Due to the popular demand for this wonderful device, the iPhone 3GS is currently out-of-stock nationwide and the waiting time to get a unit is “expected” or “estimated” to be about 1 month. This is in fact not only a problem in Malaysia but a worldwide shortage. This is definitely an issue for some of those who are eager and keen to get their hands on an iPhone 3GS soonest possible. This posed a problem for Apple but definitely a “good” problem to have in this kind of economic situation. No wonder the share price of Apple has gone up by more than 100% since hitting the low of US$78.20 on 20th January 2009.  The latest price of the Apple share can be found by clicking on the link below:-

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=AAPL

The share price of Apple has gone up during this period of time even when there are news about the health conditions of their beloved CEO, Steve Jobs.

KUALA LUMPUR Saturday 1st August 2009(source: thestar.com.my): The newly launched iPhone 3GS by Maxis Communications Bhd is expected to take the market by storm.

Vice-president and head of consumer marketing Tan Lay Han said Maxis was optimistic that the new iPhone 3GS would do well.

“The previous iPhone 3G has done very well for us and exceeded our forecast.

“I can’t share with you the numbers but we’re ahead of others in the region to launch the iPhone 3GS and that is an indication,” he said at the launching ceremony yesterday.

“Maxis is pleased to be among the first in South-East Asia to offer this revolutionary phone, in keeping with our promise to always be first to offer our customers the most innovative and distinctive experience,” he said, adding that the phone received tremendous response when it was launched in the US.

In recent reports, Apple Inc claimed that a million of iPhone 3GS flew off the shelves in the first three days of its launch.

Tan said there were enough stocks for customers who pre-booked the phone.

However, he did not disclose the number of units that had been pre-booked.

“We do not want to over-promise the market but there are fresh batches (of phones) coming through,” he said.

Senior general manager and head of product development and infotainment services T. Kugan said the iPhone 3GS was the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet, packed with new features including improved speed and performance, longer battery life, a high-quality 3-megapixel autofocus camera, easy-to-use video recording and voice control.

On the potential influx of traffic on its network, head of broadband Afizulazha Abdullah said Maxis had allocated close to RM1.6bil to modernise its network.

Network locations currently being modernised include the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Baru. He said Maxis was “swapping out” its radio network in stages.

The iPhone 3G (8GB) retails at RM1,990 (previously RM2,540) while the iPhone 3GS (16GB) and 3GS (32GB) are at RM2,490 and RM2,990 respectively. Maxis is offering the iPhone 3GS (16GB) free with its iValue Plan 4, with a monthly commitment of RM375 for 24 months.

Malaysians can now get their hands on the new Apple iPhone 3GS, following Maxis’ official nation wide launch of the mobile phone. Maxis has also emailed customers who have pre-booked their iPhones to collect them. Customers who have pre-booked will have priority to get their hands on the new iPhone 3GS during the launch day.

The iPhone 3GS is the next generation of Apple’s revolutionary device and boasts improved speed(up to 2x speed of the iPhone 3G) and performance, longer battery life, camera with video-capture, Voice Control, a digital compass and the latest OS 3.0. Maxis will also be able to support internet tethering and MMS functionality on the iPhone 3GS device or on the iPhone 3G device upgraded with the OS3.0 operating system software.

In the launch event at the Gardens Mid Valley on the 1st August, Maxis introduced their 2 recommended phone plans for consumers:

1. iPhone 3GS 16GB with iValue 2 for 24 months @ RM1,290
2. iPhone 3G 8GB (the previous model) with iValue 2 for 24 months @ RM790

The iValue 2 plan features a monthly commitment of RM155 with 667 free call minutes and 1GB of free data.  Maxis says that these plans give the iPhone 3GS an extremely competitive price point compared to other smartphones and music phones in the market.

Tan Lay Han, Maxis VP and Head of Consumer Marketing, said, “Maxis is pleased to be among the first in Southeast Asia to offer this revolutionary phone, in keeping with our promise to always be first to offer our customers the most innovative and distinctive experiences. With this early launch and with these globally competitive packages, Malaysians now have every reason to visit their local Maxis stores nationwide to purchase an iPhone 3GS.

“Since Maxis introduced iPhone 3G to Malaysia in March 2009, its functionality and offering of over 50,000 iPhone apps have changed the way Malaysians communicate at work and play. iPhone 3G keeps our customers connected and entertained with an attractive and easy browsing interface, and has increased Maxis customers’ mobile data usage.

Maxis customers who have bought iPhone 3G previously also have incentive to upgrade. iValue and iData subscribers who intend to upgrade to iPhone 3GS can enjoy at least a RM500 rebate (terms and conditions apply).

There will also be an iPhone 3GS roadshow in Gardens Mid Valley from 1 August until 9 August in conjunction with the official launch of the iPhone 3GS from Maxis.

For more information on iPhone 3GS plans from Maxis, see www.maxis.com.my/iphone3gs