iPhone 4 now available in Canada, 17 other countries

Apple's iPhone 4 has launched in Canada and 17 other countries, sparking massive lineups in stores across the world. In Canada, unlike the U.S., customers can buy the new Apple phone “unlocked” with no carrier contract.

Smartphone fans are lining up in Canada and in other countries to get their hands on the highly anticipated iPhone 4. Apple's latest iPhone model went on sale Friday morning, and in Canada you can get the phone unlocked, meaning you can shop around the major service providers to find the ideal cellphone plan. The unlocked version costs between $659 and $779. Rogers and Bell Canada are providing the iPhone 4 to their customers as well. Rogers is selling the 16GB iPhone 4 for $159 and the 32GB model for $269, as long as buyers sign up for a three-year voice and data plan. Bell Canada is offering a similar plan. DigitalJournal.com learned Rogers has run out of iPhone 4 units, as of noon ET. There is no word if Apple Stores are still stocking the iPhone 4. In Toronto, more than 300 people waiting in line outside the Apple Store in Eaton Centre. Other Canadian cities reported similar lineups, and in Hong Kong an enormous lineup wound around a retail outlet in a mall. It seems today's customers are not concerned about the Antennagate controversy, which began in the US after the iPhone 4 went on sale in June. The publicized reception problems prompted Apple to hold an emergency press conference two weeks ago to address concerns, announcing free cases would be available to iPhone 4 users. CEO Steve Jobs said the percentage of iPhone 4 users who called the AppleCare reps to complain about reception problems was just 0.55 percent. Apple has released a new iPhone model every year since 2007. When the iPhone 4 went on sale in the US, Apple sold 1.7 million units in three days.