As the days are passing and the date for the iPhone launch is nearing, I am getting worried. Neither Airtel nor Vodafone had any advertisement going live. No update on their outlets or call centers either. No, mysterious tips received by us or any info from employees pouring in like last time. This is certainly strange. We are just 7 days away from 9th August.
Unlike last year, when Airtel and Vodafone both ran massive campaigns before the iPhone 3G launch in India, this year its a unusually calm approach. Airtel even installed a large iPhone replica LCD at its gallery after the 3G launch.
There can be two reasons for this silence. The low sales of iPhone 3G (proven by the Business Today report and Vodafone promoting Blackberry). Or just that they will announce the iPhone on 9th August with a big bang and start selling immediately (like they did in other Asian countries this time?).
And of course the possibility that the iPhone 3G S is not coming to India on 9th August. There have been reports of iPhone 3G S stock issues with Apple, Apple COO Tim Cook did admit that they stock is an issue, but they are able to meet demand for now.
Update: True Move in Thailand will start accepting registrations for the 3GS from 5th August. However, the inventory shall flow only in the last week of August. It’s highly possible that the same might be the case with iPhone 3G S in India. Also, the pricing in Thailand is equivalent to $720 for a 8GB 3GS. Hope its better in India!