The Apple iPhone, this year’s most anticipated piece of
consumer kit, is officially dated for release on June 29. Until now, Apple and
wireless carrier partner AT&T had remained non-committal on a firm release
date, saying only that the iPhone would ship in late June.
The date trickled out over the weekend as commercials hit
the television networks. The ads may also be viewed directly from the Apple website.
The three 30-second TV spots are simplistic, single-shot
scenes showing a user’s hands operating the iPhone. The commercials heavily
emphasize the device’s touch screen and the way that the display is viewed both
in portrait and landscape views.
One of the commercials even concentrates on all the things that the iPhone can
do that Apple’s best selling music player cannot – perhaps in a strange
example of product cannibalization.
At the end of each spot is the reveal of the June 29 launch
date, along with the AT&T smaller print reading, “Use requires minimum new
2 year activation plan.”
Last month, a report stated that the iPhone would be an AT&T network
exclusive product for five years. Verizon, who turned down the chance to
carry the iPhone, says it will have a comparable product
announced late summer.