NZ gets iPhone 4 after launch fail

Apple's iPhone 4 has finally gone on sale in New Zealand after a spectacular launch fail this morning.

With iPhone mobile provider Vodafone saying it would not launch as promised, backed up by retailers JB Hi-Fi and Magnum Mac who all told nzherald.co.nz that the device wouldn't go on sale today, there was massive confusion over whether Apple fans could get their hands on the device at all.

But this changed late this morning with Vodafone announcing that it would be sold from midday at selected non-partner stores. Apple have since announced that it will be available for purchase on the apple.com/nz/ website this evening. Pricing starts at $1099 to buy the device outright, although Vodafone is offering subsidised on-account plans.

Self-described Mac-head Auckland student Rohan Kumar was the first to buy the iPhone 4 and, despite having waited since this morning, says he isn't angry at Apple or Vodafone over today's confusion.

"If it didn't come out today, it would be coming out soon," said Kumar, who also snapped up the iPad touchscreen PC on its release last week.

He is using the launch as an opportunity to upgrade his second-generation iPhone 3G, after choosing not to buy the 3GS model last year.

"This is the first major upgrade," he told nzherald.co.nz, "the 3GS wasn't really much of an upgrade to my 3G."

While Kumar was philosophical about the problems with the launch this morning, others in the lengthy queue that snaked down Auckland's Queen Street weren't so happy.

Some quoted 'sources' saying that it was caused by a shipping problem, while others blamed an alleged stoush between Apple and Vodafone.

Others just heaped scorn and abuse on both companies.

Neither company will elaborate on what caused New Zealand's launch to go pear-shaped while other countries went smoothly. Australian buyers were able to purchase the iPhone 4 at midnight, local time.

Things were starting to look unsteady when Twitter erupted last night with a stream of claims that the launch wouldn't go ahead.

Vodafone quickly refused comment, telling media to "talk to Apple," which did not respond to numerous requests for comment last night or this morning.

Apple spokesperson Fiona Martin has since emailed a statement to nzherald.co.nz which reads: "We are thrilled to be selling iPhone 4 in our Apple Online Store starting this evening. For further availability details please contact Vodafone."