It finally happened, Malta has finally caught up with the rest of the third world and had its very own iPhone launch day. I was told people were queuing up to pick up their ordered iPhones from various Vodafone outlets. I even got a little email from the local apple agents…

Will I be getting one? Not unless it’s a present from some rich admirer (donations towards the iphone fund will be accepted).My ipod touch and cheapo phone are enough for now and I’ve spent too much on toys of late.

The pricing isn’t awful but could be better. The most interesting price for the local consumer is the prepaid contract free package which is actually just the iPhone. The 8gb model comes in at €515 whilst the 16gb model weighs in at a hefty €599 – thats €15 and €30 more expensive than in Italy. 

Full pricing for the iPhone from Vodafone Malta can be found here – I will try and compile comparison charts with other countries in the coming days. 

Vodafone Malta is promoting the launch of some Blaclberry or another when we are all expecting an official iPhone launch… It was meant to already happen. Who knows maybe GO have put spokes in the wheel since they have the rights to the name locally I believe.

At least I didn’t have to endure Voda’s “summer is now” banner which was up till a day or so ago.

The above video clip is from Apple CEO’s Steve Jobs’ Worldwide Developer Conference keynote address. Basically every year Apple organises a developers’ conference where the Apple developers congregate and clap the latest announcements from Cupertino. Often, it’s been used to announce new consumer products. Case in point – this year’s unveiling of the new iPhone 3G. Not only (as mentioned in a previous post) has Apple listed Malta as one of the 70 countries it will be available in, but at the end of the presentation announcing the countries, Steve Jobs remarks that the next time someone is Malta they can get themselves an iPhone! His tone was jovial but it might be construed as condescending to our proud nation rock. Oh well we’re on apple’s site And steve Jobs mentioned us any publicity is good publicity isn’t it? I’m just glad I waited out the first gen iPhone. Now we wait with baited breath for the pricing announcements.

Thanks to my PHB for pointing this out.