A new voice-recognition search tool for the iPhone has problems understanding British accents, leading to some bizarre answers to spoken queries, a newspaper report and users said Wednesday.

A new voice-recognition search tool for the iPhone has problems understanding British accents, leading to some bizarre answers to spoken queries, a newspaper report and users said Wednesday.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Apple revealed plans Wednesday to open iPhones to computer programs made by outsiders in a move that could quiet complaints that its lock on the devices' workings is over zealous.

'Let me just say it,' Apple's renowned chief executive Steve Jobs said in a posting on the Northern California company's website. 'We want native third party applications on the iPhone.'

Apple intends to have an iPhone software kit in the hands of developers in February, according to Jobs.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - A freshly released Apple software update disables iPhones hacked to let users install custom programs or use Telecommunication carriers other than the authorized one, AT&T.

Renegade software wizards that devised ways to break into iPhone's jealously guarded inner workings and sever an exclusive link to AT&T are trying to work their magic anew on Apple's software upgrade.

PARIS, Sept 20, 2007 (AFP) - France Telecommunication said on Thursday it had been picked by Apple to launch its iPhone handset in France.

France Telecommunication's chief executive Didier Lombard announced the deal with the US technology giant on the sidelines of a telecommunications conference in Hanoi.

The announcement, which had been widely predicted in the media, contrasted with high profile announcements by Apple of its choice earlier this week in Britain and Germany, attended by the US firm's chief Steve Jobs.

BERLIN, Sept 19, 2007 (AFP) - US technology giant Apple picked mobile phone operator T-Mobile on Wednesday to launch its iPhone handset in Germany, with deals in more countries expected as the group prepares for the European roll-out of its latest gadget.

Germany and Britain will simultaneously launch the touch-screen iPhone in Europe on November 9, offering Internet access, telephone service and iPod-like music as well as the ability to play videos.

Under an agreement announced on Tuesday, the phone is to be distributed in Britain by O2.

BERLIN, Sept 19, 2007 (AFP) - Mobile telecommunications operator T-Mobile has won an exclusive contract to distribute Apple's iPhone in Germany and will start selling the new touch-screen unit on November 9, both groups said here Wednesday.

Germany and Britain will simultaneously launch the iPhone in Europe, offering Internet, telephone and iPod-like music as well as the ability to play videos.

The phone is to be distributed by O2 in Britain.

BERLIN, Sept 19, 2007 (AFP) - Germany's T-Mobile on Wednesday said it has won the contract to become the sole local distributor of Apple's iPhone and will start selling the new touch-screen phone on November 9.

The mobile operator, which is part of Deutsche Telekom, said it will sell the iPhone for 399 euros (557 dollars).

The long-awaited announcement of the German distribution contract was made by Apple chief Steve Jobs and Rene Obermann, the boss of Deutsche Telekom.

LONDON, Sept 18, 2007 (AFP) - Apple chief Steve Jobs said Tuesday that Britain would be the first European country to get its much vaunted iPhone and they would be launched on November 9.

Jobs told a London press conference that O2, owned by Spain's Telefonica, has won an exclusive contract to distribute the iPhone in Britain.

He said the iPhone would retail in Britain at 269 pounds (387 euros/536 dollars).

LONDON, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - Apple plans to hold a press conference Tuesday whose subject is a secret -- sparking intense speculation by telephone companies as to who will be named to distribute the iPhone in Europe.

The US computer and consumer electronics company sent invitations to journalists on Thursday with the line, 'mum is no longer the word'. Apple is known for shrouding its announcements in mystery.