comes to your region. According to The Telegraph, Apple’s iTunes in the Cloud music storage service will not be coming to UK users until the first quarter of 2012 at the very earliest.  A spokesman for the Performing Right Society (PRS), which is responsible for ensuring songwriters and music publishers are paid for their work told The Telegraph the bad news.

Negotiations with Apple about ensuring rights in the UK had started but were at a “very early stage”. The licensing team at the PRS have started talks with Apple, but are a long way off from any deals being signed…It is very much the early stages of the negotiations and is similar to the launch of iTunes – which began in the US and took a while to roll out to other countries.

The Telegraph also confirmed the details with a major record label executive who told it that talks had started between the major labels and Apple. Again however the term “early stages” was used and it wasn't expected to be completed until 2012.

The story will likely be the same in other countries. One look at how widely supported iTunes TV Show rentals, movies, and other services are around the world shows just how fragmented and complicated media licenses remands. Added to that, media executives in other countries might take a wait-and-see attitude with iCloud, watching US performance, before they even negotiate with Apple.

Any of our international readers really surprised by this?

[The Telegraph]

Earlier today Apple confirmed that iPad 2 will go on sale Friday, 25 March at 5pm local time, with online orders starting a 1am -- and now international pricing has begun to show up.

Read on for the full breakdown...

UK iPad 2 Pricing

In the UK, iPad 2 is actually cheaper than the original iPad. The WiFi only models of the iPad 2 will go on sale at £399.00 for the 16GB, £479.00 for the 32GB and £559.00 for the 64GB. The premium to go with a 3G derivative will be exactly £100.00.

The original iPad WiFi only cost was £429.00 for the 16GB, £499.00 for the 32GB and £599.00 for the 64GB model, so this represents a nice saving on every model for those in the UK.

Australia iPad 2 Pricing

In Australia, iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available for a recommended retail price of A$579 inc GST for the 16GB model, A$689 inc GST for the 32GB model, A$799 inc GST the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a RRP of A$729 inc GST for the 16GB model, A$839 inc GST for the 32GB model and A$949 inc GST for the 64GB model.

Canada iPad 2 Pricing

In Canada prices are $519 (CAN) for the 16GB model, $619 (CAN) for the 32GB model, $719 (CAN) the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of $649 (CAN) for the 16GB model, $749 (CAN) for the 32GB model and $849 (CAN) for the 64GB model.

France iPad 2 Pricing

France gets a MSRP of € 489 including VAT (€ 400.86 excluding VAT and remuneration for private copying) for the 16GB model, 591 € including VAT (€ 484.15 excluding VAT and remuneration for private copying) for the 32GB model, and 693 € TTC ( € 567.43 excluding VAT and remuneration for private copying) for the 64 GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available at an MSRP of 609 € including VAT (€ 501.20 excluding VAT and pay for private copy) for the 16GB model, 711 € including VAT (€ 584.48 excluding VAT and remuneration for private copying) for the 32GB model and 813 € including VAT (€ 667.77 excluding VAT and remuneration for private copying) for The 64GB model.

Germany iPad 2 Pricing

In Germany, iPad 2 goes for 479 € including VAT (€ 402.52 excluding VAT) for the 16 GB model, for 579 euros including VAT (€ 486.55 excl VAT) for the 32 GB model, and for € 679 inc VAT (€ 570.59 excluding VAT) for the 64 GB model. iPad 2 with WiFi + 3G for 599 € including VAT (€ 503.36 excluding VAT) for the 16 GB model, for 699 euros including VAT (€ 587.39 excl VAT) for the 32 GB model, and for 799 € including VAT (€ 671.43 excluding VAT) for the 64 GB

How do the prices compare to the original iPad in your country? Let us know in the comments!

[Apple]

There will be no delays as Apple has just confirmed iPad 2 will be available this Friday, March 25 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Just like the US launch, online orders will begin a 1am (they don't say which time zone?) and in store purchases will be available starting 5pm local time.

While competitors are still struggling to catch up with our first iPad, we’ve changed the game again with iPad 2,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re experiencing amazing demand for iPad 2 in the US, and customers around the world have told us they can't wait to get their hands on it. We appreciate everyone’s patience and we are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone.”

Apple also announced that iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries in April.

If you're having trouble deciding if you want an iPad 2, or which of the 12 models you want (no CDMA versions outside the US), check out our iPad 2 buyers guide and full on iPad 2 review. Then let us know what country you're in and whether you're ordering online or lining up!

[Apple PR]

Steve Jobs dropped the July 30 date for next big rollout during the iPhone 4 press conference but now Apple has gone and made it official:

Beginning this Friday, customers can purchase iPhone 4 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. iPhone 4 will be available for purchase through Apple’s retail and online stores and Apple® Authorized Resellers.

Nice to see, but we'd still prefer pre-orders, reservations, Apple Online Store updates to say something other than "coming soon", official word on when Apple Retail Stores will be open, information from carriers on upgrade eligibility, MicroSIM availability, plans, etc.

You know, everything else required for a launch...!

Apple Online Canada has changed the date for iPhone 4 release from "July" to "soon", while the Australian and New Zealand Apple Online Stores only show iPhone 3GS -- no iPhone 4 in sight.

Thin, yes, but when you consider US sales of the iPad on April 3 were higher than expected to the degree all international iPad releases were pushed back a month, it's not like it's out of the realm of possibility. 600,000+ iPhone 4 pre-orders and US delivery dates getting pushed further and further back into July -- yeah, it raises eyebrows.

Will a rush on stage 1 iPhone 4 release countries push back stage 2 countries? We're hoping not, but we're keeping both eyes fixed on those pages.

If you're still waiting for iPhone 4 in your country, tell us what you see, and what you think.

[store.apple.com/ca via @havvac]

Apple has announced that the first international iPad sales would start May 28 in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK, and our eagle eyed commenters have been tracking down the various pricing schemes. Round-up after the break!

Australian iPad pricing

iPad is available in Australia for a recommended retail price of AUS$629 inc GST for 16GB, AUS$759 inc GST for 32GB, AUS$879 inc GST for 64GB for Wi-Fi models and AUS$799 inc GST for 16GB, AUS$928 inc GST for 32GB and AUS$1049 inc GST for 64GB for Wi-Fi + 3G models.

Canadian iPad pricing

iPad is available in Canada for a suggested retail price of $549 (CAN) for 16GB, $649 (CAN) for 32GB, $749 (CAN) for 64GB for Wi-Fi models and $679 (CAN) for 16GB, $779 (CAN) for 32GB and $879 (CAN) for 64GB for Wi-Fi + 3G models.

France iPad pricing

iPad est disponible en France au prix de vente conseillé de 499 € pour le modèle 16 Go, 599 € pour le modèle 32 Go, 699 € pour le modèle 64 Go en version Wi-Fi, et au prix de vente conseillé de 599 € pour le modèle 16 Go, 699 € pour le modèle 32 Go, 799 € pour le modèle 64 Go en version Wi-Fi + 3G.

Germany iPad pricing

16GB iPad (WiFi-only): € 514, 32GB iPad (WiFi-only): € 614, 64GB iPad (WiFi-only): € 714, 16GB iPad (WiFi+3G): € 614, 32GB iPad (WiFi+3G): € 714, 64GB iPad (WiFi+3G): € 814 [Schimanke]

Italy iPad pricing

iPad è disponibile in Italia ad un prezzo consigliato di €499 per 16GB, €599 per 32GB, €699 per 64GB per i modelli Wi-Fi e €599 per 16GB, €699 per 32GB e €799 per 64GB per i modelli Wi-Fi + 3G.

Japan pricing

Carrier Softbank has announced device and plan pricing. It's a little more confusing because they're offering up-front and installment plans, and a form of subsidy. Basic device pricing. Wi-Fi: 16GB: 48,960, 32GB: 59,040, and 64GB 68,880, Wi-Fi + 3G: 16GB: 61,920, 32GB: 72,000, and 64GB 81,840. For more details see Mobile in Japan.

Spain iPad pricing

El iPad estará disponible en España al precio recomendado (IVA incluído) de 479 euros el modelo de 16GB, 579 euros el de 32GB y 679 euros el de 64GB, en el caso de los modelos Wi-Fi; y al precio recomendado (IVA incluído) de 579 euros el de 16GB, 679 euros el de 32GB y 779 euros el de 64GB, para modelos del iPad con Wi-Fi + 3G.

Switzerland iPad pricing

iPad Wi-Fi 16GB: 649, 32GB: 779, 64GB: 899. iPad Wi-Fi + 3G: 16GB: 799, 32GB: 929, 64GB: 1049 [Ars Technica]

UK iPad pricing

Pad is available in the UK for a suggested retail price of £429 (inc. VAT) for 16GB, £499 (inc. VAT) for 32GB, £599 (inc. VAT) for 64GB for Wi-Fi models and £529 (inc. VAT) for 16GB, £599 (inc. VAT) for 32GB and £699 (inc. VAT) for 64GB for Wi-Fi + 3G models.

More

Apple has 9 more countries ramping up in July, including Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore, so there's more to come.

In the meantime, what do you think of the prices in your neck of the woods? Fair or fowl?

Apple has announced that the iPad will go on sale in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK on Friday, May 28. Online pre-orders, as previously announced, begin May 10.

Pricing:

• iPad is available in the UK for a suggested retail price of £429 (inc. VAT) for 16GB, £499 (inc. VAT) for 32GB, £599 (inc. VAT) for 64GB for Wi-Fi models and £529 (inc. VAT) for 16GB, £599 (inc. VAT) for 32GB and £699 (inc. VAT) for 64GB for Wi-Fi + 3G models.

• iPad is available in Canada for a suggested retail price of $549 (CAN) for 16GB, $649 (CAN) for 32GB, $749 (CAN) for 64GB for Wi-Fi models and $679 (CAN) for 16GB, $779 (CAN) for 32GB and $879 (CAN) for 64GB for Wi-Fi + 3G models.

Orange, Vodafone, and O2 in the UK and Rogers in Canada have also announced they'll be providing data plans for iPad Wi-Fi + 3G, but likewise haven't offered any pricing details yet.

If you're in one of those countries, let us know your plan. Already bought a US iPad? Going to pre-order on the 10th? Line up at an Apple store on the 28th? Or still making up your mind?

[Apple]

No sooner does T-Mo Austria pre-post an iPhone 32GB SKU then Vodafone Australia sees them and raises the dreaded End-of-Life (EOL) on the iPhone 16GB. MacTalk says:

Why is this interesting to us? Well it just adds further fuel to the fire that there will be a new iPhone very, very soon. What mixes us up is the fact the 8GB isn’t EOL, but the 16GB is. Perhaps a 32GB and 8GB model will be around, the 8GB being the value option for the price conscious set.

Our bet is that the 16GB will be replaced with a 16GB next gen iPhone, joined by a 32GB model. Whether the 8GB iPhone 3G becomes the low-end option or not is anyone's guess...

Apple's newly appointed vice president of Internet Services (iTunes, and now App Store and MobileMe), Eddy Cue wastes little time getting his name in the press (at least compared to how long it took Big Media and Apple to get the service in place!). Says Cue, via Apple PR:

“Movie fans in Australia and New Zealand can choose from a great selection of over 700 films for purchase and rent on the iTunes Store. iTunes provides an incredibly easy and fun way for people to discover and enjoy movies, and has quickly become the world’s most popular online movie store with customers renting and purchasing over 50,000 movies everyday.”

No word yet on whether these are 24 hour rentals like in the US, or 48 hours like in Canada and the UK, but presumably HD will remain Apple TV exclusive just like the existing regions. (And it's not like Apple blessed us with a 720p display -- or even 480p -- in the iPhone 3G anyway... I'm just saying...)

Any Australians or New Zealanders out there eager to get their movie on? Let us know what you're buying/renting first!

Thanks to reader, Adam R. who wrote in to let us know Australian rates have been revealed, and his Blackberry can now "go the way of the dodo".

First up is Optus who've announced both pre-paid and post-paid plans. Pre-paid Turbo Caps start at AUS$30 for an AUS$30 "mycredit", AUS$110 "mybonus", and AUS$30 "mytime money" -- but no "mydata". At AUS$100 you get 100/800/100 and Plus 1GB "mydata". On these plans, and 8GB iPhone 3G will run you AUS$729 and 16GB, AUS$849. Not confusing enough for non-Ozzies, plan rates weigh in at AUS$0.78/min. for national calls,AUS$0.35 per "Flagfall" call, and AUS$02.2/KB weekdays and AUS$1.1/KB for "iZoo Browsing".

Read on for Post-paid, Telestra's first statement, Canadian craziness, and some Swedish relief!

Optus' Post-paid is just as impenetrable for me, with Cap plans ranging from AUS$19 for 100MB, AUS$50 of calls/SMS (and more?), and AUS$0.47 per 30 seconds (?) for national calls, to AUS$179 for 1GB and AUS$1500 of calls/SMS (and more??), and AUS$0.35 per 30 sec. national calls (?!). Both plans have AUS$0.35 "flagfall" per call rates, and AUS$0.25 per SMS.

But it gets stranger! On post-paid, you pay off your iPhone over the course of a 12 or 24 month contract. AUS$51 or AUS$21 for an 8GB or AUS$61 or AUS$26 for a 16GB on the low end, AUS$23 or AUS$0 for 8GB or AUS$33 or AUS$0 on the high.

(Seriously, if an Australian reader can explain that to us like we're 5th grader, we'd really appreciate it! Crikey!)

Telestra's Australian rates, and Swedish and Canadian updated after the break!

Here's Telestra so far:

The Next G™ iPhone 3G™ plans start at $30 per month with an upfront cost of $279 for the 8GB model and $399 for the 16GB model. Customers will receive the 8GB iPhone 3G™ model at no cost with the $80 plan and either the 8GB or the 16GB model at no cost with plans starting at $100 per month. All plans include free Wi-Fi access at Telstra hotspots and require a 24-month contract.

Mind boggling voice and data rates to be detailed later, I assume?

UPDATE: Global TV in British Columbia aired a report on Rogers and the Canadian backlash:

Meanwhile, Canadians continue to protest, with major national and international news outlets picking up the story of GSM monopoly Rogers iPhone plans, and rumor has it there may be some more movement on their part sometime prior to launch:

Customers are not restricted just to the 4 iphone bundles that were announced & are able to select from most of our other voice & data plans. We do not have an unlimited data plan, although we are looking at potentially tweaking some of the data plan bucket sizes. More to follow. Bruce M. Mann Vice President Investor Relations Rogers Communications Inc.

Maybe it has a little something to do with the CDMA competition embarrassing them by offering truly reasonable data rates ($30 unlimited!) on their iClone iPhone competitors, like Telus for the HTC Touch Diamond and Bell for the Samsung Instinct?

Sweden, of course, has already seen Telia cave to public outcry over their iPhone plans (which were crazier than even the Canadians):

Swedish iPhone carrier Telia has revised its service offerings for the soon to be released handset. Instead of modifying the plans for the iPhone 3G, the carrier has chosen to allow users to pick from its existing plans for other mobile phones, then add a 199 SEK (roughly $33) unlimited data option.

Crikey! Add 3G speed to the list of beer-brewing, croc-hunting, and bum-booting that Australians claim to do better, stronger, and faster than just about everyone else in the world. Or so an anonymous Telstra exec would have us believe:

"We know what is coming we have seen the new device and it will be available on our network as soon as it is launched in the USA. By Christmas this phone will be capable of 42Mbps which will make it faster than a lot of broadband offerings and the fastest iPhone on any network in the world."

Hard to believe anyone outside the Jobspod has seen the actual device (remember AT&T hadn't even seen the first gen model until Macworld 2007), so this one sounds fishy from the get-go.

Also, 42Mbps is jaw-dropping, face-smacking fast, and would pretty much require the next-next gen, tippity-top end HSDPA technology, known as HSDPA+ or HSDPA Evolution. Right now Telstra maxes out at around 14.4 and while they reportedly claimed they will reach 21 by the end of 2008, that's a far cry from delivering twice that in half the time, which is what making the rumored June iPhone 3G launch would require.

I'm calling shenanigans. What do you think?

Read Via

Thanks to eagle-eyed reader Janric for the tip:

Globe's Head for Consumer Wireless Business Ferdinand Dela Cruz announced today that Globe, SingTel, Bharti Airtel, and Optus have signed an agreement with Apple to bring the iPhone to the Philippines, Singapore, India, and Australia later this year.

Philippines is new, Singapore is now confirmed, and given that Vodafone has already announced Australia and India, this would make it the second and third confirmed non-exclusive territories after Italy.

Score board says:

Okay folks, who's next?

Figures. Right after I go to all the trouble of cut and pasting together an April iPhone Risk Roundup, Vodafone goes ahead and announces 10 more countries, more than doubling the amount of countries having, or set to have, the iPhone! Apple Insider goes on locations:

"Later this year, Vodafone customers in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network," the carrier said in a statement without providing further detail.

A look at our newly overpopulated score board:

Vodofone, of course, owns Verizon in the US, which is rumored to have taken a pass on Apple's iPhone, leading to the current AT&T exclusivity deal. Back with a vengeance much?

Like the Canadian detail-free announcement from Rogers, it's also likely these deals will involve the as-yet-unannounced-but-widely-expected 3G iPhone, though given the rest of the world's 3G-centricity, it certainly should. Also unknown is whether these will be the exclusive deals involving revenue sharing and pressure towards unlimited data plans Apple pioneered with the initial iPhone launch last year.

What do you think?

(PS - Apple, help a blogger out and release more of your little flag circle icons. Those things don't Photoshop themselves, b'okay?)

No, that's not spring in the air, that's the rumor frenzy ramp-up to Apple's June World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC), and here's the aptly titled MacRumors with a mother load:

A MacRumors reader ran across a very unusual .Mac web page yesterday and was kind enough to forward it on. The page contained promotional images for Apple products [...] including teasers for iTunes 8, a 32GB iPhone [in Australia!], and a WWDC launch date (June 10th).

Turns out, not so much. The images came courtesy of one of MacRumors own forum members (though MacRumors continues to maintain they were associated with a legit @apple.com account).

In general, a 32GB iPhone, at least for the current generation product, would require a 32GB NAND chip for the single slot (due to the cell radio and other components, unlike the iPod Touch which boasts 2 NAND slots, the iPhone only has room for 1 -- hence iPod Touch always offering twice the memory). If true, it may explain the price cuts on the 8GB models. iTunes 8 would only require some boosted features (App Store support?) and Apple's marketing desire to bump the rev a full number. Australia rumors have been building for a long time now, of course.

Also included were the first MacBook and MacBookPro case revs, going to aluminum and iMac-style black on aluminum respectively. (Both of which have also seen rampant rumor ramp ups -- say that ten times fast!)

Ars Technica brings word that Australia may just be giving Singapore, the Netherlands, and Mexico a run for their international money in the great race towards the 7th official iPhone launch.

If rumors are to be believed, resellers have been told to say g'day to an UNLOCKED 3G iPhone down-under come the end of June. This would bring our current score to:

Without an Apple retail presence or strong carrier-branded stores, resellers are said to be key in getting the device out to market in Oz, and Apple COO, Tim Cook did say they would be open to different business models, but UNLOCKED?! And 3G in June?

Personally, I hope this is true as unlocked may be the only way we'll get an iPhone in Canada any time soon (though 3G will do little good if it's $1K a month...), but I'm taking this with a kangaroo-sized grain of salt for now... What do you think?