Apple UK Special Event: September 18th 2007

[netdog]

I'm pretty sure it will just be displays - not actual sales. It's not just about training Apple store staff - the o2 staff (assuming it's o2) also need some training - and that certainly hasn't started yet.

Says who?

Of note, the Apple Store staff is being called in at 2 for special training tomorrow after the 10am announcement, and the store is staying open until 10. Is that to sell iPods? You have no idea what O2 has or hasn't done to train their staff so why make such assertions?

 

[TheChillPill]

You have no idea what O2 has or hasn't done to train their staff so why make such assertions?

Erm, I do know exactly what o2 hasn't done - no training has been done at all.

 

[Leemo]

I completely forgot to post about this last week - all o2 stores are also being kitted out with WIFI routers.

Hmm....

-Leemo

 

[Leemo]

Erm, I do know exactly what o2 hasn't done - no training has been done at all.

I second that. No training.

-Leemo

 

[masteroflondon]

is Regent Street shop open today?

I thought they were just closed Tuesday morning, but then I saw the photo's with the curtains up. What happened with that? Are they open today?

 

[TBi]

Erm, I do know exactly what o2 hasn't done - no training has been done at all.

Maybe apple are planning to place a "genius" in each of the O2 stores for a few weeks. Especially in the bigger ones. It would make sense.

(Assuming of course the announcement tomorrow is the iPhone)

 

[dalvin200]

do we know when 02 will announce their tariffs?

or do you think they will be announced at the same event tomorrow?

re: where to buy the phone from..

better to buy from Apple direct? or 02 shop or Carphone Warehouse?

Can you unlock the phone without it being activated to a contract? (silly question i know, but just wanted to clarify)

thanks

 

[notsofatjames]

Just posted on The Telegraph's website:

"Speculation has been rife on technology blogs and gadget websites that Apple will use a press conference in London tomorrow to say when its landmark mobile phone - nicknamed the "God phone" - will finally go on sale in the UK. It is believed it could even be on sale immediately."

Nothing new I suppose, but here's hoping!

Full article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/17/niphone117.xml

that article also claims carphone warehouse got exclusive sales on o2's behalf. That confuses me beacuase o2 have their own retail network, but if Carphone warehouse have rights to sell it too, then their staff would have to be trained also. So if Apple, O2 and Carphone warehouse staff have been trained at all, someone would leak!

 

[whiteboytrash]

that article also claims carphone warehouse got exclusive sales on o2's behalf. That confuses me beacuase o2 have their own retail network, but if Carphone warehouse have rights to sell it too, then their staff would have to be trained also. So if Apple, O2 and Carphone warehouse staff have been trained at all, someone would leak!

But they haven't been trained yet – so no leaks...... remember the AT&T employees received the training guide ? well I can see Apple selling from Tuesday 4pm and O2/Carphone Warehouse selling from Monday. So in the timeframe the stores and staff can receive the guides, take them home and read them..... from memory AT&T staff were not trained they just had the guide.....

 

[Oh-es-Ten]

iPhone on my desk - but I want one that works...

I have been using an iPhone for the past few days (in London), and it is a US one that now appears to be faulty (can't read SIM's, connect to wireless) although for a while it could. In the meantime I have tricked it to activating and been using it as an iPod and photo viewer... Some people have spotted me using it on the tube, and I know they want to ask about it.

Still, I can only imagine having a 'proper' iPhone that is a phone (and working wireless device) as well... even if the UK one is EDGE, I am fine with that.

Why the black curtains and world's media just to set up a new display of iPhones at the store... I am really hoping this means sales from tomorrow.. although I should prepare for disappointment I think...

If there is sales, I am going to leg it out of the office around 4pm somehow.. Need some kind of excuse...

 

[redgaz26]

does anyone know if the store is open today? are they just getting things ready!
I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be the day. think about this, there's only waht 10 apple stores in the uk right. 2 trucks could deliver the phones overnight and be ready for selling tomorrow.
god i need to calm down

 

[notsofatjames]

But they haven't been trained yet – so no leaks...... remember the AT&T employees received the training guide ? well I can see Apple selling from Tuesday 4pm and O2/Carphone Warehouse selling from Monday. So in the timeframe the stores and staff can receive the guides, take them home and read them..... from memory AT&T staff were not trained they just had the guide.....

so true, and i think this is a completely realistic idea!

 

[CD3660]

...there's only what, 10 apple stores in the U.K. right?

Spot on, and for contact details if anyone wants to try to sniff out any more information, see this:

http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/storelist/

 

[redgaz26]

nothing unusual in Glasgow, just the two workshops and genius bar taking reservations, I think we are just a bit to excited.

 

[redgaz26]

anyone been in the London store today?

someone must know what's going on in their!!!!

don't think i'll sleep tonight

 

[masteroflondon]

looking forward to tomorrow

Well I'll be there tomorrow, demanding an iPhone or a disappointment. And I'm not leaving without one or the other!

 

[CD3660]

Latest from Channel 4 News:

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/science_technology/bloggers+await+uk+iphone+launch+/812452

 

[fireplace]

anyone been in the London store today?

someone must know what's going on in their!!!!

don't think i'll sleep tonight

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/webcams/547452.shtml

can't quite see the front of the store

 

[Hustle]

Does anyone know if its going to be live blogged?.
I'm at college the time its going on, but i'll sit at the back with my laptop. Hehe.

 

[Manic Mouse]

Apple is said to have struck an unprecedentedly tough bargain with 02, taking up to 40 per cent of all O2's call plan revenue for every iPhone sold, according to the Guardian newspaper... The UK mobile phone networks are said to be highly aggrieved at the way Apple has conducted the negotiations; allowing them all to believe that they had secured an exclusive deal. It also concealed the fact that it was preparing a similar touch-screen device, the iPod Touch, which could significantly undermine demand for O2's iPhone.

Oh dear, seems Apple screwed everyone over.

 

[TheChillPill]

Does anyone know if its going to be live blogged?.
I'm at college the time its going on, but i'll sit at the back with my laptop. Hehe.

Macformat is the only one I'm aware of that is liveblogging it so far, but I'm fairly sure there will be others - http://www.macformat.co.uk/page/macformat?entry=read_about_the_apple_special

 

[CD3660]

Oh dear, seems Apple screwed everyone over.

The problem is that if Apple have driven such a hard bargain, then o2 will have to charge accordingly to make a reasonable profit.

The people who really get screwed are those at the end of the line, i.e. us!

Personally, I don't believe anyone would be foolish enough to give away 40% as o2 are said to have done and therefore I dismiss this as malicious gossip.

 

[masteroflondon]

Regent Street store looks normal

A friend of mine just popped in and looked around downstairs. There's nothing unusual to be seen.

 

[CD3660]

A friend of mine just popped in and looked around downstairs. There's nothing unusual to be seen.

Very interesting. The mystery deepens.

He doesn't have a white stick and a docile dog does he?

 

[Manic Mouse]

Very interesting. The mystery deepens.

He doesn't have a white stick and a docile dog does he?

Lol, that made me laugh. Well done!

iPhone here we come!