One Week After iPad 2 Launch: Long Lines Still Abound

[btcutter]

That does not fully compute. No one will create production lines to produce units at the rate of intial sales. That will be stupid indeed. Normally, the solution for that initial demand is to start manufacturing early to build up the inventory. And I can understand if there is some mismatch in their projection and the actual demand. But even after a week, if all they can supply is few dozens here and a few dozens there, that is not fully explained by the usual mismatch... The lack of information about this from Apple is the bummer for me.

People realize that iPad 2 is made of multiple components and that are controlled by various companies and limitations of those factories. Even the components are limited by the raw material that's available.

Not every company or factory roll over for Apple nor is Apple their ONLY customer.

I don't understand the fuzz. No one MADE anyone wait in line KNOWING that the supply is very limited now. One can order online and just wait for their iPad 2 to arrive. One month isn't going to kill you. No one NEEDs the iPad 2 IMMEDIATELY.

 

[btcutter]

Funny. I seem to recall Final Fantasy VII being in plentiful supply for reserves.

computer game vs a actual component? seriously.

 

[Popeye206]

Yes, so it seems....

Apple wants to avoid this negative press, so no more "pre-orders" or "reservations"...

http://www.dailytech.com/Verizon+iP...s+is+Back+to+Work++From+Home/article20891.htm

Just to add.... the funny thing is you can reserve an iPad2 and not wait in line. Just go on-line and order one. Now you have one reserved and are in the cue. That simple. If you can't wait that long... you always have the option of trying to get lucky at the stores.

Peoples complaints about this is so silly.

 

[ozred]

Apple has mastered control of the supply chain. They have maximized press coverage with this release.

Well said. Apple has become better at marketing, manipulating their customers and press than any company I know.

The masters of control, Apple has become the puppeteer. Pulling everyone's strings with such skill, it's truly amazing.

Shipping a lower grade product than they ever have, it's accepted by the masses no problem.

After all Apples created the illusion that you're "Lucky To Get One".

Becoming downright obsessed and desperate for whatever product Apples hawking, they spend hour after hour either standing in line, like beggars at a soup kitchen, or calling stores, creating scripts to check inventory or... well it just goes on and on.

It's the best show to watch.

You've got to hand it to Apple, they've got nearly everyone under their control.

The customers eat it up like a cold bowl of rancid porridge.

 

[gnasher729]

You could pick one up on ebay. iPad 2 64 Gb WiFi + 3G $1699.00 (free shipping).

That is truly idiotic. You should have no problem finding someone who sits in a queue for a few hours for $200. And imagine this $1699.00 device doesn't work (it all happens), you go to the store for a replacement and they tell you it will be replaced as soon as they have enough in a week or two

I think this launch is turning into something of a fiasco for Apple because it's so irritating for customers. While I certainly don't think that Apple has caused a deliberate shortage, and I think that they were surprised by the demand, they have handled the distribution poorly. And they are not amateurs at this.

Very simple: Just don't queue for it. A bit of self hypnosis to convince yourself that you are British, and pick one up in a US strore on the 25th on March when it is released in the UK without any queueing

 

[alhedges]

Very simple: Just don't queue for it. A bit of self hypnosis to convince yourself that you are British, and pick one up in a US strore on the 25th on March when it is released in the UK without any queueing

I suspect that there will still be long lines on March 25th. (And I ordered mine on March 11).

 

[liavman]

Yes, so it seems....

Apple wants to avoid this negative press, so no more "pre-orders" or "reservations"...

http://www.dailytech.com/Verizon+iP...s+is+Back+to+Work++From+Home/article20891.htm

I sincerely believe Apple does not listen to these moron "journalists". This idiot writes "Intriguingly, despite supposedly being "superior" to AT&T in terms of service quality, the turnout at Verizon seemed quite anemic to the hordes of people that camped outside Apple and AT&T stores last July...." Ha...

 

[DrJohnnyN]

I love my iPad 2.

 

[gorgeousninja]

Funny. I seem to recall Final Fantasy VII being in plentiful supply for reserves.

Are you trying to compare the 'launch' of FFVII to the iPad2? You are? really? wow!

 

[Taka]

Well said. Apple has become better at marketing, manipulating their customers and press than any company I know.

The masters of control, Apple has become the puppeteer. Pulling everyone's strings with such skill, it's truly amazing.

Shipping a lower grade product than they ever have, it's accepted by the masses no problem.

After all Apples created the illusion that you're "Lucky To Get One".

Becoming downright obsessed and desperate for whatever product Apples hawking, they spend hour after hour either standing in line, like beggars at a soup kitchen, or calling stores, creating scripts to check inventory or... well it just goes on and on.

It's the best show to watch.

You've got to hand it to Apple, they've got nearly everyone under their control.

The customers eat it up like a cold bowl of rancid porridge.

I don't know, it actually is a really nice experience using the iPad 2. All of the gadget blogs clearly agree that it is way better than the rest of the competition at a price point that is far superior. I actually prefer it to browsing sites on a PC now. The only thing I find lacking on the iPad 2 is the camera quality, everything else just works amazingly well. I tried it once via FaceTime to an iPhone 4 and it did the job just fine though. Too each their own, I guess.

 

[Erwin-Br]

This is the now generation.
This is the generation now.
We are the now generation.
I want, I want, I want it now.
I want cold hard cash.
I want, I want, I want it now.

And I just can’t wait.
I need it immediately.
And I just can’t wait.
I want it immediately.
Cause’ the time can’t wait and
I sure can’t wait.
I ain’t got no patience.
No, I sure can’t wait.

--Black Eyed Peas: Now Generation

 

[tkingart]

I own an iPad 32gb 3G, and when I stopped into Best Buy the other day to toy with the idea of getting a MacBook Air to use for meetings at work, my brother, girlfriend and I all decided to take 5 minutes to play around with the white and black iPad 2 demo units. (nobody else was there messing with them which surprised me.)

First impressions; it is lighter and thinner, it has cameras. So we loaded a few games, and I could not detect any major increase in performance, except that the games ran well considering I spent the remaining 4 minutes closing all the running apps; which from what I could tell was every single app on the device.

When I walked away; I had that "meh I already have an iPad" feeling, guess I wasn't impressed enough to want and stand in line for one. Don't get me wrong- it's a superior device, but again, I thought to myself, if you already own an iPad just wait it out, what's the big deal? Hopefully there will be stricter quality control when they aren't trying to produce a million of these per day, then I'll buy one.

Oh I forgot to add- my girlfriend was thoroughly impressed with the pink color smart cover. She wants the cover. lol

 

[revelated]

computer game vs a actual component? seriously.

He said "popular product". He didn't say specific product types. I'm simply debunking that wild-eyed statement that "popular products" always sell out, which simply isn't true if the vendor adequately stocks stores, which Apple did not.

 

[*LTD*]

Well said. Apple has become better at marketing, manipulating their customers and press than any company I know.

The masters of control, Apple has become the puppeteer. Pulling everyone's strings with such skill, it's truly amazing.

Shipping a lower grade product than they ever have, it's accepted by the masses no problem.

After all Apples created the illusion that you're "Lucky To Get One".

Becoming downright obsessed and desperate for whatever product Apples hawking, they spend hour after hour either standing in line, like beggars at a soup kitchen, or calling stores, creating scripts to check inventory or... well it just goes on and on.

It's the best show to watch.

You've got to hand it to Apple, they've got nearly everyone under their control.

The customers eat it up like a cold bowl of rancid porridge.

Or maybe it's actually a great product. Apple kinda has a knack for making them.

Low grade product?

You mean the Xoom, right?

Adobe Flash 10.2 Beta for Android Honeycomb Beta running on a Xoom Beta.

AND NOW . . . pay money for this.

Apple isn't the only one responsible for iPad lineups. The competition is as well. For being unable top release anything coherent.

Apple draws crowds because people WANT what they make, despite the ocean of alternatives out there. Consumers recognize a higher value proposition with Apple products because when using these products, it is clear that the company that made them actually gives a **** about what they produce.

Geeks are supposed to be smart, right Ozzie? So why stop now?

 

[Zepaw]

I can understand a launch day line. You really want this so bad you are going to keep lining up each morning? Where do you work that you have the time and money to do this?

 

[TxdoHawk]

Where do you work that you have the time and money to do this?

I'd bet a good portion of these people are unemployed and looking to scalp.

 

[davewyman]

alhedges wrote:

"I think this launch is turning into something of a fiasco for Apple because it's so irritating for customers."

Yes. I am SO irritated that was dumb enough to order mine a few minutes before iPads were officially offered online.

And I SO irritated that the iPad and its accessories arrived at my home a day earlier than it was supposed to, this past Wednesday afternoon.

And I'm SO irritated that I'm playing with my new iPad 2 right now. ;-)

 

[GadgetAddict]

alhedges wrote:

"I think this launch is turning into something of a fiasco for Apple because it's so irritating for customers."

Yes. I am SO irritated that was dumb enough to order mine a few minutes before iPads were officially offered online.

And I SO irritated that the iPad and its accessories arrived at my home a day earlier than it was supposed to, this past Wednesday afternoon.

And I'm SO irritated that I'm playing with my new iPad 2 right now. ;-)

So you were thinking what to write and decided to go with the plain ol' "Stick it to their face!".

Ever heard of karma?..

 

[EiriasEmrys]

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In response to the quips about the "retards" waiting in long, "useless" lines. Something something pathetic, insert smartass comment here with a dash of judgement.

There is something to be said for the thrill of the wait and camradary felt waiting for stuff wih groups of like-minded people. I wait in line for all the Harry potter books and movies because it's a chance to geek out with a large group of people and feel the thrill of the wait. Truth is, people are all different and enjoy a lot of things most others migh consider ridiculous or retarded, but in their relative perspective these people could be enjoying themselves. I say live and let live.

 

[bassfingers]

I don't see why some people say this is pathetic. I say, for those of you who have

1. the extra cash
2. the extra time

to get an ipad 2 without going into debt, good job

 

[zenio]

This strikes me as Fox News like reporting. Talk about XXX but show footage of YYY to bolster your lies, er claims.

Apple did a good job of proving the value of smoke & mirrors trickery. Fox has taken a page out of the Apple play book.

To keep the headlines from all directions focused on Apple, the company gets free coverage.

Apple takes, their customers give. Apple Wins. Always.

Then in an amazing display of ignorance the customers brag how much money Apple has, as though it will benefit them.

Earlier someone called Apple a cult. Seems as though they were correct.

 

[tigress666]

That is truly idiotic. You should have no problem finding someone who sits in a queue for a few hours for $200. And imagine this $1699.00 device doesn't work (it all happens), you go to the store for a replacement and they tell you it will be replaced as soon as they have enough in a week or two

Shoot, if anyone in the seattle area needs some to stand in line for them I'll gladly do it for 200 dollars. I really need the money.

 

[cmaier]

Apple did a good job of proving the value of smoke & mirrors trickery. Fox has taken a page out of the Apple play book.

To keep the headlines from all directions focused on Apple, the company gets free coverage.

Apple takes, their customers give. Apple Wins. Always.

Then in an amazing display of ignorance the customers brag how much money Apple has, as though it will benefit them.

Earlier someone called Apple a cult. Seems as though they were correct.

Seems as if you have no idea what a cult is.

 

[DJsteveSD]

Sorry

Yes, there is a better way. For example, after the launch of the original iPad, you can get onto a wait list via the online store. Furthermore, you would select the model, Apple Store location, and provide an e-mail address. Then when your model became available, you'll get that e-mail to pickup your iPad at your primary store selection or a secondary store close by. This is how I received my first iPad and I feel that it was the most efficient manner to get the devices into the hands of the people without causing the current frustration.

your idea makes way too much sense to actually be put into place, its seems they want to p/o people and withhold information and models available until the very last second.

 

[firewood]

Those people waiting in line are like gerbils in a maze looking for a pellet. Aren't they even slightly embarrased standing in long lines for what amounts to a toy?

How 'bout compared to the ones that did stand in line for a toy?

I remember parents lining up in front of the toy stores during the cold holiday shopping season for Cabbage Patch dolls one year, Tickle Me Elmo's another year, & etc.

And this iPad is no toy. I know of developers making tons of money developing or selling iPad apps which are being deployed by large enterprises. There are probably thousands of them hot to get the latest development and testing device to get their apps out before the competition beats them to it.