“Apple’s combination iPod and smartphone, the iPhone, is scheduled to debut at 6p.m. on June 29. The big question isn’t whether or not consumers want it, but whether or not Apple will be able to meet the demand, according to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster,” Jeff Gamet reports for The Mac Observer.
“Mr. Munster expects Apple will have up to 10,000 units on hand at its largest flagship stores and about a million units available throughout its retail shops on launch day. Should Apple be able to maintain an adequate iPhone supply, the company could beat Mr. Munster’s 200,000 sold during the last two days of the June quarter prediction,” Gamet reports.
More in the full article here.
There’s a point where secrecy for the sake of competitive advantage is no longer useful. We’re past that point with the iPhone. We’re not talking about supply here per se; we just want to know which AT&T stores will have them on launch day, how both Apple and AT&T plan to deal with lines of customers that may begin days before launch, will unauthorized iPhone waiting lists be in effect or not, what AT&T will offer for iPhone service plans and how much they will cost, etc. From what we’ve seen and heard to date, the iPhone launch just has too many unknowns and doesn’t exactly inspire confidence that, AT&T especially, is ready for launch.
The best thing Apple can do here is:
1. Sell the bulk of the iPhones in the retail Apple Stores and Apple Store online.
2. Sell limited supplies in corporate at&t stores for tire kickers who want to check it out there. They can have the iPhone shipped for free to customer’s house if not in stock.
3. Call at&t or go online to activate your iPhone post purchase from Apple Store.
4. Rent merchant carts in malls at every entrance with hands on iPhone demos on weekends ( starting Friday evening). Direct folks to Apple Store in mall for purchase.
Apple can handle the hardware purchase and technical support of the iPhone. at&t needs to handle phone activation and plan selection (hopefully this can be fully automated process causing little pain (forever to get a plan finalized) to customers. If it is not, it may hamper sales in a big way and that would not be Apple’s fault.
AT&T are a real joke. Every time I have called them regarding my plan or my bill, they have reduced the charge or made me aware of a plan which would cost me less for more coverage. They’ll screw you all the time by not advertising the plans. So do you stay with the company who screws you, or change to another which will probably rape you even more?
who SB which.
I think things looked disorganized simply because of the continued secrecy by Apple and Att trying to go on what information it has.
I mean look at the sales training sheet that was released.
It will be alright is all I’m saying. Everyone will get their phone. Don’t push.
Personally, I’m hoping for chaos across the board.
I want to see footage of people fighting on “News At 11” and queues of unwashed “gotta have it” types being interviewed from their tents on Good Morning, America and other breakfast shows.
If we could replicate the melee that happened a few years ago in North Carolina or West Virginia or wherever it was, that would be great.
“Agreed. I’m having sushi today.”
‘Round these here parts we call that bait.
tom,
I work Apple retail, and we’re not told anything that’s not already public. The employee you spoke with wouldn’t have any more information than anyone else on this forum.
MCCFR:
Henrico County, Virginia. $50 for 500MHz G3 iBooks.
Mob scene photo here:
http://www.engadget.com/2005/08/16/50-ibook-stampede/
“It’s too bad that stupidity isn’t painful.”
– Anton LaVey
I’m on one of those “unofficial” waiting lists at a store nearby my parents’ house for 4 iPhones with AT&T. I had a great experience at the Cingular (AT&T) store and I believe I was treated well and given all the information I wanted at the time (obviously they didn’t know the launch date when I signed up, etc).
So far my experiences with AT&T have been positive, sure that might change but I don’t think it’s a given that people that walk into an AT&T store will have a bad experience. I certainly did not.
MCCFR,
so am I
(hoping for chaos across the board, that is).
Chaos will ensure the best form of publicity.
Despite being far away from it all, here in Berlin, I am, nevertheless, really looking forward to the show, and hope that it’s a dress rehearsal for what happens in Europe at the end of the year.
Wait until it’s on sold at the Apple web store. No muss, no fuss.
Why? Woman on Nutrisystem ad have such big hands? Why?
Cha. Cha. Chia.
Tired of Retards,
Is using your tiny turd of a brain an option when making comments, you fucking piece of shit.
Now go back to your moms tit and leave the commenting to the adults.