3G iPhone to be Sold in Italy in June 2008

[MacRumors]

Electronic Weekly's David Manners writes (via CNet.com.au) about a revealing encounter he had with Luigi Licciardi, executive vice president for technology and operations at Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM). Licciardi confirms what everyone essentially knows: that TIM will be delivering a 3G version of the iPhone to Italy. Licciardi, however, actually gives us a solid timeframe for the launch:

“We will be selling an iPhone with 3G capability next month”, Luigi Licciardi, executive vice president for technology and operations at TIM told me yesterday evening on a bus taking us out into the desert for dinner following the first day of the International Electronics Forum 2008 in Dubai.

"Next month" conveniently coincides with Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC), which takes place from June 9th to June 13th in San Francisco, CA.

This latest quote adds to a laundry list of evidence pointing to an imminent release of the 3G-capable iPhone. While the quote does not necessarily preclude an earlier May launch in the U.S., the rest of the available evidence points to June:

- Latest iPhone 2.0 Firmware Has 3G On/Off Option
- AT&T Blocking Out June 15-July 12 for 3G iPhone Launch?
- Foxconn to Deliver 3G capable iPhones Beginning in June

Meanwhile, Research in Motion today announced their first 3G-capable mobile phone, the BlackBerry Bold. While the Bold will also not available until this summer, Apple has clearly targeted RIM as a competitor to the iPhone.

Finally, just this morning additional iPhone coverge for Singapore, India, the Philippines and Australia has been announced by SingTel, Bharti Airtel, Globe and Optus. This means two carriers will be providing coverage in India and Australia. No additional details were provided in the press release.

Article Link

[luminosity]

Time to calculate travel expenses!

[torero]

geez arn, anything going on with the rest of apple's product line? the iphone stuff has taken over your front page...

[Shadow]

Man, Steve is going to be pissed with him!

(Angry pissed, not the other kind )

[sachxn]

Two carriers in India is a good news for customers here. Can't wait to see the launch here.

Sachin

[jmadlena]

Originally Posted by torero

geez arn, anything going on with the rest of apple's product line? the iphone stuff has taken over your front page...

Apparently not. Can you really expect anything else right before the much anticipated 3G iPhone is released (next?) month?

MacRumors doesn't make up the rumors, so don't bash it when they aren't to your liking. They are rumors after all.

[MacFly123]

Originally Posted by torero

geez arn, anything going on with the rest of apple's product line? the iphone stuff has taken over your front page...

I am insanely excited about iPhone 2.0 but it would be nice to see a rumor about the Mac Mini, or Cinema Displays, Mac Books & MacBook Pros, etc.

[arn]

Originally Posted by MacFly123

I am insanely excited about iPhone 2.0 but it would be nice to see a rumor about the Mac Mini, or Cinema Displays, Mac Books & MacBook Pros, etc.

Mac Mini, Cinema Displays, Mac Book and Mac Book Pro Updates?

Many readers have been interested in possible updates to Mac Mini, Cinema Displays, MacBook and MacBook Pros. When questioned, our sources have said the following:

<silence>

This comes from our most trusted sources. We'll report more when it comes in.

[Teh Don Ditty]

Originally Posted by arn

Mac Mini, Cinema Displays, Mac Book and Mac Book Pro Updates?

Many readers have been interested in possible updates to Mac Mini, Cinema Displays, MacBook and MacBook Pros. When questioned, our sources have said the following:

This comes from our most trusted sources. We'll report more when it comes in.

Thank you Arn.

[G58]

I have it on good authority from a source I've previously found to be reliable, that Apple is due to deliver a cruel and ironic blow to the Mac community... they plan to release new Mac Minis, Cinema Displays, Mac Books & MacBook Pros, but only if no-one releases any new rumours about any of them for 14 days!

Originally Posted by MacFly123

I am insanely excited about iPhone 2.0 but it would be nice to see a rumor about the Mac Mini, or Cinema Displays, Mac Books & MacBook Pros, etc.

[TheYankees1903]

Thanks for coming and watching our show!
Game Over...

And so another Apple mystery ends.
And people got their hopes up for May from one small rumor site.

Ah well... The longer they wait and the bigger a deal they make the 3G iPhone launch ----- the better it will be.

Good News In The Long Run I Suppose,
TheYankees1903

P.S. Assuming this reporters from Electronic Weekly and CNET is not misquoting (which I truly doubt) and this cell phone company guy really did make this quote he broke his NDA with Apple. There has got to be some sanction against him or his company. I would not be surprised if things start to snowball now and some other "leaks" start to emerge from people at either Apple, or their carriers, who have some position of authority and their respective company.

What do you think?

[fastbite]

3G is obviously upon us. Now the iPhone mini and the tablet like one!

[arn]

Originally Posted by TheYankees1903

And so another Apple mystery ends.
And people got their hopes up for May from one small rumor site.

As I said in the story, just because Italy isn't getting the iPhone until June doesn't necessarily mean the U.S. is waiting until then too. That being said, the overwhelming evidence points to June.

arn

[TheYankees1903]

Originally Posted by arn

As I said in the story, just because Italy isn't getting the iPhone until June doesn't necessarily mean the U.S. is waiting until then too. That being said, the overwhelming evidence points to June.

arn

I know arn (and appreciate the response) but all I was really trying to say was that for the most part we know what is going to happen. Look like a worldwide - same day - launch in June (probably the 27th and if you made me pick a time I would say 6 o'clock P.M.).

Is that a fair statement arn?

TheYankees1903

[bpa1093]

Questo è delle notizie buona!

[iSlave]

Apple?? Making a 3g iPhone?? Who woulda thunk that!??? Why don't we ever hear about these things??!!!??????

[arn]

Originally Posted by TheYankees1903

I know arn (and appreciate the response) but all I was really trying to say was that for the most part we know what is going to happen. Look like a worldwide - same day - launch in June (probably the 27th and if you made me pick a time I would say 6 o'clock P.M.).
Is that a fair statement arn?

Seems possible. But then no U.S. iPhone stock for almost 2 months?

arn

[Nermal]

I'm expecting US/UK releases Real Soon Now™ followed by the other countries in June. Vodafone NZ has pretty much confirmed that it'll be June here.

[TheYankees1903]

Originally Posted by arn

Seems possible. But then no U.S. iPhone stock for almost 2 months?

arn

True... The price they pay for underestimating demand. No?

TheYankees1903

[MikeELL]

Originally Posted by TheYankees1903

Thanks for coming and watching our show!
Game Over...

And so another Apple mystery ends.
And people got their hopes up for May from one small rumor site.

*Hopes for May shrinking*

I would point out that just because he said "we will be selling it next month" doesn't exclude "we will be launching it this month"

*crosses fingers and toes*

[RichardI]

Can't you find anything to write about besides the bloody iPhone?? Get with it! Your MacPoll is still asking about April fools!? I especially hate them in May.

Rich

[DocStone]

Originally Posted by RichardI

Can't you find anything to write about besides the bloody iPhone?? Get with it! Your MacPoll is still asking about April fools!? I especially hate them in May.

Rich

Dude, chill out. They (MR) can't control the rumors that come out. They just report them. If you are tired of reading, perhaps you should join the piss and moan club. (www.pissandmoan.com)

If the only rumors that were coming out were about the MBP I am sure that is all you would see on the front page. It is not like Arn is making this stuff up. (right Arn???? j/k)

[RichardI]

Originally Posted by DocStone

Dude, chill out. They (MR) can't control the rumors that come out. They just report them. If you are tired of reading, perhaps you should join the piss and moan club. (www.pissandmoan.com)

If the only rumors that were coming out were about the MBP I am sure that is all you would see on the front page. It is not like Arn is making this stuff up. (right Arn???? j/k)

Thanks for your helpful and insightful input, but, unless you represent MacRumors, your input insightful or not, is not required.

[jmadlena]

Originally Posted by RichardI

Thanks for your helpful and insightful input, but, unless you represent MacRumors, your input insightful or not, is not required.

So you are the only one who has the right to complain? You have the right to complain, and anyone else on here has the right to comment on your complaints.

If you don't want people to tell you to stop whining, then perhaps you should stop whining.

I don't think Arn is holding back any juicy mac rumors because he just wants to talk about the iPhone.

[DocStone]

Originally Posted by RichardI

Thanks for your helpful and insightful input, but, unless you represent MacRumors, your input insightful or not, is not required.

We are all here to help. You are taking a negative perspective on things because MR is reporting on something that you are tired of. Well RI, it is not about you. It is not about me either. I read MR for the humor of it all and for the rumors. Sometimes the rumors are heavy on iphone. Sometimes it's heavy on other things. Whatever you know...it's a rumor site and Arn has stated that before. (don't get more official than that)

What it boils down to is your 'ranting' does not accomplish anything except take up space and annoy other users. If you really want to discuss things, then do so. You seem like a intelligent person. Jump in the conversation or go somewhere else.