Apple and Orange together at last in France

After months of basically pulling each other's hair on the playground, Apple and Orange have finally admitted that they like-like each other and have signed a deal to get the iPhone out in France. No word on how those unlocking laws will affect the deal, but something tells us people in iPhone-less countries who want to get their multi-touch on might want to brush up on their French.

Update: Apple.com/fr/iPhone has been updated to show a launch date of November 29, as shown above.

[Niteryder @ Oct 16th 2007 12:53PM]

So many different carriers around the globe with the iPhone, you figure they would just sell the thing unlocked sooner or later.

[conscience @ Oct 16th 2007 8:02PM]

It's more than a phone; so-called unlocking only affects part of its features. Using it on another carrier amounts to a lobotomized device.

It is too bad that engadget is over-run by spoiled brats who think the whole universe should be their way. The iPhone is sold with a back end provided by a specific carrier. That's the way it is; that's the way it will be. Deal with it, kiddies.

[lpbrochu @ Oct 17th 2007 6:51AM]

@conscience: You are really living in a US cell phone providers PR dream aren't you?

The iPhone is a GSM phone like any other GSM phone. The whole point is that you are able to switch the SIM and have everything working the same as before. In Europe that crap about a phone tied to a provider doesn't fly. People know that they can be unlocked or that they can switch the SIM.

[Rich @ Oct 17th 2007 4:31AM]

@conscience

The only feature that's carrier specific is the Visual Voicemail. If you ca live without that, then you can run it on any network.

The only reason for Apple to lock these things to a carrier is their business model (nothing to do with making things simpler for the customer, as they'd have it). Apple are taking between 10 and 40% (if you believe the rumours about O2 in the UK) of customer revenue for each iPhone user. Obviously, if Apple have no agreement with the other carriers, Apple will get ongoing revenue from the iPhones. Hence their desire to 'break' the unlocking each time they update the firmware.

[Georg Duerrstein @ Oct 16th 2007 1:00PM]

Hmmm, and this after the yesterday Greenpacereport? How will Apple get the iphone so fast ROHS compatible?

[J @ Oct 16th 2007 5:11PM]

The iPhone IS RoHS compliant...

[Khris @ Oct 16th 2007 1:28PM]

Hello....McFly!

"While they conceded that Apple is compliant with Europe's RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) standard...."

[Buxton @ Oct 16th 2007 12:56PM]

That's super, but why oh why does the picture show it's a T-Mobile service provider?

[Cagrino @ Oct 16th 2007 1:44PM]

Because it's already hacked. :o)

[Tristan @ Oct 16th 2007 5:43PM]

Im pretty sure that says "Orange"

[suv4x4 @ Oct 16th 2007 12:59PM]

I hope that photo isn't a proof of something, since it's not nearly blurred enough to appear trustworthy, although I admit focusing on the background is a nice touch. If he shook the camera a bit to add motion blur it'd help.

As for the unlocked iPhone, rest assured, if the French deal went through, then they found a loophole.

Like... they WILL offer unlocked iPhones, one unit per store and each one costs $100k.

[J3lunt @ Oct 16th 2007 1:32PM]

Does anyone in this world know how to use the MACRO focus on their camera? its the little floweer icon... use it next time. thank you for your time.

bye.

[Khris @ Oct 16th 2007 1:45PM]

Global adoption of the Macro button will commence immediately after the global adoption of proof reading your posts.

[J3LUNT @ Oct 16th 2007 1:48PM]

thanks. richard.

[dan @ Oct 16th 2007 1:39PM]

This source is wrong because it's an article from a month ago (17/09) and it says that apple announce the french release during the apple expo in Paris on the 24/09 and it's the 17th of October and still no official announcement. I think the french iPhone will probably be delayd to december because of the phone unlock laws in France.

[Clayj @ Oct 16th 2007 1:33PM]

Do they really use the word "off" in France? (Look to the right of "Wi-Fi", which is something else I'm not sure they say there.)

[FireFox @ Oct 16th 2007 2:08PM]

Mode Avion: airplane mode. Off Yes they DO use this term as well as on. These 2 terms are used so widespread on the world. In Belgium (neighbour of France red.) we speak french and dutch and On & Off is used in both languages.

[Andrew @ Oct 16th 2007 2:10PM]

How's this for confirmation? November 29th release on Orange.

http://www.apple.com/fr/iphone/

[Craig @ Oct 16th 2007 2:41PM]

holy crap... is it me, or has everything been crossed-out?

[Craig @ Oct 16th 2007 2:42PM]

everything below this post, that is

[Chicksta @ Oct 16th 2007 2:42PM]

Someone needs to close a tag!!!

[Craig @ Oct 16th 2007 2:43PM]

agreed... and now it's fixed

[Constable Odo @ Oct 16th 2007 3:20PM]

$Ka-ching$. A a pallet of iPhones taller than the Eiffel Tower. Three million Frenchies waving their iPhones. Viva la iPhone. Yes folks, the iPhone has landed. The French claim the iPhone is sexier than Audrey Tatou. Heck, the iPhone is more important than the Da Vinci Code. iPhone mon amour.

[rockintom @ Oct 17th 2007 8:12AM]

...What?

[Moorio @ Oct 16th 2007 3:31PM]

I was really expecting an 'Apples and Oranges' joke by now...

Color me disappointed.

[pscs @ Oct 16th 2007 3:49PM]

oh my word that sounded 'juicy'...

i just hope that when the iphones come out in france it will still be 'fresh'. i think u can get them in 'fruit' stores as well. otherwise i'll go to an istore and 'pick' them myself. or else 'lemon-T(ea)-mobile' is also another option in germany.

[Khris @ Oct 16th 2007 4:13PM]

BOOOOO-urns!

[Rainier @ Oct 16th 2007 4:16PM]

You know, the root of the word Miller is a Greek word. Miller come from the Greek word "milo," which is mean "apple," so there you go. As many of you know, our name, Portokalos, is come from the Greek word "portokali," which mean "orange." So, okay? Here tonight, we have, ah, apple and orange. We all different, but in the end, we all fruit.

-Gus Portokalos

[capagotks @ Nov 17th 2007 12:17AM]

i wonder if it works on Orange Australia...

[Brumbo @ Oct 16th 2007 4:53PM]

Now, Jobso, what part of "The French don't give a rats ass about mobiles" you didn't understand?

I can see thousands of Italians flooding Orange shops in a month or so.

merde

[mmind @ Oct 16th 2007 5:47PM]

did you read that.. mlife thinks that apple will change the registration process in europe, you have to sign a new data contract before you will get your iphone, which is 100% different to the at&t registration process...

read here (it´s german language but an interesting theory):
http://www.mlife.at/content/view/2738/1/

[lpbrochu @ Oct 16th 2007 10:58PM]

That is *exactly* what Apple should have done in the first place if they didn't wanted the whole unlocking thing. They could have then sold the phone unlocked directly for a huge premium and still keep a contract sbusidized price for a carrier exclusive deal... like every other cell phone...

[Chris @ Oct 16th 2007 7:06PM]

So did they get along hte unlocking LAWS or will the be complying with them now?

[bane @ Oct 16th 2007 9:23PM]

well, it is just forbidden to force bundled sales.
in theoory and if you have time to waste, you can enter a shop, open the pack of 6 soft drinks, get one can only and go to pay for it.

the manager might argue, YET! he cannot force you to buy the pack of 6: it is up to him to charge you a price for it, and up to you not to buy if the price is too high.

that is for bundles.

and that will be for Iphone Bundled to both a PLAN and ITUNES for registration.
just waiting for the first compplaints.
and then: phase 2: the "60 million consumers" association to sue apple after they sold a lot of iphones. including a backward refund, for everybody, as they alreaddy did for other things (like the minute charging: a minute started is a minute charged)

thanks apple: will enrich France, I can see 1000's of turists going there, spending money to get their legal IPHONE :)

[Rich @ Oct 17th 2007 4:33AM]

The French use the term wifi (pronounced wee-fee). It still makes me chuckle whenever I hear a frenchman saying it. But not as much as I chuckled when they lost the rugby!