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I did wonder the same thing myself, but the number of outlets to get the iPhone from surely means that queues would be somewhat diluted. I was in a queue at an O2 shop with only 10 people in it, and there is a CPW about 300 yards away that had a queue as well on launch night. I couldn't see the same hysteria being generated like they had in the States somehow.

One thing of note is that for us in the UK, we might have to 'buy' ourselves of our current contracts just to switch (no doubt the same applied to the US, but we're a little more precious about forking out money to cancel a contract then actually buy a phone instead of getting it free on contract)

Once we know the weekend figures I think the picture may be a little clearer.
 
Apple iPhone:
128347587844687500fail.jpg
 
I think the proof of the pudding will be in the first quarter sales: a lot of people in the UK will be already in contract and won't want to pay to get out, as has been said above. Also, despite the claims of massive media hype before launch, I didn't see that much advertising to be honest (less than I expected anyway). I think as well that a lot of sales will come after people see them in the wild and have a go themselves.

What people seem to be forgetting as well is that Apple were only ever aiming for 1% of the cellphone market (not that they'd be upset to get more, of course!). I reckon they'll get that: they seem to be on course for that in the USA anyway.
 
Anyone else notice a distinct, but very strong taste of sour grapes around here?

Personally, I couldn't give a damn if sales figures are disappointing. It's a good thing for the consumer that there is sufficient stock to go around, and people would be quick to complain if they could not get hold of them.

I've got mine and it is worth every single penny. I love it!

Posted on my iPhone: :p
 
Anyone else notice a distinct, but very strong taste of sour grapes around here?

Very noticeable… ;)

But isn't that one of the things that makes Britain "great"? If something is good, then cut it down and slag it off… It's a nasty trait

Thank god I am such an "idiot" to have fallen for the hype and bought myself one of these super expensive :rolleyes: 'phones…

:D:D
 
100000 in two days isn't bad. The British are more understated than Americans. Not 'cool' to queue for a media hyped gizmo (not my view but that's how it would look), it would be embarresing to tell people you were going to wait in a line for a phone, its too nerdy. People would calmly wait for any queue to subside and saunter in and get one. Also it was Friday night, most of the target market would have better things to do than wait in a queue when there is all weekend to get one.

Chris Moyles loved his and radio one were doing their best to hype it up.
 
Very noticeable… ;)

But isn't that one of the things that makes Britain "great"? If something is good, then cut it down and slag it off… It's a nasty trait

Thank god I am such an "idiot" to have fallen for the hype and bought myself one of these super expensive :rolleyes: 'phones…

:D:D

It's not good though.
Not with those rip off tariffs.

If I got one I wouldn't hack it. Does the iPhone send MMS?
 
I am one of apples biggest fans, I couldnt wait to get hold of the iphone and dont mind stumping out £269 but after going to my nearest apple store, holding it in my hands...I just think £35 a month on top of the phone itself is just too much. Yeah its neat but I think the novelty would wear off quick and I would be tied into an 18 month contract at £35 a month, thats £630 squids....Im sorry apple but I think its just too much at the moment. Maybe if 3G, slightly thinner like ipod touch, 16Gb and £25 a month...but currently only the die hardest of gadget lovers are gonna be buying :(
 
dddd
For the record, The Register is an extremely Anti-Mac web site. I don't believe anything those people write.


-Matt

No they aren't. In fact, they are quite to be balanced in their reviewing. They recently gave 10.5 a good review - and a good review at that.

One negative story about Apple does not make them 'Apple Haters'. :-\

I would never expect the UK iPhone launch to mirror the u.s one. European consumers expect a lot more... the cell phone markets there are more mature than the states.
 
As an "early adopter" I really, really hope it falls on its face in this country, which it seems to be doing. Because what happens then? They beef the tariffs or cut the cost.
 
Not really.. try handing the phone to someone who's not used one and get them to send a text. I did this yesterday.

1. He pressed 'SMS' - do far so good.
2. Screen comes up blank. He looks confused, hands phone back to me. I know that the text screen takes 10-15 seconds to come up fully but for a new user it's confusing. Hand it back to him.
3. He still doesn't know what to do. 'New message' icon is *not* clear.. it needs to be bigger and more obvious. I had to point it out to him.
4. Message comes up but *keypad is in alphabetic mode* (BUG I think - it makes no sense.. should be the phone keypad). By this time he's really frustrated and gives up.

Maybe I picked the worst app... I'm fairly convinced the SMS app was released to a deadline so is half finished anyway. OTOH I wouldn't even consider giving such a phone to my mother for example.

The reason it comes up in alpha mode is so that you can type a name that is in your address book. Most people don't send texts to people not in their address book.
 
It's not good though.
Not with those rip off tariffs.

If I got one I wouldn't hack it. Does the iPhone send MMS?


u should as macrumors "demi god"

and if u don't like it: don't buy it !! u know what to expect so if you are bothered with mms or 3g or whatever, you have been warned before !!

Personnaly i enjoy mine a lot, 101% happy with it !
 

I don't think the model Apple and O2 are using will really wash with UK punters who are used to getting handsets "for free". There are too many negatives associated with the iPhone for the gen 1 iPhone to really take off here:

1) It costs £279 + £35 contract - okay, so an iPod Touch costs £269 and it has no phone

2) It's locked to one network. As much as people might want the phone, they also hate the hassle involved in switching networks or switching numbers. And most people aren't techie enough to be comfortable hacking their phones.

3) It's not a 3G handset. Okay, so Edge might be technically better and being rolled out by O2, but coverage isn't going to be as good as 3G everywhere for a while

4) Like it or not, the camera in phones is now a major selling point for handsets and a 2 megapixel camera is soooooo 3 years ago!

5) It's a first gen handset by a manufacturer. Like me, many people might wait for prices to come down and for a second gen handset with any bugs ironed out.

Personally, I'll be waiting for a gen 2 iPhone at the very least. For now I'm happy with my iPod touch and my "free" Nokia N95 for the best of both worlds! :D

I played with an iPhone though and did love the Google maps application. Definitely worth hacking my iPod touch for.

SFK
 
Anyone else notice a distinct, but very strong taste of sour grapes around here?

There seems to be a distinct number of people trolling the topics in this forum which is getting a tad annoying. Neither apple or O2 disguise the costs involved in owning an iphone, its all well documented on both websites.

If you think its expensive that is your opinion, but having to read the same old posts all the time is wearing thin. No one is forcing you to buy one.
 
There seems to be a distinct number of people trolling the topics in this forum which is getting a tad annoying. Neither apple or O2 disguise the costs involved in owning an iphone, its all well documented on both websites.

If you think its expensive that is your opinion, but having to read the same old posts all the time is wearing thin. No one is forcing you to buy one.
In this particular thread the point of discussion is an apparent lack of enthusiasm for the iPhone from UK buyers, so it would seem perfectly justified that people who agree with this would post here. Don't you think?
 
Too many negatives!

Your opinion. Mine is that £35/month is excellent value for what it offers. £269 is cheaper than many 'premium' mobile are at launch. All in all, an excellent package.

I agree. This is not so much a mobile phone, rather an iPod touch, internet communicator and so on...

It is a premium item with the price to match. I think the tariffs are great. I am already doing heaps of surfing on EDGE and loving the fact unlimited data is there.

Comparing it to the latest cookie cutter handset from the usual suspects is missing the point of the iPhone really.

I think most people who are bashing the price have not used one for any length of time.

Two days and I could never go back to any other handset now.
 
In this particular thread the point of discussion is an apparent lack of enthusiasm for the iPhone from UK buyers, so it would seem perfectly justified that people who agree with this would post here. Don't you think?


Fair enough.

The thing is the fact there were any queues at all is pretty amazing for a phone when you think about it. When was the last time anyone queued for the latest Nokia / SE.

I still think the whole 6:02 was a total waste of time, and a security risk for the public. My local shop was on a very small street which is dead after the shops shut at 5:30 so I didn't appreciate having to walk back to my car in the pitch black dark at 6:30 with a £269 iphone.
 
The thing is the fact there were any queues at all is pretty amazing for a phone when you think about it. When was the last time anyone queued for the latest Nokia / SE.
When was the last time anyone else put so much effort in to creating so much hype?

Not to mention the fact that it's just a completely different kettle of fish anyway, Apple entering a new market is big news, SE or Nokia releasing a new phone isn't really much of a shocker ;)
 
Does the iPhone send MMS?

No, it does not.

But, do I spend my day sending sms and mms?

No, I don't. ;) So for me that was never going to be a deal-breaker.

As a phone device that helps me run my business and earn a living? I couldn't be happier. :)

What I really do wish the iPhone did was Flash. That is a definite drawback.

After 3 days and nights I'd say, for me, it is worth every £… :D
 
I think I've received one MMS. Ever. Sent a few pointless ones.

That said, I would rather the iPhone did have support for it (if/when I get one), for that one time someone does want to send you an MMS and you inform then you can't receive it because you have an iPhone. So they sneer "oh god you're using one of those Apple things that looks pretty but has less features, too bad" (you know what people are like). So you end up looking like some fashion victim.
 
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