Apple – Page 3

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!”

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.

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?