Apple rumored to begin retail iPad sales March 26
A new rumor suggests Apple store employees will get their first hands-on experience with the iPad and begin training on March 10, while consumers could be able to purchase one Friday, March 26.
Citing an unnamed Apple store manager in Souther California, Daryl Deino of The Examiner reported Tuesday evening that the definitive release date has not yet been determined, but the March 26 date is "very likely." As was announced at its unveiling, the 3G-enabled models will arrive about a month later.
And while employees will be trained starting March 10, commercials will allegedly begin to air on TV starting March 15. Those TV spots are expected to emphasize the e-book capabilities of the device.
Finally, the report claimed that those who camp out for the iPad will receive a "special gift."
If accurate, the report would suggest that an alleged "manufacturing bottleneck" will not delay the launch of Apple's new multi-touch device. However, initial supplies could still be constrained, as rumors of an "unspecified production problem" have surfaced from Apple's manufacturing partner, Foxconn.
Initial demand for the iPad is predicted to be strong, with most analysts on Wall Street forecasting first-year sales of between 1 million and 5 million.
Citing an unnamed Apple store manager in Souther California, Daryl Deino of The Examiner reported Tuesday evening that the definitive release date has not yet been determined, but the March 26 date is "very likely." As was announced at its unveiling, the 3G-enabled models will arrive about a month later.
And while employees will be trained starting March 10, commercials will allegedly begin to air on TV starting March 15. Those TV spots are expected to emphasize the e-book capabilities of the device.
Finally, the report claimed that those who camp out for the iPad will receive a "special gift."
If accurate, the report would suggest that an alleged "manufacturing bottleneck" will not delay the launch of Apple's new multi-touch device. However, initial supplies could still be constrained, as rumors of an "unspecified production problem" have surfaced from Apple's manufacturing partner, Foxconn.
Initial demand for the iPad is predicted to be strong, with most analysts on Wall Street forecasting first-year sales of between 1 million and 5 million.
Comments
As I have an iPhone 3G (has GPS already) already I think my best option will be the Wi-Fi model, so Mar 26th can't come quick enough. If for some reason I'm not happy with it or feel the need for the 3G version we will end up with both models to share about.
It will be a pleasure to finally be able to actually read things on a mobile device and will be encouraged to read more than I can do on my iPhone which for me is just too darn small.
Roll on Mar 26th, 2010.
I wonder what the special gift will be ?
Perhaps it will be a voucher for one complimentary iBook downloads ? The first hit is always free.
As much as I am tempted to camp out, and participate in the group dweeb experience of waiting for the latest (fill in the blank) -- I will PASS on this one, ROFLMAO.
This is straight out of Steve Job's playbook. Leak a news story before the event to generate free advertising via news coverage, and imply that you will need to camp out in order to reserve yours.
PREDICTION: Within 48 hours of release there will be PLENTY of iPads in Stock across the nation.
Mark my words, dear Apple Insider friends. This is nothing but FAKE HYPE.
I'm buying the first 3 wifi models on the 26th. Have to save for the other 2. Woohoo! Got Christmas 2010 outta the way.
There'll be an update of some kind before Christmas 2010 mate?
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Are there any Apple employees here?
Finally, the report claimed that those who camp out for the iPad will receive a "special gift."
Room and board, courtesy of mall security?
Should make for an interesting conversation:
Mall Cop: Why are you out here?
Fanboy: I'm waiting for the iPad!
Mall Cop: Awright, when's Apple gonna release it?
Fanboy: Anytime I guess. There was an Internet rumor saying...
Hopefully the Apple Stores are working with security on this.
I saw a video in which people admitted being paid $200 to stand in line for some event at NYC's Apple store. Quite a few of them expressed disdain for Apple products on camera. One of them threw an iPhone onto the ground. None of them seemed like the Apple users I've met, they were all very coarse. It was like whoever was in charge of selecting fake Apple fans did not care how these people behaved.
Possible plants by MS?
I'd be ugly too if that's all Ballmer wanted to pay.
I saw a video in which people admitted being paid $200 to stand in line for some event at NYC's Apple store. Quite a few of them expressed disdain for Apple products on camera. One of them threw an iPhone onto the ground. None of them seemed like the Apple users I've met, they were all very coarse. It was like whoever was in charge of selecting fake Apple fans did not care how these people behaved.
Think real hard, do you really think Apple needs fake plants? Hell no.
And while employees will be trained starting March 10, commercials will allegedly begin to air on TV starting March 15. Those TV spots are expected to emphasize the e-book capabilities of the device.
I can't take any more of these allegations. I hope they finally catch the guy who is doing all this bad stuff and prosecute.
Shouldn't we have heard something from FCC by now if it is going to be released in less than four weeks? Laser engraving all those iPads has to take some time...
The FCC will release most of the data on the day the iPad launches. Some of it will get released later and some may never get released. It depends on the type of data and what restrictions the company requests for specific data.
Got up 20 minutes earlier that day, swung by the closest Apple Store on the way to the office - got back in the car in a little over 5 minutes. Had enough time to stop at Starbucks.
Do it again Apple.
Nice to hear new rumors.
Are there any Apple employees here?
I am not an apple employee anymore, but I was one for 3.5 years, not too long ago. I therefore cannot speak with certainty, but if this is anything like the apple new product launch events of the past, I can tell ya employees won't be gettin their hands on this thing over 2 weeks prior to ship. What they will be getting is an iLearn (back of house training modules) session specifically for the iPad and how to sell it. It will have nice pictures that may or may not be already posted on apple.com... but they'll get to touch them either the night before the launch, when they are having their Floor Visuals Arrangement specialists redo all the signage and product placement and put them out on display.. or the DAY OF when they let them open the shipping boxes and scan them into inventory just before they go on sale. Employees are less loyal to upper apple's way of secrecy, and would for SURE have pics and video of the device in use all over the interwebs in no time. Apple doesn't want this.
With the iPhones - all of the launches - most of us didn't get to see them until like 2 hours before the general public. With the first iPhone, the launch was in the evening time if you remember, and it was business as usual all day, then they closed the store at 4, and reopened at 6. It was in that 2 hour in between that all the employees got to actually touch and hold the iPhone after having stared at apple.com about it for 6 months.. and done countless iLearn modules about how to sell it.
Unless things are radically different, thats how the iPad launch will be.
I saw a video in which people admitted being paid $200 to stand in line for some event at NYC's Apple store. Quite a few of them expressed disdain for Apple products on camera. One of them threw an iPhone onto the ground. None of them seemed like the Apple users I've met, they were all very coarse. It was like whoever was in charge of selecting fake Apple fans did not care how these people behaved.
I can imagine there have been people paid to "stand-in" or hold places in line for customers who show up later and take the place that's been held for them, because they couldn't join the queue in time or chose not to. I doubt people were being paid to stand in line to make the lines look longer, to create more demand for the apple product. maybe i misunderstood your point, or the point of the video?
I saw a video in which people admitted being paid $200 to stand in line for some event at NYC's Apple store.
I don't know if he's still around but the guy that has been seen for the past 4-5 years first in line for everything at the 5th Ave store. who is there like a week ahead of time is actually a local homeless guy. he makes enough holding the front of the line to live off it for a couple of months.
Also, I was in the local store today and off handedly commented about the training thing and the kid told me that their training started the day after the announcement. I didn't ask about what kind of training since he'd just tell me he can't say.
I'm hoping they do what they did for the iPhone 3GS. They had an advance reservation line independent of the regular line which functioned through a web RSVP page.
I doubt it. There will be crazy demand for this thing and they won't risk folks walking away empty handed because you have one on reserve. Especially if you don't come pick it up.
In fact, I bet we will find out the release date only like a week before and there might not be any online sales at that point. Or they will have a cap and anyone after a certain number won't get it on release day.
Door prizes? Then Apple store here we go!!
1st Prize: A google Nexus
2nd Prize: 2 google Nexi
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1st Prize: A google Nexus
2nd Prize: 2 google Nexi
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