Apple Inc (AAPL)

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13:10 AAPL Apple: European iPhone provider remains up in the air - Think Secret (100.10 +0.63)

Think Secret reports while U.S. customers are preparing for the launch of Apple's iPhone next month, customers in Europe remain in the dark regarding both when and from which co they will be able to purchase the iPhone from. Execs from Orange and Vodaphone (VOD) continue to actively court Apple, sources report, as each carrier eagerly works to convince the iPhone maker that they would be the better provider for the phone.

Sources expect Apple to lock in a single carrier for the European territory, making the stakes especially high for Orange and Vodaphone. Vodaphone, for its part, would seem to be the natural choice, as it has a greater presence in the region. Apple is expected to announce its selection of the European iPhone carrier no later than Sept, although a date earlier in the summer is more likely. The iPhone remains on track to launch in select European mkts by Dec.