Report: French stockings may lack iPhones
updated 12:55 pm EDT, Thu September 27, 2007
Report: Orange iPhone deal
Apple's deal with France Telecom to distribute the iPhone in that region in time for Christmas could be in jeopardy, according to one report from Reuters. France Telecom, which commonly trades under the name "Orange," is disputing the proposed percentage of service revenues due to Apple as part of the deal between the two companies. The French carrier announced on September 20th that it holds exclusive rights to distribute Apple's iPhone in France, and promised to bring iPhones to French consumers before Christmas and as early as November. Conflict between the two firms could mean delays on iPhone distribution, cutting into profits during the busy holiday shopping season for both parties and denying French consumers from acquiring the cellular handset within the promised timeframe.
Apple is widely expected to beat its own expectations as well as those of Wall Street investors with the help of its iPhone when the company reports its fourth quarter earnings later this month, despite potential softness in U.S. consumer spending. Apple has repeatedly delivered earnings above investor expectations in recent quarters, and may well reveal increased holiday earnings bolstered by heightened Mac sales with more revenue coming from its cellular phone sales alongside a cut from AT&T's service plans.
iPhones stand to make up a formidable portion of Apple's profit in the coming months, and overseas sales -- especially during the busy holiday shopping season -- will prove vital to the company's unit sales as iPhones appear on store shelves in countries other than the U.S.
The French....
09/27, 01:53pm reply
Let them eat cake!
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
that's hot
09/27, 02:02pm reply
I know nothing turns me on like French stockings with an iPhone inside of them. Ooh la la!
Thanks, MacNN: your awkward headline-writing gave this geek an idea for new spice in the bedroom...
dennisobell
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2002
well...
09/27, 02:22pm reply
Had MacNN done their homework (you know.. like REAL journalists), they would know that people in France dont use stockings at Christmas. The kids put out shoes...
Another well researched article brought to you by the monkeys with typewriters! (aka: MacNN Staff)
eldarkus
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2004
Re: well
09/27, 02:26pm reply
Wow, that's quite a nitpick!
You know, nobody is forcing you to read MacNN.
hayesk
Professional Poster
Joined: Sep 1999
re: well
09/27, 03:19pm reply
not a nit pick... it's called good journalism. Checking facts and using accurate information.
and nobody is forcing you to read my comments. :)
eldarkus
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2004
re: well
09/27, 06:09pm reply
I vote for it being a nit pick
kvocal
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2003
Come on people
09/27, 07:24pm reply
Let's be serious here, it doesn't matter if they use stockings or shoes, who's stupid enough (or rich enough) to make an iPhone a stocking/shoe stuffer? It goes under the tree, as the 'climatic' gift.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
'climatic' gift?
09/27, 09:20pm reply
What does that mean??? Does it start to snow after you rip off the wrapping paper? ; )
And, I nominate eldarkus for the " 'Anal' Nitpick of the Month" award. : )
Speckledstone
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Apr 2002
Stockings? Who cares?...
09/27, 11:36pm reply
I only know that nobody knows squat about Apple and O2. Everything will probably be settled in a couple of days and iPhones will be raining down from the Eiffel Tower and every French maid will have one in their fishnet stockings.
Constable Odo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
i-feun?
09/28, 04:21am reply
What is it called over there anyway, an i-feun ?
tortenteufel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2007