Bad news for folks hoping a pre-order would save them from that yearly
camp out in front of their local Apple Store: iPhone 3G S pre-orders have sold out, and folks who are making new pre-orders are being told that they'll have to wait up to two weeks to get a phone. AT&T customers who do already have pre-orders in still have to line up at 7AM to nab a phone, but at least they've got a guaranteed slot if they show up, while the rest of the world will have to battle over remaining stock when Apple Stores open at 8AM and AT&T stores open to general customers at the same time. Looks like we might get a good riot or two out of this.
Update: AT&T just pinged us to clarify that it's still accepting pre-orders, but not for delivery on the 19th, and online pre-orders will be shipped directly to your home, so you actually don't have to hit up a store at all. But what fun is that?
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
posted Jun 13th 2009 2:12PM
wow that was something i wasnt expecting
If anybody wants a good deal on a 3G iPhone that they can jailbreak, make sure you are waiting on line with everyone else waiting to buy the 3GS.
I spent $1200 buying iPhone 4GB's and 8GB's in manhattan on the iPhone 3G line and then I turned around, jailbroke them and sold them on Ebay for $275 each which made me over $3000.
The iPhone 3G regularly goes for upwards of $400 on ebay if its jailbroken.
"customers who do already have pre-orders in still have to line up at 7AM to nab a phone"
What the fuck? Why?! Isn't that why we have pre-orders?
@GRAMMAR POLICE
Actually, I don't think that's true. AT&T's press release specifically says the phones (if you pre-ordered) will be available starting at 7am. That's IF you want to go get it then. Otherwise you can get it anytime afterwards, I believe they even mentioned days after.
If you pre-ordered a phone before today, you can go any time and pick it up. You are guaranteed the phone on and after the 19th. If you want the phone FIRST, you would have to wait on the line. They are distributing the pre-ordered phones on a first come first served basis. However, if you just wait until later that day or even the 20th when the lines disappear, you can walk right into the store and pick it up.
Thanks for the info, folks. Was in a bit of a panic. Can't get out of work that day but I'm off of work at 2:30 so hopefully I won't have to deal with a very big line.
@Pingles
No problem buddy. You should definitely be good by 2:30. Did you pre-order it from AT&T though? I was just telling you what I knew about pre-orders from AT&T =)
Just so everyone remembers, this is NOT a minor upgrade as all the Apple Haters suggest. This is MAJOR. If Apple had waited to announce all the software upgrades at WWDC, it would have been even more spectacular, but of course, then the developers wouldn't have had all those months to prepare.
But just so you can keep perspective in the sea of Apple Hate, here's the specs.
600MHz CPU
32 GB flash drive
256MB of RAM
PowerVR SGX graphics chip with support for OpenGL ES 2.0
3 Megapixel Camera
Video with geotagging, automatic focus, white balance, & exposure, at 30 FPS VGA
Digital Compass
Support for Peer-to-Peer Games
Cut, Copy & Paste
GPS Turn by Turn
Stereo Bluetooth
Nike + integration
Tethering
MMS
Voice Dial Commands
Voice Commands for Music
Voice Memos
Aufofill for Safari
Automatic Wi-Fi Login
Parental Controls
Shake to Shuffle
Moblie Me Find My iPhone
Landscape Keyboards for Mail, Messages, and Notes
Enhanced Stocks App
Spotlight Search
Ability to buy Films, TV Programs and Audiobooks
Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
And I forgot to mention all the API support for developers. The new APIs will allow developers to provide:
Peripheral control to the iPhone/touch.
Maps inside applications.
Voice Communication in applications.
Rumbling support for Games
Access to your music from applications
Support for new calendar types.
Great support for those 50,000 apps.
I highly suspect that this a marketing ploy, at which Apple are the masters. Claim the device is in contention to drum up interest (like this story), plus you can always show pictures of a bunch of tools waiting in line for it when it is released to show how popular it is.
This is a good strategy for them right now after what is a kinda meh update and the crazed hysteria dying down a bit.
@Paul A. Chapel
So that little girl and the boy in blue, are waiting for the iphone. Do you think they know the difference between 3G and 3G S? So much for parental controls.
And out of all that bs you mention, that what makes this phone major. Than phones made two years ago with those specs are MAJOR right?
ZUNEHDRULEZZ!!!
.
paul:
The videos on the 3Gs are not geotagged. Or if they are, iPhoto doesn't use the data. Also, 640x480 is available on $100 phones out there, it's hardly bragable.
GPS turn by turn is only an API, you don't get any turn-by-turn with the 3Gs out of the box.
Everything you list below digital compass except for Nike + integration, voice dialing, voice commands and the fingerprint resistance is available on the iPhone 3G with 3.0 software for free, so isn't really a "huge upgrade" on the new phone.
@pedro
first, i think this is the opposite of marketing, really. Apple is saying "hey, if you haven't ordered your phone, stay home. Don't come out and wait in line, 'cause it ain't worth it."
I guess it's marketing to a point, since they won't now get BAD press for not having enough phones on hand.
Second, to say these new hardware features, along with, literally hundreds of software enhancements, are a "meh" update is seriously underplaying the importance. While some may never use a compass, more memory, twice the speed, video, etc..., many will benefit from the software enhancements (and not the "shoulda been there from the beginning" stuff, but the fact that manufacturers can plug a cheap device into the dock port, and use the iPhones screen and processors to do countless things will change the way consumer electronics are made.
@Paul
I don't know what I should be more excited about: MMS or 'Copy and Paste'?
The only thing that list proves is how much the original iPhone was missing. I could go down the list and explain to you why all (or most) of those features are useless to an average consumer but I really don't want to. And, yet, look at that line-up.
Only apple can announce something as disappointing as 3GS and still come out on top in sales.
LOL. I thought this was an article about Palm PRE-orders. lol. AT&T is da devil!
This is a pretty useless debate for me and 99% of other 3G owners because of the fact that none of us are eligible to upgrade. And I'm not shelling out $700.00 for the unsubsidized 32gb model....So let the newbies have their 3GS and next summer when Apple hopefully unveils a trulely kick ass Iphone, all of us 3G owners will reclaim our bragging rights....Or if it's another lame rehash of the Iphone, Palm will be releasing a new Palm Pre around that time.
Paul a. Chapel:
Thanks for that bit of irrelevent fanboy ranting.
@Paul a. Chapel - and you still a bad touch screen qwerty. Enjoy!
@Paul a. Chapel
Thanks, Paul, you've managed to turn a sensible conversation thread into the same ol' boring "iPhone is great"/"iPhone is rubbish" nonsense that we've read many times before. Seriously, why did you do that? Do you honestly think that people don't know the specification, or that if they are in the "iPhone is rubbish" camp that this would sway them somehow?
I was going to continue reading the comments but there's no point now. Cheers for that.
Where's Greg Packer?
Maybe they have cutted back on the budget for hired window dressing queues and trying to make a artificial one with misleading press releases?
Even on the first day the first iPhone launched, you could walk in shortly after the crazy mob had dissipated - afternoon-ish - and walk out with an iPhone in your hand. I don't expect this to be different. That's because they make enough. The reason for the lines is that there are still people who love this sort of thing, waiting in line and all that. Let 'em have their fun.
Already pre-ordered mine! Just got an e-mail this morning from AT&T saying it will be shipped overnight to arrive on June 19!
Interestingly, AT&T's confirmation letter says that the iPhone "will be processed to arrive as early as June 19, 2009". They don't guarantee Friday delivery.
It wouldn't surprise me if the AT&T pre-orders arrived over the course of a few days, as I'm wondering if the local FedEx (or whatever shipper they use) can handle the sudden onslaught of thousands (tens of thousands?) of overnight delivery packages. I'd LOVE to be wrong, though.
Also, I don't know about AT&T, but other cell phone companies insist on a signature for package delivery. People who are expecting the overnight delivery iPhones should probably arrange to be home.
Yea I know about the signature, I already have arranged someone to be home to accept the package.
I'm truly shocked by the fact that people would wake up at the crack of dawn to line up for a phone that has been near virtually unchanged since its launched 2 years ago. Sure some welcomed improvements on the software side are worthy of an applause but still. The iPhone craze has gone a bit overhand. I mean, it's not like the 3GS is any much different from the 3G.
Early? I've been at work for an hour already at 7!!!
Why line up when you can have one delivered, anyway? This is the more important question, I believe. I buy just about everything online, other than food.
I have the 2G, so when the new one arrives I'm expecting to have a breeze blowing on my face it is so fast. We'll see.
Yeah no different except for a new processor(600Mhz), more RAM & new graphics chip. Does no on read around here?
I'm don't even like apple hardware & I know this is the first REAL upgrade they've done to the phone. RTFM!!!!
I can't tell whether these people are buying the new iPhone 3G S because their contracts are up or if they just want the latest and greatest.
I thought Apple's newest model wasn't that spectacular? I'm partly surprised, but then again, this is Apple we're talking about.
@Liquid.... RTFM!!!
really? can you explain to me how moving from a metal, 2G, no GPS, 4GB, 400Mhz, 128MbRAM, no apps, 4 hour battery phone moving over 2 years to a polycarbonate, 3.5G, GPS, compass, 32GB, 600Mhz, 256MbRAM, 6 hour battery phone with 50,000 apps and external hardware integration is "virtually unchanged"?
I agree that the actual hardware isn't a huge upgrade over the 3G, but to say it hasn't changed in 2 years (since the 2G) is just plain ignorant of the facts.
And on the subject, yes, lots of phones have this stuff already, but they don't have the apps, and don't have the dock-connector potential that the iPhone has. G1 blood pressure monitor? nope. Pre controlling your car stereo? not gonna happen. Tom Tom GPS dock on your Nokia? Maybe turn by turn, but not TomTom. And once that Blackberry gets over-the-air movie rentals, give me a call.
Zen, lol. RTFM, really? We're on Engadget, I know my shit.
I said this wasn't a "spectacular" model. I expected more.
Thank fuckin god they sold out, people waiting in a line to get a PHONE, get real people. it's just another phone, nothing real special there. Now the Pre might be something to wait for but meh wait a month and stocks of your precious will be plentiful.
You insult people that wait for the iPhone as it's just a "PHONE", but then say it's alright to wait for the Pre, hey, that's just a "PHONE" too is it not?
They are buying into the cool/status symbol effect, not the phone itself.
@mirakutea
What's your point?
@ROOLE
I thinks she/he just made it.
Get over yourself fool. People are not waiting in line, they are just pre-ordering it. The pre-orders are sold out.
That is all... continue with your befuddled life,
Pre-orders are not sold out. I just preordered one from Apple and it is guaranteed to arrive on the 19th with free shipping.
Also, the hardware upgrades in this phone are substantial even though the outside of it doesn't change much. Anyone who has used a 3G iPhone can tell you it can be a little slow at times especially loading web pages. So the beefed up graphics card, faster processor, and more RAM should make the iPhone 3GS even that much better than the already outstanding iPhone 3G. I could care less about buying a status symbol. I want a great music/video player and if I can get a phone with it, well, that is just a sweet bonus. Also, there are no other phones that can rival the iPhone with regards to applications. The only other phone I'd consider is a Palm Pre but it is still to be shown how its developer community will grow and how good of a music/video player is. Remember, you can't out iPod an iPod/iPhone.
Cole2839,
I think it's important that you know that the online pre-orders are NOT "guaranteed to arrive on the 19th". In fact, if you READ what the order confirmations actually say, it says it will ship out using priority overnight to arrive "AS EARLY AS the 19th". So be prepared for that pre-order to arrive later than the 19th. Also, if you JUST pre-ordered it, I would prepare to maybe even wait the week or two for them to get some new stock in.
Jonathan Davidenas, you are wrong, sir. The wording in the email and on my order details is "Delivers by June 19th". That means ON or BEFORE June 19th.
The Pre-tender is getting bad press over the crappy plastic screen that you can scratch easily and bad build.
I ordered my black 32GB 3GS online and received an e-mail that said I would receive it in the mail on Jun 19th. I think I would've purchased a Pre if I would've been told I had to wait weeks for an iPhone. Of course, those have been selling out too.
wow.
So a 14 day difference was all it would take for you to flip from the iPhone to the Pre?
@TareX What, you think he's married to the phone or something?
Some people think a phone is a phone, and a smartphone is a smartphone. Others take sides, like "iPhone is not a real smart phone, it's an entertainment device", or "the Pre is just trying to play catch-up".
If a two-week delay is enough to convince you to choose another brand, then you're obviously in the first set of people. If you can get a Pre sooner, it's not too late to cancel your iPhone order. Go for it. Do what makes you happy.
Two weeks wouldn't be enough to force me over to Sprint.
LoL, all this for just a phone. :))
I wouldn't worry about it. Since there is absolutely no visual difference between the 3G and the 3G S, the douchebag will have no problems fooling his douchebag friends.
Is there guy hiding under that green plastic sheet in the photo?
I'm more curious where I've seen the girl in the front of the photo. I know I've seen her before, in another photo (not real life) and she was yawning in the other photo as well.
Not sure why I remember that though...
If you haven't figured it out yet the picture they used was from last years camp out session. If you click their link at the top you will see the exact same picture
Really? its not even "NEW"
How so?
I take it you're just a hater.
Well I'm a lover and I agree, the 3G S is pathetic. Why couldn't they redesign the hardware even in the most subtlest way, like the transition between 2G and 3G iPhone!
Sometimes it's not about the looks, but about the hardware.
Compass?
Check.
More RAM?
Check.
Tons of new OS features?
Check.
@Ryan: because they want you to buy another one next year aswell, they usually save some things for next time.
a compass and more RAM dont make this a whole new phone. its the same phone with disappointing upgrades.
as for the new OS everyone gets that anyway
Actually I was more referring that the iPhone isn't new.
Meaning it doesn't have the same hype or "wow" factor you got when the iPhone first came out. Only you are going to know you have the 3GS.
So its a little faster, wow.
It has a compass, wow. You want to know if you're going north, south, west east? Hint: sun rises to the east, sets to the west.
Video and voice, wow.
Not really mocking the new features, it was developed and implemented for a reason, I don't see it being worth going crazy over.
Apple developed a new iPhone every year since 2007, so odds are a new one will be out next year.
Do you think that the TomTom map software could be written to use the position of the sun instead of a compass? That would be kick ass.
Better processor
More RAM
Better battery
Compass
Better Camera (3.0 MP is more than enough for a phone camera. If you want to print your photos get a real camera)
Better radio chip set (7Mbps vs. 3.something) for data
Additional software features - video recording, voice control.
Same price as before.
About the only thing missing from my perspective is OLED vs LCD. Still, that is a pretty substantial upgrade especially considering they didn't raise the price.
People who bitch about the design. It's a slab of glass with a curved plastic back. What do you want them to do? About all they could do is change the finish on the trim or change the color / finish on the back. Personally I do wish they would come out with an aluminum one again, but based oh the issues with the antenna I do not expect that to happen.
Please, just don't talk on things you're so ignorant about.
3GS... Twice the processor performance, twice the RAM, twice the storage capacity, improved battery life, improved camera finally supporting video, compass, HSPA capable and ready, all for the same price as the 3G was the day earlier.
You either don't know what you're talking about, or you simply want to keep spreading this FUD about how nothing on the 3GS is worth upgrading to. It's OK to just say "I don't like the iPhone," so just say that. But don't try to act like you haven't seen any improvements made with the 3GS, and thus, sadly and regrettably, you just can't get that excited about it. No. We see through you. It's actually quite drastic, and I think you'll see that over the next 6 months as the software capitalizes on it.
@Miles
Who are you kidding? Compass? Really . . . ?!
Yeah, a compass. Needed for "real" navigation software.
Otherwise you have to be moving to orient.
I preordered mine the 3rd day after it was announced and the cashier said I got one of the last preorders for their store
I take it this is the original iPhone 2G owners performing their upgrade?
Not necessarily. There are three different prices- Fully unsub'ed, new 2-year contract with no involvement in one currently, and a middle ground "I got the 3G, now I want the 3GS."
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/08/iphone-3g-owners-and-atandt-upgrade-woes/
Probably. My plan all along was to wait for whatever came after the 3G. Frankly I like my v1 just fine, and I prefer the design (aluminum vs plastic)
Since 90% of what I do is via Wi-Fi, I've never been all that interested in 3G, voice dialing, even when it works doesn't work all the time. Some of the features like video recording I don't care about. It's a feature I've had on digital cameras and phones in the past and have used 2 or 3 times, although I'm looking forward to a better camera sensor, and 4MP is more than enough for a phone camera.
The thing I'm most interested in is the Tom Tom GPS stuff. If I can use my phone as a nav system, and at the same time use the iPod functionality through the stereo, and have all that work properly when I get a call that I can take hands free. If all that works, I'm in.
Not necessarily upgraders. There might actually be people out there who don't own iphones that are buying one for the very first time, given the attractive price point.
Another bitter post by someone who has clearly had their cheerios shat in this morning.
Apple does it again!
I was expecting this to happen anyway, but still it feels so good.
So are you buying one?
I just got an iPod Touch for graduation, so maybe I should upgrade.
I also need to help buy a new fence as ours is being forced out of the ground by 20 years of Mother Nature's fury.
@mirakutea
Wow, for a guy who does not seem to care much for the iPhone or Apple, you already have five posts in just this one thread?
Low opportunity cost for your time, huh?
I only post a lot when I'm bored or sick.
if that is queer, then I don't want to be the opposite.
Both in this case?
Ugh. Before I look like a complete idiot (probably on the way)
I was replying to "I only post a lot when I'm bored or sick."
Not to anything after that. I need to be faster with my not so witty comments
@M3TRIC
Don't put anime fans and apples fan or any type of other company/product blindloving fools in the same sentence, quote or post. Thank you.
I bet there are people sacrificing holidays and stuff to pay for iPhones and the bills.
Simply Fantastic.
You know you can pre-order on apples website as well, not sure if they are sold out yet or not. Remeber that there are still a lot of people who haven't ever bought an iphone so it doesn't matter that it hasnt changed much from the 3G version because its new to them.
Home delivery pre-orders are not sold out. I just ordered mine after reading this. Email promises delivery on June 19th.
if you buy it online at the apple store won't it be delivered to your door on June 19?
seems much easier than waiting in line.
i guess some people have to have it before fed ex arrives?
I'm not sure if people realize this, but Apple usually goes with the expensive FedEx Overnight service which means delivery by 10am. I'll be taking Friday off so I can wake up to a 3G S. Bye bye Bold!
just buy it online. i dont see why youd want to wait outside for it, if youre going to get it ON the day it comes out.
They DID buy it online, and they have to pick it up in store. IMO, if I ordered something for preorder I would want it ASAP >_>...
if they bought it online from the apple store, you dont have to go to a store to pick it up...it will be DELIVERED to you on the 19th. lines avoided, unless you want to be in line, have your picture taken next to the homeless guy, and have it posted on websites -- for your 15 min of 'fame'
the only people that have to go to the store to pick up their new iphone, are the people that went to the store to preorder the iphone to begin with
Well, no worries. I can't order my with the street price until December. By the, the early adopters will work out all of the bugs. Then again, maybe I'll wait 6 more months after December for the next release 3Gs++.
if i had the money i would jump into the hype to shoot....lmao'ing 6 months later when the next version comes out and people complaining,they on contract and their 3gs are basically worthless.....
Should've ordered it online like I did. With free overnight shipping, I should have it on the 19th, and if not, I'll survive.
There were endless lines for Palm Pre, too! No sheisse!
Show me! :-)
Me 2.
It appears that Apple, after all, can do no wrong (at least in fanboys' eyes).
ZOMG!!! I totally like need a new phone! I mean like this one has a COMPASS!!! OMG!!!
Pssshhhh, iPhone. I have too many toys as it is. I'll stick with something with 'actual' productivity, a Blackberry.
Lucky me I ordered mine on the day it was announced through Apple website.