hen the original iPhone first entered the American market during the summer of 2007, retailers were overwhelmed with demand, leading to overnight and all-day lines, black market bidding, and a general deluge of tech euphoria. In November 2007, Apple released iPhone in Europe brokering deals with the UK, Germany, and France. Austria and the Republic of Ireland followed in early 2008. Rolling out slower than a fat Transformer, most of the world was left lying in wait.

Following Apple's May unveiling of the 3G version - a faster, cheaper upgrade to the original - International anticipation became fervent. Shortly thereafter, Apple announced plans to introduce the 3G to twenty two markets on July 11th, turning the day into Christmas in July for tech fans the world over. In addition to the original six fortunate countries, Canada, Norway, Portugal, Japan, Italy, Mexico, and a number of others finally got their fingers on the coveted handset.

Regardless of a handful of underperforming areas, early reports suggest a hugely successful launch.

According to Television New Zealand, the first 3G iPhone sold at retail went to a 22 year old New Zealander at one minute after midnight, New Zealand time. The sale kicked off a selling bonanza that saw that country engulfed in an iPhone fever that continued past regular closing time. Similar scenes played out across the world, moving to Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and continuing westward to Canada, where one of the more contentious iPhone launches took place.

Canada's sole carrier, Rogers Wireless, has endured a deluge of negative publicity in the weeks leading up to the iPhone release: an online petition protesting the exorbitant rates accrued over 62 000 e-signatures. Still, the controversy didn't abate mass sales, with customers - presumably vacation-day takers and the unemployed (at $199 it's an expensive purchase for the poor) - forming massive lines outside of retail outlets. Like shops across the world, Rogers introduced temporary special hours to accommodate the swelling demand.