Apple iPhone comes to Wal-Mart

In a testament to the iPhone's popularity, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will become the second mass-market retail chain to start selling Apple Inc.'s revolutionary bestseller, with two store representatives saying the world's largest retailer will carry two models of the Web-surfing handset this month.

Employees in the cell-phone departments at five California stores, contacted by phone today, said Wal-Mart will offer iPhones by the end of December. Employees are currently being trained on how to sell the device, all five said. In September, Best Buy began selling the device, making it the first mass-market retailer to do so. Before that point, the iPhone was only available direct from Apple or from AT&T stores.

Analysts say Apple may offer a discontinued 4 GB version through Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart and sell it for $99. Apple currently sells two models at $199 and $299. Now, the Wal-Mart training materials and advertising for the iPhone have apparently been leaked online. The pictures show a 8GB version of the iPhone being sold for $197 - only $2 below the price it sells for at Apple an AT&T stores. A discount definitely, but not the $100 many were hoping for.

Apple spokesman Steve Dowling wouldn't respond to the report and said the company ''does not comment on rumor or speculation.'' Wal-Mart spokesman Dan Fogleman said the company hasn't made an official announcement on an iPhone offering and has no comment. AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel declined to comment.

Jobs told analysts in October that Apple has sold 10 million iPhones this year, meeting his forecast to capture a 1 per cent share of the worldwide mobile-phone market. To spur adoption of the device, which was originally released in June 2007, Apple added a speedier version that works on third-generation handsets in July, dropped the price to as low as $199 from $399 and expanded distribution to 51 countries. Jobs said he expects the iPhone 3G to be sold in 70 markets by year's end. (See: Sleeker, faster, cheaper - Steve Jobs unveils new iPhone 3G)

Apple, based in Cupertino, California, rose $2.59 to $94 on 5 December in NASDAQ Stock Market trading. The shares have declined 53 per cent this year.