Apple iPhone mad-rush stampede?
05/17/07 13:11 Filed in: the iPhone
After you purchase your iPhone, come back and download iPhone movies optimized for the iPhone's bright wide screen.
According to several reports, the anticipation of the release of the Apple iPhone is high with many wanting to be first in line to receive it. MacDailyNews states they have confirmed an official AT&T internal memo:
"To: All Company Owned Retail Employees
From: [Name removed]
Subject: iPhone Launch Period
Date: May 4, 2007
As previously announced, Apple and AT&T will soon debut the iPhone, which combines a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and breakthrough internet communications into one small and lightweight handheld device. The new AT&T has a multiyear, exclusive agreement to provide U.S. service for the iPhone.
To ensure proper staffing during the product launch period, Sales personnel planning to take approved time off are encouraged to schedule their vacations before June 15 or after July 15 to participate in the iPhone launch.
Previously approved vacation will be allowed where voluntary rescheduling is not feasible.
No additional vacation requests will be approved during the launch period (6/15 – 7/15).
I want to thank you in advance for your understanding as this is likely to be the biggest selling period we have seen in a few years.
Happy Selling,
[Name removed]"
According to MacRumors:
"As previously reported, iPhone support individuals are being hired. Training will reportedly begin on May 30th and will continue through June 20th. The actual launch should presumably be expected after the June 20th date.
Meanwhile, Apple Stores have begun seeing Cingular technicians visiting the store to test network (mobile) connectivity throughout the store. This move, of course, makes sense in that customers will expect good Cingular reception at the stores in which they will be buying the iPhone."
AppleInsider reports:
"Less controllable on the carrier's part was an alleged leak which claimed that the iPhone displays in AT&T's own stores were in the works and would stand out among the crowd.
Where most cellphone displays are often slim and share resources with competing models on the show floor, the iPhone's space will purportedly stand 7 feet tall by 3 feet wide. It will also demand its own individualized power supply and network cabling -- a strong suggestion that Apple, AT&T, or both are insisting that demo models are live and connected to the Internet."
Meanwhile, Business 2.0 Beta blog reports that:
"...bidding wars had broken on eBay for pre-sale iPhones, with Buy It Now prices reaching as high as $10,000 for a "14 Kart SolidGold" model. The postings would appear to be in violation of eBay's pre-sale rules, which require that items be available for shipping within 30 days of the start of an auction."
"As of this morning, most of those offers had been withdrawn, replaced by pitches for "Apple iPhone.com domain names," whatever that means, for Buy It Now prices as high as $19,999. One auction for an iPhone was still progress, however, with 20 bids and a top offer of $1,249.69."
But according to The Boy Genius Report, an internal AT&T document clearly states that the iPhone is not to be pre-sold:
"Sales for the iPhone will be on a first come, first served basis. No wait list of names will be taken and NO pre-selling is allowed."
The opening day of sales in June should be interesting to say the least.
According to several reports, the anticipation of the release of the Apple iPhone is high with many wanting to be first in line to receive it. MacDailyNews states they have confirmed an official AT&T internal memo:
"To: All Company Owned Retail Employees
From: [Name removed]
Subject: iPhone Launch Period
Date: May 4, 2007
As previously announced, Apple and AT&T will soon debut the iPhone, which combines a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and breakthrough internet communications into one small and lightweight handheld device. The new AT&T has a multiyear, exclusive agreement to provide U.S. service for the iPhone.
To ensure proper staffing during the product launch period, Sales personnel planning to take approved time off are encouraged to schedule their vacations before June 15 or after July 15 to participate in the iPhone launch.
Previously approved vacation will be allowed where voluntary rescheduling is not feasible.
No additional vacation requests will be approved during the launch period (6/15 – 7/15).
I want to thank you in advance for your understanding as this is likely to be the biggest selling period we have seen in a few years.
Happy Selling,
[Name removed]"
According to MacRumors:
"As previously reported, iPhone support individuals are being hired. Training will reportedly begin on May 30th and will continue through June 20th. The actual launch should presumably be expected after the June 20th date.
Meanwhile, Apple Stores have begun seeing Cingular technicians visiting the store to test network (mobile) connectivity throughout the store. This move, of course, makes sense in that customers will expect good Cingular reception at the stores in which they will be buying the iPhone."
AppleInsider reports:
"Less controllable on the carrier's part was an alleged leak which claimed that the iPhone displays in AT&T's own stores were in the works and would stand out among the crowd.
Where most cellphone displays are often slim and share resources with competing models on the show floor, the iPhone's space will purportedly stand 7 feet tall by 3 feet wide. It will also demand its own individualized power supply and network cabling -- a strong suggestion that Apple, AT&T, or both are insisting that demo models are live and connected to the Internet."
Meanwhile, Business 2.0 Beta blog reports that:
"...bidding wars had broken on eBay for pre-sale iPhones, with Buy It Now prices reaching as high as $10,000 for a "14 Kart SolidGold" model. The postings would appear to be in violation of eBay's pre-sale rules, which require that items be available for shipping within 30 days of the start of an auction."
"As of this morning, most of those offers had been withdrawn, replaced by pitches for "Apple iPhone.com domain names," whatever that means, for Buy It Now prices as high as $19,999. One auction for an iPhone was still progress, however, with 20 bids and a top offer of $1,249.69."
But according to The Boy Genius Report, an internal AT&T document clearly states that the iPhone is not to be pre-sold:
"Sales for the iPhone will be on a first come, first served basis. No wait list of names will be taken and NO pre-selling is allowed."
The opening day of sales in June should be interesting to say the least.