Promotional Site Offers Apple Fans an Opportunity to Win Highly Sought iPhone 4

Online, July 1, 2010 (Newswire.com) - When the original iPhone made its debut in 2007, many doubted that the device would succeed in a market where handheld phones needed to be heavily subsidized by the carrier before consumers actually considered buying them. Fast forward to 2010, and with many pricing lessons learned, Apple has managed to create the most successful product launch ever with their iPhone 4, which sold over 1.7 million units in three days following launch day.

In contrast, the original iPhone needed 74 days to move 1 million units, and even then, it got a major boost in sales when Apple dramatically lowered the price of both the 4GB and 8GB units. The iPhone 3G and 3GS both netted over a million units during their launch weekends, indicating that Apple had learned from their previous pricing lesson.

The iPhone 4 launched simultaneously in five countries across the globe, and those launches severely constrained the inventory, and many potential customers had to be turned away. In most instances, only customers who had pre-ordered the device were allowed to purchase one during launch weekend. The rest would have to wait until sometime in July.

Unfortunately, even those waiting in July have had to contend with masses that, like them, were not able to secure one during opening weekend. These would-be iPhone 4 owners are trying all the angles, from canvassing retail stores such as BestBuy, Radio Shack, AT&T stores and of course, Apple stores, to reserving them online. Alas, many are finding that it is going to be nearly as difficult to acquire an iPhone 4 now as it was during launch weekend.

Exacerbating the situation for iPhone shoppers is the impending phase 2 global launch of the iPhone 4. By the end of July, an additional 18 countries will have launched sales of the iPhone 4. Despite Apple tapping into another manufacturing partner to supplement Foxconn's output, experts predict a protracted global shortage of iPhone 4 units.

Enterprising groups have launched promotions that offer the iPhone 4G as a reward. Interested individuals may sign up for these offers, and for a chance to win the iPhone 4, these individuals may be asked to provide information for marketing purposes. The offers and the terms vary, but the reward is unmistakable: a free iPhone 4G.

Historically, the iPhone has proven to be an irresistible gadget coveted by people from all walks of life, and the iPhone 4 is shaping up to be even more popular than its predecessors, with extended global launches following on the heels of the launch in the US, UK, France, Germany and Japan. "This will more than likely put additional strain on the supply side," notes Jennifer Tan, a product analyst following the trend.