iPhone 4G Coming in May, Mobile Operators Reveal

Recently, France Telecom’s deputy CEO, Stéphane Richard, seemingly confirmed Apple’s plans of releasing a tablet computer in a radio interview. As it turns out, “A few comments taken out of context, then interpreted into English” was what sparked the flame, Orange PR machine tells paidContent:UK.

The British site reveals that a full statement emailed to it has even further back-tracking. “These responses in no way reflect Orange’s confirmation of the existence of the rumoured device. The spokesperson was merely confirming that he is aware of the speculation surrounding a launch and that Orange would be delighted to have such a product were it ever to be available,” the statement goes.

Still, Stéphane Richard did say, “Yes” when Jean Pierre Elkabbach (interviewer) boasted, “According to the weekly Le Point, in a few days your partner Apple will launch a Tablet with a webcam.”

Whether or not the Apple tablet is real, speculation has also centered around a 4G iPhone, believed to launch in May. This would suggest Apple is pushing to ship the device earlier than believed (although not even confirmed), in a move that would counter Google's powerful, new smartphones running the Android OS. Apple has historically introduced new versions of the iPhone in the June-July timeframe.

French site Challenge.fr is apparently the one kicking off “4th generation iPhone coming in May” rumors. Relevant pieces of the report (available below) have been translated by iphon.fr.

- “Apple to launch a new iPhone in May;”
- “It will be the fourth version of the well known smartphone launch on the 29th of June 2007. A way to counter the Google attack;”
- “Apple will launch, in early may 2010, a new version of its iPhone, as we heard from some mobile operators.”

Apple’s new iPhone model, if confirmed, is expected to ship with iPhone OS 4.0.