In line with a rumor from earlier this week, we’ve heard from our sources that AppleCare+ is indeed set to soon launch in Europe. AppleCare+ is Apple’s premium support service, and it provides customers with technical support for both the iPhone and iPad for two years from the original purchase date. AppleCare+ also provides support for up to two instances of accidental damage.
We understand that the launch is “imminent,” but no formal launch date has been announced internally. Apple, this week, has begun training its AppleCare support and Apple Store Genius Bar employees on the upcoming launch of the support initiative. At first, the European launch will occur in the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and Switzerland…
Apple is said to be working with firm AIG to develop AppleCare+ for Europe. Like in the United States, the service could be applied to an iPhone or iPad within 30 days of purchasing the device. AppleCare+ also must be purchased in the home country in which the device will be used. It is likely that AppleCare+ will cost around €100 in Europe.
In recent months, Apple has taken measures to improve its Europe-based AppleCare services. Apple Support has come under fire in countries like Italy and Belgium due to claims of AppleCare being misleading. An antitrust lawsuit was even filed in Italy, leading to boxed versions of AppleCare being removed from Italy’s Apple Store shelves. In order to combat the misleading claims, we’re told that Apple Store employees will be required to offer AppleCare+ (complete with a full explanation) to every customer that comes into the store to buy an iPad or iPhone.
AppleCare+ first launched in the U.S. for the iPhone 4S in late 2011, and made its way to the iPad with the third-generation iPad in 2012. Recently, Apple updated its online support services with a new web support portal and improved text-chat support.
