AP
Posted: 4:38 am
July 19, 2008
MOSCOW - In the Soviet days, Russians would ask visiting American pals to bring jeans, rock records and other Western goods.
Today they ask for one thing - the Apple iPhone.
The new iPhone went on sale in 21 nations on July 11 and is to be released soon in 70 more. But Russia and China are still on hold as Apple negotiates with mobile-service providers.
Yet analysts say only the United States has more iPhone users than Russia and China, where "unlocked" iPhones are adapted for local use. Even Russian President Dmitry Medvedev uses one.
Russian Web sites offer the new 3G iPhone for about $1,200 - six times the US price.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs says the company expects to sign contracts with Russian and Chinese providers by year's end.
