Apple Stores will close from 4-5 p.m. to prepare for iPad 3G launch
All of Apple's U.S. retail stores will close for an hour today, between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. local time, in order to prepare for the official launch of the iPad 3G.
Apple updated all of its domestic retail store hours this week to note that locations will be closed for an hour on Friday "to prepare for the arrival of iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G." The product is set to launch at 5 p.m. local time.
The launch is different from the one earlier this month for the Wi-Fi-only model, which occurred on a Saturday. For that launch, stores began selling the iPad at 9 a.m. and UPS had special Saturday delivery for those who preordered online.
On Thursday, those who preordered the iPad with 3G began receiving notifications that their order had shipped. For this delivery, Apple has employed FedEx, and users should be receiving their 3G models today.
The 3G iPad models carry a $130 premium over their Wi-Fi-only counterparts. The 16GB model starts at $629, the 32GB capacity is $729, and the high-end 64GB offering is $829.
Apple updated all of its domestic retail store hours this week to note that locations will be closed for an hour on Friday "to prepare for the arrival of iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G." The product is set to launch at 5 p.m. local time.
The launch is different from the one earlier this month for the Wi-Fi-only model, which occurred on a Saturday. For that launch, stores began selling the iPad at 9 a.m. and UPS had special Saturday delivery for those who preordered online.
On Thursday, those who preordered the iPad with 3G began receiving notifications that their order had shipped. For this delivery, Apple has employed FedEx, and users should be receiving their 3G models today.
The 3G iPad models carry a $130 premium over their Wi-Fi-only counterparts. The 16GB model starts at $629, the 32GB capacity is $729, and the high-end 64GB offering is $829.
Comments
I still don't understand why Apple keep calling it "3G+WiFi" and not just "3G". I know because it have 3G and WiFi but isn't that obvious when you say 3G?! It is just unnecessary.
Many 3G phones don't have WiFi. I think it helps clarify that both networking options are available.
I still don't understand why Apple keep calling it "3G+WiFi" and not just "3G". I know because it have 3G and WiFi but isn't that obvious when you say 3G?! It is just unnecessary.
I would think so, but I know I've read and responded to more than a few posters on this forum who were initial upset that the iPad 3G didn't have WiFi.
Though if Apple is trying to be clear why not add GPS in there, too, as I'm sure more people are unaware that GPS only comes with the 3G.
I would think so, but I know I've read and responded to more than a few posters on this forum who were initial upset that the iPad 3G didn't have WiFi.
Though if Apple is trying to be clear why not add GPS in there, too, as I'm sure more people are unaware that GPS only comes with the 3G.
I think this is important. Initially I thought the same thing. It wasn't until I read the specs that I was aware of this. What made it worst was the "Only 3G+WiFi", which cause many to think they meant both models.
Many 3G phones don't have WiFi. I think it helps clarify that both networking options are available.
Well, the iPad does have WiFi and it is not called "iPad WiFi". I think it could be that Apple is thinking of dropping the WiFi only model in the future and replace it with 3G. Maybe..
I think this is important. Initially I thought the same thing. It wasn't until I read the specs that I was aware of this. What made it worst was the "Only 3G+WiFi", which cause many to think they meant both models.
Yeah, that did need a second read to understand what Apple was getting at.
They list the follow specs which make sense in that regard: But then they this info just below it where they repeat much of the same data: My suggestion is to include the location section with the other two: For those unaware what we're discussing, check out the left column data: http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
Wi-Fi is great at home or work, but travelling bites without being able to get online just about anywhere- Wife is happily/greedily taking Wi-Fi one purchased at the original release.
I'm wondering as well if the new one will have an updated firmware to fix Wi-Fi issues...I've seen the connection problems repeatedly. Great signal...No signal...Great signal...No signal. Worked on all the fixes with router, etc., but am still seeing issues.
So I don't get why the stores need to close. It's not like this is a brand new product or anything. An hour to put a sign or two up??? I'm sure all the people who are going to be asked to leave the store are going to be thrilled...
It's not required but I can think of several reasons for it.
I'm waiting for the HP Slate. Ballmer says it's killer!
Ooh! Ooh! What about the Microsoft Courier? I hear it's a spectacular piece of vaporware. Hmmm... "vaporware"... I bet that means it's powered with a hydrogen fuel cell!
I'm waiting for the HP Slate. Ballmer says it's killer!
Duck -- there is an airbourne chair coming your way.
So I don't get why the stores need to close. It's not like this is a brand new product or anything. An hour to put a sign or two up??? I'm sure all the people who are going to be asked to leave the store are going to be thrilled...
In a few words:
Marketing
Preparation
Set-Up
Training
Breaks
As a former retailer:
Clearly, you've never worked in a retail environment. You sound like the customer who comes in and doesn't understand why every employee is with another customer, or why you have to wait to be seen at the Genius Bar. The world doesn't revolve around you - and retail stores don't either. The people working hard to sell and merchandise items are people and they work damn hard at what they do. Show some patience, understanding, and compassion and it'll get you so much further than complaining or 'wanting to speak to a manager.'
Ooh! Ooh! What about the Microsoft Courier? I hear it's a spectacular piece of vaporware. Hmmm... "vaporware"... I bet that means it's powered with a hydrogen fuel cell!
... actually, as someone else noted on here in another thread, the Slate is now shelved for a while. Apparently, and who would have guessed, Win 7 is not the best operating system for this type of device and Intel processor is a power hog.
Once they finish tinkering with their new $1.2 billion toy, HP "might" release a Slate with WebOS. Of course they'll have to find a new chip set to work with it... hmmmm... I'm guessing early 2012... and that will be the demo.
New 16GB Wifi iPads were selling for $1000 on eBay, only imagine what the 3G models will get.
Allows the staff to get a little breather from customers before they get bombarded for the rest of the night.
yep. they cut all training and tech after 4pm. but it's hard to get folks to leave if the store is open. so 'sorry we are closed you have to leave' is easier
plus they likely have staff that need to have a meal break.
Make no mistake, Apple CSRs are less aware of new Apple Products than we are on tech forums.
I suspect you are the one making the mistake. they very likely receive tons of information about all the products via videos, text documents etc. they just perhaps haven't had a chance to put finger to the steps. or perhaps they have. who knows if there's a 3g that's under lock and key in an office behind those doors.
It's more than just the signs, they also have to put out a few 3G iPads
well they don't HAVE to do anything, but yes, as you point out they will probably want to show off the GPS etc and likely will put at 3-4 3g models. And since they have apps and such on them, if those demos aren't sent set up they'd have to do that also. that's another 5-10 minutes of set up. and they probably wouldn't be able to open any boxes until 4pm.
which I imagine is easier if there isn't a bunch of customer crowding around you while you're doing it.
having been in the store when someone was trying to replace a broken demo phone when the store was open I can say that it's more than a 5 minute task. Plus it looked like they had to shut off the alarms for half if not the whole table (which was why they had two extra staff at the table as security). so yeah, don't want to do that with the doors open if they can help it.
So I don't get why the stores need to close. It's not like this is a brand new product or anything. An hour to put a sign or two up??? I'm sure all the people who are going to be asked to leave the store are going to be thrilled...
I called the store a few hours ago and they actually suggested I get there at 4pm to avoid a crowd. They probably didn't even know the store was closing until very recently....
You sign up for 3G service right on your iPad. And you can monitor your data usage and change your plan at any time, including switching to unlimited data or canceling 3G service if you know you won't need it.
Does this mean you could sign up, use it for 2 hours, then cancel, then only pay for a fraction of the plan... or do you pay for the full month regardless of the total time used?