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Globe Telecom and Apple announced June 9 they will be
bringing the iPhone 3G to the Philippines later this year. “Twice
as fast at half the price”—is Apple’s ad blurb.
The iPhone will cost just $200
for the 8-gigabyte model, half the $400 price of old basic iPhones.
iPhone2 is a combination iPod, phone and internet device. The first
generation iPhone was painfully slow for internet purposes. The new
iPhone has been described as like moving from dial-up to broadband.
iPhone2 has 3G technology, which
gives it fast access to the internet and email over cellular
networks around the world, including Globe. 3G makes it possible to
do more in more places, says Apple, such as surf the web, download
email, get directions and watch video—even while you’re on call.
The iPhone2 is hoped to become the pocket computer of the future.
iPhone 3G combines all the
revolutionary features of iPhone with 3G networking that is twice as
fast as the first generation iPhone, built-in GPS for expanded
location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which
includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs the
hundreds of third-party applications already built with the recently
released iPhone SDK (software developer’s kit) which allows
programmers to create applications for the phone.
“We are very excited to be
working with Apple to bring Filipino consumers iPhone 3G later this
year,” said Gerardo Ablaza Jr., president and CEO of Globe
Telecom. “Our customers are our greatest passion and we’re
constantly striving to offer them the most innovative products such
as the revolutionary iPhone 3G.”
“We are thrilled to bring
iPhone 3G to millions of mobile customers in the Philippines,”
said Tim Cook, Apple’s COO. “We can’t wait to get this
revolutionary mobile device in the hands of even more people around
the world.”
Very likely, the iPhone will
arrive in September or October this year in the Philippines,
courtesy of Globe. Globe has over 21 million subscribers.
iPhone 3G will be available to
Globe’s postpaid and prepaid subscribers in the Philippines later
this year.
Why has Apple cut by the half the
price of its iPhone and made it twice faster? Simple answer: The
original iPhone has not been selling well.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs originally
projected selling 10 million iPhones in 18 months. Apple has sold so
far only five million. With the new iPhone, analysts say Apple could
sell another five million by the end of 2008, setting the stage for
the 10 million goal.
Aside from its user being able to
run on speedier wireless networks, iPhone2 boasts improved
navigation services, and will support new software tools and
features made by third-party developers. For Apple, iPhone enables
it to reach global markets in a way it has never been able to do
before.
Apple has officially launched the
iPhone in six countries so far: the US, Britain, France, Germany,
Austria and Ireland.
Apple’s recent agreements with
wireless carriers around the globe will bring the iPhone into an
additional 64 countries by the end of 2008.
The Apple website identifies 17
countries with iPhone2 by July 11, including the US, Australia,
Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Finland, Japan, Spain, Belgium,
France, Mexico, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada,
Hong Kong, New Zealand, Ireland, Norway and UK.
The Philippines gets its iPhone2
after this first group, together with 47 other countries, including
Singapore and India. China is not listed but ultimately, Apple hopes
to conquer the world’s largest cellular market. China Mobile
boasts 400 million subscribers.
Market research firm IDC
estimates Apple’s share of the US market for Smart wireless phones
at 19 percent, second to Research In Motion’s BlackBerry (44
percent), and ahead of Palm’s 13 percent.
When it last disclosed sales,
Apple had sold 4 million iPhones globally. Apple will probably
report sales of about 1.5 million to 1.7 million iPhones in the
second quarter.
Apple’s goal is sell 10 million
units by end-2008.
With third-generation or 3G,
networks, Apple makes the iPhone more appealing to a global wireless
customer.
Enthusiasts think Apple may sell
40 million or more iPhones by the end of 2009. If that prediction
holds true, iPhones will outnumber BlackBerry devices, even if RIM
sells the handsets at an accelerated pace. RIM had 14 million
subscribers at last count and added 6 million in fiscal 2008.
The iPhone could become the most
successful single product in Apple’s history, based on adoption
rates.
It took the much-ballyhooed iPod
four years to sell 20-million units.
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