Add to 
Good news for all Apple fanboys (and girls) in India. Apple Inc has struck an exclusive distribution deal with Reliance to launch Apple Stores in India. The deal was finalized on Monday, and is said to be the first retail partnership of Reliance with any international brand.
Initially, 10 Apple Stores will be launched nationwide by the end of 2007. First Apple Store is expected to start in Bangalore by the end of October (just days before Diwali). The launch will probably coincide with the launch iPod Touch in India.
Unlike Reseller Stores in India, Apple Store will exclusively sell Apple Products like iPods, iMac, MacBook, and iPhone (which are expected to arrive in Asia by the end of 2008). Apple Stores will also have Genius Bars for customer support and repairs, a theater for presentations and seminars, and studio to help people learn more about Apple Products.
Apple Resellers in India keep their profits before selling Apple Products. I expect prices to low (obviously), as there won’t be any middle men here. I’m planning on purchasing an iPod Touch for Diwali, so I’m really excited about news.
Found via: DailyApps
Written by 
wrote, on October 12th, 2007
It’s great to see Apple taking interest in the indian market. I bought an ipod classic recently and I love it. All 49gb of my music fits in snugly and am so happy.
Post pics of your touch. I just wanna try out how the touch screen is.
wrote, on October 12th, 2007
Thats good news. I was planning to get a Macbook before going to college.
wrote, on October 12th, 2007
Well I have heard that Apple stores were there in India previously and they were closed after literally no sales? Is that true? If Apple has be get success in India, they need to price their products correctly.
wrote, on October 12th, 2007
Nirmal: I’ve been closely watching Apple’s moves in India for the past 4 years or so. And as far as I know, Apple never really took an strong initiative like launching Apple Store (until this new announcement) in India. But yeah, Apple Resellers have been doing great business by keeping huge profits.
wrote, on October 12th, 2007
Anirudh: I was planing to get my iPod Touch this weekend, but after I read this news. I put my plans on hold, until the end of this month. I’ll post them to Flickr, as soon as I get it.
wrote, on October 12th, 2007
Apple had a dealer network in India earlier, isnt it ? I dont think this would succeed.
In India, almost anyone who wants something called a computer goes for Microsoft / Intel / AMD.
Those of the few well-informed (and well paid) users who want Apple, would get one anyway from the previous dealer network.
Apple is a good innovator, agreed. But they fail at the last mile. They suck bigtime at marketing and overall sturdiness of their products (I have seen quite a few scratched and damaged iPods) . As a buyer, I would never want to tie myself to an Apple computer , whose maintenance and upgrade would be costly apart from the high initial cost and fewer apps/games available.
PS Most Apple fanboys I know (dunno any fangirls yet) buy and use Windows computers
In India, Apple fanboyism is just about admiration, it has never translated into better sales.
wrote, on October 12th, 2007
hey thilak,
Thats cool to hear ! If i-phone sold in India then who is gonna be its service provider ? Airtel ?
wrote, on October 12th, 2007
Shadows: Where are you from? because here in Mangalore, I find Apple fanboys who actually use Macbook Pro and iPods. Regarding sturdiness, I’m not sure about Apple Computer Related Products, but iPhone and iPods are pretty sturdy. I’ve dropped my video iPod some 12 times, but nothing much has happened to it.