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Technology

iPhone 4 out of stock from the 24th

7 days to go till the launch of the iPhone 4 and people are clocking up a large wedge of pre orders. Apple reported 600,000 pre orders for the new iPhone, the largest number of pre orders ever. This is great news for the success of Apple’s newly designed iPhone however can they actually deal with the kind of volume customers are asking for in such a short time?

Apple is going to release the handset in five countries on June 24th. That’s going to be a fuck load of iPhone’s. In the UK O2, Vodafone, “3” and Orange are going to be selling the handset from day one. The first three networks have all been taking pre orders left, right and centre; however the largest mobile company in the UK “Everything, Everywhere” (E2) that controls both Orange and T-Mobile are not, but why not?

E2 are in a position to release the iPhone 4 on the T-Mobile and Orange networks however there is no sign of doing so on T-Mobile from launch day. They have been jumping up and down about getting the handset out on Orange, they ever email customer to let them know pre orders were going to start; then took a step back.

This could be the craziest marketing ploy ever, it could just be one big fuck up or it could be something else.

I think that Apple’s iPhone warehouses are as empty as my wallet the day before payday.

Orange have a choice; they could take a large volume of pre orders then try to get the handsets out of door as quick as they can. The only issue with this is none of the people with pre orders are going to give a crap about any of the other handsets Orange sell while customers wait for there number to get called. The other manufacturers start to get pissed off that the network is not shifting their products. If the wait is a long one customers also started to get pissed off.

The real reason that Orange isn’t taking any pre orders? Apple is sending them 6 handsets in the first month, one for each region of the UK. If you not getting the stock then you need to make sure its business as usual then you just sell them as you get them. They would still get bogged down with customers asking for the stock but by not pretending that you are able to supply every man and his dog you don’t piss off every man, just his dog. Wouldn’t they just loose loads of customers? Not if the other networks are in the same situation. They can only sell the stock they get.

When the stock does start to hit the stock rooms and warehouses the customers that have been waiting for ages for their networks to “Fulfil my fucking pre order” they have already started to look around. That would be when Orange takes the deal.

Clever but risky move from Orange, Apple however are the true winner.

I think that Apple’s iPhone warehouses are as empty as my wallet the day before payday, except the triple storey super warehouse that stocks the Apple Stores.

My guess is there stockrooms are going to be bursting to the seams with nice, shiny new iPhone 4’s to buy. It maybe at a premium but with the middleman cut out of the mix it’s going to be a big fat wedge of profit through the tills of Apple stores all over the UK. Also during the “great iPhone 4 shortage of 2010” a chance for them to get each and every person that walks into a Apple Store…

“would you like a [insert iProduct] with that!”

Mobile / Technology / post365 — 2 Comments
19
Mar 10

Android is going to hit it extra big.. Quickly!

I’m going to put myself out there and say that over the next few week will be the start of the mass switch from OS X (iPhone) to Android as the mobile system of masses.

The first phase of the early Android has come to an end (HTC Hero, Motorola Dext, HTC G1) and Adriod had so far done a great job to get to its current position in the market; now the big players running Android are starting to land.

The new Sony Ericsson Xperia (Android) handsets are about to hit the stores. I believe that this will be the first range of handsets that will drive the similar cool, easy to use and geeky for the none geeks feel that drove sales in the iPhone. The collection of application that are available for Android handsets compared to the iPhone are not as much of an issue as it used to be and is only going to get better. Windows Mobile, now re-branded as Windows Phone with WM 7 is just too little, too late.

Sony Ericsson has some great handset designs (when they put the effort in) and once people have got passed the initial “Sony Ericsson handsets always have rubbish software on them” issue; and realise that its not Sony Ericsson under the hood; I think that we are going to see a lot of the new Xperia handsets floating around attached to the side of peoples heads. The X10 will be the front runner.

Do you think Android is going to be the front running in the mobile market?

Am I wrong?

What color are your pants?

Technology / post365 — 7 Comments
24
Feb 10

New OS Install? What’s your first Apps?

Today I treated myself to the Snow Leopard OS X upgrade. Since I was upgrading I thought I may as well just so with a fresh installation.

The first thing to do was to back up my documents, music and Photos. Two hours later and it was time to complete a fresh installation of Leopard followed by the Snow Leopard upgrade. Another three hours later; move everything back (+ two hours of software updates) then for the next step I got thinking….

What are the first Applications you install on a fresh OS install?

I’m guessing most people start with there Web Browser of choice (I use Firefox) then staring running through your own chose of apps.

I was wondering what are the first apps you would install in a new system?

Answers in the comments below.

News / Technology / post365 — 1 Comment
10
Feb 10

The time is almost upon us in Newcastle

Back in September 2009 Sam ( @purplelime )over at Fruitbytes.co.uk gave the people of Newcastle the heads up about the retail store us northern geeks were waiting for. Our very own Apple Store.

With less than six days till opening I took a quick look back at the original floor plans of Eldon Square’s new south wing to remind me what I was getting excited about. I’m now a little worried about what we may get from our new Apple Store.

I’m not going to write anything off till I get into the place myself; but if you look at the size of the Apple Store unit and compare it to the Top Shop unit opposite it. Top Shop normally have some good size stores so it would suggest that the new Apple Store in comparison will be of a good size. If however you picture the size of most of the stores in Eldon Square (if you have been there and are able to do that) you will be aware that they aren’t very big.

Take a look at this digital walk through of the new wing of Eldon Square.

The size of the units shown don’t seem to be that big. What if our new Apple store is just a baby version of what you would expect from an Apple store? I’m not saying that I expect a London or New York sized store; but I do want a store that will do Newcastle justice.

I guess we will just have to wait and see.

What do you think the Apple Store will bring to Newcastle?

Are you planning on visiting on opening day?

Do you care?

Technology / post365 — No Comments
9
Feb 10

Technology in the year I was born.

Stumbled across a very interesting web site tonight. I give you a run down of everything that happened in the year the you were born.

So what interesting things did I get out of it?

The fabulous technology that was born the same years I was… The Spreadsheet and the credit card calculator. How did we ever life without it?

Technology — No Comments
20
Jan 10

“Check in” @ the cupboard under the stairs

Being playing around with the Foursquare the social “location tagging” service and I’ve been loving it…..BUT!

Nobody seems to know what the hell they are doing with it. Other than clocking points and becoming the mayor of your most visited locations I have seen very little sign of social interaction.

The service could be great for when you visit a location you haven’t been to before. If people have added good descriptive tips about what bars and restaurants offer, what the atmosphere is like or how good the service is; you can always ensure you end up in the right place.

When your in your local area however the main benefit has to be meeting up with people to say hello (not that you can’t do this while your away from home base just your more likely to connect with somebody local). One of the problems with this is making sure locations are tagged in a way that makes this easier. A bar should be straight forward; you in the bar or not! When it comes to locations like a clothing store your not likely to want to meet up with anyone; your shopping. Do you check in to the whole street that the shops are on, “Northumberland Street”, “Princess Street” or even the whole city centre?

I don’t’ have an answer for you; so I’m asking.

Do we need some loose guidelines on what type of locations we should be tagging and checking into?

Should you be adding better quality tips for people visiting your area?

Your comments are welcome.

Technology — No Comments
9
Jan 10

Hack History

Been having a little surf around on Stumble Upon this evening when I found this walk through of the history of Hacking.

Rant / Technology — No Comments
8
Jan 10

Anti Black Technology

When it comes to developing software technology’s a certain level of testing is expected before you sign it off for release. Hewlett-Packard however forgot to test some minor issues with its new web cam face tracking software.

It just doesn’t like black people.

Despite the glich in the software; I have to say that it looks like a great feature to have on a web cam; just as long as your not black.

Rant / Technology — No Comments
4
Oct 09

The iPhone – coming to a network near you.

Its fair to say that the iPhone has moved the benchmark on what a mobile phone can be forever. Unprecedented usability for a touch screen device and backed up with it own endless supply of applications that will do everything from fart to monitor your insulin, all tied together with a little bit of iPod culture. Its downfall has always been the mobile network infrastructure that makes it tick and in the UK that is all about to change.

O2 have been the sole supplier of the device in the UK since its launch however that is going to change with both Orange and Vodafone signing deals with Apple to supply the iPhone and the possibility that this will open to all networks later

The above iPhone advert that still shows the “Only on O2” was band in the UK due to Apple not making it clear that the internet speeds on the handset are “subject to availability”. Its that “availability” that has let down a lot of Apple customers when it come to the handset giving them everything they wanted from the £200 they handed over.

So if you thinking about jumping on the iPhone band wagon or you’ve renewing to the latest version; who should to be going with? The networks are going to be dragging in customer with shinny new iPhone talk plans. This however is nothing new and the reality of it is that each network is going to be about the same with some pro and cons regardless which network you may go with. As always Apple will be dictating the price on the handset something you just going to have to live with. Customer service is the next thing to consider but you hear about horror stories from customers on any and all of the UK mobile operators… Just face it none of they will ever get it right every time; you just need to hope and pray that it doesn’t go tits up on your watch. The reality of it is that as long as your provider is giving you true unlimited data the new decider is going to be who is going to have the best “subject to availability”?

: 3 3G Coverage

: O2 3G Coverage

: Orange 3G Coverage

: T-Mobile 3G Coverage

: Combined T-Mobile and Orange 3GCoverage

: Vodafone 3G Coverage

According to Ofcom Orange currently have to best 3G coverage in the UK so on face value seem like the best option although not all of that coverage fully supports HSDPA. If however you consider the joint partnership between Orange and T-Mobile that was announced recently it could make for a network in the uk that will give us an mobile infrastructure worthy of the iPhone.

Combined T-Mobile and Orange 3GCoverage

Technology — 7 Comments
6
Nov 08

Not Going for Apple

When you work in retail and you are is passionate about Apple’s product there is no greater prestige than getting the opportunity to work for Apple retail. With only 20 stores in the UK jobs for the Retailer are few and far between and when living in the North East you have no opportunity’s available to you at all. Well that was until now. The only problem is that it doesn’t feel very “Apple”.
When you think about buying an Apple product you want to make sure you are getting the best advise available to you and heading in to an Apple store is always the place to get it. When you live in the North East of England you have to make do with the resellers; John Lewis, Fenwick of Newcastle, Carphone Warehouse, Currys and PC World to name a few. When you buy from a reseller you don’t get the same passion in the products that you would get from individuals that work in the Apple stores. Their product knowledge is reasonable but its diluted by the volume of other products that they have to focus on. Apple staff basically, live and breathe Apple. The Apple Stores surrounding environment match the company’s passion for great design and this rubs off on every person that walks through the doors of these stores.
My own passion for Apple products is so great that when a friend decided that when a job with Apple was not for them they thought of me for the role. I live in the North East of England, so with no Apple Stores to be seen; what was the job position?

Design for the planned Apple Concessions at PC World

PC World are going to be rolling out Apple Concessions into their stores that are in locations outside of the catchment area of Apples own stores. The difference in this compared to PC World’s normal Apple product displays is that they are going to be manned by Apple employees instead of PC World staff. These “Lone Rangers” are going to be masters of their own space within the PC World stores. Their role “bring new customers to the Apple brand and increase the sale of computers to users who currently do not own a Macintosh computer and first time personal computer buyers”.
I do think that this is a good move for Apple. Driving revenue and Brand awareness come hand in hand. Having a higher profile for the Apple brand can be nothing more than a good thing for Apple. These concessions will improve Brand awareness to people that may have not considered buying an Apple product.
So what about my application for the job? Well, I won’t be applying.
My reason for not applying despite Apple being one of the only retailers that I would consider leaving my current employer for? As one of my friends pointed out “would you take a job trying to sell fine wines in Lager World” The answer is no! Apple does have a need to increase their outlet locations but I don’t believe that this is the way to do it. People that shop at PC World, shop there because they want a bargain not quality. Apple is quality and although I see a need to encourage new people to buy the Apple brand and these concessions will help towards that; if you’re the person on the front line being paid a commission on selling a brand that you love, to a customer base that is focused on budget; it just doesn’t work.
In time I do hope that this changes the PC World customer base and open their eyes to the same passion I have for Apple and its products but for now I will continue to sell Apple products the same way I always have. Sharing my passion and excitement for Apple products to encourage my friends and family to make the switch.

Do you think I’m right in not applying?

Would you buy an Apple product from a PC World conssesion?