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High tech devotees can rest easy - the user-friendly Apple iPhone mobile phone is going to be sold in New Zealand - probably from mid-year.
Vodafone said yesterday it had signed an agreement to sell the Apple iPhone in New Zealand and nine other territories, including Australia.
But gadget geeks and other mobile phone aficionados who have been waiting since its unveiling in January last year will have to wait for the marketing blitz to get details.
Vodafone New Zealand marketing boss Mark Rushworth would not even give an indication on the launch, the capabilities or the price.
But word in the techie world is that iPhone could be available from July and expected to cost about $700-plus for the standard model that sells in the US for US$399 ($508).
The phones will probably cost slightly more if Vodafone offers an expected new model that will give access to Vodafone's 3G mobile network.
Between now and launch date there will be plenty of time for marketing hype.
There are plenty of mobile phones with elaborate bells and whistles, but the Apple iPhone has attracted the most passionate following from early users of new technology.
In part that is due to its advanced and user friendly design. The 11.6 mm thick 135 grams device has an 9cm touchscreen.
It also enables communications over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
But Apple - which has made a big splash with its iPod MP3 players - is also famous for its marketing to make the iPhone into a must-have commodity.
And Vodafone is also likely to make a big marketing push.
