Carphone Warehouse vs Apple. An easy choice, but will we be allowed?
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Dan Lawson over at the Wee Apple has an interesting post about how Apple are going to sell the iPhone in the UK. He writes that,
AppleInsider and Macworld UK both pick up on reports that Apple may be forced to sell the new iPhone 3G in-store on a pay-as-you-go only basis, due to the retail chain’s stores and staff not currently being able to process in-store activations for a credit contract associated with Pay Monthly schemes.
Now this is would be tragic if this was allowed to happen. One of the joys of buying the iPhone, apart from the 8 hour queuing, was the fact that I could walk in buy it, and leave. Now contract hassle, no busy shop, no retail person not knowing anything about the product they were selling.
This would change dramatically if people have to go through Carphone Warehouse or 02 to buy their shiny new 3G iPhones. The reality is this. We, the Apple fan base, want a great purchasing experience, and this happens when you go to the Apple shrine (store) and interact with a genius / sales person. They know how much you like the brand. They are generally very knowledgable too. They enjoy working there, and this shows. A lot.
I really hope that Apple and 02 sort this out and do so before July 11th. Dan, in his blog post, states that they are, and I’ve seen some other news reports today also saying that they are doing this. They must do this for the sake of a decent retail experience. However, there is one thing we (the Apple fanbase) are overlooking. Steve Jobs wants everyone to buy and love the 3G iPhone. ‘Everyone’ may not want a fantastic retail experience. In fact, they probably couldn’t care less.
iPhone 3G will be free on o2!
Good news for a Tuesday morning! Techcrunch Uk’s Mike Butcher has just put up the press release here, and the o2 website has all the details.
iPhone is now free on selected Pay Monthly tariffs*
There’s only one thing better than an iPhone. The new 3G iPhone.
*Best of all, the new 8GB iPhone won’t cost you a penny on our £45 and £75 tariffs. And it’s just £99 on our £35 tariff and new £30 tariff.
All tariffs include unlimited browsing on your iPhone, unlimited Wi-Fi access, visual voicemail and reduced roaming rates with our International Traveller Service and are subject to a minimum term contract of 18 months.
This is great news!! And what is even better, is that the same thing applies for us existing iPhone customers!
Existing iPhone customers upgrade to iPhone for free*
To thank you for being an iPhone fan, we’re offering you an early upgrade to the brand new version when it launches on 11th July 2008. You won’t have to wait until the end of your existing contract either, all you’ll need to do is agree to a new 18-month minimum term contract.
*Best of all, the new 8GB iPhone won’t cost you a penny on our £45 and £75 tariffs. And it’s just £99 on our £35 tariff and new £30 tariff. This special early upgrade offer is only available online at o2.co.uk anytime from 11th July until 11th October 2008.
Marvellous! This means I will get a brand new iPhone 3G for free!! (I’m on the £45 tariff). They are also letting 02 customers without iPhones go through the normal upgrade path as well, which means I know a lot of people will be happy!
The tariffs look like this:
Interestingly they say that the iPhone 3G will be available to buy online from o2, from o2 stores and Carphone Warehouse stores - no mention of Apple Stores, again! Hmmmm….
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Apple Stores not selling iPhones in the UK?
This just in!! Check the new page out - click! It is only stating 02 Stores and Carphone Warehouse… Interesting.
I wonder if this is true?!?! Anyone know anything else? I really hope we can still activate through iTunes.
Thanks to Ian for the tip - well spotted sir!
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iPhone 3G free for new 02 subscribers?
Breaking news from Techcrunch Uk here >>> click.
I just got it confirmed from an O2 source (hat tip to Will Harris at ChannelFlip - you know why), that the UK 3G iPhone will be free on an 18 month contract to new O2 customers, but £100 for existing customers. Although announced today by Steve Jobs at the WWDC (see TechCrunch’s live coverage), the iPhone will ship to customers in the UK on July 11.
Now I am liking the sound of that! New phone ahoy for me and the boss! 
More iPhone 2 rumours + something for us Brits
Gizmodo are posting like frenzied iPhone groupies about all the rumours circulating online. Their latest post does include something for us Brits:
iPhone to ship first week of July. An insider with the UK’s O2 apparently let slip to T3 that they’ll be “very busy” in the first week July. And similarly on June 9th. 2+2=4.
Now we need specs, costs and upgrade prices!
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BBC News- You may like to read this...
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