iPhone on sale 6pm "local time"

After some initial confusion following WWDC, an AT&T memo has pegged the iPhone availability at 6pm in your respective US time zone. We imagine this comes down to Apple's meticulous level of control over any monkey business. As such, the magic 6pm launch is likely the result of a next-day, 6pm delivery cutoff by AT&T's distribution agent -- FedEx. You don't think these babies are just going to be sitting around in the stock room do you? So if you happen to see a FedEx guy hovering near an AT&T or Apple store on June 29th... well, be nice, mkay?

[ScOObyDoo @ Jun 14th 2007 8:52AM]

I'm sure some of the diehard California based fans are booking their flights to JFK as we speak.

[Rob K @ Jun 14th 2007 11:08AM]

Great point. It looks like those of us on the east coast get first crack at these things.

[Maff @ Jun 14th 2007 8:58AM]

i'm not looking forward to all the news stories of stolen iphones and rampages in stores!

[John @ Jun 14th 2007 9:15AM]

When they say "On Sale" does this mean you will be able to walk out the store with the item once you purchase it? Or are they just making it available for purchase then, but you gotta wait till it gets delivered?

[Allan @ Jun 14th 2007 9:20AM]

Sounds like based on the FedEx comments that it will be there, at the store by 6pm. So unless they sell out (???) you should be able to walk away with one.

[Jugomugo @ Jun 14th 2007 9:44AM]

As an Apple enthusiast, this thing is a lame duck for me.

I'm sure it will "help revolutionize the industry" for soccer moms and high school kids.

[Jugomugo @ Jun 14th 2007 9:45AM]

Haha... oops. Responded to the wrong OP.

[Jonathan @ Jun 14th 2007 10:41AM]

Jugomugo, it won't even revolutionize it for high school kids. They like instant messaging more than anything, and the iPhone doesn't have, nor can you install, and IM app.

BIG mistake there. HUGE. The Sidekick crowd might have migrated over, but now they're staying put. And after the app disappointment, I'd think most business men would want to stick with palm and windows os.

So, this is really for the ipod enthusiasts.

[Rick @ Jun 15th 2007 7:02AM]

The last day of the month, at the last hour of store operation.... "oh yeah, we hit June..."

[WWebb @ Jun 14th 2007 9:25AM]

I know the Apple fanboys are going to jump on me for this, but I really don't understand all the excitement about being able to pick up a PDA phone with EDGE (2g) networking. I mean seriously - I have a PDA phone now with Edge, and it is slooooow. Of course, my phone is 3 years old. What's Apple's excuse?

[jaapV @ Jun 14th 2007 3:17PM]

Apple's PDA comes with flashy effects and a touchscreen interface.
PDA is for dorks,
iPhone is for cool people!

It's a hype, but it is also a very cool gadget. So I will never get one, but I do think it is healthy for the semi industry.

[Jteve Sobs @ Jun 14th 2007 9:30AM]

It's a widescreen iPod, a revolutionary mobile phone, and an internet communicator~!

If Apple is doing it, it's gotta be right ^.^

[panik @ Jun 14th 2007 10:02AM]

"I know the Apple fanboys are going to jump on me for this, but I really don't understand all the excitement about being able to pick up a PDA phone with EDGE (2g) networking. I mean seriously - I have a PDA phone now with Edge, and it is slooooow. Of course, my phone is 3 years old. What's Apple's excuse?"

you just don't get it do you.
apple is all about design and marketing.
they sell cool to the uncool,
they sell sexy to the ugly.

those of us like me who are already sexy and cool and are immune to i.clone marketing can only watch on and smirk ;)

[WWebb @ Jun 14th 2007 10:07AM]

"you just don't get it do you.
apple is all about design and marketing.
they sell cool to the uncool,
they sell sexy to the ugly.

those of us like me who are already sexy and cool and are immune to i.clone marketing can only watch on and smirk ;)"

I just love to see people camp out on the sidewalk to buy a phone with ancient technology. Priceless.

[Brandon @ Jun 14th 2007 10:18AM]

Dude.

It's Apple.

[mikey @ Jun 14th 2007 9:51AM]

why are they doing this 6pm thing to make sure it won't ship? i don't see what they're achieving.

[tiuk @ Jun 14th 2007 10:14AM]

Their contract with FedEx guarantees that it will ship by 6 PM June 29th. So they're saying it goes on sale at 6 PM, that way they've covered.

[Mike @ Jun 14th 2007 10:19AM]

In the stock market world you always do something that can affect the price of shares on a Friday afternoon (after the markets are closed).

[Eric Wolf @ Jun 14th 2007 9:30AM]

Much more likely than FedEx would be an explanation that they want the local news to cover "iPhone mania" live in every major city in the country. Free (or as it is now called in the business "earned") media exposure.

[TriZz @ Jun 14th 2007 9:42AM]

I'm totally going to work my way to the front of the line by putting on a Fed-Ex uniform and walking with a box, into the store. Once I'm in, I'll just buy an iPhone and leave!

HAHAHA!

[Ratchet the Lombax @ Jun 14th 2007 9:53AM]

You sure you want to do that? You might get mugged by the apple fanboys thinking you have iPhones in that box.

[Froggy @ Jun 14th 2007 11:28AM]

If you do, please write in big letters "D-ck" right on the box. It would work on soooo many levels. :)

[Kevin @ Jun 14th 2007 9:47AM]

so since its "official" what time are people lining up at att/apple stores...

[scooby @ Jun 14th 2007 12:39PM]

Tell me how much is it? and all that u can said to me.

[Eric @ Jun 14th 2007 9:57AM]

People will be camping out two days advance. When the new store opened here, people camped overnight just to go in.

[John @ Jun 14th 2007 10:13AM]

The Fed-Ex comment is wrong....Most of these are coming through UPS.

[Frankenstein Black @ Jun 14th 2007 10:17AM]

Um, no. They use DHL!

[Brian @ Jun 14th 2007 10:32AM]

EH...not so sure about that, I work at Fedex and every christmas our station has about 300 ipods shipped straight from japan sitting around waiting to be delivered, so we used to ship the apple stuff, not sure about the current situation though

[ersatzniceguy @ Jun 14th 2007 10:19AM]

I think it has more to do with the fact that the people who can actually afford to buy an iPhone at launch are working until 5pm, and need that extra hour to get to their local Apple Store in time to buy one. Of course, what they don't know is that they'll meet me, and a dozens-deep line of camping die-hards at the front door.

Cheers.

[TVGenius @ Jun 14th 2007 10:22AM]

We'll see if they can top the amount of violence around the PS3's launch.

[Adam @ Jun 14th 2007 1:59PM]

I wonder which web blog will get their hands on an Iphone first...? Then crush it in front of all the losers waiting in line.

That would be worth the wait.

[TVGenius @ Jun 14th 2007 2:00PM]

Or stick it in their pants... oh wait, that's the other place. :)

[MillerTime @ Jun 18th 2007 12:23PM]

The PS3 was a dud, perhaps the biggest gaming system upset since the Sega CD. I worked at Sears during the release of them and we couldn't get rid of them. There were about ten sitting behind the counter. Now, the Xbox 360 is a completely different story they are still flying off the shelves.

[ScOObyDoo @ Jun 14th 2007 10:28AM]

Not wanting the phones in stock in the local ATT store speaks volumes about how much ATT trusts its staff members.

[John @ Jun 14th 2007 10:35AM]

I am definately not a Mac fan boy, this Iphone will be my 1st Apple purchase EVER. I do have two issues with the phone, one being storage. I really wish the storage was larger then 4 and 8g's. I don't think that will be enough for all my music and porn clips...

The second issue will be the EDGE network, it's not really a huge issue for me because I wasn't planning on getting an expensive data plan, but it would be nice to know IF I wanted to I could. Right now I see myself using it as a phone 1st then a MP3 player second.

[JonnyDeco @ Jun 14th 2007 11:11AM]

My guess is the reasoning behind the "6 PM local time" beginning of sales is so local TV stations can cover the event live, filming people in line excitedly grabbing their iPhones. I'm not buying an iPhone but the Apple folks are PR/marketing geniuses (as the commercials show).

[shoman24v @ Jun 14th 2007 9:01PM]

I can't wait to see what happens when people drop their $600 phone and break it.

[DBX00 @ Jun 14th 2007 11:27AM]

The faster this thing gets released, the six month countdown begins for the second generation iphone or the iphone like ipod is released. I'll take this phone with outlook integration, a 3G radio, and real third party software.

[Scott @ Jun 14th 2007 3:50PM]

Does anyone know what kind of plans ATT will offer for the iPhone?

[vandergoes @ Jun 14th 2007 11:54AM]

"From Mac.blorge.com: Though Apple has released the iPhone’s debut date, one important question is still unanswered; what will it really cost? One anonymous AT&T store manager said users will get their WiFi…when they sign a contract locking them into a data plan and EDGE. Kiss your dreams of WiFi reliance goodbye.

This manager revealed that distribution materials that are now reaching stores clearly state users must purchase data plans to buy iPhones. In fact, he said the iPhone will come with a unique contract that doesn’t exist for any other phone AT&T sells…which could be good or very, very bad.

Though Steve Jobs clearly stated the the connectivity dependence of the iPhone will focus on WiFi and Blu-tooth, visual voicemail, Google Maps, or any of the other main features will be available only through a contractual AT&T data plan.
Though this might not sound bad, prices on iPhone plans have yet to be released; I, for one, am constantly immersed in the world of WiFi, nearly everywhere I go…a data plan (for the actual data transfer capabilities) would be a complete waste of money. I don’t want to be locked into a 2 year data package when I use WiFi constantly…but apparently it isn’t an option.

This is how AT&T will make back all the money they aren’t making on selling the iPhone itself. Though WiFi will be complimentary, users will be forced to buy a plan they don’t necessarily need to use all the features of the iPhone. Get out your checkbooks, because the iPhone’s $599 pricetag is just a scratch on the surface of how much you will be paying.

Expect a hybrid phone service/data plan at a moderate rate that cannot be discontinued without a serious fee…by locking the data plan and phone service plan, AT&T will ensure users cannot drop the EDGE network and attempt to use WiFi cingularly.""

Need say more?

[John @ Jun 14th 2007 12:06PM]

If what you say is true, then this will be the 1st negative issue that makes me stop and think about this purchase. I could live with...
1. NO SDK
2. 2 year contract
3. Locked into Cingular
4. No GPS
5. Must have Itunes account
6. No removeable battery
7. Crappy battery life
8. Small storage space
9. Being Expensive as hell
10. No physical keyboard

BUT if they do decide to force user's into a data plan then I WON'T BE HAPPY!!!!

[MillerTime @ Jun 18th 2007 12:24PM]

The data plan is 30 dollars, with it you get EDGE, text messaging, visual voicemail, etc.

[scooby @ Jun 14th 2007 12:41PM]

Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[angelsvairwaves1 @ Jun 14th 2007 2:10PM]

Isnt cingular making iPhone plans that include data, minutes, text, etc.?

[pkilla @ Jun 14th 2007 4:21PM]

What everyone doesn't realize is who apple users are, ppl who do not care about spending extra money for equivalent or inferior products as long as its makes them look cool doing it. Along with people who just fall for any marketing campaign that companies put out. I have looked at all their products and there have never been on product that has functionality >= to the price asked. Please someone name one product!

[kbdaniels @ Jun 14th 2007 5:41PM]

anyone know how much the phone will cost without the 2 yr contract. i talked to an ATT guy today and he said if you are in mid contract with ATT and are not eligiable for an upgrade it is up to the stores discresion to allow you to get a new 2 year contract.

[DHLNO @ Jun 14th 2007 8:36PM]

I can assure of two things concerning the delivery of the phones. 1. FedEx IS ATT's primary shipper and I do not see them depending on another delivery company to move such a high value item. and 2. At 6pm 99.9% of the delivery drivers will already have these delivered. So the 6PM time I do not know where they got that.

[John @ Jun 17th 2007 11:28AM]

Luckly I was talking to an AT&T guy and he said that there would be no need to buy a data plan unless you wanted one. Glad my bill won't be going up $50!

[John @ Jun 17th 2007 12:43PM]

Sorry, forget what I said in the other comment. I called at Store Sales Rep and she said that each AT&T store is only allowing in 2 people for each rep at a time, in this case for the store im going to is 8 maximum people at a time. She said they will have one demo phone, and if you want to look at a phone out of the box you have to sign a contract and it has to be fully paid for before they cut the seal. She said a data connect contract is mandatory, and that they will be using the Data Connect plan. She also said that they will be getting daily shipments for 5 phones per day. She also told me that you will not be able to buy the phone unless you are eligable for an upgrade or you are signing a brand new contract. Hope that clears some things up for you guys!

[Michael Earnhardt @ Jun 26th 2007 10:58PM]

There is an ebay seller who has 3 8gb Iphones for sale at "Buy It Now" price of $1,000.00 if you want one now!