'Nightmare' start for iPhone 4's latest launch

HONG KONG — Hundreds of New Zealand customers were turned away empty-handed Friday as the second phase of the Apple iPhone 4's global launch in Asian and European nations got off to a "nightmare" start.The iconic US company has sold more than three million of the advanced smartphones since it was launched a month ago in the United States and other top markets -- but it has also been besieged by complaints over poor reception.Sales were officially expanding on Friday to Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.But in New Zealand, Apple fans waiting outside shops, some since dawn, were left frustrated when the launch was mysteriously pushed back until the afternoon.Customers formed new queues several hours later, but were told that only Vodafone account-holders could buy the smartphone due to a lack of availability.One prospective buyer called the launch an "epic fail", while another described it as a "nightmare"."It's been terribly handled. Vodafone is blaming Apple, Apple is blaming Vodafone. No one seems to know what is going on," Jacob Creech, from Wellington, told the Stuff website (www.stuff.co.nz). "I'm going to get my phone and then terminate the contract straight away."It is the second hiccup for Apple in New Zealand after the launch of its iPad, when the company was criticised for refusing to reveal where the tablet computer would be available.Australian customers waited in the rain in central Sydney before the gadget went on sale at midnight, while long queues marshalled by security guards were seen outside shops in the morning.Computer science student Sam Dunster, 19, waited outside one outlet from 2:00 am on Thursday, while other diehard fans huddled outside the nearby Apple store overnight for its 8:00 am opening."I came early because I thought there would be more of a queue," Dunster told the Sydney Morning Herald.Heavy rain also failed to discourage customers in Swe

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