Jobs says "don't go to an Apple store" for iPhone

[AppleInsider]

Speaking to reporters at the Wall Street Journal D: All Things Digital conference this week, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs confirmed once again that his firm remains on track to begin shipping the first iPhone handsets in late June .

Apple, along with wireless partner AT&T, will begin selling the $499 and $599 devices through their brick-and-mortar retail stores later this month. iPhone will be available only from Apple and AT&T/Cingular wireless stores and will not be sold through AT&T affiliate stores such as Best Buy electronics retailers.

During a graduation speech last month at the West Texas A&M University, AT&T chief executive Stan Sigman billed the impending Apple handset roll-out as "the largest commercial product launch in the history of electronics."

Apple has yet to make an official announcement regarding a specific release date for iPhone, but Jobs reiterated during a D conference interview with the Journal's Walt Mossberg that his firm remains on track for a "late June" launch.

"Like the last day of June?," quipped Mossberg.

"Yeah, probably," Jobs said with a chuckle.

Editor's Note: A well-placed source has informed AppleInsider that Mr. Jobs was misquoted in a Huffington Post article referenced in an earlier version of this report. AppleInsider regrets syndicating the error.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[kisin]

First! (I just love this little inside joke)

Good luck getting an iPhone on the first day, I bet they will make the announcement the same day it will begin selling, not before as people expects, in an effort to avoid the bad experience of people camping out an waiting forever in line....

I can't wait to try one myself...

[SpamSandwich]

People will be going nuts come "i-Day"... It'll be like a movie premiere...

[ajhill]

The HUGE day for Apple this month is obviously on iPhone day. But look for Steve Jobs to announce the release date on Monday the 11th at his WWDC keynote speech. The Famous "One more thing..."

He'll say one of two things:

1. He will announce a release date of the iPhone release as "The iPhone goes on sale THIS WEEKEND!"

or

2. "The iPhone is going on sale right now!"

Either statement would be one heck of a way to end a Keynote...

[eAi]

Nah, I reckon he'll get the iPhone release date out of the way at the begining and leave something like a new iMac or maybe Mac Book Pro Mini for the "one more thing"...

Everyone expects a release date for the iPhone by then, so I don't think it'll surprise anyone.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by ajhill

The HUGE day for Apple this month is obviously on iPhone day. But look for Steve Jobs to announce the release date on Monday the 11th at his WWDC keynote speech. The Famous "One more thing..."

He'll say one of two things:

1. He will announce a release date of the iPhone release as "The iPhone goes on sale THIS WEEKEND!"

or

2. "The iPhone is going on sale right now!"

Either statement would be one heck of a way to end a Keynote...

Maybe they'll sell them right there and then like bags of peanuts at a baseball game.

[Kasper]

Originally Posted by ajhill

The HUGE day for Apple this month is obviously on iPhone day. But look for Steve Jobs to announce the release date on Monday the 11th at his WWDC keynote speech. The Famous "One more thing..."

He'll say one of two things:

1. He will announce a release date of the iPhone release as "The iPhone goes on sale THIS WEEKEND!"

or

2. "The iPhone is going on sale right now!"

Either statement would be one heck of a way to end a Keynote...

I doubt this will happen. AT&T won't finish training its employees until the 20th. So any prior date would seem suspect. Also, until Apple opens the iPhone to third party development, there is little reason for any such mention of the device at a once-annual Mac developers conference. From what I've heard, Jobs is pretty gung-ho about Leopard. He's gonna focus on the Mac and let iPhone have its day a bit later in the month.

Best,

K

[Celemourn]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

People will be going nuts come "i-Day"... It'll be like a movie premiere...

No sir. Movie premiers will hereafter be like the iPhone premier.

Originally Posted by ajhill

The HUGE day for Apple this month is obviously on iPhone day. But look for Steve Jobs to announce the release date on Monday the 11th at his WWDC keynote speech. The Famous "One more thing..."

He'll say one of two things:

1. He will announce a release date of the iPhone release as "The iPhone goes on sale THIS WEEKEND!"

or

2. "The iPhone is going on sale right now!"

Either statement would be one heck of a way to end a Keynote...

I'm not smelling a OMT man. He hasn't really used that in a while, has he? Definitely hasn't used the OMT EVENT for a long time. I think I remember someone saying that OMT only comes at Macworld, and I don't THINK he did it at all this year. hmmmm.....

[MacCentric]

Originally Posted by ajhill

The HUGE day for Apple this month is obviously on iPhone day. But look for Steve Jobs to announce the release date on Monday the 11th at his WWDC keynote speech. The Famous "One more thing..."

He'll say one of two things:

1. He will announce a release date of the iPhone release as "The iPhone goes on sale THIS WEEKEND!"

or

2. "The iPhone is going on sale right now!"

Either statement would be one heck of a way to end a Keynote...

No way will he put it on sale right at the end of the Keynote because that would be extremely rude to all of the conference attendees who paid to attend the workshops, etc and then would not be able to get in line for the iPhone.

I think the launch will be a separate event between Apple and "Cingular is now AT&T" on a different day, but I do think he may announce the date at WWDC.

[JohnnyKrz]

I would buy it online if I was going to get one. Even then, you may not be able to get it right away. It seems like this will be similar to a Christmas PlayStation release.

[solipsism]

I think we will have warning about the iPhone release. Apple may a pretty good hold on their retail employees but there is no way that a shipment of iPhones to AT&T Mobility stores will not hit the web without fervent intensity.

[nagromme]

"it has been reported that most AT&T/Cingular locations will have less than 40 units"

I don't think there has been any such "report" that that the locations "will" have less than 40. There are only rumors based on guesswork by Cingular people who admit they aren't in the loop.

[coffeetime]

I plan on going to my local Apple store to pick up my iPhone. I actually hope there is a huge line; I've been to several Apple Store openings, and a big line turns it into a fun event for us Apple faithful. Maybe Apple can steal the concept of Microsoft's "iPod amnesty bin", and use it to collect all of the phones that people turn in when they switch to the iPhone.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by coffeetime

Maybe Apple can steal the concept of Microsoft's "iPod amnesty bin", and use it to collect all of the phones that people turn in when they switch to the iPhone.

That is a good idea.

[Ireland]

Clever move Jobs!

[palex9]

....what if nobody gave a diddly squat about the iphone.....?

[sigs21]

Originally Posted by Kasper

I doubt this will happen. AT&T won't finish training its employees until the 20th. So any prior date would seem suspect. Also, until Apple opens the iPhone to third party development, there is little reason for any such mention of the device at a once-annual Mac developers conference. From what I've heard, Jobs is pretty gung-ho about Leopard. He's gonna focus on the Mac and let iPhone have its day a bit later in the month.

Best,

K

It's got to be the end of the month. Apple is doing all the Customer support for the product, they start people on June 4th with training.. for 3 weeks .. Then they will be able to sell and support the phone...

[nagromme]

Originally Posted by palex9

....what if nobody gave a diddly squat about the iphone.....?

I think Jobs is trying to say that demand will be high, not low--which is clearly a good prediction

[DaveGee]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Apparently, Jobs is unaware that the secret is out. Even so, it has been reported that most AT&T/Cingular locations will have less than 40 units on hand come roll-out, placing the notion of any such advantage by those stores into question.

I dunno...

Given it takes at least 20 to 30 minutes to sign up a new customer if not more (not re-sign an existing)

Given an average store will have what 2 or maybe 3 reps.

At full speed what does that come to...

Three signups @ 20 min per comes to 1 hour times 3 reps thats what 9 phones per hour for say 8 hours straight thats what 72 potential iPhone sales. Oh and that's not taking into account the idea that someone might actually want to see a DEMO of the phone prior to plunking down 500 on it..... also, thats if everyone that comes in that day choses to put out the cash for an iPhone (and it would be safe to say that some percentage of the customers will NOT opt for the iPhone - believe it or not .lol.).I'd be willing to be at around 20-40 iPhones per store is going to be more than enough inventory for the first few days...

It was said (I think) that the iPhone would be available at launch at some 2000 Apple/Cingular stores. If we count on an average of 30 phones per store on launch day that comes out to what 60,000 phones. If the iPhone sells 60k phones in a single day that would be beyond amazing (I would think).

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by nagromme

I think Jobs is trying to say that demand will be high, not low--which is clearly a good prediction

And as Ireland points out, it's a clever move on Job's part to make this announcement.

[sigs21]

Originally Posted by Kasper

I doubt this will happen. AT&T won't finish training its employees until the 20th. So any prior date would seem suspect. Also, until Apple opens the iPhone to third party development, there is little reason for any such mention of the device at a once-annual Mac developers conference. From what I've heard, Jobs is pretty gung-ho about Leopard. He's gonna focus on the Mac and let iPhone have its day a bit later in the month.

Best,

K

Originally Posted by solipsism

And as Ireland points out, it's a clever move on Job's part to make this announcement.

you think apple and jobs would make the same mistake as Sony and shorting a product I could see them not say anything till that day like they due for every other product.. .. I can see them taking there time to sign people up but they will also be selling over the phone..

[anantksundaram]

Originally Posted by solipsism

And as Ireland points out, it's a clever move on Job's part to make this announcement.

Yeah. I think that he is, in fact, telling people to head out to the Apple Store. It's going to be a party! (Mine will have to be with an online server, tho! )

[unaballer]

The only legitimate reason not to get one is to (like the apple TV which is only 3 months old just got a 160GB HD) wait for the bigger one.

[JustBrady]

I am a die-hard Apple fan, but I kinda hope the iPhone flops. Perhaps then Steve will realize his error on going with a GSM network. The Edge network simply cannot effectively support the iPhone. It is like running a Corvette on a four cylander.
He is quite a cocky guy, and when Verizon turned him down, he took his business to Cingular to shove it in VZW's face. I hope he gets burned. He needs the EVDO network to effectively run that crazy phone, and he knows it.

Disclaimer: I am not starting a GSM vs. CDMA battle, I am simply stating facts.

[bostran1]

I would buy it online if I was going to get one. Even then, you may not be able to get it right away. It seems like this will be similar to a Christmas PlayStation release.

Hahaha, not the Playstation 3 release! Nintendo Wii? Definately like the first few months of that release.

[-dF]

I think I have to go to an Apple Store, or at least buy it through the online store, because I have a few Apple gift cards I plan on using toward an 8GB iPhone . I don't suppose AT&T stores would accept those.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by sigs21

you think apple and jobs would make the same mistake as Sony and shorting a product I could see them not say anything till that day like they due for every other product.. .. I can see them taking there time to sign people up but they will also be selling over the phone..

I don't see that happening. There is already a great deal of demand for the device so need to artificially create interest. I think Jobs want to respond to Balmers chimping, "who will buy a $500 phone" buy showing exactly how many people will buy the iPhone.

Originally Posted by JustBrady

I am a die-hard Apple fan, but I kinda hope the iPhone flops. Perhaps then Steve will realize his error on going with a GSM network. The Edge network simply cannot effectively support the iPhone. It is like running a Corvette on a four cylander.
He is quite a cocky guy, and when Verizon turned him down, he took his business to Cingular to shove it in VZW's face. I hope he gets burned. He needs the EVDO network to effectively run that crazy phone, and he knows it.

Disclaimer: I am not starting a GSM vs. CDMA battle, I am simply stating facts.

I don't think Verizon's claim that Apple went to them first is a fact. I've not heard that repeated from anyone buy Verizon.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by unaballer

The only legitimate reason not to get one is to (like the apple TV which is only 3 months old just got a 160GB HD) wait for the bigger one.

I may get one, I'll be out of the US as of june 21st. If it comes out on the 20th and I can use it abroad then sure. If one of those things don't happen then i'll be waiting until I get back. Kinda sucks because I really don't want to wait.

[MacGregor]

Originally Posted by JustBrady

I am a die-hard Apple fan, but I kinda hope the iPhone flops. Perhaps then Steve will realize his error on going with a GSM network. The Edge network simply cannot effectively support the iPhone. It is like running a Corvette on a four cylander.
He is quite a cocky guy, and when Verizon turned him down, he took his business to Cingular to shove it in VZW's face. I hope he gets burned. He needs the EVDO network to effectively run that crazy phone, and he knows it.

Disclaimer: I am not starting a GSM vs. CDMA battle, I am simply stating facts.

I'm not adding to that battle since I don't know the technology of either well, but I do know that the Edge is only a "last resort" type of thing. Unless unlimited data transmission is the norm, who can afford to even do CDMA that often.

It is about doing 90% of the browsing on wifi, not on the phone network!!! Sure it would be great to have a faster connection, but you may only need to get maps or some browsing on the road outside of wifi networks occasionally. Most of the time you'll be in a coffee shop or at a business with wifi to do the surfing and higher bandwidth stuff. The rest of the time you can listen to music and telephone people just fine. Also the ubiquity of GSM is more important than the speed of CDMA if you really need to get online in an emergency or for a quick map check.

It is my opinion that if GSM is fine except for folks who are more the hardcore road warriors with blackberry thumb scars and can't live without checking the NYTimes every 5 minutes. Most of the widgets can get the data they need with little bandwidth and email does not really require constant online status.

Just think about using the iPhone after 6 months and you realize that it is nice to surf the web with it, but that you will still mostly do that on a laptop or desktop anyway and that GSM is just fine 98% of the time.

[tomkarl]

Originally Posted by JustBrady

I am a die-hard Apple fan, but I kinda hope the iPhone flops. Perhaps then Steve will realize his error on going with a GSM network. The Edge network simply cannot effectively support the iPhone. It is like running a Corvette on a four cylander.
He is quite a cocky guy, and when Verizon turned him down, he took his business to Cingular to shove it in VZW's face. I hope he gets burned. He needs the EVDO network to effectively run that crazy phone, and he knows it.

Disclaimer: I am not starting a GSM vs. CDMA battle, I am simply stating facts.

Actually, it sounds more to me that you are stating your opinion on the merits of CDMA or GSM.

[1984]

Originally Posted by JustBrady

He is quite a cocky guy, and when Verizon turned him down, he took his business to Cingular to shove it in VZW's face. I hope he gets burned. He needs the EVDO network to effectively run that crazy phone, and he knows it.

As opposed to it having to do with Verizon not agreeing to such things as: limiting the amount of Verizon logos, animation and crapware loaded on the phone, control over distribution or the whole subsidizing issue? No, according to you Verizon saw the iPhone, said "not intested" and Steve Jobs ran off vowing revenge. Uh-huh.

[lepton]

Steve will give the details of the phone contracts and stuff, but the phone won't be on sale until near month end. However, he will say "one more thing" and offer iPhones to any attendee who wants one right there on the spot! This will get the phone in the hands of many rabid and vocal fans just in time for them to blog and brag prior to public release. My assertion is fleshed out in this article.

[Bageljoey]

Originally Posted by JustBrady

Disclaimer: I am not starting a GSM vs. CDMA battle, I am simply stating facts.

Actually, I can't think of a better way to "start a battle" than to say my opinion is fact (therefore yours must be hooey).

But this has already been hashed out and at this point I think we are all just waiting to see the phone...

[wilco]

Originally Posted by lepton

Steve will give the details of the phone contracts and stuff, but the phone won't be on sale until near month end. However, he will say "one more thing" and offer iPhones to any attendee who wants one right there on the spot! This will get the phone in the hands of many rabid and vocal fans just in time for them to blog and brag prior to public release. My assertion is fleshed out in this article.

Really? Is Steve going to personally sign them up to service agreements?

I can't wait to not read your fleshed out assertion!

[EagerDragon]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

People will be going nuts come "i-Day"... It'll be like a movie premiere...

People will be running out of their office to get one, the hell withthe meetings, LOL.

[EagerDragon]

Originally Posted by unaballer

The only legitimate reason not to get one is to (like the apple TV which is only 3 months old just got a 160GB HD) wait for the bigger one.

Me, im broke, wife just quit work.

[TBaggins]

Originally Posted by MacGregor

It is about doing 90% of the browsing on wifi, not on the phone network!!!

Mmm... not exactly. For one thing, ATT wants to sell data plans. For another, "It's all about wifi!" is what Apple has to tell people for now, because ATT's limited 3G coverage forced them to go with (rather slow) 2.5G EDGE instead for the first iteration of the iPhone.

Within a year or so, ATT's 3G network should be built out to the point where its feasible for a second iteration of the iPhone to go with 3G. At that point, you won't be hearing Apple say its all about wifi, though certainly its good to have the option when you do find yourself in the local coffeehouse.

Also the ubiquity of GSM is more important than the speed of CDMA if you really need to get online in an emergency or for a quick map check.

What ubiquity would that be? ATT's EDGE coverage? It's very good, that's true. But Verizon's and Sprint's 3G networks cover 70% of the population already, and soon will cover nearly as many people as EDGE. And of course, at much higher speeds than EDGE can muster.

The more I look at it, the more I'm convinced that Verizon was Steve's first choice. But they didn't want to deal, and ATT did.

.

[TBaggins]

Originally Posted by unaballer

The only legitimate reason not to get one is to (like the apple TV which is only 3 months old just got a 160GB HD) wait for the bigger one.

There are a few others:

1) Price
2) No 3G
3) Having to deal with ATT's poor customer service
4) Having to deal with ATT's not-as-great-as-they-claim call reliability

And of course, insufficient storage, as you mentioned.

Still, I think things look bright for iPhone 2.0 - it should have 3G, storage capacities should increase, and ATT's network should be improved by then. Plus, the price may even drop a bit.

But, even as cool as it is, I can pass on iPhone 1.0... don't hate me.
.

[ajhill]

Originally Posted by JustBrady

I am a die-hard Apple fan, but I kinda hope the iPhone flops. Perhaps then Steve will realize his error on going with a GSM network. The Edge network simply cannot effectively support the iPhone. It is like running a Corvette on a four cylander.
He is quite a cocky guy, and when Verizon turned him down, he took his business to Cingular to shove it in VZW's face. I hope he gets burned. He needs the EVDO network to effectively run that crazy phone, and he knows it.

Disclaimer: I am not starting a GSM vs. CDMA battle, I am simply stating facts.

Edge network was chose for better battery life. Period. ATT's network is not bandwidth challenged (They are the Internet in many areas) GSM while fast, eats battery power like a rabid dog eating puppy chow.

I'd rather have an internet connection that I can use all day long, than one I can use for 45 minutes before I have to redock.

Al

[ajhill]

Just passed an new ATT Billboard on the way home it said "Reinventing Television" ATT fromerly Cingular

Wonder what they exactly meant by Reinventing Television? So maybe the ITV on Apple Tv rumors are right. Maybe they are planning on delivering ATT Television right to the iPhone platform.

How about if Apple spend some of the $12 billion to purchase the private company that owns the Slingbox tecnology. Then your iPhone could be a portable slingbox viewer. Maybe ATT and Apple could split the cost. If You Tube got 1.6 billion, the Slingbox ought to be worth $2 easy. And they'd have plenty of money left over.

Al