Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs said the company plans to launch iPhone “in some countries” in Europe next quarter and Asia “probably” in 2008. Jobs covered that and other topics during an nterview with CNBC (partial transcript, video) following Wednesday’s announcements. 

Jobs also confirmed that the 4GB iPhone is toast. Explaining the price change, he said: “We want to get more aggressive for the holiday season. So, you know, we know a lot of people want an iPhone. For some, it’s out of their price range. We want it to be affordable for more people as we head into the holiday season.”

Translation: This is our best bet to get iPhones moving during the holidays now that the thrill seekers have done their shopping. This is also the best shot we have at achieeving anything close to ubiquity without 3G. A variation: We already got the money from everyone willing to pay a premium.

According to a press release , the price cut of the 8GB to $399 takes effect immediately and 4GB models will be sold while supplies last.

Update: Jobs was a Chatty Kathy today ... he told USA Today: “If anybody is going to cannibalize us, I want it to be us. I don’t want it to be a competitor.”

On the pricing change: We’re in high-volume manufacturing, and we’re pretty good on the costs side.  We’re also willing to be more aggressive. We think we have a real winner, and customers love the iPhone. The product’s been extremely well accepted; we want to put the pedal to the metal. A holiday season is approaching; we’d have to wait another year for another one.”

Jobs also has some words of solace for anyone who paid full freight for the iPhone: “That’s technology. If they bought it this morning, they should go back to where they bought it and talk to them. If they bought it a month ago, well, that’s what happens in technology.”