14 DAY TRIAL // As the big celebrations of the Apple's iPhone launch are closer, the company is now seeking for a powerful European partner able to distribute the device in numerous countries. It seems like Vodafone is the favorite company to provide iPhones to Europe but Apple refuses to comment the rumors.
"A report claims several leading European firms are in discussion with Apple to secure the launch, with Vodafone at present seen as the "early front runner". Apple is at present seeking a single partner for the whole of Europe, the report claims. Google is also in talks with operators, but recently denied that it has plans to launch its own mobile handset. Google's South-East Asia managing director of sales and operations, Richard Kimber, said: "At this point in time, we are very focused on the software, not the phone," Macworld reported.
Because the upcoming Apple device might contain 3G features, Vodafone is likely to distribute the iPhone because it currently provides numerous similar services for numerous countries in Europe. As you might know, iPhone is scheduled for June but Apple refused to offer a certain date to avoid other negative effects over the company. For example, imagine that a certain date of the iPhone release would make users expect the announced product, while the sales of other solutions provided by Apple such as iPods would continuously decrease.
At this time, there are numerous rumors sustaining the Apple iPhone will be challenged by a similar product designed by Google able to provide almost the same functions. Although there were published numerous photos and articles with a potential Googlephone, the company recently denied the speculations, sustaining Google is a firm that works on the developing of the software solutions and not on the hardware side.