iPhone 3G S Launch

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/18/iphone-3g-s-launch/)

Apple's new iPhone 3G S launches tomorrow Friday, June 19th.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/06/18/172247-photo_500.jpg

Preparations for iPhone 3G S launch in Oakbrook, IL
Apple's retail stores are opening at 7 a.m. (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10266463-37.html) in all time zones to accommodate the launch. MacRumors readers are organizing meetups (http://forums.macrumors.com/forumdisplay.php?f=131) at retail stores around the world. The first lines are already forming (http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/06/18/lines-form-for-the-new-iphone-in-new-york-and-tokyo/) in Tokyo and New York. Meanwhile, the Oakbrook, IL Apple store is preparing (http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/06/18/172247-photo.jpg) for large crowds.

AT&T has detailed (http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=26868) their launch as well. AT&T stores will also be opening 7 a.m. nationwide. And this year, customers also have the opportunity to buy at Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com/iphone/) or Wal-Mart (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=1031099) retail stores.

Pre-order customers should begin getting their iPhone 3G S deliveries tomorrow. Those who reserved units at either Apple or AT&T retail stores will be able to visit the stores to pick up their units at any time during business hours. The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/17/AR2009061701759.html) even profiled readers who have been obsessively tracking their iPhone 3G S orders in our forums (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=720502).

Article Link: iPhone 3G S Launch (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/18/iphone-3g-s-launch/)

[Mr Maui]

And I, for one, won't be camping out in the rain to get there at 7 a.m. :rolleyes:

I love the photos of the idiots in New York camped out under the black Apple umbrellas already. Someone REALLY needs a life. ;)

[APG]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11 Safari/525.20)

Cool. If only I had the money!

[phatspider]

In UK I believe O2 stores are opening at 9:02

[andrew0122]

CAN'T WAIT! Only a few more hours and it's mine! ALL MINE HAHAHA. . . Wait. Too menacing???

[VanMac]

Let the games begin :)

Hopefully it will be good weather for those that are lining up. Should be an exciting day for many. :cool:

[PabloGS]

Funny how they drop that box around 0:45 :D

Hopefully that's not your iPhone 3GS :p

I'll wait for the iPhone 4G ;)

[tsirko]

In italy and some say maybe in greece, iphone 3g will cost same as today and vodafone is going to raise the price of iphone 3gs to 620 and 720 euros!!!:eek:

apple should not allow this!

[jinxer5000]

Oakbrook, IL on the map!! :)

[BG-Mac]

Can't wait! Should get my 32GB tomorrow..... :D

[JP3G]

LOL @ 0:44 ! The guy drops the box while tossing it to another guy...

[Kwill]

I miss the Asian iPhone girl from the 3G. ;)

[guzhogi]

Oakbrook, IL on the map!! :)

That's the Apple Store closest to me! W00t! Only about a 20 minute drive from where I live, but I think I'll wait until the next version. I've heard rumors that ARM's starting to make multi-core procs for mobile devices.

[freddiecable]

the hype is not there at this launch...i will get one...but it will take quite some effort to top the original iphone launch!

[juanster]

LOL @ 0:44 ! The guy drops the box while tossing it to another guy...

lol I saw that too...

[Rocketman]

Kinda cool to see the distribution operation, but it sure offsets a bunch of the attention Apple pays to being green and low impact packaging.

Rocketman

[Consultant]

Videos of Packages = EPIC FAIL

Now the shady people would know what to steal. Good job AT&T.

[rpaloalto]

Watch the At&T distrabution video. At 0:45 one of the workers, drops a box of iPhones:eek:

[rgarjr]

pretty cool vid.

[zap2]

It's gonna be fun!

[walnuts]

And I, for one, won't be camping out in the rain to get there at 7 a.m. :rolleyes:

I love the photos of the idiots in New York camped out under the black Apple umbrellas already. Someone REALLY needs a life. ;)

The way I figure it is that you either don't have a job and therefore can't afford an iphone/service plan, or you have a pretty good job to be able to pay for all that, in which case you would be at work today and not camping out in the rain all day...who are these people who have money and nothing to do on a Thursday?

[Mr Maui]

Kinda cool to see the distribution operation, but it sure offsets a bunch of the attention Apple pays to being green and low impact packaging.

Rocketman

Offsets? Imagine the size or volume of boxes the AT&T distribution center would be receiving and handling for the same number of phones if the Apple packaging had not been streamlined. Instead of 12 phones per box, you get maybe 8, or need a bigger box. Apple is doing their part as much as anyone when it comes to "green" packaging.

[Mintin8]

Tomorrow will be awesome!

[bobbleheadbob]

I'll be at the Boston :apple: store tomorrow to pick up my pre-orders. Thanks to AT&T policy change yesterday, both my wife and I will be upgrading.

[Hawkeye411]

That was a lot of freekin' iPhones in the video!!

My wife is going to buy the 32GB Black tomorrow morning. No lineups here in Eastern Canada :D

I bought a 16GB Black last year when they first came out in Canada and the lineup was only 6 people long just before the store opened LOL.

Cheers.

[JackTheTripper]

That one RIGHT THERE is mine! I saw it! Did you guys see it?

[creator2456]

I remember going to Oakbrook last year to drop off and pick up my MBP a the Genius bar during the 3G launch. The entire area around the Apple Store was flooded with people waiting in line and it looks like it will be the same again tomorrow. Just glad I was able to get through it all without a hassle to get my stuff done and don't have to do it again this year.

[olliejudge]

So what's the difference between the white and black iphone boxes is it for the different coloured iphone backs?

[Mr Maui]

The way I figure it is that you either don't have a job and therefore can't afford an iphone/service plan, or you have a pretty good job to be able to pay for all that, in which case you would be at work today and not camping out in the rain all day...who are these people who have money and nothing to do on a Thursday?

I'm not sure how to interpret that comment. The people camping out in front of the NY flagship store are college students 18 and 19 years old according to the photo caption. School is out and they likely have no jobs or called in sick to their McDonald's / Burger King employment.

As for me ... I have a job and can easily afford the phone / service. I just see ZERO sense in hanging out 24 hours in the rain to get a phone when AT&T + Apple have assured FedEx / UPS delivery for the 19th (in most early cases). Is it really THAT important to say I had an iPhone 3Gs 3 hours before someone else? NO!!! Guess that just means I have common sense though. ;)

[WallyBird]

lol, that was a neat vid I love all those little conveyors moving things here and there - i would have waaaay too much fun at that job puttin' stuff on the lines - of course i'd be fired pretty soon methinks :D

[Mr Maui]

did I really just catch myself watching a two minute you tube film of people shoving boxes around? Am I getting that obsessed, it's sick. I need treatment.

Yes!!! You are!! :D Of course, it just shows the Apple-effect on people. :p

So what's the difference between the white and black iphone boxes is it for the different coloured iphone backs?

The black boxes are for the white phones and the white boxes are for the black phones, just to give people something to talk about ... CONTRAST!! :p

[QCassidy352]

mine will be delivered to my workplace tomorrow... I think my productivity may suffer. ;)

[ipoppy]

Don't know about you guys but I am pretty sure that iphone sells loosing momentum. There are less and less queues everytime when iPhone is released. I love iphone and I am 3G owner but Apple need to come up in next year with something better than 3G S, which is not much different from 3G itself.

[Crispy Duck]

Ha ha, some people talk such ******. Apple is a multi-billion dollar making company now, they haven't got there without knowing what they are doing. Sheesh.

[Mr Maui]

Don't know about you guys but I am pretty sure that iphone sells loosing momentum. There are less and less queues everytime when iPhone is released. I love iphone and I am 3G owner but Apple need to come up in next year with something better than 3G S, which is not much different from 3G itself.

Or ... it could just be that people can now order online, have the phone delivered, and may be able to activate online just like the 3G could.

Another possibility is that people started realizing that having your phone 24 hours earlier is not worth a 10-hour wait in line.

[HiRez]

If you are thinking about showing up at 7am tomorrow at an AT&T store to get a phone, I think this bit from the AT&T site is important:

All stores will open at 7 a.m. local time to exclusively serve preorder customers whose orders are expected to arrive on June 19. Any customer is welcome to visit beginning at normal business hours, at which point all customers will be served on a “first come, first served” basis.

So it appears that the early hours are for picking up pre-ordered phones only. If you just want to walk in and get one, you can't until normal store hours.

[syklee26]

the annual hell day for Apple Retail employees is coming yet again tomorrow...I am sure they will enjoy tomorrow.

[Nickel Dime Bay]

Gotta wait till July 6th to get mine :mad:

[winterspan]

Videos of Packages = EPIC FAIL

Now the shady people would know what to steal. Good job AT&T.

Size of Text = EPIC ANNOYANCE

[jinxer5000]

If you are thinking about showing up at 7am tomorrow at an AT&T store to get a phone, I think this bit from the AT&T site is important:



So it appears that the early hours are for picking up pre-ordered phones only. If you just want to walk in and get one, you can't until normal store hours.

TRUE. That is exactly what that means.

[HiRez]

Or ... it could just be that people can now order online, have the phone delivered, and may be able to activate online just like the 3G could.

Another possibility is that people started realizing that having your phone 24 hours earlier is not worth a 10-hour wait in line.

Also, remember that when the original iPhone was released, it was a totally new thing. When the 3G was released, it wasn't a revolutionary change, but the price dropped way down at that time because they added the subsidy. With the 3GS, you have evolutionary hardware changes and no price drop.

Then again, they supposedly sold are expected to sell 500,000 3GS phones already, even before stores have them, which is hardly disappointing.

EDIT: read that report wrong, they're expected to sell that many this weekend. Still, anything close to that number is a lot of phones.

[joueboy]

I'm getting mine tomorrow. No way I'm camping out, I doubt that iPhone 3GS will be sold out. I have work tomorrow too my wife volunteers to wake-up early but I told her never mind. It's not that I'm dying to have one but if they ran out on my local store which I highly doubt I can wait. Anyone agrees?

[ipoppy]

Or ... it could just be that people can now order online, have the phone delivered, and may be able to activate online just like the 3G could.

Another possibility is that people started realizing that having your phone 24 hours earlier is not worth a 10-hour wait in line.

Maybe that is your experience but last year O2 in UK blow it big time. You couldn't place order online and neither in the shop because their internal system crushed. So to avoid this again you really need to queue instead.

[hierobryan]

HOLY IPHONE HEAVEN!!!!

I just jizzed in my pants:eek:

[nemaslov]

I never get this. Like Woodstock? Lemmings!!! I will be happy at home on Friday, listening to music, drinking my espresso, having sex with my girlfriend and waiting for UPS to arrive. :cool:

[Mr Maui]

Also, remember that when the original iPhone was released, it was a totally new thing. When the 3G was released, it wasn't a revolutionary change, but the price dropped way down at that time because they added the subsidy. With the 3GS, you have evolutionary hardware changes and no price drop.

Then again, they supposedly sold 500,000 3GS phones already, even before stores have them, which is hardly disappointing.

My point was in response to a comment about the lessening "queues" of people at phone releases. Many options are available with the iPhone sales now that were not available at the original release. The iPhone 3Gs will almost assuredly outsell the iPhone 3G during its first year, and may outsell the 3G in total, despite the fact that the 8GB 3G will continue to sell by its side at a lower cost.

[hierobryan]

Size of Text = EPIC ANNOYANCE

pointing out others' large text with large text of your own = major WIN!

[Mr Maui]

I never get this. Like Woodstock? Lemmings!!! I will be happy at home on Friday, listening to music, drinking my espresso, having sex with my girlfriend and waiting for UPS to arrive. :cool:

But the real question is ... will you stop having sex with your girlfriend as soon as UPS does arrive?? :eek:

[JNB]

Standing in an overnight line for the third iteration of the iPhone is like scoring front row seats to a Stones "Wheelchair Tour" reunion concert. Yeah, it's pretty good, but you gotta admit you missed out on the original, and this ain't making up for it. :D

[nemaslov]

But the real question is ... will you stop having sex with your girlfriend as soon as UPS does arrive?? :eek:

"...and there's an app for that too."

[Nocaster]

Hrmmm - Didn't seem like like they had enough.

Someone's getting gypped out of a phone tomorrow.

[avigalante]

I'm a bit confused; I called two separate Walmarts and both were negative on carrying the new 3GS.

Can someone please clarify whether Walmart will carry the new 3GS or simply the regular 3G... I was under the impression that they were to carry both. :confused:

[db44]

Got a call from a live human at my apple store (soho) to confirm my reservation. She said there's a separate line for customers with reservations. So, maybe no hassle tomorrow.

[Mr Maui]

I'm a bit confused; I called two separate Walmarts and both were negative on carrying the new 3GS.

Can someone please clarify whether Walmart will carry the new 3GS or simply the regular 3G... I was under the impression that they were to carry both. :confused:

I believe WalMart will just have the 8GB 3G.

Got a call from a live human at my apple store (soho) to confirm my reservation. She said there's a separate line for customers with reservations. So, maybe no hassle tomorrow.

Maybe "less" hassle ... but then again, keep in mind ... LOTS of people have pre-ordered their phones since the announcement, so perhaps not. ;)

[DELLsFan]

Funny how they drop that box around 0:45 :D

Hopefully that's not your iPhone 3GS :p

I'll wait for the iPhone 4G ;)

As will I. Have fun campers. I'm content to wait for the next great thing but meanwhile, I'm looking forward to TomTom for the iPhone. :)

[Nausicaa]

Got a call from a live human at my apple store (soho) to confirm my reservation. She said there's a separate line for customers with reservations. So, maybe no hassle tomorrow.

Unless everyone thinks this so they go ahead and preorder. Then the reservation line ends up being longer while the rest of us breeze through! ;)

[chr1s60]

I understood people camping out for the first iPhone because it was the initial release, everyone wanted to have it first and we had no real idea about how many were going to be available. I even sat in line for about 12 hours for the initial launch. However, last year I did not wait in line for the 3G and instead waited until the next day. I went to my AT&T store that morning around 10 and picked up an iPhone 3G after waiting for about 15 minutes. At this point Apple and AT&T have a pretty good idea what the demand for the phone is and because of that I find it hard to believe that most stores will sell out on day 1. Over the course of the weekend I am sure some will sell out, but I don't think it will be to the point of justifying camping out, unless you really have to have it before everyone in town. I already know I won't be getting mine til next week and that doesn't bother me.

[whistler222]

But the real question is ... will you stop having sex with your girlfriend as soon as UPS does arrive?? :eek:

more like.. so what are you gonna do for the other 23 hours and 58 minutes of the day? :D

[applecultvictim]

No one noticed what a tiring and boring job this people go through to get us our phones...:confused:

this has to be the most soul deadening job on the world.

[leandromp]

omg.. if i could be in there... :)

[The General]

Here, I fixed the video. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwso7uM3Brs

[LiamNYC]

Does anyone know if the 5th Ave store will also have 2 lines - one for those who pre-ordered, and another for those who just show up?

[calvy]

I don't get this walmart bit either. Above it was mentioned that they might only carry the 8GB 3G. But their website clearly says the 3G S will be IN STORES. I called my local Walmart that is 24x7, and although I received outstanding help (or maybe it was just that I got off the phone with Charter for turning my cable modem off), they were not able to tell me if they'd have it or when.

[jdechko]

I never get this. Like Woodstock? Lemmings!!! I will be happy at home on Friday, listening to music, drinking my espresso, having sex with my girlfriend and waiting for UPS to arrive. :cool:

But the real question is ... will you stop having sex with your girlfriend as soon as UPS does arrive?? :eek:

The real question is what if the UPS guy comes early.

(Feel free to delete mods, but I couldn't resist).

[Banjhiyi]

In UK I believe O2 stores are opening at 9:02

I just can't foresee a stampede, other than the staged one at a key outlet.

[TripHop]

Been leader of the queue at the Palo Alto Apple Store since 3pm yesterday Wednesday June 17 and only ONE person has joined me about 7am Thursday morning. It's like there is no new product tomorrow here at the flagship store Steve Jobs likes to surprise visit. CNBC interviewed me this morning but it's like everybody decided to skip the launch here. :confused:

[BKroll1223]

I'm sure many people received this email today. I called my local Apple store to confirm what the fine print here says.

*Your reservation is valid until close of business on Friday, June 19, 2009. Reservation does not guarantee iPhone availability at an Apple Retail Store. iPhone is sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Basically, even if you "reserved" an iPhone, if they run out.... guess what? What's the point of reserving a phone?

[JohnnyQuest]

Been leader of the queue at the Palo Alto Apple Store since 3pm yesterday Wednesday June 17 and only ONE person has joined me about 7am Thursday morning. It's like there is no new product tomorrow here at the flagship store Steve Jobs likes to surprise visit. CNBC interviewed me this morning but it's like everybody decided to skip the launch here. :confused:

Like I said in onther thread, I really don't think this launch will be as big as the other two. I think it's mostly Apple geeks who have already pre-ordered who are getting the 3G S. I could be wrong though...

[calvy]

I'm sure many people received this email today. I called my local Apple store to confirm what the fine print here says.

*Your reservation is valid until close of business on Friday, June 19, 2009. Reservation does not guarantee iPhone availability at an Apple Retail Store. iPhone is sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Basically, even if you "reserved" an iPhone, if they run out.... guess what? What's the point of reserving a phone?

There's a Seinfeld joke that asks the very same question...though obviously not about iPhone reservations.

[iPhoneNYC]

Any guesses to the excitement level? Bigger than 2G? Bigger than 3G? Most people I know pre-ordered not to wait in line. It has rained for almost a week straight here in NYC but the forecast says clear for tomorrow.

[Hawkeye411]

There's a Seinfeld joke that asks the very same question...though obviously not about iPhone reservations.

Yea, it was a reservation for a rental car. Really funny episode!

Cheers... :)

[Saikou]

I'm sure many people received this email today. I called my local Apple store to confirm what the fine print here says.

*Your reservation is valid until close of business on Friday, June 19, 2009. Reservation does not guarantee iPhone availability at an Apple Retail Store. iPhone is sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Basically, even if you "reserved" an iPhone, if they run out.... guess what? What's the point of reserving a phone?

Yea I don't get this either... What's the point of reserving one if it's still first come first served? :confused:

[SandynJosh]

I think we saw more iPhones in that short video than all the Palm Pres in the universe.

[twoodcc]

you won't catch me waiting in line all night. the most i'd wait is about 4 hours, and that's if i have the time to waste, which i don't

[Prof.]

HEY! That's my Apple Store in the pic! :D:cool:

[greenpaz]

Getting impatient...okay, I've been impatient since ordering on June 8. My iPhone is still in Kentucky. Yes, the technology exists to get the thing here, pronto. But assuming the phone is indeed still there, and not yet en route to California (UPS has been very cryptic with the posting and subsequent removal of certain pieces of tracking info), can I rest assured that it will be in my hands sometime tomorrow? Or is that still up in the air? It would be unfortunate for Apple to have UPS hold the phones to preclude early deliver, only to have the phones arrive late!

UPDATE: Just called UPS and was assured by the representative that my package would be delivered tomorrow by 10:30am. "Barring customs issues," he added.

[iphones4evry1]

I didn't realize that AT&T was involved in boxing and packaging cell phones. I thought the cell phone manufacturers mailed the phones directly to the retail stores. This seems like an extra overhead cost of a distribution center that is unnecessary.

Update: Oh wait, I guess this is for the orders that people have bought from the website and that are being shipped to people's houses. That makes more sense. :)

[HiRez]

I didn't realize that AT&T was involved in boxing and packaging cell phones. I thought the cell phone manufacturers mailed the phones directly to the retail stores. This seems like an extra overhead cost of a distribution center that is unnecessary.

Update: Oh wait, I guess this is for the orders that people have bought from the website and that are being shipped to people's houses. That makes more sense. :)It looks like they are taking boxes packed with 10 iPhones each (I guess from the plant or Apple distributor) and breaking them open, scanning each phone, and then yeah, probably shipping them off individually.

[zap2]

so can none pre-order people line up at 7?(or earlier) Even though the store doesn't open to 9...soo annoying!

[wozzinator]

why do people even bother waiting in the lines when they can just order it through apple.com and have it same day? it seems kind of silly to me:p

[Sport73]

There is no bigger Apple/iPhone fanatic than me, but I was happy to pre-order and wait for my package to arrive tomorrow vs. braving the wait again.The 3g launch last year was more 'hassle' than 'event'.

Nothing can ever compare to the original iPhone release; I waited in line for 18 hours - yet it was one of my most favorite days. Great people, an amazing 'event', so many stories and interviews, and just a great vibe in the air. Couple all that with the fact that we left the store with the FIRST true touch device ever, and it is a day I'll never forget.

I think Apple will create similar energy again next year, with a radically new '4g' phone on Verizon/AT&T and T-Mobile. Until then, I anxiously await Fedex' arrival tomorrow. I'll be 'working' from home.

[Whattheheck]

Note: The Apple store location at Oakbrook is opening at 5am not the 7am that the rest of the country is following. True!

[zap2]

why do people even bother waiting in the lines when they can just order it through apple.com and have it same day? it seems kind of silly to me:p

Doesn't work for upgrade swappers

[brop52]

I finally got my email from AT&T saying my order shipped. They are shipping all of them overnight. It is shipping from Tennessee.

[modit]

Doesn't work for upgrade swappers

How does that work? I'm gussing no one has ever done it for free ;)
Really though...how?

[zap2]

How does that work? I'm gussing no one has ever done it for free ;)
Really though...how?


What do you mean "for free"?


Its when one line in a family plan is up, and you'd like to upgrade another phone with that line upgrade....and AT&T has to do it with there software. Only you can only do that at an AT&T store. I planned to pre-order it with AT&T, but when I get there they basically said, it wasn't gonna be any good for launch day(not sure how true that is, but we'll see)

[krogers34]

i saw that pick and it reminded me of the great 5 hours i spent waiting in that exact spot, me and oakbrook mall had some good times then.

[Scarpad]

The way I figure it is that you either don't have a job and therefore can't afford an iphone/service plan, or you have a pretty good job to be able to pay for all that, in which case you would be at work today and not camping out in the rain all day...who are these people who have money and nothing to do on a Thursday?

Children of those rich that have the money but live off the folks.

[doubleatheman]

lol I saw that too...

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH they dropped my phone... that's really really sad.... poor iphone didn't have a chance.

[whokilledkaji]

Lines are already forming in Tokyo? For what??? Reservations, I guess?

The iPhone doesn't go on sale here until the 26th and I just checked... That's nationwide. The only early opening reported is the Shinjuku store in Tokyo that opens at 7:00 AM on the 26th.

[patrickvanzandt]

mine will be delivered to my workplace tomorrow... I think my productivity may suffer. ;)

I know my productivity will suffer. Oh well, it's Friday in the summer anyway :-).

[gwynnethpc]

i preordered on the 9th. the fedex tracking said i won't get until MONDAY! :confused:

[bytethese]

Got a call from a live human at my apple store (soho) to confirm my reservation. She said there's a separate line for customers with reservations. So, maybe no hassle tomorrow.

Hmm, good to know. I am hitting the 5th Ave store (damn I'm dumb) and I hope they have 2 lines as well.

Does anyone know if the 5th Ave store will also have 2 lines - one for those who pre-ordered, and another for those who just show up?

I sure hope so, I'll be there bright and early. :)

[DiamondMac]

There is no bigger Apple/iPhone fanatic than me, but I was happy to pre-order and wait for my package to arrive tomorrow vs. braving the wait again.The 3g launch last year was more 'hassle' than 'event'.

Nothing can ever compare to the original iPhone release; I waited in line for 18 hours - yet it was one of my most favorite days. Great people, an amazing 'event', so many stories and interviews, and just a great vibe in the air. Couple all that with the fact that we left the store with the FIRST true touch device ever, and it is a day I'll never forget.

I think Apple will create similar energy again next year, with a radically new '4g' phone on Verizon/AT&T and T-Mobile. Until then, I anxiously await Fedex' arrival tomorrow. I'll be 'working' from home.

Agreed. I enjoyed waiting the last two times but if I can order it and have it sent to me, I am doing that in the future. That is MUCH easier for me even if it is a day later.

[BJB Productions]

Can't help but notice around 40 seconds in the video a guy tosses one of the boxes to a guy on the other side of the conveyer belt, but the guy on the receiving end misses the box and drops it...Hope that's not anybody's iPhone!:eek:

[brop52]

i preordered on the 9th. the fedex tracking said i won't get until MONDAY! :confused:

How does that make sense? I ordered from AT&T the 10th and I'll get it by 3PM tomorrow.

[gkarris]

i preordered on the 9th. the fedex tracking said i won't get until MONDAY! :confused:

LOL

I remember that people ordered the Touch and they were going to get it on release day (was it a Monday or Tuesday?), until the Apple Store decided to go ahead and start selling it on the Friday before... :p

[Jimmetry]

I can see this phone having a rather slow adoption. The 3G is still perfectly capable of (pretty much) everything at the moment... people will upgrade when they start to see some awesome apps that make use of the magneto-thingy.

[KristenM]

i preordered on the 9th. the fedex tracking said i won't get until MONDAY! :confused:

And THAT ^^ is why I'd rather wait in line tomorrow. I'd be having a nervous breakdown checking the FedEx site constantly.

Oh and for those asking why you would not order online...if you are getting two phones on a family plan, you couldn't order online! We had no choice but to go to the AT&T store because they were only allowing 1 phone per house ordered online.

[michael.lauden]

why did i watch that whole video.

[LiamNYC]

What do you guys think the odds are that the iPhone 3GS will sell out at the 5th Ave store by tomorrow night? I can't leave work early, and even though I pre-ordered to pick up at the store, I'm worried about the unit selling out.

I've heard conflicting things. While Apple's e-mail says that the pre-order doesn't guarantee iPhone availability, I view this statement as more of a lawsuit protection clause - and that they will most likely have it in stock - at least until the end of tomorrow.

Also, based on conversations I've had with Apple employees they have said, without directly answering my question on whether the pre-order guarantees a unit in stock, that I will get my iphone tomorrow. Does anyone else agree that this may be the case?

It also confusing that the Soho store apparently called up those who pre-ordered and told them that there would be two separate lines - yet one of my conversations with a 5th ave employee indicted that this would not be the case at the 5th ave store. Can anyone provide clarity on this issue?

I purchased my 3G on the release date last July around 3pm, and I believe they were not sold out at the 5th ave store until later that evening or over the next few days. This could be chalked up to the increased amount of time Apple gave itself to produce these units (1 month). My worry is that due to the rushed release date for the 3GS (10 days or so after the initial announcement at WWDC), that the number of units available will be drastically smaller. What do you guys think?

[Terrapolitan]

I live one block from the Apple store in Soho in New York. I just returned from buying a pint of milk and half-a-dozen of eggs and here's the current status at the Apple station in Soho: very quiet indeed. In fact, the road works on Prince St is causing a bigger stink than Apple.

Well, I'm pleased as I'll be lining up at 7am to pick up a brand new 32 GB 3G S to replace my 1st gen 16GB iPhone...

[One Ohm]

I too got a call from a person at the Soho Store informing me that they will have a phone held for me, my online apple store Pre-Order, untill the close of Business. So no need for me to get there at 7am...

[LiamNYC]

Wow - thank you. I appreciate the quick response.

[smileyborg]

Here, I fixed the video. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwso7uM3Brs

Ah man, that was CLASSIC!!! Thank you so much for that "remix"! :)

[mathcolo]

I never thought that those distribution centers could have so much interesting parts to them.

I'm also wondering if there will be enough iPhones to go around and fulfill everyone's demand... :rolleyes:

[TechJohnson]

I think this is really cool, now they need to put the iPhone out for Verizon.

[macshill]

I live one block from the Apple store in Soho in New York. I just returned from buying a pint of milk and half-a-dozen of eggs and here's the current status at the Apple station in Soho: very quiet indeed. In fact, the road works on Prince St is causing a bigger stink than Apple.

Well, I'm pleased as I'll be lining up at 7am to pick up a brand new 32 GB 3G S to replace my 1st gen 16GB iPhone...

:p It's like they threw a party and nobody came. :D lol

[medicrx]

On my way home from work I drive right past an AT&T store... not a soul in sight. Not even a car in the parking lot, but I did notice the new 3GS signs in the windows.

[DMann]

LOL @ 0:44 ! The guy drops the box while tossing it to another guy... That was hilarious... either he was nervous in front of the camera, or this is his usual mode of efficiency.

why do people even bother waiting in the lines when they can just order it through apple.com and have it same day? it seems kind of silly to me:p During both the 2007 and 2008 launches, I picked up a girl standing nearby, in the line - being there does have its advantages.

[zap2]

I just stopped by Apple Store at Sagemore in Marlton has no one in line, but it looked like there were a few people hanging out in their cars. Also the AT&T store nearby has no one. I'll be there at 5:30 AM

Exciting times!

[DMann]

Here, I fixed the video. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwso7uM3BrsThe theme from "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" is a great choice for a soundtrack. I believe it was written by Danny Elfman, and was modeled on Aram Khachaturian's
Sabre Dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUFWaauGPCs)

[sam10685]

HOLY IPHONE HEAVEN!!!!

I just jizzed in my pants:eek:

The sad thing is this probably really happened.

[irish1313]

I'm a bit confused; I called two separate Walmarts and both were negative on carrying the new 3GS.

Can someone please clarify whether Walmart will carry the new 3GS or simply the regular 3G... I was under the impression that they were to carry both. :confused:

Called 3 Wallmarts in my area..Michigan, and was told that only 2 of their 7 stores in the region will be carrying it. Non close to me. I think I am gong to skip the 5 hour wait in line at ATT last year and hit Best Buy. THEY open at 10.I called my local store tonight, and was told only 1 other call inquiring about it.

[Drinahn]

In UK I believe O2 stores are opening at 9:02

Yeah, I just discovered this now as I arrived at the Fenchurch St store. Only two hours to stand around! Awesome!

[chr1s60]

I think people are worrying a little bit too much. I have a feeling that most stores are going to have plenty of iPhones available in the morning.

[koobcamuk]

http://idisk.me.com/martinirwin/Public/Pictures/Skitch/jobs-20090619-072033.jpg

[THX1139]

Raise your hand if you're sick of reading about the iPhone. MacRumors should call itself iPhoneRumors because lately they have had little or nothing to do with Macs.

[SFStateStudent]

Raise your hand if you're sick of reading about the iPhone. MacRumors should call itself iPhoneRumors because lately they have had little or nothing to do with Macs.

+1 ^^^ "Good job MacRumors! We got another one"....:D:D:D

[Pooshka]

Where is the freaking video of a guy dropping a box goddammit????????? :mad:

[Cousin Dirk]

Well, I just walked past the O2 Store on the Strand... there was only three people queuing outside, and the store seemed to be shut despite the fact that it was 8am.

This time last year, the queue for the iPhone 3G was easily 50+. Does this bode badly for the 3G S?

[talkingfuture]

3GS is available on the uk online store now. Those extortionate PAYG prices weren't a dream.

Surely the old iPhone 3G is going to get a price drop from £342.50, or do O2 not want any customers? This could have been a good opportunity for them to grab some customers with a headline price on the low end model.

[Drinahn]

Well, I just walked past the O2 Store on the Strand... there was only three people queuing outside, and the store seemed to be shut despite the fact that it was 8am.

This time last year, the queue for the iPhone 3G was easily 50+. Does this bode badly for the 3G S?

O2 stores aren't opening til 9:02. Wish I'd gone to the strand store then. The queue here at Fenchurch is now going around the corner. I'm third but I wish there was some bloody sunshine at this store.

[OasisFanboy]

Report from London Victoria - nobody in the Carphone Warehouse (which opened at 730), and two people in line at the O2 Store (presumably opening at 9.02 as poster says above).

I'm gonna go in mid-morning for mine.

[dannster]

I don't want to upset the geeks, but why are people queueing, essentially just for a phone, which they can order online and have delivered the day of release?

[OasisFanboy]

I don't want to upset the geeks, but why are people queueing, essentially just for a phone, which they can order online and have delivered the day of release?

Cos they wanna feel part of something!

[SydneyDev]

I suspect long queues will be the exception - the new model is not super compelling (IMHO). There will be a few upgraders, and a few people who have been holding off knowing an update was coming. But crowd control? They're dreaming.

[Drinahn]

I don't want to upset the geeks, but why are people queueing, essentially just for a phone, which they can order online and have delivered the day of release?

When I bought my iPhone from carphone warehouse ages ago, they forces me to a direct o2 account rather than a cpw one. As such I don't believe I could use cpw's preorder. O2 didn't do one.

To all the people comparing queue lengths - I'm not sure anyone expected long queues, as it is a very expensive upgrade for iPhone 3G owners. Everyone I can see in this queue has either a classic or a blackberry or a Sony Ericsson.

[SpaceKitty]

No sleep today. Gonna head to the Aspen Grove store in Littleton and be there by 7 since they open at 7.

[Drinahn]

Have my 32gb white iPhone 3GS now. Only a full day of work before I can activate it.

[iMaggot]

I don't know why the video made me feel sorry for the "Pre", and I'm not even going to get a 3Gs lol.

[Daz]

Got mine. :D
Queue wasn't massive at the O2 store.. probably 12-15 people by 9am. I was told they open at 8am so I got there for then (6 people in front of me at that point) - another hour wait was fine, as everyone was chatting to each other.

We got tickets given out for whichever model we wanted by the staff as people queued, and then just waited around. The queue got slightly bigger as I was leaving.

Unboxed already though! :) And pics are here:

http://unboxstuff.com/iphone3gs/

Never done any "unboxing pics" before, but did this time.. all part of the experience. Some pics are a bit blurry, but hey! (yea yea, I went a bit overboard getting a domain, but that's cool! :))

All in all, in terms of looks, it's identical to the iPhone 3G as far as I can tell.. not got it activated yet though.

Oh, they've redesigned the plug now.. much better - much slimmer and and the USB cable just slots in underneath!

I hope everyone else has such a good experience getting their phones!

[iphones4evry1]

Go outside, the graphics are amazing!

That is why I have an iPhone :)
If I never went outdoors, I would just have a computer and landline.

[YoGramMamma]

UStreamin live

@chriscrutch: iPhone 3GS Launch, Charlotte NC (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/2rvX)

[OasisFanboy]

Just picked up the 3GS 16GB White from O2 Store London Victoria - I would say business was "healthy" - ie queue of maybe 10 people (1130am).

Demand is constant they said rather than overwhelming.

[iPhoneNYC]

Here in NY I had a choice between pre-order and free shipping or going to the store. Like many I simply did pre-order. However, I won't get mine until Tuesday. But I think we'll see much smaller crowds.

[iPhoneNYC]

However, just saw the photo outside of the NY 5th Ave store and that's pretty impressive.

[fronheiser]

I went to the east Madison (WI) AT&T store to pick up my phone. 32GB black.

15 minutes before store opening, there were about 8 people waiting -- all people who preordered. They checked my name off the list and when the store opened called me in and sent me to a specific person who already had my iPhone waiting for me. Was activated and out the door in 5 minutes. Compared with last year, this was like night and day. I understand that there wasn't any of the pent up demand like there was last year, but everyone involved really had their stuff together today. Last year would've gone much smoother had they had this process in place then.

I was also told they had a "ton" of stock for people just walking in without a preorder.

After a 30 minute drive home I plugged into iTunes, restored from my old backup, synced, put my cover and a new film on the phone, and then realized how anticlimactic this all was. Now I'm erasing my old 3G and hoping someone will want to buy it from me. All before 9AM. Now I can get to work. :D

[ZorPrime]

Hrmmm - Didn't seem like like they had enough.

Someone's getting gypped out of a phone tomorrow.

LOL Yup.

I pre-ordered two phones, 32GB for me (an upgrade from my launch Edge iPhone) and 16GB for my fiance ;), I got the phones yesterday... to my surprise I got not ONE but TWO 32GB iPhone 3Gs both assigned to my line, the primary... I immediately checked by bank statement only to see I was charged for one 32GB and one 16GB. I called AT&T, complained and they gave me the second phone for free! :D :cool:

And I never had to take a step into the store only to wait in line. So the lesson is I learned was: order online, get free shipping, get the phone on launch day, and if they mess up, you may get a free phone. :)