iPhone 3G Store Displays, Demo Units, Apple Retail Launch

[GageGecko]

The spectacle of it all!

I'm just enjoying the spectacle of it all. Of course, I don't have much choice since work is providing the phone and they will just be placing the order on the 11th. I don't expect to get the phone until some weeks after.

I do hope people post more information about the launch as the week progresses. I want to know when the first real line forms, and I believe there will be a line. People are jonesing for this puppy pretty badly and I can definitely see some camping to make sure they get their phone this Friday.

Should be a hoot!

 

[Klaxons2012]

Use the cash and buy a gift card, and use the gift card to buy the phone. They can't deny you use of a gift card.

If people don't like the fact that they're doing this, you can always buy the iPhone from an AT&T store. I just had two clerks confirm that they're taking cash.

 

[scotto07]

Just like every other subsidized phone on the market only the person paying the monthly bill can change a phone. If she was authorized on your account she could go in and get you the phone but the iphone would start working right away.

In regards to the no contract phone, AT&T's website says that for 599/699 you can get a contract free phone, but it is still locked to att

 

[KindredMAC]

This is getting ridiculous....
You are going to have to have some sort of doctorate just to understand what you need to do in order to get a damn cell phone.

Here's an idea Apple and AT&T, go back to the iTunes activation and let those who want to unlock the friggin thing unlock it! It has done nothing but help the iPhone's mystique and allure.

Too many problems are coming, can just feel it in the air.

A) Wouldn't want Apple Store CS's messing with my AT&T account.
and
B) Wouldn't want some AT&T slimy stooly opening the box and touching my iPhone before me. And oh yes..... they are slimy. If you don't believe me just walk past an AT&T kiosk in any mall in America. If you aren't bombarded by enough bogus sales pitches to make you want to choke the stooly then you must have a high threshold for dealing with idiots.

 

[les5k]

Online Orders In The Us

I was reading about the O2 pre-orders online and saw that existing Iphone owners were unable to complete the online purchase of iphone 3g. Does anyone know if this will be the case for online orders for ATT. I was planning on ordering my phone online since I have to work Friday and won't be able to wait in the long line (though it was a blast last year), but I'm not sure how I'll have to go about activating the new phone and exchanging all of my information from my old phone. Will they let me do it through itunes? PLEASE HELP

 

[wildcardd]

\
B) Wouldn't want some AT&T slimy stooly opening the box and touching my iPhone before me. And oh yes..... they are slimy. If you don't believe me just walk past an AT&T kiosk in any mall in America. If you aren't bombarded by enough bogus sales pitches to make you want to choke the stooly then you must have a high threshold for dealing with idiots.

So tell them you want to plug the phone in yourself. There is no requirement for them to plug it into the connector.

 

[andrewjnyc]

I seem to recall MacRumors and other similar sites reporting awhile back that existing iPhone customers would be able to do at-home activations of 3G iPhones purchased at an Apple store, thereby greatly speeding things up at those stores (they'd have two lines, one for new activations and one for existing iPhone users). Was that debunked, or is there any chance that's what we'll encounter come Friday?

 

[gibbz]

I am personally getting quite sick about the iPhone, 9 of 10 posts at most Mac news sites are about the iPhone. Sure it's from Apple, sure it uses a reduced OS X, however I am sure many Mac users don't give a rats ass about the iPhone past its novelty gadget value.

Are Mac news so dry and unexciting these days?

It is the most recent product being released after all. If it sickens you so much, why are you reading and posting in an iPhone thread. You must be a masochist.

 

[btcutter]

I was reading about the O2 pre-orders online and saw that existing Iphone owners were unable to complete the online purchase of iphone 3g. Does anyone know if this will be the case for online orders for ATT. I was planning on ordering my phone online since I have to work Friday and won't be able to wait in the long line (though it was a blast last year), but I'm not sure how I'll have to go about activating the new phone and exchanging all of my information from my old phone. Will they let me do it through itunes? PLEASE HELP

You CAN'T order it online in US. At least on before or during launch day.

 

[nemaslov]

SO WILL THE BEATLES FINALLY BE ON ITUNES THIS FRIDAY?


just kidding. wanted to break it up a bit!

 

[jncoanalog]

Vodafone reveals Portugal prices for the iPhone

Not sure if this is the right place to publish this but didn't know where else to put it.

Vodafone Portugal announced the new iPhone 3G plans and prices:

The Plans start at 29.90€/month with 100min and 250Mb and ends in 64.90€/month for 500min and 250Mb, with an intermediate plan of 44.90€/month with 230min and 250Mb included.

If you choose to follow one of the 3 iPhone specific plans the iPhone itself will cost you from 129.90€ to 389.90€ and you must give them your actual phone.
If you don't want to sign contract you can buy it for 499.90€ for the 8Gb and 599.90€ for the 16Gb and you must give Vodafone your phone.

The plans are not a total rip off because before the iPhone you paid ~26€/month for 100min and 100Mb, so the first iPhone plan is actually acceptable. The only problem is here in Portugal we tend to prefer the pay & Go option, so I'm seeing this 499€ and 599€ price moving a lot of people away from the iPhone. In the business market the pre-paid options are more common though so this may actually boost iPhone sales.
I am not getting one unluckily, the 499€ is too high for me and i'm not moving away from my actual pay & go option, for 10€/month I get free unlimited SMS to the Vodafone network (we use SMS a LOT here in Portugal) and I can spend the 10€ in communications for other networks so I'm not moving from 10€/month to 29.90€/month, I would love to get my hands on an iPhone 3G as a I see it as a revolutionary device but being a student i simply can't afford the 499€ nor the 29.90€/month so my only hope is to wait and pray for a more affordable pay & go option.
Optimus is the other carrier that will sell the iPhone in Portugal but to my knowledge they didn't announced their prices yet.

Is not uncommon at all to see a person with 2 or 3 mobile phones here in Portugal so please Apple, talk to Vodafone and make them push the 499€ price down a little, 350 or 400€ is actually a fair price and would make lots of people to consider buying it in my opinion.

 

[GutBomb]

I was reading about the O2 pre-orders online and saw that existing Iphone owners were unable to complete the online purchase of iphone 3g. Does anyone know if this will be the case for online orders for ATT. I was planning on ordering my phone online since I have to work Friday and won't be able to wait in the long line (though it was a blast last year), but I'm not sure how I'll have to go about activating the new phone and exchanging all of my information from my old phone. Will they let me do it through itunes? PLEASE HELP

As far as I know Apple and AT&T have no plans for online ordering. If you want the phone you have to get it in store.

 

[aikomhoch]

OFFICIAL: Apple Stores will open at 8 am....and IF u are an AT&T customer with a phone other than the iPhone you will HAVE to go to an AT&T store...and you will not get the discounted price...This is because your current AT&T phone is most likley a subsidized phone that you got for free or a low price. You can't buy another subsidized phone (iPhone) during the same 2 year contract. If you are on verizon or another company...you will be able to use your phone when you walk out of the store with a 6 hour timeframe of your number being transfered. During this time you will still receive calls/texts on your old phone.

I'm confused. What if I have an ATT phone (not an iPhone) but I am eligible for an upgrade now? I am still eligible for the subsidized price, right? So can't I got to an Apple store?

 

[aikomhoch]

Update: We've heard conflicting tidbits about existing AT&T non-iPhone customers. To avoid confusion and delays, existing AT&T customers who do not currently own an iPhone should go an AT&T store (not an Apple Retail Store) to upgrade to the iPhone 3G.

This is based on assumptions and "hoping for the best," right? Or is this official?

 

[GutBomb]

I'm confused. What if I have an ATT phone (not an iPhone) but I am eligible for an upgrade now? I am still eligible for the subsidized price, right? So can't I got to an Apple store?

Many people here doubt apple is equipped to determine upgrade eligibility or not. Just because you and a printout from the at&t website say you are eligible, apple likely does not have access to at&t's accounting files which would say definitely yes or no, so your best bet is to go to the at&t store.

 

[stellaclose]

Worst Product Launch Ever

This launch on Friday has disaster written all over it.

I have never seen so much consumer confusion and dissatisfaction before a product launch; from the unknown pricing (ie if you're eligible for the upgrade price of $199 or not) as well as where to buy it from - we don't even know if some of us can buy it from the Apple Store or AT&T stores! Credit checks at the apple store???? WTF is that all about.

Add this to the emerging revolt of consumers to the price gauging by the phone companies around the world, phone bills over the next month far exceeding anyones expectations due to excess data charges, and this may possibly be the best example of how NOT to launch a product! From such positive consumer sentiment last year due to the simplicity, ease of purchase and activation, this year will be quite the opposite. Share price heading south Monday. 10 million units this year - if the current situation continues - no way!

Don't be surprised if we see a price drop on the non-subsidized price back to the old price of $399/$499 before the next 3 months is up, as well as memory bump to 32GB with the iPod/Touch updates in September.

 

[imwoblin]

As much as love Apple for their last minute surprises and keeping things secret until the last moment, you would think they would at least announce and publish all the official details as far as plans, who gets what pricing, etc....

 

[nemaslov]

As much as love Apple for their last minute surprises and keeping things secret until the last moment, you would think they would at least announce and publish all the official details as far as plans, who gets what pricing, etc....

I agree.
Just read all of the confusion here! And we are all supposedly more Mac Head friendly. It will not be a pretty sight!!!

 

[GutBomb]

I agree.
Just read all of the confusion here! And we are all supposedly more Mac Head friendly. It will not be a pretty sight!!!

well think about the people who don't read these sites. All they see are the ads that say $199. they have no idea about upgrade eligibility, contracts, etc... All they know is that the new iphone is coming on friday for $199.

Many people will be angry friday. I am hoping to get in and out of the mall early to avoid most of the drama. I'm going to a mall with both an AT&T store and an apple store. I'm an at&t iphone customer so I think I'll be fine at either place, so I'm going wherever the line is shorter. (i'll be waiting outside the mall for the doors to open before opening time)

 

[aikomhoch]

This is based on assumptions and "hoping for the best," right? Or is this official?

I just called AT&T. The rep. brought up my account and was looking directly at the record for my phone. While I am within two years, she confirmed that I am eligible for a discounted upgrade (ie. the subsidized iPhone price). She said that Apple Stores will have access to the exact same records AT*T stores will have, so they will "definitely" (her word) be able to see that I am eligible for an upgrade. She DID say that the Apple stores will be a bit more limited when it comes to "trickier" upgrades and such, but straight forward cases will not be a problem.

Hope that helps some people make their decision. I know I will be at my local Apple Store.

 

[Farani]

Wow I can't believe that lots of people have already decided that Friday will be a disaster. At this point, I really think this is unfounded. I know there are still a lot of questions and misinformation out but it's only Monday! I know everyone is saying every cell phone purchase ever has taken 45 minutes or longer but THIS IS APPLE! Give them the benefit of the doubt. They didn't produce a phone like anyone else, why can't they have another new, innovative activation process set for Friday? Apple has rarely ever done things like everyone else, so why would the launch be any different? I could very likely be eating my words on Friday and it could be a disaster. But, hey, lets wait and see before you call me a fool...

 

[chasgoose]

Wow I can't believe that lots of people have already decided that Friday will be a disaster. At this point, I really think this is unfounded. I know there are still a lot of questions and misinformation out but it's only Monday! I know everyone is saying every cell phone purchase ever has taken 45 minutes or longer but THIS IS APPLE! Give them the benefit of the doubt. They didn't produce a phone like anyone else, why can't they have another new, innovative activation process set for Friday? Apple has rarely ever done things like everyone else, so why would the launch be any different? I could very likely be eating my words on Friday and it could be a disaster. But, hey, lets wait and see before you call me a fool...

We are worried because Apple isn't the one responsible for the activation and contract signing process, AT&T is and we all know that AT&T makes things as difficult and complicated as they possibly can. Combine that with the fact that you will have an entire staff who has never set up cell phone contracts before doing it for their first time with a massive amount of customers all wanting an iPhone on the same day. They are going to have to come up with a radical plan to deal with the in-store activation or else its going to be a mess.

I still want to buy my iPhone at an Apple Store, but I fear that its not going to be a pretty sight.

 

[nemaslov]

Wow I can't believe that lots of people have already decided that Friday will be a disaster. At this point, I really think this is unfounded. I know there are still a lot of questions and misinformation out but it's only Monday! I know everyone is saying every cell phone purchase ever has taken 45 minutes or longer but THIS IS APPLE! Give them the benefit of the doubt. They didn't produce a phone like anyone else, why can't they have another new, innovative activation process set for Friday? Apple has rarely ever done things like everyone else, so why would the launch be any different? I could very likely be eating my words on Friday and it could be a disaster. But, hey, lets wait and see before you call me a fool...

YES that's the point. It is only Monday and only freaks like us are reading all these details. Most civilians in the world think they can prance into the store friday and simply pay 199 and done. Many will be upset to find out that day (since they are no reading this crap online all week) that that is not always the case. They all read last month about Steve Jobs telling the World that the iPhone is half the price. He didn't say that it was only cheaper for a chosen few million and not everyone.

 

[Farani]

YES that's the point. It is only Monday and only freaks like us are reading all these details. Most civilians in the world think they can prance into the store friday and simply pay 199 and done. Many will be upset to find out that day (since they are no reading this crap online all week) that that is not always the case. They all read last month about Steve Jobs telling the World that the iPhone is half the price. He didn't say that it was only cheaper for a chosen few million and not everyone.

I agree that it doesn't look good and that yes the majority of people will be uninformed. My only point is that it's still possible for Apple to have something up their sleeve to speed things up. That's all I'm trying to say. I'm just trying to be optimistic about it for once (which is extremely rare for me). Like I said, I'm probably wrong, but you can't just outright deny that Apple might have something yet. Lets just wait it out. If it's Thursday night and I still don't know what time my Apple store is opening, then I will be freaking out lol jk. I'm going to the AT&T store now anyways since my buddy isn't eligible for an upgrade.

 

[MacFly123]

Why don't you try getting out of T-Mobile with that change to text message pricing they made...

You should be able to terminate your contract free of charge due to that..

HELP ME!!! What are you talking about???

I am on T-Mobile and need to cancel my contract before I get my new iPhone and I don't wanna pay the fee either, so what is this that you are talking about exactly???

Thanks