Apple Inc. NASDAQ:AAPL iPhone 5 to Hit South Korea

By Roger Baettig | November 30 2012 9:57 AM

Courtesy/SamsungMobile.com

Samsung may have plans to steal some thunder from the iPhone 5 on Oct. 11 by introducing a new, smaller smartphone to its Galaxy S line-up.

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Apple Inc. NASDAQ:AAPL iPhone 5 to Hit South Korea

SK Telecom Co. and KT Corp. — said Friday they plan to release the long-awaited iPhone 5 in the local market next week.

SK Telecom and KT tweeted they plan to start receiving pre-orders for the Apple device starting at 10 p.m. and officially launch the phone on Dec. 7.

The move comes nearly three months after the U.S. smartphone maker, which is facing off against Samsung Electronics Co. in a global patent war, unveiled its first smartphone that runs on the fourth-generation long-term evolution (LTE) network.

While the iPhone 5 has hit shelves around the world, its release in South Korea had been delayed, as the country was not included in the company’s first batch of markets to release the latest iPhone.

Meanwhile, the two mobile carriers said earlier in the day that they have started selling LTE-backed iPad mini devices, a compact and lighter version of Apple’s iPad line-up.

KT said in a statement that subscribers can purchase the tablet computer at its online mall and two designated stores in downtown Seoul.

SK Telecom, meanwhile, wrote on its Twitter account that the device will first only be available at its online store due to a supply shortage.

iTunes

After a brief delay, Apple has now released the latest version of its music software, iTunes 11.

Apple showed off iTunes 11 at its iPhone 5 event in early September, as well as a refreshed version of the iTunes Store for iOS, which has been live for some time. There was some speculation that Apple might release iTunes 11 at its recent iPad mini event, but the company stuck to tablets and Macs.

Shayne Heffernan Ph.D.Economist/Hedge Fund ManagerShayne Heffernan oversees the management of funds for institutions and high net worth individuals. He is also an active consultant working with Corporations around the World.He is recognized as one of the leading Economists in South East Asia, as well as the preeminent authority on ASEAN. His opinions and forecasts are widely read by decision makers in the region and Internationally.Shayne Heffernan holds a Ph.D. in Economics and brings with him over 25 years of trading experience in Asia and hands on experience in Venture Capital, he has been involved in several start ups that have seen market capitalization over $500m and 1 that reached a peak of $15b. He has managed and overseen start ups in Mining, Shipping, Technology and Financial Services.