Maybe this does not apply to you. But others seem to have lost their minds. I honestly with the 28th would come so this collective angst would be done with.
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iPad EU News (Abandon all hope, ye who enter here..) ("Are you nuts?!" - Steve) - 2
- Thread starter cidf2008
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Maybe this does not apply to you. But others seem to have lost their minds. I honestly with the 28th would come so this collective angst would be done with.
I don't think there is much hand ringing and concern now. But I can understand anxiety when you have gone to great lengths to place an order and all you can see is orders progressing that were placed long after your own. Plus most people don't have your vast experience of having ordered 4 iPads before. How did you manage 4 by the way. I thought the limit was 2 ?
2 credit cards and two email addresses. You can even walk into a store and do the same thing. Apple will not care.
As for experience, I just waited and made one call to Apple. I asked them about the process and why money went off of my card then returned. They explained it, and said to relax and not to worry. Sure enough, I got the Prepared for Shipping notice, then the Shipping notice, then the arrived in my local Fedex notice, then the delivery notice.
Pretty much standard fare. I can guarantee you, Apple wants your money and they have this shipping stuff down cold. You guys will get your iPad by next week and will be posting how happy (some unhappy) with it.
Surely they can't be expecting genuinely that many ? Really ? For a product launch ?
I mean, I know I'm a "buy online" sort of gal (and have been for many a year, I can't recall the last time I bought anything in a brick and mortar store- including tech, clothes, food shopping, everything - that's all easier to do from home with eyesight problems such as mine) but I just can't comprehend 20,000 people swarming somewhere for a product launch.
It just does. not. compute. ! Am I really that out of touch with the "real world" ??
Not for me to say but did you see the US Launch? Apple obviously are taking the demand very seriously from all over the world for this product, but I personally doubt 20k people will show up.
A friend of mine was at the launch of the wifi only version in NJ, and she estimated that there was no more than 200 people. Very orderly, and sort of sedate. As she pre-ordered hers and had it reserved for store pickup, she simply walked in, showed the pre-order request and they gave her the iPad. She said it took about an hour in total.
It was a similar experience for a friend in DC who picked up the 3G version. 2 hour wait, very orderly.
The 20K number is a media stunt. Ain't gonna happen. Also, does anyone really think Apple has 20K iPad on hand in one store? Maybe 1000 iPads at most depending on the traffic flow (sales numbers) in that area.
Well the iPad is launching on the Friday on the bank holiday weekend, with the Regent St. store being the flagship England Apple store (as far as I can tell), slap bang in the middle of one of the busiest shopping/tourism areas in London. There is bound to be plenty of press coverage, plus the people queuing overnight, as well as the average curious shoppers, and don't forget the normal traffic flow for the store.
It also helps if the media gets wind of the 20k number, which makes it a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I might head down there on the day just to see what Apple UK have in stock in terms of the 3rd party accessories, as I neglected to get one for my iPad. Will report back regarding estimated actual foot traffic.
Is it my laptop or is this site EXCEPTIONALLY slow today ?
Going back to the launch, I am sceptical about the 20,000 thing tbh, there has been an incredible number of pre orders so there is about 200,000 that won't be going to stores, the machines are also very expensive so it is not an impulse purchase especially in a recession so it will simply be fanboys who did not pre order and Americans who can't get one the other side of the pond.
I expect there to be about 5000 at opening time queueing
I saw some footage of one of the stores when the iPad launched in the US, but apart from a lot of cheering and whistling it was difficult for me to gauge how many people were there - it coulda been a lot, or a very noisy excitable few. 
If anyone's planning on going down there (Regent St) I would be interested to know first hand how many people they thought might have been there (when it happens) - rather than what the media say were expected or were there (we know they pad stuff out or make it up !) I'd rather pluck out my (remaining better sighted) eye than go to a product launch ... but I would be interested to know how it goes.
Do we, as "more reserved" Brits, just not go in for this mass hysteria / queueing for days / gathering in huge hordes thing like our US cousins do ? I wonder if there'll be any high fiving from staff and customers after purchasing in the UK as there was in the US ?
I'd love to know what percentage of US iPads were bought from brick stores on the launch weekend versus those bought online for delivery, and compare that with the same percentages in the UK at launch. I suspect we don't enjoy the hype in store so much here in the UK - some of us obviously go mad fer it, but I tend to think we would, on the whole, rather get it delivered to our door. Reserved or just lazy b*stards ?
People and cultural differences are endlessly fascinating to me, sorry.
If anyone's planning on going down there (Regent St) I would be interested to know first hand how many people they thought might have been there (when it happens) - rather than what the media say were expected or were there (we know they pad stuff out or make it up !) I'd rather pluck out my (remaining better sighted) eye than go to a product launch ... but I would be interested to know how it goes.
Do we, as "more reserved" Brits, just not go in for this mass hysteria / queueing for days / gathering in huge hordes thing like our US cousins do ? I wonder if there'll be any high fiving from staff and customers after purchasing in the UK as there was in the US ?
I'd love to know what percentage of US iPads were bought from brick stores on the launch weekend versus those bought online for delivery, and compare that with the same percentages in the UK at launch. I suspect we don't enjoy the hype in store so much here in the UK - some of us obviously go mad fer it, but I tend to think we would, on the whole, rather get it delivered to our door. Reserved or just lazy b*stards ?
People and cultural differences are endlessly fascinating to me, sorry.
I'll let you know, i'm not buying into this 20k thing either, the guy at apple said they got the permit in anticipation of 20k people. That doesn't mean 20k people will show up.
I'll do a head count for you. Im also gonna time how long it takes me from the line till the purchase.
I'll let you know, i'm not buying into this 20k thing either, the guy at apple said they got the permit in anticipation of 20k people. That doesn't mean 20k people will show up.
I'll do a head count for you. Im also gonna time how long it takes me from the line till the purchase.
I am planning to get there about midnight, maybe slightly before, I hope that the queue is not too big to be able to get a 32GB 3G at 8am, I can afford a 64GB but would prefer a 32
I saw some footage of one of the stores when the iPad launched in the US, but apart from a lot of cheering and whistling it was difficult for me to gauge how many people were there - it coulda been a lot, or a very noisy excitable few.
If anyone's planning on going down there (Regent St) I would be interested to know first hand how many people they thought might have been there (when it happens) - rather than what the media say were expected or were there (we know they pad stuff out or make it up !) I'd rather pluck out my (remaining better sighted) eye than go to a product launch ... but I would be interested to know how it goes.
Do we, as "more reserved" Brits, just not go in for this mass hysteria / queueing for days / gathering in huge hordes thing like our US cousins do ? I wonder if there'll be any high fiving from staff and customers after purchasing in the UK as there was in the US ?
I'd love to know what percentage of US iPads were bought from brick stores on the launch weekend versus those bought online for delivery, and compare that with the same percentages in the UK at launch. I suspect we don't enjoy the hype in store so much here in the UK - some of us obviously go mad fer it, but I tend to think we would, on the whole, rather get it delivered to our door. Reserved or just lazy b*stards ?
People and cultural differences are endlessly fascinating to me, sorry.
I couldn't agree more, and I most definitely share your fascination for cultural differences.
If anybody tried to "high five' me in the shop, I'd demand my money back.
You reminded me of when I bought my last iPhone from the O2 store on launch day. I was the only person in the shop, and the sales assistant was totally disinterested and bored. However, after completing the sale, she suddenly held the iPhone bag up in front of me in a rather awkward way, a forced smile appeared on her face, and she said "enjoy your new iPhone" in this kind of robotic voice. She'd obviously been told to say that, and clearly resented it deeply. That made my day.
On the high five thing I was the first person out of the apple store in Sheffield for the 3GS launch and there were about 4 apple employees there who shook my hand it was the most uncomfortable moment in my life. I think it is just an english thing to like impersonal bad service we have an american girl at work who is lovely and really happy and for a month we all thought she was putting it on but she just is nice
Cool, if you got an iphone then maybe you could post your thoughts on here whilst in the queue. I'm after the 32 gig 3g but would consider the 64gig 3g if 32 was sold out.
I mentioned on these forums a week or so go that I would rather pre-order and pickup at the Apple store. I did this for the 3GS on the day of release at the Trafford Centre and really enjoyed it. No bun fight. A very pleasant experience with other enthusiasts. The Apple employees were very good supplying coffee and biscuits even before the store opened. And no high fives.
Cool, if you got an iphone then maybe you could post your thoughts on here whilst in the queue. I'm after the 32 gig 3g but would consider the 64gig 3g if 32 was sold out.
Battery permitting I will do that for sure
The stores are not taking reservations at present. If you have a look at the top of the iPad forums here there is a Launch Meetups forum. I think Liverpool has been mentioned a good few times.
To those debating which iPad model to go for, here's my 2p worth. Consider the iPhone sizes; I have a 16GB iPhone 3Gs and find that 16GB is more than enough to carry around a pre-selected variety of music, latest audio and video podcasts and some photos and still have plenty of space left over for capturing new photos and video and having all my favourite apps installed. For me, 16GB is the sweet spot for the iPhone and 8GB on my wife's 3G feels rather limited.
On my iPad, 16GB feels rather limited, primarily because the form factor and beautiful display is just asking to be synchronised with more video and photo content than you would on the iPhone with it's limited resolution. I'd say if you can stretch to the 32GB (or 64GB!), do it. You can't add capacity on later and the extra 16GB will make all the difference in the number of movies, podcasts and photo content you can sync with it.
I know what I'm saying seems obvious, but if you need any encouragement to get the 'next model up', let this be it
Incidentally, it's cheaper to get the 32GB Wi-Fi only iPad than the 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G iPad - I'd rather get the 32GB Wi-Fi and pair it with a MiFi than get a 16GB model with a SIM slot, on the logic that you'll be having more problems with running out of space than you will running out of data access.
Just my 2p.
On my iPad, 16GB feels rather limited, primarily because the form factor and beautiful display is just asking to be synchronised with more video and photo content than you would on the iPhone with it's limited resolution. I'd say if you can stretch to the 32GB (or 64GB!), do it. You can't add capacity on later and the extra 16GB will make all the difference in the number of movies, podcasts and photo content you can sync with it.
I know what I'm saying seems obvious, but if you need any encouragement to get the 'next model up', let this be it
Incidentally, it's cheaper to get the 32GB Wi-Fi only iPad than the 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G iPad - I'd rather get the 32GB Wi-Fi and pair it with a MiFi than get a 16GB model with a SIM slot, on the logic that you'll be having more problems with running out of space than you will running out of data access.
Just my 2p.
It's interesting, isnt it ? We're all human beings, but where you grew up can sometimes make you have a totally different personality. Well of course we all know this (stupid thing to say really, lol)- but if you consider the same main variables - say, to assume that in this model a Brit person grows up with a caring parent/s, enough to eat, is happy, mixes well with other kids - and the same for a US person ----- then we find that a US person buying an Apple product is happy to high five staff, and get all excited like a cute puppy dog (that's not a slight - I like puppy dogs
). Yet the Brit is pleased to buy his Apple item but finds hand shaking and forced jollity excruciatingly uncomfortable.Having said that, I often think that younger people in the UK (she said, sounding really old !) these days are buying more into that "zomg !" culture. Is it because they have access to and interact with a less reserved culture (i.e. the US to name but one) through the internet, or is it that we, as a multicultural society (whether one likes it or not) are having our stiff upper lip watered down ?
Fascinating.
Anyway - back to the iPad.
My UPS tracking hasn't updated with any info yet (still not found), but I see from the other tread that others have and that the iPads appear to be in the UK already. I wonder if that is true ?I couldn't agree more, and I most definitely share your fascination for cultural differences.
If anybody tried to "high five' me in the shop, I'd demand my money back.
You reminded me of when I bought my last iPhone from the O2 store on launch day. I was the only person in the shop, and the sales assistant was totally disinterested and bored. However, after completing the sale, she suddenly held the iPhone bag up in front of me in a rather awkward way, a forced smile appeared on her face, and she said "enjoy your new iPhone" in this kind of robotic voice. She'd obviously been told to say that, and clearly resented it deeply. That made my day.
You gotta larf - it's like when you hear "Have a nice day" or "You got it" from drive thru staff who sound like they plainly couldn't give a toss if the second you left your car rolled into a ditch and burst into flames --- but that's how they're trained and so they've got to say it. It makes me smile for all the wrong reasons. lol.A month or two ago when the Apple Store in Bath was opened I asked my girlfriend if she would kindly go to try and get me the opening day T-Shirt. She did and wasn't happy about it. When they opened the doors the staff were clapping and cheering and she had to high-five every one of them! She has no love for Apple products, no hate either mind you, and she said it was excruciatingly uncomfortable! Then when she got her T-Shirt she couldn't just leave so she had to feign interest which of course cues up us Brits other shopping hate "Can I help you?".
Anyway to wrap this story up, I have my T-Shirt (which by the way is the worst designed Apple product I've ever seen) and she now has an iPhone.
Anyway to wrap this story up, I have my T-Shirt (which by the way is the worst designed Apple product I've ever seen) and she now has an iPhone.
My pet hate is when they come up to you in one of these fast food establishments and ask "is everything ok" without the least bit of interest. On one occasion I said no, the food was cold. It went straight over her head as she obviously was on autopilot. And off she went.
It's almost as bad as when your served some food and they come out with that horrible phrase.."Enjoy". Make me cringe.
It's almost as bad as when your served some food and they come out with that horrible phrase.."Enjoy". Make me cringe.
Has anyone made plans what he is going to do on friday to pass time while waiting for TNT or UPS?
I didn't watch last wednesdays and yesterdays episode of lost so I have 3 hours of lost which I am really looking forward to topped by my iPad beeing brought to my doorstep.
Nerdiest day ever. Hard to believe I have friends...