Apple sets two iPhone limit; says stores will operate till midnight

[AppleInsider]

Apple said Thursday that iPhone will be available at Apple retail stores nationwide beginning at 6:00 p.m. local time tomorrow with a strict limit of two per customer.

Each of the Apple's U.S.-based retail stores will stay open until midnight, and customers can purchase up to two iPhones on a first come, first served basis, the Cupertino-based company said in a statement.

Beginning Saturday morning, iPhone customers can learn how to get the most out of the iPhone with free, in-depth workshops offered throughout the day at all Apple retail stores. Every Apple retail store will offer support for iPhone at the Genius Bar and personal training through Apple’s new One to One program.

"Apple retail stores were created for this moment—to let customers touch and experience a revolutionary new product," said Ron Johnson, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail. "With our legendary Genius Bar support, free workshops and our One to One personal training, we’re here to help customers get the most from their new iPhone."

iPhone introduces an entirely new user interface based on a revolutionary multi-touch display and pioneering new software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. The device combines three products into one small and lightweight handheld device—a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and the Internet in your pocket with best-ever applications on a mobile phone for email, web browsing and maps.

"iPhone ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, which completely redefines what users can do on their mobile phones," Apple said.

Pricing and Availability

iPhone goes on sale in the US on June 29, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. local time through Apple’s retail stores and AT&T’s select retail stores. Apple’s online store will not start taking orders for iPhone until 6:00 p.m. PDT (9:00 p.m. Eastern), confirming an earlier AppleInsider report.

iPhone will be available in a 4GB model for $499 (US) and an 8GB model for $599 (US), and will work with either a PC or Mac. Beginning June 30 and continuing through the summer, Apple Stores in the US will open early at 9:00 a.m. for iPhone sales. Customers can check iPhone availability at their local Apple retail store starting at 9:00 p.m. the night before at www.apple.com/retail.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[SpinDrift]

Ooh.. 2 per person now eh?! I guess they realised that more than a few would be waiting in line to get one for themselves and a loved one.

Too bad I live in the UK!

[Wally]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Apple’s online store will not start taking orders for iPhone until 6:00 p.m. PDT (9:00 p.m. Easter), confirming an earlier AppleInsider report.

WOW. 9pm on Easter - isn't that 10 months away?

[Buck]

Um, why reprint that marketing stuff over and over again? We all know that "iPhone ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, which completely redefines what users can do on their mobile phones"...

[BlackSummerNight]

Now that's more like it.

[JimUrban]

Originally Posted by SpinDrift

Ooh.. 2 per person now eh?! I guess they realised that more than a few would be waiting in line to get one for themselves and a loved one.

Too bad I live in the UK!

The limit is...
Two per person at Apple Stores.
One per person at AT&T Stores.

[jwyatt]

I just spoke with an AT&T rep, still only one per customer there...sucks because theres a store right across the street but I need 2 phones. Limit of only one is a bit goofy; 2 seems fair.

[PBG4 Dude]

Originally Posted by jwyatt

I just spoke with an AT&T rep, still only one per customer there...sucks because theres a store right across the street but I need 2 phones. Limit of only one is a bit goofy; 2 seems fair.

Especially when Jobs said you'd be more likely to find an iPhone at ATT stores.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by PBG4 Dude

Especially when Jobs said you'd be more likely to find an iPhone at ATT stores.

It's simply to avoid riots and murders in the parking lot.

[-dF]

2 per person... open till midnight (6 hours of iPhone sales)... could that mean there won't be a shortage after all? Apple employees are saying, "just come at 6pm when we reopen the store," all nonchalant like there will be plenty.

The checkout process will be beautiful for a cell phone - no contract signing bs.

[Louzer]

Originally Posted by Wally

WOW. 9pm on Easter - isn't that 10 months away?

No, its 2 months AGO! Holy crap! If only we were paying attention, we could have ordered them two months ago and have them arrive on time. Oh well, live and learn.

And why must the store go down, and not come up until 6pm? Is there something sacred about on-line sales that they couldn't just let you order the stupid thing, say, a month ago? Hell, when apple pre-announces their latest MacPro, its 'available in 2-4 months, but you can order today!" Or are they just trying to build up more PR, let their site crash (certainly not on purpose) and claim that the internet completely collapsed due to the rush to buy an iPhone online exactly at 9pm (where, if you order one at 10pm, you're such a loser!).

[Louzer]

Originally Posted by jwyatt

I just spoke with an AT&T rep, still only one per customer there...sucks because theres a store right across the street but I need 2 phones. Limit of only one is a bit goofy; 2 seems fair.

Yeah, but the Apple stores probably have more in stock (as there are less of them around then AT&T stores) so they can let people have more.

And two sounds fair up until the guy in front of you gets the last two in the store, and you're all pissed because he said he was just going to sell the second one on ebay.

[Louzer]

Originally Posted by -dF

2 per person... open till midnight (6 hours of iPhone sales)... could that mean there won't be a shortage after all? Apple employees are saying, "just come at 6pm when we reopen the store," all nonchalant like there will be plenty.

The checkout process will be beautiful for a cell phone - no contract signing bs.

What if you don't have a computer to do the online signing up? Can you use one in the store?

[mrjoec123]

Originally Posted by PBG4 Dude

Especially when Jobs said you'd be more likely to find an iPhone at ATT stores.

Exactly. That's why you'd be more likely to find one at AT&T. With Apple Stores selling them two at a time, they'll run out much faster.

[fraklinc]

ill just go to my local mall, theres a apple store there and a ATT store right across the hallway from it, and about 3 more att stores within 3 miles range

[mrjoec123]

Originally Posted by Louzer

What if you don't have a computer to do the online signing up? Can you use one in the store?

I'm sure you could activate it on one of the computers in the store, if Apple doesn't have a policy restricting that. But that computer won't have your contact info, iTunes, calendar data, etc. So it won't be very useful to have it activated, beyond simple web browsing.

I'm bringing my laptop, so I can sync it up completely right away.

[Louzer]

Originally Posted by mrjoec123

I'm sure you could activate it on one of the computers in the store, if Apple doesn't have a policy restricting that. But that computer won't have your contact info, iTunes, calendar data, etc. So it won't be very useful to have it activated, beyond simple web browsing.

I'm bringing my laptop, so I can sync it up completely right away.

I'm sorry, so you're saying the iPhone is pretty useless unless you sync it to a computer you may or may not have? What if someone wants one of these because, well, its cheaper then buying an actual computer?

[PBG4 Dude]

Originally Posted by Louzer

I'm sorry, so you're saying the iPhone is pretty useless unless you sync it to a computer you may or may not have? What if someone wants one of these because, well, its cheaper then buying an actual computer?

Well you certainly couldn't put any songs on it without a computer + iTunes. All the contact / appointment management can be done on the iPhone.

[JupiterOne]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Every Apple retail store will offer support for iPhone at the Genius Bar .....

Via projector and bullhorn?

[Walter Slocombe]

Originally Posted by Louzer

No, its 2 months AGO! Holy crap! If only we were paying attention, we could have ordered them two months ago and have them arrive on time. Oh well, live and learn.

And why must the store go down, and not come up until 6pm? Is there something sacred about on-line sales that they couldn't just let you order the stupid thing, say, a month ago? Hell, when apple pre-announces their latest MacPro, its 'available in 2-4 months, but you can order today!" Or are they just trying to build up more PR, let their site crash (certainly not on purpose) and claim that the internet completely collapsed due to the rush to buy an iPhone online exactly at 9pm (where, if you order one at 10pm, you're such a loser!).

Moan moan moan

[Mobius]

So I guess if you wanna buy 3 you'll have to bring a disguise.

[Dave Marsh]

I expect sales to proceed briskly as long as stock is available, since all you have to do is walk up to a store rep with his handheld point-of-sale device and pay for it, then walk out. Our local Apple store no longer even has registers on a counter where you queue up to purchase items.

I fully expect that the four hours the Apple Stores are closed is just moving stuff around to setup a counter stacked with iPhones, setting up a few demo units to entice window shoppers, then having the salespeople line up to handle the rush. There will also probably be ongoing demos throughout the evening for those who haven't gotten saturated with all the online info and need to confirm one final feature before making their decision. At no more than ten minutes per sale, say six per hour per sales rep, it should be easy to go through a hundred units in the six hours they'll be open Friday evening.

If there's any delay, it will be customers milling around playing with the setup demos to finally decide whether they're ready to make the plunge, oh and all the others there just to see up close the new device to participate in the opening night fun.

[Leonard]

Originally Posted by Louzer

I'm sorry, so you're saying the iPhone is pretty useless unless you sync it to a computer you may or may not have? What if someone wants one of these because, well, its cheaper then buying an actual computer?

Then we'd call you stupid, because you haven't read everything that Apple and everyone else has said about the iPhone. Do your research before buying it!

[Louzer]

Originally Posted by Leonard

Then we'd call you stupid, because you haven't read everything that Apple and everyone else has said about the iPhone. Do your research before buying it!

Research? Who the hell does research? Everyone talking about 'buying one at 6pm' hasn't done research, for you've not even touched one yet to tell.

And what's so stupid about buying a phone without having a computer? Hasn't it been called a 'personal/portable computing device'? Why should one need a computer to have an iPhone?

[SpamSandwich]

I agree the hype has just been too powerful (rivaling the RDF) and iPhones should sell out quickly despite near universal criticism of at&t's underwhelming service.