iPhone Acquisition Strategies, Data Plan Info Soon?

[MacRumors]

Many readers have been discussing acquisition strategies for obtaining an iPhone on the first day it goes on sale (June 29th). So far, information has been limited.

Apple's most recent press release gives us essentially all the information we know about where to get one:

iPhone will be sold in the US through Apple’s retail and online stores, and through AT&T’s select retail stores.

Steve Jobs told us that the iPhone would go on sale at 6 p.m. on the 29th and an AT&T memo confirmed that this would be "local time" -- meaning East Coast customers will be able to buy the iPhone first.

BoyGeniusReport and Appleinsider have both reported that AT&T's retail stores will close around 4:30pm and reopen at 6:00pm and plan on staying open until at least 10:00pm. iPhone purchasers will be able to find some early accessories on sale, including the Apple Bluetooth Headset, Jawbone Bluetooth Headset, and a number of 3rd party accessories (photos).

Many expect large lines at both Apple Stores and AT&T stores. To give an idea of interest, one New York City AT&T store reportedly had over 2000 names on their waiting list before this practice was prohibited.

We've received reports that more promotional materials and possibly data plan information will come this Friday at local Apple Stores. Meanwhile, we have received conflicting reports from various local AT&T stores, so it seems clear that none of the local AT&T store staff have any official information on iPhone sales or data plans.

We expect that many MacRumors readers will be amongst the first to purchase the iPhone. We have started collecting a list of iPhone questions for new iPhone owners that will be presented on June 29th to give new iPhone owners topics to report on for fellow readers.

[arn]

A few other tidbits..

One claim: http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1179792

I work for a very well known shipper and the 4500 i phones just cleared the building!

that some iPhones started shipping as early as June 12th.

One claim that Steve Jobs recommended going to an AT&T Store:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ariann...n_b_50089.html
but this has been disputed as a misquote, but may make sense.

no one knows the iphone distribution between AT&T stores and Apple stores.

[theheadguy]

Exciting! Most of all, the 3rd party apps are what I am looking forward to!

[twoodcc]

looking forward to more information. i just hope i can get one without waiting over an hour

[Flowbee]

I better start looking for the nearest AT&T store... I'll be in line on Friday (the 29th, that is).

[darwen]

2,000!?!? That is crazy!

[ChampagneBob]

Looks like the rumors that AT&T Stores will have limited inventory don't make sense. If they are closing and reopening at six and staying open late indicates plenty of inventory will be available for distribution.

First day sales will blow industry minds. This is a whole new ball game starting next Friday.

If its only 500,000 units, thats $2.5 billion plus in hardware revenue alone. Big close for the quarter for sure.

[yzp]

Originally Posted by Macrumors

We have started collecting a list of iPhone questions for new iPhone owners that will be presented on June 29th to give new iPhone owners topics to report on for fellow readers.

Great idea!!

[Object-X]

My strategy is to take the day off. Go to the Apple store near my brothers house and camp out all damn day. He promised to come feed me.

[grappler]

hmmmm, really? I think if I showed up to an AT&T store sometime after work on the 29th I could get one if I wanted. I've never seen a run on any apple store around where I live when the release of any product came out, and I've often gone on the day of the release just to take a look. Maybe in some areas it gets more frenzied than others.

[natejohnstone@g]

I REALLY want to buy an iPhone asap, but for me it all hinges on the plan that I'm required to get from AT&T.
So as soon as full plan options become available, I'll be able to decide if I can afford one. Frankly, I'm a little worried that AT&T will force you go get a really expensive plan, which will mean no joy for me.

[roland.g]

I thought this was MacRumors, but when Apple changed from Apple to Computer to Apple Inc, I guess this changed to iPhoneRumors. If this gets any more out of hand I think we may need a completely separate site. Don't get me wrong I think the iPhone is great and sooner or later I will get one, but someone remind Apple that they still make computers.

[loudestnoise]

Originally Posted by Macrumors

Phone purchasers will be able to find some early accessories on sale, including the Apple Bluetooth Headset, Jawbone Bluetooth Headset, and a number of 3rd party accessories (photos).

Those jawbone headsets looks really sweet. Which one do I want to buy now? Apple or Jawbone?

[gugy]

I'll definitely get an iPhone if AT&T has improved their reception in San Diego. If not I'll be waiting for the iPod 6G.

[Darkroom]

it would be nice for Apple if the iPhone becomes as popular as the Nintendo Wii (which is still difficult to buy eventhogh it's been out since last year), but something tells me that it won't be...

[TitoC]

I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone post this yet, but anyway, here it is. This is a Google Earth add-on that lists all of the AT&T/Cingular stores.

In the entire country.

http://tinyurl.com/2wkgx4

[SirROM]

It seems to me that if they were going to offer a GOOD plan or lower rate, they would announce it DURING the week to get the stock market buzzed and watch the stock climb. The only reason I can think of to announce something on a Friday would be in hopes that the groaning will have died down by the time the market opens on Monday or that the mainstream press will not cover it as much or even that Joe Consumer somehow misses the announcement altogether.

So it seems to me that they are not expecting their announced rates plans to be met with cheering and jubilation by iPhone adopters....

Sorry to be the fly in the ointment here, I was REALLY hoping for a sweet rate plan.

[KurtangleTN]

Originally Posted by roland.g

I thought this was MacRumors, but when Apple changed from Apple to Computer to Apple Inc, I guess this changed to iPhoneRumors. If this gets any more out of hand I think we may need a completely separate site. Don't get me wrong I think the iPhone is great and sooner or later I will get one, but someone remind Apple that they still make computers.

Apple makes computers? (Actually sadly my mother said that to me about a month ago)

[stagi]

I think I will be at my local apple store when they open on the 29th to check everything out, if there is already a line then I will hang out until 6. once i get one in my hand I will report my thoughts

[bluebomberman]

Originally Posted by roland.g

I thought this was MacRumors, but when Apple changed from Apple to Computer to Apple Inc, I guess this changed to iPhoneRumors. If this gets any more out of hand I think we may need a completely separate site. Don't get me wrong I think the iPhone is great and sooner or later I will get one, but someone remind Apple that they still make computers.

Oh please. The iPhone's more functional of a computer that those ultramobile PC hunks of junk that Microsoft keeps on trying to push on people.

[JDOG_]

I still can't seriously believe they haven't released rate and data plans for this thing yet...it's launching in just over a week...this does not bode well for cheapskates who want to pay less than $100/mo.

[Flowbee]

Originally Posted by roland.g

Don't get me wrong I think the iPhone is great and sooner or later I will get one, but someone remind Apple that they still make computers.

Hmmm... web browsing, email, photos, music, videos... sounds like a computer to me. Someday we'll look back and laugh at computers in big cases that had to sit under our desks, and "portables" that weighed 4 - 9 lbs. Don't worry, Apple knows very well that they still make computers; They just look like phones now.

[adamberti]

Originally Posted by SirROM

It seems to me that if they were going to offer a GOOD plan or lower rate, they would announce it DURING the week to get the stock market buzzed and watch the stock climb. The only reason I can think of to announce something on a Friday would be in hopes that the groaning will have died down by the time the market opens on Monday or that the mainstream press will not cover it as much or even that Joe Consumer somehow misses the announcement altogether.

So it seems to me that they are not expecting their announced rates plans to be met with cheering and jubilation by iPhone adopters....

Sorry to be the fly in the ointment here, I was REALLY hoping for a sweet rate plan.

I tend to agree with the thought the plans may be a little pricey. But I have a different theory in mind as to why to release the info same day. If they release info ahead of time, you have all week to compare and figure them out. But if you don't know the plan until you're in the store and have an iPhone in hand, you're much more likely to buy in and go for it. Make it an impluse buy and get people signing contracts that maybe they really shouldn't.

Not best for the consumer, but good marketing

[glowingstar]

...i guess all those people who said the iphone was too expensive and that cingular/at&t sucked didn't get heard by the mobs who will be out there waiting for their iphones on june 29th!

or maybe it was just too expensive for them, and reception was bad for them....

[Babasyzygy]

I don't doubt that Apple is trying to arrange events such that the evening news everywhere in the United States will be slathered with pictures of long lines of excited fans getting their iPhones.