The news is finally out. Apple is officially introducing the most sought after phone of the century in India by September 2008. The company has already sold 4 million units till now and is looking to surpass its 2008 goal of 10 million units by introducing it in four Asian countries (Japan and China will still have to wait).

Its release in US had generated heat never seen before for a cell phone. All news channels covering the release and people forming Q’s outside AT&T and Apple store from the night before. I had personally gone to see this “event” at 2 AM in the morning and found people lying in sleeping bags outside the store in a neat line. I am sure when the doors were opened in morning, the scene would have beat the inauguration of that shop. But those “hard-working” shoppers’ satisfaction was short lived. Within months, Apple dropped the price of iPhone by $200. Many of my friends who had bought the phone for $600 were infuriated by such a rapid cut in price. One of the journalists called the extra money that initial buyers paid “Cool Tax” - A tax you pay to look cool earlier than others. Anyway, after much hue and cry throughout the country (another positive thing when you are looking for publicity), Apple finally decided to give its initial buyers store credit of $100 (not cash refund). I wouldn’t consider this very thoughtful because people who have been to Apple store know that a $100 bill holds no in value there. You ‘ll probably be able to buy a mouse OR some cheap software.

One of my “white” colleagues asked me if I was expecting similar scenes/events in India. Personally, I don’t think so. First, you don’t need to “officially” release a product in India for Indians to have it. You can release it in any corner of the world and it will find its way to the Indian gray market, if its worth it. I find it hard to believe that gray market dealers will be waiting for its official release later this year. At least the guys in Bangalore’s National Market won’t. And before I forget, I would like to add a special mention for all the Uncle, Aunties, Cousins and the most distant relatives who have sent or taken iPhone to India for their loved ones, since its release here. Second, the tech savvy Indians are very much used to huge price cuts. I have seen the price of Nokia N Series and Sony-Ericsson K & W series phones falling like crazy in India. And no one has said a word about it. The cheaper it gets, the happier the majority. So no, its not a big deal there.

I am not a big fan of iPhone. Yes I do appreciate its revolutionary design and features. Video quality is amazing in iPhone but it drains the already strained battery which has to support a big, coloured, high resolution screen for the simplest of operations. It is sleek and beautiful but longer than I had expected. And finally, it looks too delicate to be kept in a jeans pocket with its Hi-Fi touchscreen. I have dropped my phone hundreds of times on the ground, not sure if iPhone will be able to survive this torture. So unless I get a job where I need to wear a business suit with cushioned pockets, I am not going for it.