Edible Apple

Earlier this week, the Taiwan Economic News reported that the iPhone will launch in China in July.

Apple has reportedly placed contract orders for the production of the third version of iPhone, which is available in three different communication standards, including EDGE (enhanced data rates for GSM evolution), 3G and China`s related standards, and is scheduled to be officially launched in China early July. The firm will contract local telecom companies to jointly promote the newest handset or netbook PCs, showing its determination to explore the market.

We’ve heard this one before. The iPhone in China is one of those stories that falls into the “We’ll believe it when we see it” category. But with the WWDC getting underway tomorrow, maybe the Schillster will have an interesting China-related announcement up his sleeve.

I should point out that 2 weeks ago we reported on a rumor which had Apple releasing 3 different iPhone models, one of which would be specifically tailored for China. Apple, of course, has been trying to get the iPhone into China for quite some time now, but has continuously run into roadblocks in the form of demands from Chinese carriers. While it remains unclear what a China specific iPhone model entails, the draconian nature of the Chinese government (i.e no wi-fi phones allowed) makes a specially tailored iPhone model a necessity.

The iPhone in China will definitely happen sooner or later as the potential for growth there is just too large for Apple, or any other company for that matter, to ignore. This July? Perhaps. I just wouldn’t bet on it.