O2 say sorry, but you still (probably) can’t have an iPhone 3G

Just had a text from O2 with a link to information on iPhone 3G availability and an apology (at the bottom) over the launch shambles (of sorts)…. Here’s the key bits that confirm some of the other reports we’ve seen about stock:

• O2 and Carphone Warehouse (CPW) stores will have limited numbers of iPhone 3G this Friday 11 July.

• On average, we will only have a few dozen iPhone 3Gs per store (some stores more, some stores less, dependant upon store size so we expect to sell out quickly). Sales of iPhone 3G will be limited to one per customer and two for business customers.

• Some O2 stores will open at 8.02am on Friday, others a bit later.

• If you do go into an O2 store you will need 2 forms of identification, a valid credit or debit card and proof of address. If you are new to O2 you will also need to pass a credit check if you sign up for an iPhone 3G contract. The average sales transaction processing time will be 20 minutes.

• Apple will be selling iPhone 3Gs in their stores, but please note that existing O2 customers can only upgrade in an O2 or CPW store.

• We are working closely with Apple to get additional iPhone 3Gs. These will be coming in on a weekly basis. We’ll keep you posted on specific details by updating this web page regularly.

• We are currently out of stock of iPhone 3Gs via our on-line store, we’ll update through www.o2.co.uk when more information becomes available.

• If you have an existing iPhone you can still enjoy many of the new features by upgrading your software to version 2.0 from 11 July through iTunes.

• We are sorry that we can’t meet all demand as quickly as we’d like but we’re sure that when you get your new iPhone 3G you’ll agree it’s been worth the wait.

Interestingly, the text came through on my Three handset – the number I provided as the contact number on my problematic upgrade attempt… I wonder if that means my order was captured? As it says on the O2 page if I haven’t heard by 6pm tonight I’ll know.

Ryanair won’t let me use ‘flight mode’

On Thursday I’m flying to Dublin for Unlimited Drinks on one of Europe’s most-used and least-loved budget airlines Ryanair.  I have, in the past, been terribly bored on Ryanair flights because they ban the use of any mobile phones during the journey… even if they’re in ‘flight mode’.  That means no games, no music and no video on the iPhone.

I checked again this morning to see if anything had changed in that respect and found it hadn’t, but in my search I came across this news: Ryanair will be one of the first airlines to fit-out their fleet for in-flight voice and data (due Summer 2008).

So when I can pay Ryanair a huge amount for the privilidge it will be fine to use my phone, but until then it’s not safe to even turn it on?  How come other airlines don’t have a problem with this?

iPhone 3G Update

As the storm dies down here’s what we know:

• O2 are sold out of all iPhone 3Gs online.
• There are no white 16GB models to be offered from launch.
• The PAYG version won’t be launching any time soon – possibly not until Christmas.
• Carphone Warehouse are selling new connections on-line, but upgrades must be done by phone or in-store. The telephone line is busy(!)
• Neither O2 or Carphone Warehouse stores will take advance orders. However, staff seem poorly briefed and are complaining they haven’t even been told the information published on the respective websites.
• There are unsubstanciated rumours that numbers of units available in-store on launch day will also be very limited (this could, of course be part of th ehype around Friday so take with a massive pinch of salt).

Favourite moments of the day so far:

“You can’t upgrade your original O2 contract hasn’t finished yet” – Carphone Warehouse store manager.

“Our upgrade site broke because we don’t have enough iPhones. It’s Apple’s fault for not sending enough” – O2 store staff.

I suspect the world won’t end if I (or plenty of others it seems) don’t get new iPhones on Friday, but as an enthustic customer I’m irritated that after several hours of trying I wasn’t able to place an order or even get a unit reserved somehow. O2′s site says ‘first come first served’ but that’s not been the case today… and that’s a great way to piss off customers.

Ben on the iPhone: “Hooray!”

Ewan’s asked for iPhone 3G feedback, so here’s mine:

—-

My thoughts:

I’m a Macbook Air-toting iPhone-carrying Apple convert. It’s been a relatively recent thing, but hands-up – it works for me and I love it. Having said that the iPhone 3G is just a ‘tick in the box’ as far as I’m concerned – it’s what was widely anticipated and equals the spec of other high-end handsets. Not bad, but no ‘wow’…

But that’s not the full story… Have you seen the announced prices? Now we’re talking… In the UK, it will be free on new contracts and £100 upgrade for existing customers. At that price the boxes will flood out of the stores and as far as most consumers are concerned the major barrier between them and owning an iPhone is now gone. Much as I wish it wasn’t, the price is the only part of yesterday’s announcement that matters.

The hardcore mobile users (yes, I’m looking at you Whatley) will complain about the lack of external memory card, replaceable battery or a decent camera with a flash, but it won’t be an issue for most – in fact the user experience will trump concerns in that area.

Most Impressive?

The price – no messing straight to the right end of the chart – boom. Closely followed by the speed of execution – on specs alone zero to 3G with developer platform in 12 months… suck that Nokia.

Most Dissappointing?

It doesn’t appear to be going network-independent and the UK’s still a single-operator terratory. On the technical front I don’t see any network-based iTunes sync and suspect the 10MB over-the-air limit on application downloads also means no 3G iTunes Music store (yet), but that’s all software and ‘fixable’. I mourn the passing of ‘at home’ activation, but normobs won’t notice – it’s just the same as other handsets now.

Mobile Me:

Full consumer-grade sync… Genius. Long overdue actually, but this will be the leg-up it needs. Yahoo Go, Danger’s Sidekick and Plaxo Mobile have all been stop-gaps, but this is the full-monty with a polished-looking web interface to match. Ignore that iDisk rubbish – push sync is the key here and it’s Mac to PC too… no iPhone required.

Pricing is, as ever, a bit steep and you have to buy it all or not at all, but this will be a grower… just watch… Apple understand the mobile experience is bigger than just the handset and have built a platform for the future as well as a service for now. However, it hasn’t got an operator logo attached so if I was O2 I’d be reconciling myself to life as a ‘pipe’ about now. The other question is why Nokia hasn’t done this yet. With the Intellisync acquisition they have the know-how and it’s been ‘coming soon’ as part of Ovi forever… Everyone will be offering something akin to this soon. Why do you think Vodafone bought Zyb?

Will I upgrade?

Too right I will – I want the speed hike and at that price why not?

—-

Wrote that last night… Footnote from this morning:

O2 will be offering PAYG options – I think that answers the question about where all the iPhone 1.0′s will be going too as upgraders pass them on to friends and family.

BT’s Openzone WiFi is being added to the iPhone tarriff ‘free’ like the existing Cloud network…. that’s some impressive coverage! Also a smart way for BT to take the pressure of their 3G network in areas like central London.