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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Sorry, Kids: No $99 iPhone at Wal-Mart

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(Newser) – Rumors that Wal-Mart would offer an iPhone for $99 after Christmas proved unfounded, but the genesis of a misunderstanding that swept through business news outlets is intriguing, Fortune reports. Wal-Mart will indeed sell iPhones, and at a discount—a whopping $2 off list price. But a blogger’s report of that news, tied to conjecture about a discount model, sped the spread of the erroneous rumor.

The Boy Genius Report blog, which has ties with iPhone carrier AT&T, broke both the true and the false stories. But the likelier news got tied up with the rumor, which figured in an analyst’s recommendation to clients. Bloomberg then picked up the "news." The blogger has not retracted his original story but does say, “At this point I just don’t know.”

A Wal-Mart in San Jose, Calif.
A Wal-Mart in San Jose, Calif.   (AP Photo)
An Apple customer uses an iPhone at an Apple store.
An Apple customer uses an iPhone at an Apple store.   (AP Photo)
iPhones are now available at Best Buy.
iPhones are now available at Best Buy.   (AP Photo)
A Wal-Mart store in Mayfield Hts., Ohio.
A Wal-Mart store in Mayfield Hts., Ohio.   (AP Photo)
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The original item on the $99 iPhone
The Boy Genius Report

On Wal-Mart's move into iPhone territory
Associated Press

You can also just turn your iPod touch into an iPhone
Tom's Guide

"There's no way Jobs is going to put his pricey retail palaces at a disadvantage"
Valleywag

Freakonomics blogger makes an interesting argument based on inaccurate info
New York Times


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iPhone • Apple • blogger • discounts • rumor • Wal-Mart • Bloomberg LP • Boy Genius Report

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