Have you pre-ordered your new iPad yet? If not, you could be in for a bit of a wait. It seems that Apple have pushed back the shipping date in most counties. The Apple Store now displays 'Delivers between the 16th and the 20th March'. In the UK, it's even worse with '2-3 weeks'.

People in the US, have a little while longer to go yet; however Apple are warning that the new iPad is in 'limited supplies', so they could be seeing a delay very soon.

Did you manage to get your order in? If so, when are you expecting delivery?

Update: iTV denies The Telegraph's report:

The Telegraph's piece is entirely speculative, and there has been no recent dialogue between ITV and Apple. ITV has no further comment on the matter."

There have been an increasing number of rumors flying around that Apple is set to launch its own television set later this year. The rumors also all seem to think that if Apple does follow this product route, this particular television set will be called the iTV. Unfortunately for Apple, there is already a huge broadcasting company in the UK that already owns the name ITV. ITV stands for (Independent Television) and it is sharpening its knives ready for a fight; if Apple does decide to launch a television this year and name it the iTV.

Adam Crozier, chief executive of Britain’s biggest commercial broadcaster, raised the issue with the company when he took the job in 2010, amid expectations that Apple would follow the pattern of branding used for its iPhone and iPad when it eventually cracked television. At the time, ITV, the broadcaster of popular period drama Downton Abbey, received assurances that Apple would not muscle into its territory, at least in the UK. However, insiders fear that the world’s biggest company might take a different stance under Tim Cook, who replaced Steve Jobs as chief executive shortly before Mr Jobs died in August last year.

Source: The Telegraph; Update: The Verge

Earlier today, we posted a report from TNW that showed UK carrier O2, had been transmitting phone numbers to every website visited via their 2G or 3G network.

After the backlash on Twitter, O2 acknowledged and fixed the issue at 2pm GMT today, followed by an apology on their blog, including a Q&A to explain exactly what happened and who was affected.

We have seen the report published this morning suggesting the potential for disclosure of customers’ mobile phone numbers to website owners. We investigated, identified and fixed it this afternoon. We would like to apologise for the concern we have caused.

The issue occurred after a routine maintenance update on January 10th, that accidentally sent user phone numbers to website hosts, along with the standard log of technical information required from the device.

Q: Why did this happen? A: Technical changes we implemented as part of routine maintenance had the unintended effect of making it possible in certain circumstances for website owners to see the mobile numbers of those browsing their site.

Technical information is normally sent to websites so that servers can deliver a 'device-optimised' experience. Carriers add your phone number to this information, when sending data to 'trusted partners', to enable services that require; age verification, premium-content billing, and carrier specific services.

It seems that O2 have fixed the problem now, but after 15 days... is it too little, too late?

Source: O2 Blog

UK network O2 appears to be submitting your telephone number to any website you visit whilst using the data connection on your phone. According to report from TNW, the information is transmitted when a user asks for a webpage view.

The issue was brought to our attention to Lewis Peckover, who created a simple webpage to check the information that a mobile browser would send to a website when it requested data. Whilst most of the data was to be expected, including the Host, User Agent, Referrer and Encoding, there was also another field in the results — x-up-calling-line-id. What is x-up-calling-line-id? Your mobile phone number.

We're investigating this with our internal teams, and will come back with more as soon as we can

Source: TNW

Microsoft has launched another app for the iPad, this time it is MSN UK. MSN UK is brings all the latest news, sport and entertainment from the UK right to your iPad.

The MSN experience is now enhanced on iPad – easily swipe to find your favourite news, sport and entertainment articles and videos. Excited about something you read on MSN for iPad? Just tap and share with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

• Reading articles on MSN for iPad feels natural, no matter how you hold your iPad – in either portrait or landscape modes. We’ve added popular photo galleries, slideshows and videos to add depth to what you’re browsing. You can even download stories to your iPad for when you’re not connected to a network later. Need to dig deeper on something you just read? We’ve built Bing right into the top of the app for easy searching.
• Popular photo galleries and slideshows
• Quick access to Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger
• View in portrait and landscape modes, whatever is easier for you
• Send feedback to the MSN team – let us know what you think

If the iPad’s Auto-Lock is set to 2 or 5 minutes, the downloading of an issue of MSN for offline viewing may be interrupted when the iPad locks the screen. You may see the dialog box showing that the download is in progress, but the background downloading of the issue may have stopped. Tap Cancel to close the dialog box. You may need to close and restart the app to resume the offline download.

• App Store link

Netflix is now available in the UK, and that means it's now available for iPhone and iPad in the UK App Store (and Android too). One month of service will run you £5.99 which isn't too far off the US or Canadian prices.

Content is... content. It sounds like it's okay at launch but stuff will come, stuff will go, so if you see something you like, start watching it now.

It's a universal binary, so if you're in the UK and you try it out, let us know how it works for you.

• App Store link

A twelve year old boy and his mother have been left in a state of shock after a Siri on demonstration model of an iPhone 4S insulted them. The iPhone 4S was being displayed in a Tesco’s supermarket in the UK and earlier in the day pranksters had messed around with Siri and set its owners name as a seven word string of insults.

A lad of 12 who tried out the new iPhone 4S in Tesco was stunned when it told him: "Shut the f*** up, you ugly t***."  The phone's Siri system, which answers spoken questions, came back with the foul-mouthed insult when Charlie Le Quesne asked: "How many people are there in the world?"

Staff were informed of the way Siri was responding to questions and agreed to immediately remove the iPhone 4S from display. They went on to explain that the phone had been tampered with and its owner’s name changed to reflect the bad language that had been heard. Siri often says its owners name when answering questions hence the way it responded in this case. Tesco claims to have returned the iPhone 4S to Apple for further diagnostic tests.

In other words, s*** happens. Similar to photo bombing or loading up adult content on web browsers, there will always be those who seek to take advantage of live demo units. Dummy units would solve this problem but greatly reduce the ability of consumers to test and evaluate devices prior to purchase.

Source: The Sun

UK mobile network O2 has started offering the iPhone 4S on a new service which it is calling O2 Lease. The O2 Lease service, according to O2, is unique in the fact that it offers customers the option to rent an iPhone 4S with no upfront costs. The deal would run for twelve months after which you can return the phone back to O2 or renew the deal for a newer iPhone model.

Sally Cowdry, marketing and consumer director for O2 UK, said: “This is the first time a UK mobile operator has adopted a leasing model. We know that customers and small businesses are used to leasing everyday items from cars and washing machines to photocopiers and office space. They understand how it works and what the advantages of a leasing are. We have simply taken this idea and applied it to the smartphone market.”

Source:  O2 PR

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

Brian Waring, vice president of marketing and category for Starbucks UK and Ireland, said: “Digital offers are very important to us and making WiFi freely available across our stores is the foundation for many other plans we have moving forward…Content partnerships are key and we also have an extremely exciting digital programme ahead for 2012.”

Source: The Telegraph

Apple has announced some of its European launch pricing for the iPhone 4S. The countries with pricing available are the United Kingdom, France and Germany. These are the countries that will get the iPhone on October 14 with pre-orders starting on October 7. The prices are for a SIM free unlocked iPhone 4S and cell service would have to be taken out separately.

United Kingdom

iPhone 4S 16GB         £499.00

iPhone 4S 32GB         £599.00

iPhone 4S 64GB         £699.00

France

iPhone 4S 16GB         €629.00

iPhone 4S 32GB         €739.00

iPhone 4S 64GB         €849.00

Germany

iPhone 4S 16GB         €629.00

iPhone 4S 32GB         €739.00

iPhone 4S 64GB         €849.00

We will keep an eye on the major European carriers who have yet to show their hands when it comes to pricing or availability for the matter. When they do, we will let you know.

Source: Apple

Cnet

According to Cnet’s sources familiar with the discussions, Apple is seeking international music licenses for at least the United Kingdom, Germany and France. The deals with the various rights holders is close to agreement but has not been signed as of yet. Apple hopes to get this wrapped up in time for the “Let’s Talk iPhone” event next week; but it may be too late!

Without these licenses in place, iCloud and more importantly iTunes Match is a rather weak offering for those outside the U.S. iCloud of course will still function with your apps and other data but the music features are some of its best features. Let us hope that the record labels don’t live up to their usual reputation and help Apple get this one ironed out in time for Tuesday!

Source: cnet

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]

Seems like Apple just can't get their alarms to work consistently following time changes. The bug struck again, according to BBC News, as some iPhone owners in the UK were late for work this morning after the clocks moved forward an hour for British Summer Time. Similar problems occurred during the switch to and from standard time in North America, and following New Year.

This time the glitch is not with the iPhone’s clock application but is affecting non-recurring alarms set within the iPhone's calendar application. The alarms either go off one hour late, or not at all. We are not quite sure why anyone would want to set up a morning wakeup call in this way in the first place, but the bug could also affect agenda alarms too.

I am in the UK and my alarm went off without a hitch today and all my agenda reminders too. Did any of our UK readers experience any alarm related problems this morning? Let us know in the comments!

[BBC News]

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]

Despite recent fears and rumors about a possible delay, the iPad 2 will still be released on Friday March 25... in the United Kingdom at least. UK tech site TechRadar managed to squeeze some confirmation out of the usually tight lipped Apple.

Everything that is on the website still holds true.

Well the good news is the UK Apple website clearly shows the release data as March 25. Most of the rumors stemmed from the Apple Czech Republic site, which clearly showed the release had slipped to April 25^th. This appears to have been a typo; the Czech Republic site has now changed back to March 25 too.

We're still waiting on official confirmation from Apple regarding what time exactly online and in-store purchasing will begin. Hopefully that will come today or tomorrow. Are any of our international readers planning on hitting the Apple Store on Friday to grab an iPad 2? Let us know in the comments!

[TechRadar]

Today, the UK see a rise in their VAT from 17.5% to 20%. This morning, Apple's Online Store went down and when it reopened, it showed the new prices, with the new VAT.

Check after the break for a list of the new prices for the iPad, iPhone, iPods and the AppleTV.

iPad

• 16GB - £439
• 32GB - £510
• 64GB - £612

iPad 3G

• 16GB - £541
• 32GB - £612
• 64GB - £714

iPhone 3GS

• 8GB - £428

iPhone 4

• 16GB - £510
• 32GB - £612

iPod Touch

• 8GB - £193
• 32GB - £254
• 64GB - £336

iPod Nano

• 8GB - £131
• 16GB - £163

iPod Shuffle

• 2GB - £40

iPod Classic

• 160GB - £197

AppleTV

• £101

Free Shipping now only applies to orders over £80 instead of £78. Not much difference, and you'll probably end up more than £80 at Apple anyway.

Do these prices still make it compelling for you to buy from Apple? What do you think about the new prices? Leave your thoughts in the comments below

It looks like the 16GB 3G variant of the iPad is now being offered on T-Mobile for UK customers. Depending on what plan you choose, you can snag a bit of a discount on the actual iPad.

New customers can get 1GB of data + 1GB of quiet time data (data used between midnight and 10am) for £27.00/month which will bring the actual iPad cost to £199.00. Existing customers can get the same data plan for £25.00/month and receive the same £199.00 deal on the actual device.

If you'd prefer to go no contract, there are 3 pay as you go plans you can choose from -

• 500MB/day for £2.00/day
• 1GB/week for £7.00/week
• 2GB/month for £15.00/month

If you choose one of the pay as you go plans, the iPad will cost you £529.99. You can also add insurance to your iPad for £12.99/month.

Anyone out there on T-Mobile UK thinking about snagging one of these plans?

via T-Mobile UK

Orange and T-Mobile UK both announced that they'll be offering subsidized pricing options for iPads purchased with their data plans. Users must agree to an 18 or 24 month contract in order to grab an iPad with the discounts, which may reach as high as 62% off retail price. That would equate to a $250 price tag in the US for the $649 WiFi + 3G model.

Could we see similar subsidies offered on US carriers? Would you be willing to sign a 2 year contract if Verizon or AT&T were to offer similar subsidized pricing? Let us know in the comments!

[Orange]

The iPad has won a recommendation from Which Computing magazine. Which? Magazine is a highly respected UK publication known for its unbiased and extensive product reviews. The iPad came out on top of the pile in the must-have gadgets' and the tech buys that make great Christmas gifts.

This was one of the most-hyped gadgets of 2010. Its sleek design, slick touchscreen interface and those all-important apps mean it’s the tablet that's on almost everybody's wish list.

Which? carry out extensive testing of products to provide consumers with information to enable them to make correct buying decisions, the process is extremely thorough. Which? do not accept any advertising in their publications; to ensure all of their reviews and recommendations are legitimate and without bias.

Every month, we conduct independent and extensive tests on hundreds of products and services. Every aspect of product performance and specification – price, running costs, efficiency, and reliability – is compared against exacting criteria. The highest scoring products or services are awarded Which? Best Buy status, and the test results are published in the magazine and on Which.co.uk.

So there you have it, according to Which?, the iPad makes an ideal gift for the holidays. Are you planning on splashing out on an iPad for your loved ones? If you are let us know in the comments!

[source]

Facebook Places has gone live in the UK. It lit up in Japan a few days ago as well. No love for Canada or many other countries yet. Still, even in locations where Facebook places has launched, it doesn't seem to have slowed down FourSquare or Gowalla at all.

Is Facebook Places available where you are? Are you using it? If so, let us know how it's been working for you, if not, tell us what's kept you away.

[Thanks English Mike!]

Even before Apple announced the iPhone 4 was coming to the US, UK, France, Germany, and Japan on June 24, AT&T announced new, tiered and capped data plans and aggressive upgrade options for the new handset. Internationally...? Cricket chirps.

So here's where the power of the TiPb nation comes in. We've put as much as we could find below, but if you know more about carrier plans and upgrade options in the UK, France, Germany, or Japan, drop it in the comments and we'll update the post.

UK iPhone 4 pricing

O2 UK

Monthly plans begin at 100 minutes and 500 MB of data priced at £25 for a 24-month contract and £30 for an 18-month contract and ramp up to unlimited calling and 1 GB of data priced at £60/£65. A footnote to O2's pricing matrix indicates, however, that the carrier will continue running a "promotion" offering unlimited data for all smartphones until October, at which time the company will offer additional data in 500 MB (£5) and 1 GB (£10) buckets.

For £20 a month you can buy off your existing contract to become eligible for upgrade faster. [MacRumors]

Vodafone UK

Leaked [Engadget]

France iPhone 4 pricing

Pending...

Germany iPhone 4 pricing

Pending...

Japan iPhone 4 pricing

Softbank

Black only (no info on white), pre-orders begin June 15, 5pm online and in store. Proof of identity required.

• 57,600 yen ($624) for the 32GB model
• 46,080 yen ($500) for the 16GB model
• COD or 24 payments of 2,400 yen/1,920 yen.
• Value plan Unlimited Data for 4,410 yen per month
• Basic plan starts at 1,029 yen a month, tops out at 4,410 for unlimited
• Value plan subsidizes 1,920 yen a month for 24 months.
• Basic plan subsidizes 1,440 yen a month for 24 months.

A two year commitment for a 32GB iPhone 4 will cost you 57,600 yen but return 46,080 yen in discounts bringing a total difference of 11,530 yen or around $125 USD. A 16GB iPhone 4 will cost 46,080 yen with 46,080 yen discount or a whopping 0 yen!

[Mobile Japan via 9to5Mac]

Keep it coming!

Apple's just-announced iPhone 4 will be available in black and white, in $199 for 16GB, $299/32GB, and will hit the US, France, Germany, UK, and Japan on June 24. Pre-orders start June 15.

Other countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada (!), Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, and Switzerland will get it in July, and 88 countries total will be online by September.

Sounds off and let us know if you're getting it, if you're pre-ordering or lining up, or if you're bummed it's not coming to your country sooner...

Orange was first out the gate with iPad 3G data plans in the UK, and now O2 and Vodafone are finally showing their hands as well. The plans certainly look more flexible than AT&T's US plans, though the lack of real unlimited data is apparent. No ability to add the iPad to an existing account like Rogers in Canada either.

Orange UK iPad data plans

• 5p (per MB)
• £2 200MB/day
• £7.50 1GB/7 days
• £15 3G/month
• £25 10GB/month

The last two plans also include access to Orange's Wi-Fi hotspots.

O2 iPad data plans

• £2 500MB/day
• £10 1GB/30 days
• £15 3GB/30 days

All plans are recurring and include access to O2's Wi-Fi hotspots.

Vodafone iPad data plans

• £10.00 250MB per month
• £25.00 5GB per month

[Apple Online Store UK, O2, thanks for the details, Chris!]

If you're picking up an iPad Wi-Fi + 3G in the UK, let us know which carrier and what plan you're picking up with it. And what you think of the rates.

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?

As part of their larger, 9 country international iPad rollout on May 28, Apple announced today that the iBooks app and iBookstore service will also become available in many of those countries.

Publication rights often vary by region (for example, Harry Potter has different publishers in North America than it does in the UK) and it's an understatement to call the situation a mess. So, it's good to see Apple making headway.

Given how slow iTunes TV and Movies have been offered internationally, however, the entertainment industry should still feel shame and hopefully this adds impetus towards simplifying and -- frankly -- modernizing the way these licenses and rights are handled internationally.

Back on-topic: who's excited for iBooks? Anyone going to switch over from Kindle? Or is it just an easy gateway to getting those 30,000 Project Gutenberg titles onto your iPad (and later this year, iPhone)?

[Apple]

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]

And the UK adds Vodafone to their official iPhone carriers list, rounding out O2, Orange, and resellers like Tesco, and users are excited enough that sales were expected to hit 50,000 on the first day.

Anyone switch over, or finally getting an iPhone just to run on Voda?

[Vodafone via BGR]

The US sent the iPhone to Walmart and the Shack, so it stands to reason the UK would retaliate with their own mass-market venue, Tesco. In other words, Brits can now stock up on razors, lettuce, and O2-powered iPhones all at the same time.

Our only question remains -- how long before America raises the stakes again? How long before you can hit a drive-through at 4am and the mechanical clown speaker asks "ya want an iPhone with that? Supersize to 32GB?"

[Tesco via BBC via Engadget]

Chris from Mobiletech Addicts let us know that, as previously reported, O2 is coming through with the iPhone unlocks. Once their web form is submitted, they send a text (it took all of 15 minutes form him), then:

I put in a Vodafone Sim Card into the phone and fired up iTunes, a couple of minutes later and the [above] message appeared.

Congrats UK residents, you're free at last!

(Now if only Rogers Canada would find a pair and do likewise right...)

Making good on their promise from a few days ago, O2 UK has launched a website where customers can get their iPhone's officially unlocked starting November 10, 2009. Here are the details:

• Pay Monthly customers can get the unlock any time, but you have to keep paying O2 for the length of your remaining service contract.
• Pay Go customers can get the unlock after 12 months, for a one-time £15 fee (deducted from airtime balance).

To begin the process, customers need to complete the online form (via the link above). The process will take up to 14 days, but customers will get an SMS confirmation when it's completed, and they can then place a non-O2 SIM in their iPhones, hook up to iTunes, and finish the unlock.

Curious as to whether the other major new iPhone multi-carrier market would be following suit, TiPb contacted Rogers and received the following reply:

Rogers policies haven't changed in this regard.

One step forward, one step back. Hopefully Rogers will reconsider and take a page from O2's consumer-friendly approach.

Meanwhile, if you go for the new O2 unlock, let us know how the process works out for you!

[Via Chris Oldroyd]

With the UK moving from the iPhone exclusively on O2, to one launching on Orange UK tomorrow, with Vadafone UK/Ireland and perhaps 3 also in line, what does this mean for existing iPhone users and their carrier-locked iPhones? Thankfully, it looks like O2 is doing to do right by you:

Once the iPhone becomes available on other UK networks, we will allow O2 customers to unlock their iPhones, although of course they will still need to honour any outstanding contract period they have. At the end of their contract period, they are entirely free to move to another operator — though naturally we hope they won’t want to!

Excellent news for the UK, and we can only hope other countries and carriers, like Rogers, Bell, and Telus in Canada, will swiftly follow suit (we won't hold our breath though...)

We're not sure how this process would be handled, for example, would an iPhone user need to physically go to an O2 service rep to have their iPhone unlocked via in-store iTunes tools? If anyone has an answer, let us know.

[Times Online via Stuartino in the TiPb forums]

Long anticipated, longer rumored, the iPhone is finally set to hit UK's Orange network this November 10. Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U are both expected to offer the Orange version of the Apple iPhone, though there's no word yet on pricing (they're -- sigh -- looking to "add value" rather than "reduce cost").

With O2 exclusivity ended (but the iPhone still for sale on their network), Vodafone ramping up soon as well, and rumors of 3 next year as well, so UK iPhone lovers will have what US readers still lack -- a huge amount of carrier choice.

Orange claims 200,000 registrations on their iPhone "interest" page. Are you one of them?

[Guardian via Engadget Mobile]

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Pop-quiz: You're O2 and you just lost iPhone exclusivity in the UK, and now have to compete with both Orange and Vodafone for users' iPounds. What do you do? Why, tell them you still have the iPhone... and are getting the Palm Pre?!

We’re proud that we’ve been able to offer an exclusive iPhone deal to our 20 million customers for the last two years. We always knew that iPhone exclusivity was for a limited period of time, but our relationship with Apple continues and will be an ongoing success. We have over 1 million iPhone customers and they remain very important to us.

We aim to offer our customers the best devices on the market, including becoming the home of Smartphones and we are really pleased to now add another device in the Palm Pre. We also offer award-winning customer service and benefits, which is why more people choose O2 than any other network in the UK.

What say you UK readers, if you're thinking of taking your iPhone to another network, will offering you the Palm Pre change your mind?

[via Engadget Mobile]

Vodafone has just announced that they will begin selling Apple's iPhone 3G and 3GS in the UK and Ireland in Early 2010.

This comes on the heels of a similar announcement by Orange UK, and means iPhone users across the pond will soon have 3 carriers battling it out for their love and data affection. And hopefully prices will reflect that.

So, UK readers, with O2, Orange, and Vodafone all on the table, who're you going to go with?

[Thanks everyone who sent this in!]

Orange UK is set to start offering the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS according to ITProPortal. Previously exclusive to O2 in the UK, that deal is said to end on Oct. 9, clearing the way for some competition in the UK market. (At least beyond T-Mobile smuggling in a few units from Germany...)

Orange was previously the exclusive French iPhone provider until Bouygues-Telecom got into the game, and these latest deals seem to indicate Apple is serious about increasing their customer base.... at least outside the US. (Though it's admittedly easier internationally where almost all providers are GSM and on similar frequencies).

Rumors about Orange getting the iPhone hit TiPb back in May, but there remain no details yet on when and how much. If you're in the UK, however, let us know if you're planning to make the jump to Orange when you can.

[Thanks bengillam for the tip!]

The Register, (via Engadget Mobile) is reporting that T-Mobile UK is slipping unlocked iPhones to high-value customers in an attempt to keep them from switching to the exclusive UK iPhone carrier, O2.

It seems if you do indeed appear to be a big spender on T-Mobile, you just need to find a willing customer service rep, threaten to take your money and go to O2, and they'll slip you an unlocked iPhone (smuggled over from T-Mobile Germany, perhaps?). Apparently, however, they're limiting this to 150 units a week so as not to be too overt -- or called out to joust by angry O2 bigwigs.

Any UK readers nab one?

Very brand-conscious start time aside, looks like UK customers on O2 now know what time the queue ends and the buying begins...

UPDATE: Sounds like the second poster, below, might be there just in case a store sells out and wants to inform customers. Thanks to everyone in the comments for logic-ing this out!

Due to high demand we have run out of the iPhone 3G S

The good news is there are more coming soon

Ask a member of staff for details

Posterized version after the break!

With AT&T US and Rogers Canada having already weighed in, TUAW now brings word on what the chaps across the pond can expect for the iPhone 3G S, and it's, well... a lot of numbers, innit?

Check out their full post for all the details on Monthly and Pay & Go Plans, but highlights include:

32GB iPhone 3G S will range between £274.23 (~$444US) and £96.89 (~$158US) for an 18-month contract and £175.19 (~$283) and £0 for a 24-month contract. Contract prices range between £29.38 (~$48US) and £73.41 (~$120US) for 18-month terms and £34.26 (~$55US) and £73.41 (~$120US) for 24-month terms. All plans include unlimited UK data and WiFi.

So, who's for a bit of a line up on Regent Street June 19 then?

(And yeah, old school LoTR graphic still alive!)

A couple days ago we mentioned that Orange UK might be in the running to become the second (after O2) carrier to get the iPhone in the United Kingdom. Today comes word that Vodafone (think of it as Verizon with a fancy accent and GSM goodness) may also be splitting the Isles wide open. According to Mobile Tech Addicts:

Now we have discovered a Vodafone portal designed for the iPhone. It is basically a portal that gives you access to news but the question is why would Vodafone go to these lengths if they weren’t about to get the iPhone.

The site points out that, of course, it could just be a smart move from Vodafone to woo unlocked, or soon to be unlocked, iPhone owners off O2 and onto their pipes.

Time will tell, but for our UK readers, is Vodafone a better option for you than O2 or Orange UK?

Updated: To address some of the comments, we edited out the URL field to protect the source, but it was not the public facing web address mentioned below. It was local intranet address. Of course, anything is fake-able, so we'll just have to wait and see if -- ever -- Apple and Orange UK make an announcement... or not.

Seems strange to be writing about iPhone 3G launches when there are so many next-generation iPhone rumors flying around now, doesn't it? Then again, there have been rumors about Orange UK getting the iPhone going back to the early days of iPhone 3G. Now, however, a helpful tipster has stumbled across what might be the first step towards confirmation:

iPhone 3G has shown up on internal systems at Orange UK (see the above pic), something that typically happens 6-8 weeks before a handset starts shipping on the network.

O2 has been exclusively carrying the iPhone in the UK since just after the original iPhone was first released, but competition is a Good Thing, right?

Any of our UK mates think iPhone on Orange is brilliant, yeah?

We already told you about the UK banning Apple's "just the internet" ad, and why they were wrong. Well, the BBC is reporting yet another Apple iPhone 3G television ad has just been yanked off the UK airwaves by the British government's advertising standards watchdog group. Why? For exaggerating the iPhone 3G's speed.

The advert boasted the new 3G model was "really fast" and showed it loading internet pages in under a second. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld complaints by 17 people who said the TV advert had misled them as to its speed.

Seriously? I would love to meet the 17 people who complained that the speed of the iPhone 3G did not match the above commercial. [Ed- ladies and gentlemen, Paul Thurrott!] I understand that the phone is nowhere near being that fast but do they not realize that is a 30 second advertisement displaying the top features of the iPhone 3G. Maybe I am crazy but I like to think I have the common sense to know the difference between a 30 advertisement and reality.

Well if you are like me, you'd want to get some insight from at least one of the 17 people who complained, then let me introduce you to a man named Roger Browning. It seems he did not have anything better to do with his time but to get "revenge" for having his own iPhone 3G stolen. Yes, you heard me correctly, "revenge". Be sure to check out the link to read his story.

Sound off in the comments, we are curious to see what our readers have to say about this!

[Via BBC News]

Casey already told us about how an iPhone ad was banned in the UK for "misleading consumers" about providing "just the internet", and based on how many ZOMG! No Flash Vidz! comments we get, I'm going to go out on a limb and say most people probably share the belief that MobileSafari - ( Flash + Java) != the internet.

Fine.

But allow me to retort. As a long time web (and Flash) developer, however, I'm calling shenanigans on that, and on the UK Advertising Standards Authority. Flash and Java are factually and empirically NOT part of the open, standards based Internet (i.e. HTML, CSS, Javascript/AJAX). Flash and Java, along with things like SilverLight, Real, ActiveX, and a host of other proprietary add-ons are plugins, extensions, and otherwise additions to the Internet -- with all the benefits and drawbacks that go along with that.

Like what? Read on after the break!

Okay, so Flash, Java, et. al. allow for some neat multi-media effects and interactivity (though HTML 5 and CSS are catching up), and some measure of portability (though never as much as they claim), but they bring in additional security and cross-platform problems as well.

The web is supposed to be a structured container (CSS) through which content flows (HTML), which is why MobileSafari can subtly reformat font sizes, line wraps, and other elements to suit the smaller screen and multi-touch interface. As an open standard, Apple can also integrate their own containers and attributes to, for example, define the screen size for rendering.

Flash? Kinda sorta sometimes if the developer puts the effort in. Being proprietary (even "open" proprietary), however, Apple can't exactly make changes to the source to, you know, make a version that's not as bloated and greedy as Adobe has long allowed the Mac OS X version of Flash to remain. To prove that point, Apple has significantly developed the plugin they do own, Quicktime, creating Quicktime X to better fit their mobile vision of the future.

All this to say that there are several very good reasons why the iPhone doesn't support Flash, Java, and the other plugins. They may be reasons that can eventually be overcome with newer/better technology, or reasons some people may even disagree with, but for the UK to randomly pick those two plugins as being "the internet" just because they happen to be ubiquitous (compared the aforementioned Silverlight, for example) is as capricious as it is wrong headed.

Apple, as they themselves rightly point out, is delivering the full standards-based Internet to the iPhone. Any site coded to conform to those standards will work just fine on the iPhone. Any site deviating, or depending on plugin extensions won't (as anyone whose ever tried to get a secure installation to "just add this Java widget" or "just download this ActiveX control" to enable some web conferencing or like utility will all too readily tell you).

Bottom-line, the UK is showing ignorance of the real web. Sure, I wants my vidz as much as the next Viddler, but I understand the issues behind these technologies, which is something the Advertising Standards Authority might want to do before banning commercials, right?

The Advertising Standards Authority, which we at TiPb are going to (foolishly) assume is the executive power of advertisements across the pond, has deemed an iPhone Advertisement as misleading in the UK. The sticking point? When Apple said:

"...all the parts of the internet are on the iPhone."

We think to please the guvnuhs on the other side, Apple will probably throw in one of them fine prints across the bottom of the page that specifies on what technology you 'really' do get. Does anyone know if Apple makes the same claim on the US commercials? Methinks yes.

Thanks Lee Richards!

Read

It's been two weeks since the July 11th, 22 nation launch. Do you know where your iPhone 3G is? Sadly, for many, the answer is still "backordered" if not "out-of-stock". But don't worry, your always customer conscious and perennially consumer focused mobile cell provider wants to make sure you know that they know that you're feeling some pain. And they want to assure you they're doing everything they can to get your money you your shiny new iPhone 3G.

First, they are absolutely, positively not hoarding them or stockpiling them in any secret iVaults. It's still first-come, first-served, and in AT&T is prioritizing direct fulfillment (with a 2 week wait time), and advising their stores are currently sold out. (Hey, they're moving it twice as fast as last year, remember? Just imagine if they had stock!)

Second, for its part Apple has stopped providing JSON data to independent webbers who were keeping you better informed (than Apple) as to what stores had precisely which units when you got there 15 exactly minutes too late. Back to Apple.com, or the still long line ups outside Apple Retail, for those in the US.

Third, in the UK 02 Online is out, stores are in increasingly short supply, but might get a few more units trickling in today.

Not worried in the least, Apple's supply-chain wizards plan to launch the iPhone 3G in 20 more countries in just under a month from now. Good luck with that.

Sounded like a great idea, dinnit? Put up a website where your customers could upgrade to the brand-spanking-new iPhone 3G kit, right? Digg effect, meet iPwnage (no, not the hack, the tidal-wave of traffic Apple's little gadget brings with it). It'll Steve your website right quick -- especially when you offer to hand deliver them on launch day!

Says O2:

"We had invested heavily to add a huge amount of additional capacity, 250 times its normal rate, and back-up systems. We tested this carefully in advance. The massive simultaneous crush exceeded even our worst case assumptions. Demand was at 13,000 orders per second. Frankly, we have to admit we just weren't prepared for this unprecedented level of demand. No Web site is."

Yeah. Just be happy you don't host a Stevenote stream. Traffic aside, though, 13,000 orders per second is staggering, and O2 admits Apple can't meet that demand during a 22 country simultaneous launch. In fact, supplies look tight for the next few week, and nary an iPhone White in sight!

Our sympathies for our United Kingdom friends. If any of you mange to nab an iPhone 3G, please let us know!

Read

Proving once again why telcos lead the universe in lack of customer satisfaction, within the span of a single day the UK's exclusive iPhone 3G carrier, O2, announced and then un-announced Pay-As-You-Go plans!

The original info revealed that you could get an iPhone 3G 8GB for £300 and 16GB for £360 on the PayG plans, with browsing (data?) and WiFi tossed in free for the first 6 months, and £10 a month thereafter. Offer valid to new and upgrade-worthy customers until the end of the year.

Now, however, the page is gone, the server is bereft, and only a very Apple-esque talk-to-you-later notice remains.

Accidental upload snafu, rapidly rolled back? Attempt to gaslight over-enthusiastic iPhone non-contractors? You decide!

UPDATE: Apple Insider is reporting that O2 may be honoring their usual 1-year-later unlock policy for the iPhone 3G on Pay-As-You-Go. This means, 12 months in, you could cough up £15 to get your iPhone opened up to any network.

Read

Long the [out-of-wedlock] stepchildren of the iTunes experience, Canada and the UK got some small measure of love a while back with the addition of TV shows, albeit primarily local and cable fare, like CBC and BBC respectively. But where were our movies? What about our (pricey) Apple Take 2 rentals?

Today Apple finally bestowed cinema on her Majesties loyal subjects, home and commonwealth alike:

Your favourite Hollywood movies are now available to download from the iTunes Store and watch instantly. Rent new releases for just $4.99 and other library titles for just $3.99, or buy movies and own them forever. Sit back and enjoy the show on your computer, take it on the road with your iPod—or view movies in stunning high definition with Apple TV.

In Canada, purchased movies seem to range from $9.99 to an expensive $19.99 for new releases (hey, studios, seen the power of le loonie lately?) while in the UK, rentals will fetch a premium £2.49 to £3.49, and purchases, £6.99 and £10.99.

Like the US, HD Movies are reserved exclusively for direct-to-Apple TV rental (thanks Big Media!), but it seems we might just get to enjoy them for 48 hrs. instead of the miserly 24 in the US.

One drawback? Canada already has steep data rates and stingy data caps (low end accounts offer a paltry 1-2GB a month, with high overage charges). Unlimited accounts can also be slower (low end toping out at 1.5 Mbps). Add to that the potential for cable and telecos to throttle what might seem to them to be competing offerings (to Rogers and Bell on-demand or PPV services, for example), and it will make for some interesting politics.

While the telcos may argue that the post office doesn't deliver Netflix for free, it's not like end users see the shipping charges either. It may end up that Apple has to deal with the Big Pipe devils same way they do with Hollywood and the carriers...

UPDATE: I had to reset the settings (not restore to factory, just reset) on the Apple TV in order to get it to offer up some movies, which meant reconnecting it to sync and stream from iTunes.

Following on a veritable flood of previous "OMG 3G!!11" news and rumors, it now looks confirmed that O2 in the UK has knocked 100 quid off the price of an 8G current generation (2.5G) iPhone 8GB.

The discount is being referred to as a special promotion that will run through June 1, but following the T-Mobile discount promotion, and the apparent urgency for 3G in data-spoiled Europe, the rumor mill is running full bore again.

WWDC? What do you think?