Del Monte Apple Store to open this weekend

Section: Apple, Apple News, Retail & Apple StoreOur fellow California friends can start preparing to celebrate the opening of yet another Apple Store this weekend. On Saturday, August 9th at 10 AM you will now be able to get your favorite Apple products at the Del Monte Center in Monterey, California. As usual, this opening will come with the Genius Bar, One to One Lessons, and eventually helpful workshop tutorials (no workshops are scheduled yet). If you are still eagerly awaiting the opportunity to purchase an iPhone 3G, you may want to wait in line at the opening to see if you can get yours hands on one. There is no confirmation on the site of whether they will have stock, but I imagine they will. Head out to the store if you get a chance and take some pictures for us if you live around there. Let us know how it is! Via [Apple] Full Story » | Written by Josh Holat for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

Apple stores issue 'golden tickets' for iPhone 3G buyers

People are still lining up at Apple stores to pay iPhone 3G's. Clearly, people are crazy about Apple's new phone, but what is Apple doing to make it a little easier to get your hands on a shiny new iPhone? Our friends at iPhone Central note that Apple stores have new, extended hours to pack the people in. Apple stores are now opening at 8am, for you early rising iPhone seekers.Apple retail staffers will also be roaming the lines and prequalifing people for iPhone purchases. Once you've been prequalified you are issued a ticket that is good for an iPhone 3G. You can use the ticket right then and there (when it is your turn, of course) or return later in the day.Sounds like a pretty fair system to me. Have you stood in line for an iPhone lately? What do you think of Apple's new methods?Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

iPhone 3G launch day: Appletell at the Apple Store

Section: Apple News, Retail & Apple Store, iPhone + Communications, iPhoneAppletell contributor Josh Holat may not have been in an iPhone line since last Friday, but he’s at the Mayfair Wisconsin Apple Store now, waiting for his chance to get his hands on the iPhone 3G. As he updates us, we’ll update you, complete with photos and box opening coverage. 6:52 a.m. - I’m in line right now. There are about 5 people before me. We were by the wrong door, so a security guard escorted us to he right one. More updates to come. 7:15 a.m. - The line is consistently getting larger. I’m 6th of about 30. There are a couple returnees from last year telling some good stories. The store is playing music and I can see the large iPhone display. A lot of the people have first gen iPhones. 7:37 a.m. - They have handed out cards about the new iPhone. There are Apple sales people walking around the line answering questions and handing out water. 7:48 a.m. - We are about to be let in. More to come. Full Story » | Written by Josh Holat for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

Apple Store US is down

The Apple Store US is down at the moment. I imagine Apple's web elves are busy updating it with some iPhone 3G goodies, but only time will tell.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple pulls iPhone support from Canada Apple Stores

Section: Apple, Apple News, Retail & Apple Store, iPhone + Communications, Carriers Sunday, we reported that Apple would be diverting shipment of the iPhone 3G from Canada to Europe as a slap on the wrist to Rogers Communications over their ridiculous rate plans. Now, that slap has become a punch in the gut. Apple Insider is reporting that Canadian Apple Stores will not be selling or activating or marketing or supporting or apparently even acknowledging the iPhone’s very existence. Rogers will still be able to sell the iPhone and gouge its customers, but they’ll get no marketing help from Apple, Inc. Apple is giving Rogers the corporate equivalent of the silent treatment. Apple Insider suspects the reaction may have stemmed from the Ruined iPhone online petition—which has now been signed by over 50,000 potential customers—created in response to Rogers’ 3-year contracts that require a minimum monthly payment of $60 for just 150 minutes, 75 text messages, and 400MB of data. Apple’s statement regarding the plan is simply, “We have nothing to do with the service plans. Those are Rogers’ plans.” From the report: Apple’s knee-jerk reaction is believed to have been further stimulated by public outrage on the part of Canadian consumers following the release of the local pricing plans. Always concerned with its image, the iPhone maker has watched nearly 50,000 of its loyal customers sign an anti-Rogers petition at ruinediphone.com, which has in turn sparked hundreds of potentially damaging reports on the matter by bloggers and members of the mainstream media. For its part, Rogers in official statements has attempted to justify the cost of its service and data plans by arguing that the “majority” of international iPhone carriers have capped data. As such, a spokesperson said Rogers believes its plans to be better than those of Orange France, for example, which include a 500MB ‘reasonable use’ limit versus the 2GB maximum on the top-tier Canadian iPhone plan that fetches $115 per month. I suspect there’s more to it than just an online petition, however. Despite Apple Insiders’ claim, Apple has a history of ignoring such petitions (as they should, really), and they’ve never been overly concerned with public image. Regardless, something weird is going in Canada, and I’m curious to see how this plays out. Via [Apple Insider] Full Story » | Written by Kirk Hiner for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

Apple Stores receive iPhone 3G window displays

Gizmodo is reporting that Apple stores have started receiving their new window displays for the iPhone 3G launch. The iPhone display is similar to those that showed for last year's iPhone launch -- with a few design changes to mimic the iPhone 3G. According to Gizmodo, Apple stores around the country will be putting up these displays today. Gizmodo has a gallery of pictures on their site for your viewing pleasure.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments