Unlocked 3G iPhone to Launch in Italy?

[sjo]

You consider 100 off the low end version of the phone to be a "firesale?" I'm sure they didn't sell quite as many as they had hoped but as evidenced by the fact that they haven't sold the iPhone in all the countries yet they wanted to see how much of an impact 2.5G vs 3G would make. So they got their market research and made a pretty big chunk of change in the process.

they found out absolutely nothing about the difference 3g would make. what they did was anger the operators they're supposed to "co-operate" with and made it more difficult to negotiate with the operators they're hoping to co-operate with, leading into less favorable terms in the future.

There are two camps in terms of releasing a product before it's perfect. It's not like the iPhone is complete junk. I'm sure there are a lot of arguments against it but it's still in the press and then when Apple releases iPhone 2.0 they can say "hey, look, all those things you were complaining about, you've got them." I think it would take more than a non-3G enabled iPhone to ruin the image of Apple. It's still the best all-in-one portable experience on the planet. (I haven't spoken with the Martians so I can't comment on their technology )

if you thing iphone 2.0 is "perfect" and with all the features preventing sales of v1.0, i've got a bridge to sell to you. the competitors are not sitting on their hands and are releasing at space far greater than 1/year.

As far the hype - that wasn't Apple's fault. That's all about the media, Apple didn't create the hype, Apple didn't go around saying we sold 15 million in 3 hours, it was the media. Again, the media likes to take things and blow them out of proportion (like nobody has ever heard that before).

yeah right apple didn't create any hype lol.

Of course the silence from Apple didn't help the hype but that's standard Apple, that's what they do. But still, the insane estimates of sales never came from Apple so saying it didn't live up to the hype is like saying Star Wars didn't gross 600 million domestic (Ep III)so it didn't live up to the hype either...

you obviously had difficulties to understand my statement earlier, so let me clarify it:

1) in europe, the iphone sales have been far belove the expectations of every party involved, including apple, as evidences by the sale

2) in the us, the iphone sales have been in the low end of apple's expectations, and nowhere near the numbers the hype has lead the general public, analysts, enthusiasts etc (=other than apple) to expect.

 

[bigmc6000]

they found out absolutely nothing about the difference 3g would make. what they did was anger the operators they're supposed to "co-operate" with and made it more difficult to negotiate with the operators they're hoping to co-operate with, leading into less favorable terms in the future.

if you think iphone 2.0 is "perfect" and with all the features preventing sales of v1.0, i've got a bridge to sell to you. the competitors are not sitting on their hands and are releasing at space far greater than 1/year.

yeah right apple didn't create any hype lol.

you obviously had difficulties to understand my statement earlier, so let me clarify it:

1) in europe, the iphone sales have been far belove the expectations of every party involved, including apple, as evidences by the sale

2) in the us, the iphone sales have been in the low end of apple's expectations, and nowhere near the numbers the hype has lead the general public, analysts, enthusiasts etc (=other than apple) to expect.

I never said iPhone 2.0 was perfect, just simply better than 1.0. I would certainly argue that they learned a lot when it came to 2.5 vs 3G. We don't really know yet but I wouldn't be surprised to hear in a few months they they ramped up their efforts on the 3G iPhone because the 2.5G wasn't selling quite as rampant as they hoped. Now I said "hoped", not "expected." I don't think Apple ever expected to take Europe by storm with a 2.5G iPhone. There were plenty of online surveys asking about 2.5G vs 3G, you think Apple wasn't behind those? They are smarter than you give them credit for.

Did it fall a little short of expectations, sure. Did it tank? No, not even close. As far as US sales I would hardly say they've stunk, they can't even keep the stupid things in stock in NYC. Also, I think saying all the carriers are pissed is missing a vital point - all the carries are STILL MAKING MONEY off the iPhone. As long as they are making money (and some switchers) they couldn't care less...

Again, this isn't a Gigli, it's more like, say, the second Matrix. (which did quite well financially speaking)

 

[samab]

Did it fall a little short of expectations, sure. Did it tank? No, not even close. As far as US sales I would hardly say they've stunk, they can't even keep the stupid things in stock in NYC. Also, I think saying all the carriers are pissed is missing a vital point - all the carries are STILL MAKING MONEY off the iPhone. As long as they are making money (and some switchers) they couldn't care less...

AT&T activated 900K iphones in Q3 and activated 900K iphones in Q4.

Consumer electronics live and die by the christmas quarter and the iphone activation stalled in the christmas quarter. That is the very definition of sales tanking.

 

[bigmc6000]

AT&T activated 900K iphones in Q3 and activated 900K iphones in Q4.

Consumer electronics live and die by the christmas quarter and the iphone activation stalled in the christmas quarter. That is the very definition of sales tanking.

Apple Q4 Earning report:
"1,119,000 iPhones, bringing cumulative fiscal 2007 sales to 1,389,000. Oppenheimer also said that Apple saw $118 million in revenue share from AT&T iPhone sales."

How exactly did AT&T activate 900k iPhones when Apple only sold 280k in Q3?

Also, check the sales numbers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Iphone_sales.svg

 

[gugy]

just give me soon the damn iPhone 3G with 32gig storage for $499 and I am happy!

 

[samab]

Apple Q4 Earning report:
"1,119,000 iPhones, bringing cumulative fiscal 2007 sales to 1,389,000. Oppenheimer also said that Apple saw $118 million in revenue share from AT&T iPhone sales."

How exactly did AT&T activate 900k iPhones when Apple only sold 280k in Q3?

Also, check the sales numbers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Iphone_sales.svg

Apple use "shipment" numbers --- also Apple's 2007 fiscal years ends on September 31, 2007 (not Dec 31, 2007)..

Go and look at the AT&T SEC filings and conference calls and they will say that Q3 (900K activation with 40% new subscribers) and Q4 (900K activation with 40% new subscribers).

http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/01/att-less-than-900000-iphones-activated-in-q4-t-aapl.html

 

[bigmc6000]

Apple use "shipment" numbers --- also Apple's 2007 fiscal years ends on September 31, 2007 (not Dec 31, 2007)..

Go and look at the AT&T SEC filings and conference calls and they will say that Q3 (900K activation with 40% new subscribers) and Q4 (900K activation with 40% new subscribers).

http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/01/att-less-than-900000-iphones-activated-in-q4-t-aapl.html

I was pretty sure that rumor got debunked when Oppenheimer said, explicitly, Apple's numbers are sold, not shipped. If there was some official word from Apple saying those numbers were shipped I'll be glad to agree. However, AT&T saying 900k iPhones, big deal. What exactly is your point? Apple still sold them, it just so happens that people not activating them with AT&T bought them.

 

[iDarbert]

Repubblica is a well respected publication in Italy.

I'm sorry to point out but La Repubblica is NOT a well respected pubblication, especially when it comes to technology.

Just on the top of my head they called Mac OS X Leopard "Mac OS X Gattopardo" and they called AppleTV a service.
Plus they constantly publish rumors as news and often show not to know anything about technology.

 

[samab]

I was pretty sure that rumor got debunked when Oppenheimer said, explicitly, Apple's numbers are sold, not shipped. If there was some official word from Apple saying those numbers were shipped I'll be glad to agree. However, AT&T saying 900k iPhones, big deal. What exactly is your point? Apple still sold them, it just so happens that people not activating them with AT&T bought them.

How is it debunked?

Apple in their SEC filings use "shipment numbers". The only thing that differs among wall street analysts is the percentage of those "missing" iphones into the 2 categories (unlocked vs. carrier inventory).

If you look deep into the Apple SEC filings, you will see that Apple recognized $123 million in iphone revenue in the September quarter.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix...vPXRlbmsmaXBhZ2U9NTI4NjAzNSZkb2M9MSZudW09NDM=

Whatever amount of iphones sold in the September quarter --- Apple is recognizing $123 million each over the next 8 quarters.

Then look into the Apple December quarter filing, Apple recognized $241 million in iphone revenue. Notice that from their accounting method, they should include $123 million in deferred revenue from their September iphone sales. So their Christmas quarter is only getting $118 million for the iphone.

http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/107357/Q108_Form_10_Q.pdf

 

[Plutonius]

Hi, Apple arranged a revenue sharing agreement with T-mobile.

Carry on.

So ? Maybe I'm missing something but how did that rip you off ?

You don't need to get the iPhone or subscribe with T-mobile if you didn't like the terms.

If you got an iPhone with T-mobile, complain instead about how foolish you were. Nobody ripped you off. You just threw money at them.

 

[al.deluca]

iPhone in Italy

Price 499 EURO
Arrive in two weeks...

These are voices coming from a retailer...

 

[bigmc6000]

How is it debunked?

Apple in their SEC filings use "shipment numbers". The only thing that differs among wall street analysts is the percentage of those "missing" iphones into the 2 categories (unlocked vs. carrier inventory).

If you look deep into the Apple SEC filings, you will see that Apple recognized $123 million in iphone revenue in the September quarter.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix...vPXRlbmsmaXBhZ2U9NTI4NjAzNSZkb2M9MSZudW09NDM=

Whatever amount of iphones sold in the September quarter --- Apple is recognizing $123 million each over the next 8 quarters.

Then look into the Apple December quarter filing, Apple recognized $241 million in iphone revenue. Notice that from their accounting method, they should include $123 million in deferred revenue from their September iphone sales. So their Christmas quarter is only getting $118 million for the iphone.

http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/107357/Q108_Form_10_Q.pdf

So, is that a yes or no for the formal word from Apple saying they use shipment numbers because I know for a fact that Oppenheimer said "sold" when asked if those were shipped or sold.

 

[macerroneous]

On sale this summer

September 19 is last Friday in Summer.

 

[northy124]

Price 499 EURO
Arrive in two weeks...

These are voices coming from a retailer...

Retailer of what? Phones or Lies J/K How do you know?

 

[samab]

So, is that a yes or no for the formal word from Apple saying they use shipment numbers because I know for a fact that Oppenheimer said "sold" when asked if those were shipped or sold.

Can you give me a link to what Oppenheimer said?

Because I remember Oppenheimer specifically said that some of the difference between the AT&T number and Apple's shipment number is in the channel.

http://www.news.com/ATT,-Apple-differ-on-the-iPhone-gap/2100-1047_3-6198884.html

 

[JGowan]

Maybe there's pressure from other 3G phone makers out there, but it seems to me (based on viewing 3G coverage maps) that it's too spotty here in the U.S. to be really profitable at the moment.

There are times Apple just needs to be a bit more patient.

I don't agree. The 3G coverage for most metropolitan areas is pretty good actually, and great in some of the even larger Metro areas. And that's where the business class live and work -- and those are the people that Steve wants to take away from RIM.

Sure other rural areas don't have the 3G coverage but Steve doesn't care about those local yokels. But he's probably not selling a lot of phones to them either. He's selling to the people he's got the Apple stores in, typically forward-moving business cities where people want 3G.

When the 3G phone hits, many BlackBerry customers will jump ship for Apple and many thousands of iPhone v.1 users will drop their original phone for a new one.

 

[JGowan]

Some countries get unlocked phones, some won't, and some won't get the phone at all? Jeesh, tired of this.

While I feel your pain, try and really understand the type of business boardroom BS that getting an iPhone to be sold and used on the different networks out there and trying to negotiate all of the money-making aspects of the phone market. Then try and do it not only in the US but in every other country in the world were there are all types of laws that have to be followed. Apple, in my opinion, is doing amazing for a company who NEVER had any type of experience at the cell phone world before. I think we should give them a break and realize that they are simply trying to make it all work.

 

[dgdosen]

What about 1st gen users?

Does anyone know AT&T's policy for us fanboys who went out there an bought an iPhone in June of last year? Are we locked into a two year contract with AT&T?

I imagine Apple would like to let us iPhone 1G early adopters also pay a premium for that new 3G iphone , Do we know if AT&T will release us from our contracted shackles?

 

[BongoBanger]

Does anyone know AT&T's policy for us fanboys who went out there an bought an iPhone in June of last year? Are we locked into a two year contract with AT&T?

I imagine Apple would like to let us iPhone 1G early adopters also pay a premium for that new 3G iphone , Do we know if AT&T will release us from our contracted shackles?

AT&T probably won't care if you cough up for the full price of the new unit.

Which fanboys probably will.

*Sigh*

 

[BongoBanger]

We're not talking a Gigli type of situation here. There are still a large number of iPhones running around Europe. (Another Box Office reference) Just because it was estimated at a 70million weekend and only pulled in 50million doesn't make it a failure. Now the media and those expecting 70million will think it is but monetarily, yeah, they are fine.

I was thinking more of the expectation to sell about 500-600K units by end December and only actually shifting about 350K.

 

[donniedarko]

I dont get why everyone is so hyped on 3G. Our 3G infrastructure is the worst in the world for such a first world modern country. Pathetic. Hardly something to buy over the 2.5G phone.

I traded in my phone for a gift card less the 35$ fee, and have been waiting for the new Infineon chip not because of the 3G. Potential of 5mp photos is why. Thats legit. Hopefully the Dev team can hack that.

Bigger flash would be good as well. 2.0 softie, well see, how it really turns out. I could give a rats ass about Server software etc... dont need it.

 

[spunkybart]

Off Topic -- answer to Shov

Is it a US thing to use an 'an' in front of words beginning with H?

Shov -- I don't claim to be an expert, but I only use "an" when the H is silent, and the word sounds like it starts with a vowel.

So, I would say an honor to meet you -- because I don't say the "h" sound in honor.

I would also say an herb -- again because I don't say the "h" in herb. (That is different among different American accents).

Historical is a different matter. When I say it by itself, I do pronounce the "h." But if I say it with the indefinite article in front of it, I say "an historical monument" -- meaning I don't say the h in that case. If you do say the H in that case, then you should say "a historical monument."

 

[bacaramac]

Does anyone know AT&T's policy for us fanboys who went out there an bought an iPhone in June of last year? Are we locked into a two year contract with AT&T?

I imagine Apple would like to let us iPhone 1G early adopters also pay a premium for that new 3G iphone , Do we know if AT&T will release us from our contracted shackles?

Should work the same way it did for the first time you bought it. I upgraded from 4GB model to 8GB model and just put my old Sim card in the 8GB iPhone and reactivated via iTunes. Simple as that. It may extend your contract, but atleast in my case I will always need a cell phone so who cares.

 

[bigmc6000]

I dont get why everyone is so hyped on 3G. Our 3G infrastructure is the worst in the world for such a first world modern country. Pathetic. Hardly something to buy over the 2.5G phone.

I traded in my phone for a gift card less the 35$ fee, and have been waiting for the new Infineon chip not because of the 3G. Potential of 5mp photos is why. Thats legit. Hopefully the Dev team can hack that.

Bigger flash would be good as well. 2.0 softie, well see, how it really turns out. I could give a rats ass about Server software etc... dont need it.

Why is it that people just look at geographical coverage of the 3G network in the states? Look at the number of people covered by 3G.
http://www.macworld.com/article/131994/2008/02/att3g.html
so by the end of 2008 AT&T's network will cover 350 cities. Considering the largest 200 cities in the US constitute over 70 million people and AT&T is only adding 80 cities I don't think it's much of a stretch to say 85-100 million Americans are inside the 3G service area. Also, that doesn't even take into consideration all the people who have 3G at their work or where they hang out but live in a non-3G area.

Go here and click on the "in select areas" link and you'll see a list of every city that has 3G.
http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/
It's fairly easy to see that the # of people covered by AT&T's 3G network is as many as the most populous country in Europe (Germany has, according to Wiki, about 83million people http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe) (Excluding Russia). Now if you want to compare the US to the EU then yeah, the US pales in comparison for coverage but last time I checked the EU wasn't a country.

 

[farmboy]

A better question is

The King's English is dead in America. Sure, people try their best with spelling and being grammatically correct, but "American English" is spoken in the U.S. and the "King's English" for Great Britain.

My pet peeve is ending a sentence with a preposition such as, "Where is the Apple store at?"

and

The word "a lot" is two words!

That being said, feel free to burn any spelling and grammar errors I may have made in my rant.

"Why?" Why not end a sentence in a preposition? What possible difference does it make--is the sentence rendered unintelligible? Most of these "rules" are absolutely arbitrary and handed down by self-appointed grammarians.
And why not use "alot"? It is completely understandable. Are you rigorously following the grammar strictures of 200 years ago? I think not. And can you read Chaucer in the original English? Again (for 99%), I think not. Language is a living thing and common usage trumps rules.

How do you say "niche"? "Neesh" or "Nitch". The correct (yet not widely accepted) way is "nitch," as the word has been in the English language since about 1066. But whatever becomes the most common usage will win out.