Crowds gather for international iPad launch as supply issues remain
Apple once again caused a frenzy among consumers Friday, as people across the globe lined up to buy the company's latest product, the iPad. But with demand strong, Apple continues to face supply issues.
Friday represents the first time the iPad went on sale for customers outside the U.S. It was launch day for both the iPad 3G, and the Wi-Fi-only iPad in nine countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the U.K.
Apple was previously forced to delay the international launch due to higher-than-expected demand stateside. Sales in the U.S. topped 1 million in just 27 days, less than half of the 74 days it took the iPhone to reach that milestone.
Profiling the launch day excitement, Reuters reported Friday that hundreds of people were in lines in London, Munich, Paris and Tokyo. It noted that there remains concern that Apple may not be able to supply enough of the device.
"There's still going to be supply constraints, but I'm expecting them to sell every single thing they can ship," Andy Hargreaves, a U.S.-based analyst at Pacific Crest Securities, reportedly said.
The report noted that Foxconn has had its live-in employees working around the clock at the factory in Shenzen, China, in order to meet demand. But the facility has recently come under scrutiny for employee suicides, and Apple and other technology companies who partner with Foxconn have publicly said they are looking into the matter.
Other launch tidbits:
A handful of AppleInsider readers from Canada sent word that they were notified they will receive their iPad late. "Your iPad is currently in transit," a letter from Apple reads, "however, FedEx has informed us that due to a flight delay, your package will not deliver on May 28th as planned. We are closely tracking your order and working with FedEx to deliver it as soon as possible. FedEx will make every effort to deliver your iPad on Saturday, May 29th."
Despite speculation that the international launch of Apple's iBookstore would only include free public domain titles, that turned out not to be the case in the U.K. Many paid, commercial titles began populating the iBookstore coinciding with the international launch of the iPad.
Finally, plenty of video was captured from the international launch of the iPad. Included below are some of the best clips from around the Web.
Doors open to customers with an excited staff awaiting at the Apple store at Bondi Junction in Australia:
Guinness World Records at the iPad launch in London, U.K.:
Comedian Stephen Fry praises the iPad at the U.K. launch:
Customers line up for the iPad in Tokyo, Japan:
Customers make their way inside and head upstairs with employees at an Apple store in Frankfurt, Germany:
Friday represents the first time the iPad went on sale for customers outside the U.S. It was launch day for both the iPad 3G, and the Wi-Fi-only iPad in nine countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the U.K.
Apple was previously forced to delay the international launch due to higher-than-expected demand stateside. Sales in the U.S. topped 1 million in just 27 days, less than half of the 74 days it took the iPhone to reach that milestone.
Profiling the launch day excitement, Reuters reported Friday that hundreds of people were in lines in London, Munich, Paris and Tokyo. It noted that there remains concern that Apple may not be able to supply enough of the device.
"There's still going to be supply constraints, but I'm expecting them to sell every single thing they can ship," Andy Hargreaves, a U.S.-based analyst at Pacific Crest Securities, reportedly said.
The report noted that Foxconn has had its live-in employees working around the clock at the factory in Shenzen, China, in order to meet demand. But the facility has recently come under scrutiny for employee suicides, and Apple and other technology companies who partner with Foxconn have publicly said they are looking into the matter.
Other launch tidbits:
A handful of AppleInsider readers from Canada sent word that they were notified they will receive their iPad late. "Your iPad is currently in transit," a letter from Apple reads, "however, FedEx has informed us that due to a flight delay, your package will not deliver on May 28th as planned. We are closely tracking your order and working with FedEx to deliver it as soon as possible. FedEx will make every effort to deliver your iPad on Saturday, May 29th."
Despite speculation that the international launch of Apple's iBookstore would only include free public domain titles, that turned out not to be the case in the U.K. Many paid, commercial titles began populating the iBookstore coinciding with the international launch of the iPad.
Finally, plenty of video was captured from the international launch of the iPad. Included below are some of the best clips from around the Web.
Doors open to customers with an excited staff awaiting at the Apple store at Bondi Junction in Australia:
Guinness World Records at the iPad launch in London, U.K.:
Comedian Stephen Fry praises the iPad at the U.K. launch:
Customers line up for the iPad in Tokyo, Japan:
Customers make their way inside and head upstairs with employees at an Apple store in Frankfurt, Germany:
Comments
Add to that whatever the apple shops sold in Australia in a single day.
Are we doing the numbers? What about the other 8 countries?
1,000,000 sold in 1 day?
Wow.
Wow. These foreigners must be as stupid as us Americans!
lol
Question to those that know these things ... in my memory of new Apple products (which means going back to the Apple ][ 48K) I can't remember any product being so constrained by supply. Is this due to excessive demand or insufficient production? If the problem is production shortfall is it due to caution, a deliberate strategy (I doubt this) or a specific component supply issue? If the latter any ideas what components are the issue? I have to wonder about the A4 chip.
That was the other bit I forgot to mention. Sold out Australia wide in 2 hours
That was the other bit I forgot to mention. Sold out Australia wide in 2 hours
Rubbish. Third party vendors had stock all day.
BTW the bondi store was nearly a no go. It opened today, much to the ire of the of a reseller in Bondi:
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/t...ml?autostart=1
Does anyone think this is sharp business practice?
I had a play with the Ipad at lunch but didn't feel the urge to buy. Maybe gen 2.
I had a play with the Ipad at lunch but didn't feel the urge to buy. Maybe gen 2.
That's fine. We need people to line up for the next gen too!
Question to those that know these things ... in my memory of new Apple products (which means going back to the Apple ][ 48K) I can't remember any product being so constrained by supply. Is this due to excessive demand or insufficient production? If the problem is production shortfall is it due to caution, a deliberate strategy (I doubt this) or a specific component supply issue? If the latter any ideas what components are the issue? I have to wonder about the A4 chip.
There have been other Apple products constrained at launch. I remember some Mac Pro models constrained due to chip delivery.
I'm only guessing, but if I had to guess, it would be the screen that's causing the delay. Flash is in tight supply, but it's not scarce enough to be causing these problems - there is still Flash out there if you'll pay the price and Apple would no doubt be willing to pay a premium to increase the number of iPads at this time.
Or maybe there are no Chinese workers left....
His comment about why iPad and other Apple products create so much positive vibe and love from customers is, I think, the most brilliant, by its simplicity, analogy I have ever heard on the subject yet .... to paraphrase: ... People love Apple products for the same reasons one would love a dog, not for the amount of "tricks" it can do but for the amount of joy it brings you by just doing what is is supposed to do , by it's appearance, it's fit and finish and how good it feels just to pet it and look at it. ( he says it much, much better than I)
That's fine. We need people to line up for the next gen too!
my mac pro did ship today though!
There have been other Apple products constrained at launch. I remember some Mac Pro models constrained due to chip delivery.
I'm only guessing, but if I had to guess, it would be the screen that's causing the delay. Flash is in tight supply, but it's not scarce enough to be causing these problems - there is still Flash out there if you'll pay the price and Apple would no doubt be willing to pay a premium to increase the number of iPads at this time.
Or maybe there are no Chinese workers left....
My feeling is that it's the unprecedented volume. Am I wrong or is it not the fastest selling Apple product ever. I think it took Apple by a bit of a surprise. Volume of a product that involves many different suppliers can't be ramped up overnight.
my mac pro did ship today though!
I am soooo jealous. That's my "dream machine".
1,000,000 sold in 1 day?
Wow.
We've become so used to this (in the case of Apple) that I think we no longer realize what an accomplishment it is.
While I don't have figures for more recent technology, according to Greystone Communications/Yankee Group, it took the following number of MONTHS for the following technologies to have sold 1 million units (unfortunately, I don't know whether these are U.S. or worldwide numbers), although it hardly matters when Apple seems able to accomplish it in a few days:
DVD: 21 months
XM Satellite Radio: 23 months
CD Players: 28 months
MP3 players: 28 months
Radio: 39 months
TV: 40 months
DVR: 53 months
VCR: 58 months
Online Subscription Services: 114 months
Cable TV: 144 months
Satellite TV: 144 months
Critics argue that Apple run of luck can not last, and that "open" systems will eventually prevail. Sorry to break the news, but Apple has already received patents that will carry them into the Fourth Age of Computers with microcomputers and augmented reality.
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair." --Percy Shelley.
I didn't get one but FedEx tracking's last entry was yesterday morning in MISSISSAUGA, ON "In Transit" with "Package available for clearance."
——
WAIT! FedEx just updated their tracking info. I think it is coming today!!!!
May 28, 2010 7:58 AM
At local FedEx facility
ST LAURENT, PQ
I am so pathetic. Too much Kool-Aide
The report noted that Foxconn has had its live-in employees working around the clock at the factory in Shenzen, China, in order to meet demand
And some question why they are killing themselves, I said it on the other thread - it's not all about a pay raise it's about management, working conditions and the sweat shop mentality.
I like the U.K. clip - a 6'6" lady marrying a 7'0" man and interracial - that's advancement.
What's up with the German one, I couldn't understand a word they were saying as if they were speaking some foreign language, Russian or something.
Good to see some other countries getting their iPad's - congrats.
(me personally am waiting for gen-2, but will buy my mom a gen-1 - she won't care about the difference)
And just like the iPhone, another great product from a very great company.
Congratulations Apple! Made in America has become the best once again.