Apple London Event update - store shrouded, closed until Tuesday afternoon.

[tibi08]

Very odd

Why sht the store 3 hours early tonight as well? Couldnt they have done the prep after close?

So in total theyve slashed nearly a full days trade - must be something serious

And if it were just an announcement - why cover the whole store - unless theyre just playing with us

Do you really think the Apple store in Regent Street makes much money? The place is one big marketing campaign in any case so they may as well hold media events there rather than hiring a 3rd party venue.

 

[maverick808]

I'm sure it's just an announcement. If it were the actual phones being released then every Apple store in the UK would be closing early to prepare, not just the London store.

Whatever, I've already got an iPhone anyway

 

[Lyra]

hmmm

Went to the store today, talked to one of the people in charge for the event tomorrow, and he said he's hoping that the store can be opened again at around 2pm. But from what I see here, it's probably NOT going to happen. However, what wonders me is what's taking SO LONG?

Form 10am to 4pm?

That's uhhh, pretty hefty...

Even 10am to 2pm is a lot.

Anyway, I bet O2 will be there to talk and convince whoever needs to be convincing they were the right choice for Apple and the iPhone. I'd LOVE it simply LOVE it if Steve would come by and hand out the paper saying as of tomorrow we'll launch Leopard ahead of time and people who buy the iPhone in the UK can do so from next month and as an extra treat he's gonna bump up the 8GB iPhone to 16GB for the European market.

Buuuuuuuuuuuuut...

No...

That's not gonna happen...

Byt then we'll all know tomorrow what will...

I'm waiting for my iPod Touch, but I've seen too much horrible news to freak me out with the negative Black Screens!!!

APPLE! WAKE UP and don't release hardware and software with such major flaws!!!!

 

[applemax]

I'm sure it's just an announcement. If it were the actual phones being released then every Apple store in the UK would be closing early to prepare, not just the London store.

Whatever, I've already got an iPhone anyway

No. This has always been the case with Apple product. For example, when new products are released at MWSF they are always available at the nearest store immediately after the event. The other stores don't get the products as fast.

 

[al3000]

I love how apple hypes up these events... store closed, black curtain... brilliant!

 

[joe8232]

So USA gets the whole of macworld devoted to its release date. It wasnt even released that day! We deserve a bit of excitement once in a while. And its good to have an event in the UK the rest of the (mac)world seem equally excited about.


We never have to wake up at the middle of the night. I dont actually know the time difference, but 10AM Cupertino, is 6PM UK. Perfect time for when i get home from work, and make a nice cup of tea, and sit down to read the event as it happens!

Isn't it great being British! Why else do you think Britain is at the centre of the world map? Some would say it was because we are the best, which may be true! But the main reason, is so that we could watch Apple conferences from Cupertino with a nice cup of tea!!!!

 

[netdog]

Do you really think the Apple store in Regent Street makes much money? The place is one big marketing campaign in any case so they may as well hold media events there rather than hiring a 3rd party venue.

There are always huge lines at the register from opening at 10 to closing at 8. They make TONS of money.

 

[MiLK©]

Very odd

Why sht the store 3 hours early tonight as well? Couldnt they have done the prep after close?

So in total theyve slashed nearly a full days trade - must be something serious

And if it were just an announcement - why cover the whole store - unless theyre just playing with us

I think that behind the curtians they are training the staff with the iPhone so they can all wow the media with it tommorrow when its announced.


My predictions for tommorow:
(based on realistic thoughts, rather than blind excited hope!)

- iPhone announced but not launched.
- 8GB version, perhaps 16GB as well, but unlikely.
- Definitely no 3G
- Firmware update - inc. Wifi Store, minor enhancements (eg. international keyboard, double tap space for full stop etc.)

 

[210]

iPhone

I am sure it is just an annoucement that O2 has the iPhone contract, when it will be available and pricing. If it was going to be more than that, media would have been called a lot earlier than last week. Maybe a mention of the new iPods. Will Steve Jobs even be there?

As for 3G, I very much doubt it. Apple already says that it drains too much power and they would have made more of a big deal for an iPhone 2.0 launch.

Unfortunately, I'm with Orange until June, so I'm out of luck. However, maybe version 2 will be out by then or Orange will be able to get the iPhone by that time?

 

[swarmboy]

related?

dunno if it's at all related but i walked past two O2 shops on my way home tonight (after closing time) and in both, the staff were gathered at the back of the shop having a meeting.

 

[netdog]

I am sure it is just an annoucement that O2 has the iPhone contract, when it will be available and pricing. If it was going to be more than that, media would have been called a lot earlier than last week. Maybe a mention of the new iPods. Will Steve Jobs even be there?

Then what the hell have they been doing in there for the last two nights? You are sure of nothing. I saw all the activity, and the security.

 

[ascender]

I wonder how it will work for existing O2 customers who want to upgrade to the iPhone? Any idea based on the US launch?

 

[gusapple]

Is Steve gonna be speaking or whatever?

 

[k2k koos]

I so hope no O2 in the UK

I've cancelled my O2 phone a few months ago, that is, it took me 3 months to get the darn thing cancelled, simply because I didn't use it anymore and wanted pay as you go.
It took me 3 phone calls, 2 written letters, and countless e-mails ( 7 actually) to finally get the darn thing cancelled. I was clever enough to stop the direct debit from my account, but that only resulted in threatening letters telling me I was in debt with O2, while I had allready cancelled the contract.... It's not the first time this happened to an O2 customer, I believe I read about it here somewhere before too. Anyway, I hope I can get the iPhone with a different company, I am sick of O2 here, but I think I will be out of luck for a few years if they get the contract, it means no iPhone for me for a while..... :-(

 

[MiLK©]

Then what the hell have they been doing in there for the last two nights? You are sure of nothing. I saw all the activity, and the security.

Training staff who are going to be showcasing it to the media?

 

[milszils]

if the iphone is released then the ipod touch will be sold as well as then they will have been trained to use both units!

 

[netdog]

Training staff who are going to be showcasing it to the media?

Dressed as carpenters and carrying tools and moving tables?

 

[MiLK©]

Dressed as carpenters and carrying tools and moving tables?

Setting up the display for the conference??

Dunno mate....I want it to launch tommorow just as much as everyone else...I just don't think its gunna happen...

 

[tibi08]

Dressed as carpenters and carrying tools and moving tables?

I have it on good authority that they've gutted the inside of the shop, removed the upper floor and staircase, and built a 20 foot high iPhone out of clear glass in the middle of the store...

 

[netdog]

Setting up the display for the conference??

Dunno mate....I want it to launch tommorow just as much as everyone else...I just don't think its gunna happen...

The conference will be held upstairs and in the back. The main floor was very busy at 10pm last night with lots of security keeping an eye so see to it that nobody could see in well.

 

[0098386]

...to stop americans whining!

No chance of that I'm afraid! You saw the reaction after a price drop

 

[Killyp]

I was thinking about getting an iPod touch, but tbh, I'd rather get an iPhone. Come on Apple! I'm due a phone upgrade from O2 *fingers crossed*

 

[BoyBach]

I think all tomorrow will bring is confirmation of O2 as provider, Carphone Warehouse as a seller, prices, data plans and the launch date.

Then the unveiling of demo iPhone's in the Store, firstly for the gathered press/media to have a play with and then open to the general public. Hence the delayed opening time and employee briefing.

 

[abrooks]

The curtains went up sunday night..!

No they didn't. The store was open until 7.00PM today.

 

[kayjprod]

Out shopping yesterday, I spotted the new edition of T3 magazine (October issue). The top right hand corner has a spoiler about an article discussing 'iPhone hits the UK'. Sounds pretty definite! I couldn't read the article as the magazine was sealed.

Have they let something slip? I guess they'd get in pretty big trouble if they had inside information, or maybe they are just acting on the rumours too.

Guess we'll know tomorrow.