Optus, the telecommunications company, confirms that it plans to hold midnight launches across the country for the iPhone 4 on Thursday. The announcement comes after Apple itself publicized plans to open stores on Friday morning.

Optus says that it has sent out e-mail invites for midnight launch events in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

"We're celebrating the arrival of the new Apple iPhone 4 with fantastic VIP launch events," the e-mail read. "Selected stores will be opening from MIDNIGHT on 29 July 2010 (we do mean 11:59PM plus 1 minute on Thursday) for your chance to get your hands on the new Apple iPhone 4 before everyone else."

"Plus there'll be entertainment, giveaways and much more. This is one party you won't want to miss."

Apple's Web site says that the smartphone will be available on a "first come, first served" basis. The company also says that the iPhone 4 will be limited to two devices per person. The handsets are expected to be sold from both official Apple stores as well as the retail outlets of telco