Last-Minute iPhone News Roundup

Fri Jun 29, 2007 11:40AM EDT

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You've got a matter of hours before your life is changed forever by the long-awaited, endlessly-discussed, hundreds-of-millions-of-hits-famous Apple iPhone. And yet with just minutes before it goes on sale, information about the device still continues to change, adapt, and grow. Here's a roundup of what's hitting the wires this morning, should iPhone be on your shopping list for tonight.

First, Apple now says it may not have enough phones to meet demand. Early reports said Apple would have up to 3 million phones available on day one, but that appears to have been overstated. Now Steve Jobs is saying that the company might not have enough phones to meet demand. I've heard other comments (equally unofficial) that stocks could run out by Monday. But there's no need to stand in line for one: You can order the iPhone online for delivery to your home or office! (UPDATE: This may be a bit overstated. As of Saturday, every Apple Store in the country still has iPhones in stock. On the other hand, online orders won't be delivered for 2 to 4 weeks.)

Curiously, reports are surfacing that AT&T has managed to boost the speed of its much-maligned EDGE network, possibly doubling it. At 200kbps, the service would still be fairly slow (only four times dialup), but easily twice what standard EDGE gives you. This has been a major complaint in early reviews of the iPhone. AT&T seems to have been taking a brute force approach to increasing the speed of the EDGE network by simply running more cable to its cell towers. The results aren't the 3Mbps or so of real 3G services, but every little bit helps.

Business users who want to get work email on the iPhone can rejoice now, as the iPhone can indeed support Microsoft Exchange email, provided your IT department makes the appropriate changes. Send this link to your friendly IT guy. Trust me: He loves getting questions about the iPhone! You're the first person who's thought to ask about it!

Meanwhile, the Apple Faithful™ are lining up like lambs to the slaughter at Apple stores around the country. The scene at these stores is obviously expected to be a madhouse. If you want a better shot at a short wait for the iPhone and you absolutely have to have it tonight, for Pete's sake, go to an AT&T store, which will almost certainly be far less crowded.

I'll add to this post with any other late-breaking iPhone news later today. But I'm hoping that this is it for now. Expect my full, hands-on review come Monday! 

(UPDATE: My full review is now live!) 

Comments on Last-Minute iPhone News Roundup

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  • 47 Posted by ucf8806 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    I just got mine and its amazing, I went to the Apple store in Orlando and while I waited for about two hours in line there were plenty of phones for everyone before me and plenty of people after me. Its an amazing product and money well spent.

  • 48 Posted by k_england08 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    i don't think that the phone is over priced. There's nothing else on the market like it. It's a must have!

  • 49 Posted by krobp1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hmmm, I'm not in the market for a phone at this time, but I hope Apple does good with this phone. The comments I've been reading here are mixed. Those die-hards who won't get them and those who already have them. The ones who won't get them are cutting them down, and those who already have them are praising them. Who to believe? I would say, those who don't want them. After all, how many will pay $500.00 Plus for a cell phone and then trash talk about how crappy it is. Hmmm.

  • 50 Posted by tms3998 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    i got the phone and it won't actvate....called at&t and got transferred 4 times and 3 1/2 hours later still on hold....

  • 51 Posted by lisamilevoj on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    For those of you who purchased the phone - is it true that you need a newer computer system to do all of the uploads?

  • 52 Posted by misspriss_in_pink on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    the iphone is way over hyped. I work for verizon wireless and i got trained very well on the features of the ipone. i think alot of things that are not allowed is crazy. you cant download anything over the air (ringtones) you always have to be synched to a computer, thats not creating freedom for the customer, the whole part in this article about users being able to have corporate email must be brand new bc yesterday this was not an option, Verizon Wireless has the same features the iphone can do with half the cost or less. Plus Verizon has the best coverage and most reliable network. "Even apple thought so bc the iphone was offered to verizon first", supposedly! The iphone's hype will win the customer not the actual device. Another bad thing is that the battery is sealed in the back so if your battery goes out bye-bye phone and ipod you cant go into a At&t store and buy a new battery the iphone must be SHIPPED to APPLE and replaced so then your without a phone and an ipod. it is a cool device but too many negatives and not to mention the high price!!! and the worst part is not being able to switch to VERIZON for 2 YEARS. think about it!

  • 53 Posted by chad_parry2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    The phone is the most amazing phone I have ever used and the process is simple. It does use edge, but typically will run off of wifi in general and is suppported in over 10,000 hot spots nationwide. Oh..Tmobile will not have for 5 years and you cannot use the features if it is unlocked....happy at t customer. Waited in line for 45 minutes and was out in 20. At a at&t store.

  • 54 Posted by nicolas_msn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    ATT listed stores selling the iphone. I went to ne and my husband to another. To our dismay, the stores were close and will not open until 6pm. We couldn't inquire how many units they are releasing so we do not have to fall in line. When they opened at 6pm, they announced that they do not have any units in store but will just be taking orders. Can you imagine the frustration and anger of all those in line since this morning? How irresponsible can ATT be? Are they just order takers? We also tried online, and the Apple store will open only at 6pm. Come 6pm, the website was frozen and could not take the load. I don't mind waiting in line, but to be there and these stores not having stocks right at the opening buzzer? This is just too much!

  • 55 Posted by dsschweter on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    if theres cheese stuck in my belly button can the iphone get it out

  • 56 Posted by rainbowtropic@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    WOW...... This phone is IT! It is soOOOOO...... COOOOOOL! GOTTA get one! Cingular/At&t stores had them I only waited in line 2 hours, its as awesome and MORE as shown on TV and computer ads! A definite must have - never buy a GPS or ipod video when you have it all for $59.99/mo phone and pda plan all in one - or if you want more texting its just $10 more. GO GET ONE!!!! :)

  • 57 Posted by flyingcoastal on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    Bottom line is that while the phone has some nice features and a design relative to the ipod- it is completely overpriced & overhyped.Having the ipod and a phone all in one is space saving and can be a joy to an ipod lover but to be realistic (and a few have mentioned this) is that with the speed of technolgy there will be a better version on the way soon enough.* Most important to be seen and unfortunate is that the USA is way behind on cell phone technology in the first place.In my travels to europe I am already video-calling,have the internet at high speed and a bunch of other features which will eventually catch on here (many in the works).While the new att plan for the phone seems fair -There are better phones out there for the money.

  • 58 Posted by treys1211 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think that the iphone is at a pritty good price because if you think about it you spend about $200 on an ipod and about $300 on a blackberry, so it is at a reasonable price of $500. Plus it is a touch screen which is a pritty cool thing on a cell phone. and if you don't have att you will want to switch carriers because if you want it because att has all phones rights for 4 years. I think i am oing to get one after the crouds slow down.

  • 59 Posted by dallen3978 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    Apple and AT&T blew it on the launch of a huge new product. Word is that many stores on the East Coast never even got the phone and had to close their stores due to unruly customers. My son just waited for 2 hours in line at an AT&T store in Koreatown Los Angeles only to be told they ran out. How could they have underestimated how many they would sell. This is incompetence at its highest. Any dumb-witted person could have made sure the stores were stocked. Its not like they wouldn't sell them if a store had too many. Typical retail incompetence.

  • 61 Posted by dillonerwin on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    The iphone is awesome and I know because I sell them! no worries on the 3g/umts network issue and there is nothing on the market that even closely rivals this phone. For those 8525 users, I carry one too! You don't know what your talking about. more bang less brick-iphone just the facts, no speculation

  • 62 Posted by remember_me_1982 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    THE IPHONE IS JUST A PHONE AND FOR 600 DOLLARS,ITS JUST NOT WORTH IT...A PHONE IS MEANT TO MAKE AND RECIEVE CALLS...THATS IT...YOU WANT TO DOWNLOAD MUSIC OR SURF THE NET THEN GO BUY A LAPTOP...SOON ENOUGH THERE WILL BE SOME NEW PHONE COMING OUT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND THE IPHONE WILL BE CRAP...NOT ONLY THAT BUT A CINGULAR REP TOLD ME THAT MOST PHONES ARE BUILT TO LAST FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS...600 DOLLARS IS CRAZY FOR 2 YEARS ON A darn PHONE! SAVE YOURSELF THE TIME AND MONEY AND KEEP YOUR PHONE OR BUY ONE FOR LESS!

  • 63 Posted by cowartginger on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    i am just wondering how many would stand in lines that long for a bible

  • 64 Posted by skylorne3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    alright,It's finally due time for a real update-from a real at&t person.I gotoutof thestore at 11, diligently selling these phones. Get it. no, seriously, get one! We don't get comissions on phones or plans, but this phone is amazing. I even had one customer come back to the store and thankmefor selling him one. Those of you who would talk down on the phone have not had one and just want your voices to be heard. If AT&T would let us carry one rather than let all the consumers have one, mine would be in hand as I write. I think enough has been said. Peace.

  • 65 Posted by stormson_99 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    If the Iphone is so great, why is the return policy on it only for 14 days, AND if you return it, there's a 10 percent restocking fee? In other words, the return policy for the Iphone was specifically altered to make sure that it returns money -somehow-.

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