Wal-Mart iPhone rumors swirl, multiply
December 8th 2008
Bloomberg reports that Wal-Mart store employees have confirmed that the retail giant will soon begin selling two iPhone models. Specifically, workers in the cellphone departments of five California stores said Apple handsets would be available by the end of the month.
"A $99, Apple-branded cell phone is inevitable," said Shaw Wu, analyst, Kaufman Brothers. "One of the key things Apple needs to do to drive broader iPhone adoption is to build a more complete product line" with low-end, mid-range and high-end products, Wu said in a recent missive to investors.
A Wal-Mart worker contacted by Bloomberg said he and others would receive iPhone training this week, though he didn't yet know pricing or product specs.
However, a PCWorld write up states that the retailer will offer Apple's 8GB iPhone for $197--$2 off its list price.
Recently, the blogosphere has come alive with rumors that Wal-Mart would offer a 4GB 3G iPhone for $99--Apple doesn't currently catalog a model with those specs at any price--on December 28.
Home electronics reseller Best Buy became the first third-party retailer to offer the iPhone this Fall.
Editor's note: Another big box retailer will sell the iPhone? That's a big deal for Apple and Wal-Mart, but rather meaningless to users. Now, if they really do offer a 4GB 3G model, that would be huge news for everyone involved and could be the straw that crushes the competition...
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