In Japan, one of the world’s most advanced and leading mobile markets, about 20 people were lined up outside Softbank Corporation’s flagship store in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, braving rain and freezing temperatures, boasting a sign reading “We Love iPhone.” Softbank, Japan’s third-biggest mobile carrier, will start selling iPhones at its flagship store at 7 a.m. on Friday (technically still Thursday here in the states) and expand sales nationwide at noon.
The July 11th launch will be the first chance for Asian consumers to own an iPhone and local websites have reportedly been swamped with inquiries and early orders. Seeing how Asia is the home to (many) fanatical technology fans, the early interest should quell the doubts in any one’s mind of the iPhone successfully holding its own overseas in the Asian market. “The big appeal (of the iPhone) is that this is an Apple product,” said Hiroyuki Sano, a 24-year-old graduate student who early on Tuesday arrived in rainy Tokyo from Nagoya, 225 miles west of the capital, to be the first in line. “I’ve told my professor I was going to go buy an iPhone, and he gave me permission. He is an Apple-lover too, and he sent me off cheerfully,” Sano boasted while proudly displaying his Apple logo emblazoned tee-shirt. Other’s in Tokyo are said to be purchasing the iPhone as their second talking device.
Over the weekend in Hong Kong, Hutchison Telecom International was flooded with over 60,000 online applications to grab one of the 500 phones on sale. In a bazaar twist, a number of more desperate would-be users pleaded with personnel, claiming they needed the new iPhone to “appease demanding wives” or stressed it was their birthday, according to Hong Kong media.
For those of you born yesterday: The new 3G iPhone, which has faster Web links than it predecessor and supports third-party applications such as games and email, will debut in Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand on Friday as part of the global launch in 22 countries with a goal of reaching 70 countries by years end….blah blah blah.
via Canada.com
