From a business perspective, why is Apple so cagey on specific 3G release date?

[3Pedals6Speeds]

I get that having some mystery to the release date creates excitement, but it seems like they're also creating a lot of ill will in the minds of customers who have committed (though not been charged) for the 3G's.

Why do it this way? It seems there's more negatives than positives to the approach.

 

[cmaier]

I get that having some mystery to the release date creates excitement, but it seems like they're also creating a lot of ill will in the minds of customers who have committed (though not been charged) for the 3G's.

Why do it this way? It seems there's more negatives than positives to the approach.

Why ill will? We were told "late April." Late April hasn't approached yet.

 

[miles01110]

Because they don't want to be locked into a specific date and then not be able to deliver. Being vague is always easier.

 

[3Pedals6Speeds]

Why ill will? We were told "late April." Late April hasn't approached yet.

Maybe you haven't read all the posts from people obsessing about not having theirs yet?

 

[PDelahanty]

Why ill will? We were told "late April." Late April hasn't approached yet.

Last week was "Mid April".
This week is "Late April".
Next week is "End of April".

 

[avaloncourt]

I get that having some mystery to the release date creates excitement, but it seems like they're also creating a lot of ill will in the minds of customers who have committed (though not been charged) for the 3G's.

Why do it this way? It seems there's more negatives than positives to the approach.

I've said it several times here. I think the date will show up tomorrow for those of us still waiting. The 14 day return period will have ended for the huge sell-through period of all the pre-orders and reserves.

 

[cmaier]

Maybe you haven't read all the posts from people obsessing about not having theirs yet?

How is obsessing over the whereabouts of an eagerly awaited gadget "ill will?" If anything it is a good thing.

 

[romantivist]

My 2c is that the device has to be approved by the FCC. Setting a date may seem presumptuous, as the device is not "guaranteed" to be approved. Probably going to say "late April" until the approval process is finished so as not to step on the FCC's toes.

 

[3Pedals6Speeds]

How is obsessing over the whereabouts of an eagerly awaited gadget "ill will?" If anything it is a good thing.

Maybe "ill-will" is a poor choice of words, but its not exactly creating goodwill among a group of (likely) core early adopters.

 

[HLdan]

Maybe "ill-will" is a poor choice of words, but its not exactly creating goodwill among a group of (likely) core early adopters.

From a business perspective, Apple is doing the right thing by not promising specific dates, they may be still having last minute issues with the FCC. Core Early Adopters should use some common sense as to what the words "Late April" mean. I mean, honestly, just expect it to ship sometime this month. Be patient, it will come, at least you're not in the position of the people outside the U.S.

 

[kirchnrd]

As magical as Apple is, they are a large business. By being vague now, they can work to the last minute to get the item launched, and be able to applaud themselves for an on time launch.

 

[RunOverProducti]

I've said it several times here. I think the date will show up tomorrow for those of us still waiting. The 14 day return period will have ended for the huge sell-through period of all the pre-orders and reserves.

Not for me, I'm returning mine on the 22nd, I hope they have by then, if not I'll wait like everyone else

 

[cmaier]

Maybe "ill-will" is a poor choice of words, but its not exactly creating goodwill among a group of (likely) core early adopters.

Core early adopters will buy no matter what. The general public will buy when Apple gets more free publicity for finally announcing a date, and then again when that date arrives.

 

[Stngray]

My 2c is that the device has to be approved by the FCC. Setting a date may seem presumptuous, as the device is not "guaranteed" to be approved. Probably going to say "late April" until the approval process is finished so as not to step on the FCC's toes.

It has already been approved by the FCC. Otherwise we would not have been able to preorder.

 

[PsyD4Me]

Last week was "Mid April".
This week is "Late April".
Next week is "End of April".

last week it never said Mid april. common now!

 

[cmaier]

last week it never said Mid april. common now!

At first I thought that was what he meant, but I think he is defining terms. "Mid april" is defined as "last week," "late april" is defined as this week, etc.

Of course, he's wrong.

 

[avaloncourt]

Not for me, I'm returning mine on the 22nd, I hope they have by then, if not I'll wait like everyone else

Actually, I probably should have said after tomorrow since a lot of people got theirs on Monday instead of Saturday.

 

[wombat888]

Jesus! Let's just say it'll be out May 15. If it comes out sooner, you can be happy. What difference does a few weeks make?

 

[WalledMacGarden]

That's easy, they want a good supply available for the stores, every day they wait more get produced, it's the reason he put off the international release.

Obviously many many more pre orders were made, heck I never purchased anything Apple related and I'm getting one for my parents. So they want to fill all the pre-orders plus have a reasonable supply for the stores. If they announced a hard date say 4 days ago, and more pre-orders were made they certainly couldn't go back on it, so they are pushing it to the last second.

Simply put, they were not expecting to sell this many so early.

 

[Trek2100]

Maybe you haven't read all the posts from people obsessing about not having theirs yet?

Many of the folks on these threads obsess over every new release and love to complain. Did you ever read the threads on the new iMac last fall? Most people who buy don't post here anyway. Perhap this forum should be changed to MacObsession.complain.troll.fanboy.com

 

[avaloncourt]

As has been noted in other threads, Apple sent out emails to customers several minutes ago saying that orders will still be received in April. Apparently this was in response to people freaking out because the store now has May for delivery. People didn't freak out like that when the WiFi went to April 12 fulfillment. It took a lot longer for the 3G to end up in a sell-out situation. The wi-fi was obviously more popular.

 

[GraphicsGeek]

It has already been approved by the FCC. Otherwise we would not have been able to preorder.

No, it hasnt. FCC approvals do not come until the last minute. The 3G is what is holding it up. In years past, FCC approvals have not come on some versions of the iPhone until release day. The FCC will give Apple the go ahead before it is publically approved. The iPad 3G is boxed and sitting in a huge warehouse in Asia. As soon as they get the go ahead, theyll start slapping shipping labels on them. The FCC is the ONLY reason this is being held up.

 

[uglymoment]

No, it hasnt. FCC approvals do not come until the last minute. The 3G is what is holding it up. In years past, FCC approvals have not come on some versions of the iPhone until release day. The FCC will give Apple the go ahead before it is publically approved. The iPad 3G is boxed and sitting in a huge warehouse in Asia. As soon as they get the go ahead, theyll start slapping shipping labels on them. The FCC is the ONLY reason this is being held up.

Dude, How do you know about this? Did you talk to any Apple employee that this delay is because of FCC?

Regards,
Adnan Rahim
(My BlackBerry PIN is 216B64A6)

 

[javaGuru]

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Maybe "ill-will" is a poor choice of words, but its not exactly creating goodwill among a group of (likely) core early adopters.

From a business perspective, Apple is doing the right thing by not promising specific dates, they may be still having last minute issues with the FCC. Core Early Adopters should use some common sense as to what the words "Late April" mean. I mean, honestly, just expect it to ship sometime this month. Be patient, it will come, at least you're not in the position of the people outside the U.S.

I see your point but apple was very specific when it came to the iPad wifi only release date. Everyone knew it would ship on April 3rd and hit stores the same day.

 

[Swampthing]

No, it hasnt. FCC approvals do not come until the last minute. The 3G is what is holding it up. In years past, FCC approvals have not come on some versions of the iPhone until release day. The FCC will give Apple the go ahead before it is publically approved. The iPad 3G is boxed and sitting in a huge warehouse in Asia. As soon as they get the go ahead, theyll start slapping shipping labels on them. The FCC is the ONLY reason this is being held up.

Are you aware the iPad 3G was delivered to the FCC for approval on 12 March, or are you just speculating?

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/apple-ipad-model-a1337-phreaks-the-fcc/