Apple Retail Stores have replaced the iMacs that traditional served as their "kid's table" with iPads. The tables, which had previously been decked out with a quartet of iMacs, now sport 4 iPads instead.

Like the previous iMacs, which were set up with educational and game programs, the iPads had a variety of child-friendly apps. I'm not sure exactly when this happened, but I noticed it for the first time today when I visited my local store to pick up a repaired Mac. My 3 years godson, who was with me, took only a couple of moments to adjust. He launched a book app and began playing, just as he does at home. It was much easier for him to find an app and use the iPad than it had ever been to handle the iMac and mouse, so that was a huge win.

I'll miss seeing those big screens around the kids table, but iPads are clearly Apple's future, and nothing makes that clearer than how they're deploying them for future generations of Apple customers.

Apple previously replaced in-store display cards with interactive iPads, and replaced the MacBook Pro computers at the Genius Bar with iPads. Apple Store concierges also use iPads to handle appointments.

There's no sign that they'll start replacing the actual Geniuses (or other staff) with iPads. Yet.

There have been Apple Stores inside Best Buy -- and their subsidiary, Future Shop in Canada -- for a long time now, but Walmart? I haven't been to Walmart in years, but last time I did the only store-within-a-store they had there was a McDonalds. Well, times change, Apple Retail just keeps growing and growing, and it looks like Walmart is their next growth-vector.

Reader Jesse Martinez sent along these images from the Walmart Superstore in Rogers, Arkansas. Jesse says he was told by the Apple rep that this particular Apple Store-within-a-Walmart-store was a prototype and the first one in the country. Even though the Apple Stores proper are phenomenally successful, and Apple keeps adding more all the time, they just don't have locations in all the same places as Best Buy (recent closures notwithstanding) or Walmart. The stores-within-a-store help them project at least a little of the Apple experience to many more potential customers.

So is the the future, where Apple Stores-within-a-store armed with knowledgeable Apple reps-within-those-stores start popping up in more and more big boxes? There aren't competing HP, Samsung, Dell, HTC, or Google retail stores, and there aren't competing HP, Samsung, Dell, HTC, or Google stores-within-a-store at Best Buy, never mind Walmart. Does this give Apple a significant advantage, or simply risk overextending their brand?

Source: @jmartinez301, thanks Jesse!

Some Apple Stores in the United States and Canada are experiencing major supply constraints with the white 16GB iPhone 4. Allegedly the problem is so bad that Apple has instructed genius bar workers to replace customers' 16GB white iPhone 4 models with iPhone 4S where needed. Multiple sources have apparently confirmed this is currently being implemented.

The replacement model would be a refurbished iPhone 4S 16GB but customers would get a significant upgrade from their iPhone 4; namely a better camera, faster processor and of course Siri. Not all Apple Stores have been affected so far but we are sure that if supply constraints are that bad it won’t be long before they are. Currently the problem only seems to be within the United States and Canada.

If you've exchanged your white 16GB white iPhone 4 and received a refurbished 16GB white iPhone 4S, let us know in our iPhone 4 Forum!

Source: 9to5Mac

Have you pre-ordered your new iPad yet? If not, you could be in for a bit of a wait. It seems that Apple have pushed back the shipping date in most counties. The Apple Store now displays 'Delivers between the 16th and the 20th March'. In the UK, it's even worse with '2-3 weeks'.

People in the US, have a little while longer to go yet; however Apple are warning that the new iPad is in 'limited supplies', so they could be seeing a delay very soon.

Did you manage to get your order in? If so, when are you expecting delivery?

Apple has announced availability and pricing for the new iPad. The pricing will follow the same pricing model as previous generation iPads, with Wi-Fi only version starting at $499 and 4G/LTE counterparts starting at $629.

The new iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Switzerland, UK and the US Virgin Islands on Friday, March 16th. Other countries will follow at a later date.

Wi-Fi Models

• 16GB - $499
• 32GB - $599
• 64GB - $699

Wi-Fi + 4G/LTE Models

• 16GB - $629
• 32GB - $729
• 64GB - $829

If you aren't too sure about shelling out the money for a new model, the iPad 2, which is still an amazing device, will now be available for $399.

Check out all our iPad event coverage and let us know if you will be picking up an iPad 3 on March 16th or picking up a discounted iPad 2?

Right on schedule, Apple has shut down their online store for an update, complete with their usual cutesy post-it note. Since we're expecting the iPad 3 to be announced this afternoon, it's likely that they're just getting things ready to showcase new products.

Even if online ordering becomes available today or later this week, it's a safe assumption that a lot of folks will be lining up in front of the brick and mortar stores on launch day.

But tell the truth, you're hitting refresh every 30 seconds until it comes up, right?

So are we. Follow along with our live podcast starting at 10am PT/1am ET/6pm GMT and we'll find out together!

Aix en Provence, France is getting a new Apple Store according to ifoAppleStore. It'll be constructed in a way that'll make it almost transparent. It will be modeled somewhat from the New York City Apple store on the upper west side. A store near me in Lincoln Park, IL already has an almost all glass design as well.

Aix en Provence receives heavy tourism and could be considered a prime location. The area has seen a lot of construction lately with the addition of several up-scale stores and shops. The store should open to the public by late 2012 or early 2013.

Source: MacRumors via ifoAppleStore

AppleInsider reports that Apple will be bringing mini "store-within-a-store" setups to 25 different Target locations around the country.

The initial opening would be a small start, given that Target, the second-largest discount retail chain in the US, operates 1752 stores in the US. Apple has opened 359 of its own retail stores globally, 245 of which are in the US.

Apple is likely just testing the waters with Target, which should ultimately help expand their reach in the retail space. Apple already does this at the largest electronics retail outlet, Best Buy, with around 600 mini "Apple Shops" that have been met with great success.

Apple will presumably focus on iOS devices at first -- iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and iPod touch -- as well as their standalone music players like the iPod Classic and iPod Nano.

Source: AppleInsider

The Apple Store is looking to help you out with any last minute holiday shopping by offering free next day delivery on a huge range of products. Some of the items covered are the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Apple TV and some Mac models. Unfortunately the iPhone 4S is not included.

In order to qualify for free next day shipping, you must have your order completed by today, December 21, and not request any custom configurations or engraving; it’s now too late for that!

Not sure what to get? Check out our 2011 holiday gift guides for loads of ideas.

Source: Apple Store

Apple has posted a 360 degree panoramic view of its latest Apple Store which can be found at the famous Grand Central Station in New York. What is so special about this particular photograph is that it is only visible on an iOS device and you can look right around it using your devices built in gyroscope.

To see the picture, you will need to visit the Grand Central Apple’s store page from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Select view more photographs and you will see a list of pictures on the right, at the very bottom is one marked 360. Click on it and the picture will open and you will then be able to look around by holding your device and turning around as if you where actually standing on the spot.

To see the picture in all its glory using the gyroscope features, you must have an iPhone 4, 4S, iPad 2 or iPod touch 4^th Generation; as these are the only models with the gyroscope hardware. This is the first time that Apple has used this type of image on its store pages; it will be interesting to see if it adds similar images to its other stores too.

Source: TNW

The highly anticipated Grand Central Apple Store will be opening the doors this coming Friday, Dec 9. This location will be Apple's fifth store in Manhattan and filled with 315 employees, and various different rooms for services like personal set up and personal training. Will you be heading out to the grand opening?

Source: Apple PR

Image credit: jennydeluxe

Apple's one day discount event has started going live in Australia and the UK, among other countries. Deals seem to be as expected -- slim but fairly widespread -- on select iPod touch, iPad, Mac, Accessories, and even iTunes Gift Cards.

Unfortunately, you won't be getting any deals on the iPhone, iPod classic, iPod shuffle, Apple TV, Mac Pro and the Mac mini. (Sorry!)

Below is a list of prices for Australia, UK, US and Canada.

Australia

• iPad 2 - A$534 (16GB), A$634 (32GB), A$734 (64GB)
• iPad 2 3G - A$684 (16GB), A$784 (32GB), A$884 (64GB)
• iPad 2 Smart Cover - A$34 (Polyurethane), A$ 68 (Leather)
• iPod Touch - A$198 (8GB), A$298 (32GB), A$398 (64GB)
• iPod Nano - A$138 (8GB), A$158 (16GB)
• iTunes Gift Card - A$45 (A$50)

UK

• iPad 2 - £368 (16GB), £438 (32GB), £508 (64GB)
• iPad 2 3G - £468 (16GB), £538 (32GB), £608 (64GB)
• iPad 2 Smart Cover - £24 (Polyurethane), £48 (Leather)
• iPod Touch - £154 (8GB), £224 (32GB), £295 (64GB)
• iPod Nano - £104 (8GB), £118 (16GB)
• iTunes Gift Card - £45 (£50)

US

• iPad 2 - $458 (16GB), $548 (32GB), $638 (64GB)
• iPad 2 3G - $588 (16GB), $678 (32GB), $768 (64GB)
• iPad 2 Smart Cover - $28 (Polyurethane), $58 (Leather)
• iPod Touch - $178 (8GB), $268 (32GB), $358 (64GB)
• iPod Nano - $118 (8GB), $138 (16GB)
• iTunes Gift Card - $45 ($50)

Canada

• iPad 2 - $478 (16GB), $568 (32GB), $658 (64GB)
• iPad 2 3G - $608 (16GB), $698 (32GB), $788 (64GB)
• iPad 2 Smart Cover - $34 (Polyurethane), $68 (Leather)
• iPod Touch - $178 (8GB), $268 (32GB), $358 (64GB)
• iPod Nano - $118 (8GB), $138 (16GB)
• iTunes Gift Card - $45 ($50)

So are these prices enough to get you buying someone an Apple product for the holidays?

Source: Apple Store Australia, UK, US, Canada

As rumored, Apple has updated its Apple Store app to include Personal Pickup, EasyPay in store payment facilities and the ability to track your orders right from the app.

• Personal Pickup: Buy in the app and choose to pick up your order at any Apple Retail Store. Most in-stock orders are available for pickup within an hour. (U.S. only)
• EasyPay: Purchase select accessories in store quickly by scanning the barcode and completing your transaction right in the app. (U.S. only, requires iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S)
• Track your stuff: View the status of current and previous orders from the order status section in the More tab.

There is also added support for Canada and China, although Personal Pickup and EasyPay are U.S. only features. The app is available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. It is not a universal binary either so you will need to hit the 2x button on the iPad; a very strange decision!

[App Store link]

MacRumors and Heylookitsseric are both claiming Apple will be updating their Apple Store app to allow customers self-service checkout for off-the-shelf items like iPhone and iPad cases at Apple Retail.

Apple is also updating its own Apple store app on iPhone/iPod to incorporate EasyPay that allows customers to check themselves out for accessories purchases. EasyPay is the same platform Apple employees use to complete those in-store credit card purchases. Since higher priced Apple products are all stocked up in the backroom, you’ll still have to find the help of an employee. Expect the update in a few days on November 3rd, just in time for the holidays.

Hopefully Apple and their customers are both nerdier and more competent than those at my local grocery store or turn self-serve into an ordeal far beyond any staff-driven transaction. "Beep. Put the item down." "I did." Beep.Put the item down." "I DID!" "BEEP! Y U NO PUT ITEM DOWN!" "HULK SMASH PUNY MACHINE!" And, well, we all know how that ends.

IN addition to in-store pick up of online orders, which Apple has also begun experimenting with in San Francisco, they're also reportedly looking into shipping to multiple address on Apple Online to make gift-giving easier than ever.

In this day and age, when other online retailers like Future Shop make it so onerous and restrictive you don't even want to order from them anymore, it's nice to see Apple trying to offer more, not less, and shift the transactional burden off the customer where it never belonged.

Let's hope it works out for everyone because either way we're in for an interesting Black Friday and holiday shopping season.

Source: MacRumors, Heylookitseric

As previously announced, Apple Retail Stores will be closed today so employees can share in Apple's internal celebration of their co-founder, Steve Jobs' life.

They'll be closed for 9am to 12pm PDT, 12pm to 3pm EDT.



The store will have a stock of loaner iPad devices which employees take home and use for a one week; they then return them to the store for others to borrow. The idea is a really simple one but is a great way to give your employees product knowledge. Actually using a product in your own environment will provide a much better understanding of it. Knowledge is power as they say and the more knowledge your employees have of the products they sell, the better that can be passed onto customers.

Apple is meticulous about its standards of customer service and this is just another way for them to improve in this area. It is unclear if this will be rolled out to other Apple Stores at this stage. It is just a pilot but if it proves successful, it probably will.

[cnet]

The Apple Store app for iPhone received an update today with the following release notes:

Requires iOS 4.0 or later

Holy cryptic release notes Batman! My guess is that the update is actually in preparation for the pending release of the iPhone 5. What do you think?

[App Store link, thanks Jonathan!]

Have an app you'd love to see featured on TiPb? Email us at iosapps@tipb.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we'll take a look.

The Apple Online Store was down earlier today, and while we didn't get any red iPhone 5s, we did get some feature improvements, including an easier way to order just the iPad 2 you want.

1. Choose a color, black or white
2. Choose a model, Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + 3G
3. Choose a network, AT&T or Verizon in the US (if you chose Wi-Fi + 3G)

As you choose, your order is summarized and you can tap to continue on and place it. It's definitely an easier way to order, especially on an iPad.

The only real surprise is why it's taken Apple so long to make their site more intuitive and friendly.

[Apple Online]

Apple opened a handful of new Apple Stores today, none more amusingly placed than the one in Waterloo, Ontario, the hometown of BlackBerry maker RIM. Starting today, anyone in Waterloo who wants an iPhone rather than Bold, iPad rather than PlayBook can just wander on over. And according to @Steve_Gamble, they seem to be doing just that:

At the new Apple Store in Waterloo today. The number of Blackberries going dark is astounding!

Anyone else attending the opening of Apple in Waterloo? Any CrackBerry.com-led protests going? Let us know!

[@Steve_Gamble]

The Wall Street Journal has posted renderings of the proposed Apple Store for Grand Central Station. The pictures certainly appear to do this beautiful building justice and compliment its style and iconic image.

The MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) released some information on the proposed Apple Store which could open near the terminal’s east staircase, if approval is granted at tomorrow's meeting. Apple will start building works immediately, with a four month program of works; making an opening time of around late November or early December.

Apple is said to have paid Charlie Palmer’s Metrazur restaurant a sum of around $5 million to vacate its space eight years before the lease expires. The MTA will also get a much higher rental figure from Apple; thought to be as high as $1.1 million a year.

[WSJ]

Ron Johnson, the man who helped Apple revolutionize retail with the Apple Stores, is leaving to take over the CEO spot at JC Penney. Apple has issued the following statement to All Things D:

“Ron is excited about this opportunity and we hope it goes well for him,” a spokesperson said. “We’ve got a great retail team in place and are actively recruiting for his replacement.”

And JC Penney states that Johnson isn't just taking over, he's taking on a large investment as well:

As a demonstration of his confidence in J. C. Penney’s long-term potential, Mr. Johnson requested and has committed to make a personal investment of $50 million in the Company through the purchase, at fair market value, of 7 1/2-year warrants on 7.257 million shares ofJ. C. Penney Company stock. The warrants cannot be sold or hedged for the first six years of their term and have a strike price of $29.92, the closing price of the stock on the business day prior to Mr. Johnson’s commitment to purchase the warrants.

Apple Retail's last big splash was the installation of iPads as information centers for all Apple products. Apple has probably institutionalized Apple Store procedures to the extent that Johnson's leaving won't have a huge impact, and it will be interesting to see if an influx of fresh blood -- and fresh ideas -- in the top retail spot can help take Apple further.

Anyone worried this means a lot of glass, wood, and aluminum are on their way to JC Penney outlets everywhere?

[All Things D, JC Penney]

A couple of cheeky German guys decided to have a bit of fun this weekend by defacing the under construction Apple Store in Hamburg with a Windows logo.

Now before we get too upset by this, when we say deface it, it was more a bit of fun with no permanent lasting damage. Posing as a couple of construction workers, they climbed a ladder and pieced together a poor attempt at a Windows Logo.

In fact if you wanted to be really mean, you could say that this is an excellent deterrent to any would-be thieves! Take a look at the video after the break!

[9to5Mac]

.wav from .wav on Vimeo.

We kid you not -- a man described by security as wearing a white ninja suit crashed his car through the Greensboro Apple Store before fleeing on foot.

Greensboro police received a call around 4:43 a.m. after a dark gray or blue Honda crashed into the store. According to police, the man crashed into the store in a robbery attempt.

The store will remain closed today, of course, while they see to damages. (And perhaps look into hiring some samurai to increase security?)

[MyFox8. Thanks @spencefos]

Apple's Apple Store app has been updated to version 1.3 and brings with it some new features... even if it's still iPhone only.

• Enhanced in-store mode lets you get help and support quickly when you’re at an Apple Retail Store.
• The ability to custom-configure a new Mac with the options you want.

Unfortunately, they didn't update the icon. Let's hope a universal version is on its way. More screenshots after the break, and if you customize yourself a new Mac with the Apple Store app, let us know how it works for you.

UPDATE: It's showing up in the UK app store now, so it look like it is rolling out internationally.

UDPATE 2: We reached out to Apple PR and they told us it's US and EU only for now, more precisely:

Yesterday we updated the US version and launched the app in Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland).

So those of us in Canada, Australia, and other countries need to hold to hope a little longer...

[Free - iTunes link]

Australia, being in the future, has just seen the debut of Apple Store 2.0, the recently rumored reboot that adds interactive iPads, among other things, to the retail experience. Talk about putting your tech where your money is.

Want to learn more about that MacBook Pro or iMac? Hit up the iPad next to it for feature specs, comparisons, explanations for those new to Apple, technical support, or summon an Apple specialist for additional help at the touch of a button. (I'm figuring the staff disables that little prank-in-the-waiting by end of business day 1).

As the rising sun hits more and more regions, we're hoping to learn more about the new Apple Retail, so if you spot anything at your local store, let us know!

My only question - do the iPads have interactive iPads to explain what you can do with the iPads, on iPads?

Update: Apparently, the iPads are encased in Carbonite tough, clear plastic.

Update 2: Video, see above.

Update 3: Apple sent a note along to employees, read it after the break. [9to5Mac]

Update 4: Just got back from checking out the new store displays. The app powering the iPads is very slick, with great animated popups (Pixar would be proud) that allow for very clean initial info pages with lots of additional details (like pricing) that can be access with a tap. Apparently Apple has more planned for this app as well, and being able to update both the app, as well as prices, specs, etc. without having to reprint paper every time is no doubt one of the motivators for this new system.

The plastic encasings are perfectly fit and pretty much weld the iPads to the table so you can't move them around. There's a proprietary connector (not the usual dock cable) powering the iPads. It's almost impossible to see. the Home buttons are disabled so you can't exit out of the display app.

There are also beautifully crafted new product identifiers in the center of the tables for iPad, iPod, iPhone, etc. Typically Apple, they're understated, elegant, and do just what they need to do without being fussy about it. (Jonathan Ive's insistence on design getting out of the way, no doubt.)

Photos after the break.

[9to5Mac video courtesy of Glasshouse Apps]

Looks like Apple retail is getting new setups, including new iPad apps for their iPads, bringing their complement to Daily Download, RetailMe, Apple Connect, Apple Directory, Concierge, Mobile Genius, iRepair, and Easy Pay (the credit card processing app currently used on iPod touch).

Daily Download, which is a well-produced internal Daily ‘newspaper for employees’. It is incredibly stylish and functional and and much better than the previous web-based version that existed before.

It's also being rumored that stores are getting sent install images for OS X Lion, which sounds crazy because 10.7 is still in beta -- currently preview 3, and not expected for release until later this year. (Perhaps following some new features announced at WWDC 2011 next month.)

Apple seems to be lining things up for that big Apple Store 2.0 re-launch we keep hearing about. Are you going to check out your local store come Sunday to see what all the fuss was about?

[9to5Mac]

It sounds like Apple really might be getting ready to upgrade their already stellar Apple Retail experience to version 2.0... just in time for their 10th anniversary. 9to5Mac thinks they have more details on just what the reboot might entail.

• Personal Setup will have new dedicated areas in stores called “Startup Sessions.”
• The new bars are said to be even more interactive.
• [Paper product sheets] will be replaced with interactive iPads.
• "Huge" displays
• brand-new Apple Store iOS application – possibly on Sunday – that is even more interactive.

It also sounds like Steve Jobs and Jonathan Ive, Apple's CEO and Senior VP of Design, have personally taken a hand in crafting this customer experience.

Like Rene said on Twitter earlier, with all the speculation as to what big product announcement Apple was going to launch, it's far more likely Apple Store 2.0 is the big product launch. Apple considers their retail stores a product and put as much care, design, and attention to detail into them as they do their Macs, iPads, and iPhones.

Whatever it is, we keep hearing it's big. Are you eager to see what they've come up with for Apple Store 2.0? If you were in charge of the Apple Stores, what would you change?

[9to5Mac]

Over the Easter weekend, some of the cast of Disney’s Lemonade Mouth decided to turn up at the Apple Store in The Grove, Los Angeles and flash mob it. Flash mobbing is a newish craze that involves a group of people turning up at a location and performing an unusual act or performance without permission.

The routine, lead by Chris Brochu and Hayley Kiyoko, two of the film’s stars, organised the flash mob with 15 other friends and decided to capture the whole performance on video. They performed the song Determinate from the Disney Channel production Lemonade Mouth.

The video is after the break, take a look and enjoy the looks on the customers faces and Apple Store staff gently escorting them out of the building!

[TUAW]

ThinkGeek obviously put a lot of effort into this April Fool's Playmobil Apple Store prank. I'd say it paid off.

Video after the break.

[ThinkGeek]

Apple is set to open a temporary store this Friday in the Scarbrough Building at the SXSW (South by Southwest Interactive Conference) in Austin.

Earlier this week construction workers started retrofitting a 5,000 square foot area of the building which Apple has leased for two weeks only.

Rance Wilemon, a partner in Plat.Form Real Estate said, “Apple real estate representative notified him Monday that the company had settled on Sixth and Congress for the location. "They came in town on Monday, did a quick tour, found a spot, and they're in there working and will open by Friday."

[Statesman]

Wow, still 3 hours to go before the iPad 2 event and the Apple Online Store is already down? The chances of iPad 2 being available to buy following the event are slim but could pre-orders start as soon as today? Could something else be getting an update? (No white iPhone 4 rumors, please!) Or is this just the worst scheduled maintenance window ever?

[Thanks Alexander!]

Today, the UK see a rise in their VAT from 17.5% to 20%. This morning, Apple's Online Store went down and when it reopened, it showed the new prices, with the new VAT.

Check after the break for a list of the new prices for the iPad, iPhone, iPods and the AppleTV.

iPad

• 16GB - £439
• 32GB - £510
• 64GB - £612

iPad 3G

• 16GB - £541
• 32GB - £612
• 64GB - £714

iPhone 3GS

• 8GB - £428

iPhone 4

• 16GB - £510
• 32GB - £612

iPod Touch

• 8GB - £193
• 32GB - £254
• 64GB - £336

iPod Nano

• 8GB - £131
• 16GB - £163

iPod Shuffle

• 2GB - £40

iPod Classic

• 160GB - £197

AppleTV

• £101

Free Shipping now only applies to orders over £80 instead of £78. Not much difference, and you'll probably end up more than £80 at Apple anyway.

Do these prices still make it compelling for you to buy from Apple? What do you think about the new prices? Leave your thoughts in the comments below

One of our forum moderators, Justin Horn, just watched Apple Store employees at The Falls in Florida tell people that they'd "sold out" of iPhone 4, and if they were at a certain point in line (i.e. further down than Apple had stock to cover) that they could start making their way home.

We're betting this doesn't include those with confirmed reservations, but if you were thinking of heading down just to try your luck... good luck.

We've seen lines go around (and around) the block, and mobs of people in front of the Apple Stores. Bigger lines than the iPhone 3GS launch, bigger than the iPad launch, some Apple employees are saying these are their biggest lines ever. And that's with Apple doing pre-orders and starting deliveries yesterday.

If you're in line and your Apple Store is starting to sell out, tell us where.

[@justin_horn]

Apple has apparently sent out an email to customers who pre-ordered iPhone 4 for delivery -- telling them it will arrive a day early, June 23, and to make sure they'll be around to receive it.

In the past pre-order shipments have sometimes had early delivery dates, but Apple has always had FedEx or UPS hold the package for arrival on the proper day (sometimes causing huge problems, like on international iPad launch). Is this an attempt to avoid courier congestion? To ease carrier activation overload?

We'd think it was a cruel joke, but we've received so many identical tips for all of you now that we're well beyond the point of even considering it fake.

Still, we recommend no one gets their hopes up until the shiny new box is actually in hand. If you're an employer, however, we recommend you get ready for the great iPhone call-in-sick day of 2010!

Here's the letter after the break. If you got one, let us know in the comments. (If you reserved for pick-up instead, let us know if you feel left out now).

Dear Apple Store Customer,

You recently received a Shipment Notification email from Apple advising you that your iPhone has shipped.

This email is to confirm that your delivery will occur on June 23rd. Although Apple and FedEx tracking information may currently indicate a later date, you can check the FedEx website the morning of the June 23rd to track your package to your doorstep.

In the event that you will not be available to accept delivery on June 23rd, it may be more convenient to use our pre-sign delivery option by visiting our Order Status website at http://www.apple.com/orderstatus.

Sincerely,

The Apple Store Team

Apple has posted an FAQ (frequently asked questions) page concerning the new SIM-free (i.e. unlocked) iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 they're selling for the first time in international Apple Store like UK, France, and Canada.

Bottom line? They're really, truly, 100% unlocked and will work on any GSM carrier for which you have a miniSIM (iPhone 3GS) or microSIM (iPhone 4). You'll pay full price for them, of course, but for those who absolutely don't want a contract, or for frequent international travelers, this is huge.

(Note: No T-Mobile US 3G. Sorry folks, even though iPhone 4 is pentaband, T-Mobile's 3G band isn't supported. It hurts. Sorry).

Here's the cover:

Buy your iPhone from Apple commitment-free.

It works with the carrier of your choice. Buy your iPhone from the Apple Online Store and choose your own GSM carrier. You can change carriers at any time.

It’s easy to set up. Get a compatible SIM (iPhone 3GS) or micro-SIM card (iPhone 4) and select a plan from the carrier of your choice. Then insert the card and set up your iPhone using iTunes on your Mac or PC. With a few clicks, you can start making calls.

It works internationally. Because this iPhone is commitment-free, you can purchase a micro-SIM or SIM card and service from a local carrier at your destination. Or check with your home carrier regarding international roaming charges.

Full FAQ after the break!

[Apple.com iPhone 4 FAQ, via @havvac]

Does iPhone work with any SIM card or carrier worldwide?

iPhone 3GS works with SIM cards and iPhone 4 works with micro-SIM cards from compatible carriers, including prepaid cards. Non-GSM carrier networks do not support iPhone. Availability of 3G data depends on carrier support for the radio frequencies used by iPhone.

Where can I get a SIM or micro-SIM card?

You can get a SIM or micro-SIM card from any carrier offering iPhone plans.

How do I get started using iPhone to place and receive calls?

First, insert an activated SIM or micro-SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes to complete set up.

Do I need an iPhone-specific service plan?

iPhone may require large amounts of data usage. Please contact your carrier to ensure that you have an appropriate service plan to support iPhone.

Do I need to commit to a long-term contract for my iPhone?

Buying a commitment-free iPhone from the Apple Online Store allows you choose your own carrier and change carriers at any time. iPhone may also be available at a reduced initial price with a contract directly from your wireless carrier.

Does iPhone support tethering?

Yes. You can share the fast 3G connection on your iPhone with your Mac or PC and connect to the Internet from just about anywhere — no Wi-Fi required. Contact your carrier for details.

Are iPhone 4 and iPad micro-SIM cards interchangeable?

No. Your iPad micro-SIM card will not work with your iPhone.

Will all iPhone features work with my carrier?

Visual Voicemail requires carrier support and may not function on your carrier’s network. Please read this Support article or contact your carrier for more details.

Why does the price of iPhone from the Apple Online Store differ from its price from a carrier?

Carriers typically sell the iPhone with a contract that subsidizes the initial purchase price of the phone. By purchasing your iPhone without a contract, you can use any SIM or micro-SIM card from a compatible carrier, including your current one.

Can I use my iPhone outside my home country?

Yes. iPhone is enabled to work on carrier networks using GSM around the world. Because the iPhone sold by the Apple Online Store is commitment-free, you can purchase a SIM or micro-SIM card and service from a local carrier at your destination. Or check with your home carrier regarding international roaming charges.

If I buy iPhone from this Apple Online Store, can I ship it to another country?

No. Orders placed through this Apple Online Store can be shipped only within the country of purchase. You can also shop for friends and family in countries where iPhone is sold. Just visit the local store of the country where you want your products delivered.

Looks like Apple's hype machine has once again succeeded in building interest for iPhone 4 to the degree that -- it's brought down the Apple Online Store. Taken down earlier tonight and brought back with iPhone 4 pre-orders, it was quickly overwhelmed.

Now it's down again, with Apple hopefully getting its server ducks in a row this time, especially for countries with multiple carriers like the UK where you can buy iPhone 4 completely unlocked if price is no object (£499 for 16GB, £599 for 32GB).

Don't hold your breath for a white option to come back with the store, however. That seems to condemned to late summer and later adopters.

If you see the Apple Online Store coming back up before we do, let us know!

It's not surprise that Apple likes to keep things top secret when it comes to their new products not only from all of us but also from their very own employees as Reuters has just found out by interviewing current and past Apple Store employees.

"We haven't seen it; we never do" before a product is launched, said one employee, who asked not to be identified because workers are barred from speaking with the media. "Every store employee I know, including the managers, they haven't seen it."

Now we understand why Apple is this strict when it comes to their new product launches - to avoid leaks. But there is a flip side to that coin as even Apple Store Geniuses are clueless as to how to fix the product let alone get their hands on it until the day of it's release. Apple has reportedly even gone as far as having store managers guard pallets of new products the night prior to launch day.

So if you happen to go into your local Apple Store and start asking questions about a soon to be released product and you are not getting the answers you are seeking, cut the employee some slack as they truly are kept in the dark and more than likely don't know much more than you. In fact, sometimes you are better off visiting our forums for more information.

[Via Mac Rumors via Reuters]

Looks like the rumors were true and Apple is finally set to replace the aging, WindowsCE + stylus based EasyPay point-of-sale devices used by the retail store staff with sexy new credit card reading, barcode scanning iPod touches. Apple will be using the same accessory access APIs supplied to developers in the iPhone 3.0 SDK.

AppleInsider reports that a trial is now being run at the closest Apple Store to the Cupertino Headquarters, the Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara, but hopefully the rest of Apple Retail will be able to enjoy the cool new gadgets sometime in the near future as well.

IFOAppleStore confirms the switch to iPod touch EasyPay, and adds that Apple will also be ditching the color-coded shirts used to distinguish different types of staff. (Not because Microsoft iCloned them but because they were ultimately more confusing than helpful to customers).

[Small print: The above video is of Apple Store staff cheering for a new store opening, not for their new iPod touch EasyPay systems]

Porn and iPhone, it is out there and every once in a while you may even find porn in there. In an Apple Retail Store on one of the iPhone and iPod Touch demos, that is.

That's exactly what happened just the other day as a mother found her 10 year old girl mesmerized by some X-rated content on one of the Apple Store demo devices:

“I called to complain and was told matter of factly by staff this happens a lot as people come in and download it for a laugh, I don’t find it funny and all my friends think it’s disgusting, but Apple say there is nothing they can do to stop it.”

Apple does a fantastic job of keeping smut out of iTunes and their App Store, surely they can figure something out for their real-world stores.

[Via Cult of Mac]

King Kong-sized iPhone at the Apple Flagship Store in Montreal highlights the new iPhone 3G S and iPhone 3.0 software features.

At launch, Apple sent all US iPhone customers on trip to their local Apple Store or AT&T kiosk. Now, some 10 months post-release, Engadget has discovered that Apple will finally sell you your iPhone online and... still make you walk/drive on over to your local Apple for pick up and activation. send it directly to you instead of making you schlep to the Apple store. (Story updated, sorry for the mix up)

Apple Insider, covering Piper Jaffray's favorite Apple analyst, Gene Munster, passes along:

Sales of 22 iPhones per stores is down from 28 iPhones per store during November, which suggests a 21 percent decline in sales sequentially compared to the Street's view of a 24 percent drop. However, Munster is betting that expanded international availability will help offset some of these domestic declines and is therefore modeling iPhone sales for the March quarter to be relatively flat at 4.4 million units.

Of course, rampant speculation of a next generation iPhone announcement in June wouldn't have anything to do with it... Like last year...

Yeah. Apple Stores use what appear to be Soviet-era Windows CE handsets from Symbol to process credit card transactions on the floor. It's their secret shame. All that beautiful, elegant, perfectly balanced mobile technology in the iPhone and the iPod touch and their front-facing staff is stuck using devices straight out of 1960s garage sci-fi.

Well, the times they may finally be changing. Apple Insider reports that:

Instead of introducing a dedicated [point of sale] sibling to the iPhone and iPod touch family, Apple instead worked to expand the iPhone platform to suit the needs of developers. With iPhone 3.0, that includes new support for working with peripheral devices over USB through the Dock Connector and wirelessly using Bluetooth.

Seems Apple will be transitioning to an attachment for the iPhone or iPod touch that lets them replace their aging WinCE fleet with their own, homegrown, multi-touch tech. Win/win for both marketing and sales.

The only question left for us is, what to do with all those about-to-be-obsolete WinCE boxes?

First they clone the handsets. Then they clone the App Store. Then they clone MobileMe. (Not to mention Windows 7's "dock" block...) What's left for Microsoft to clone? The Apple Retail Stores, of course.

Enter: the Microsoft Store!

We've already heard how Apple Stores are retail juggernauts, and are being re-focused to lure even more switchers, all driven by the experts Apple got on board and hired from GAP and Target, and the Genius' they but behind the bars.

How's Microsoft going to compete? Tasteful "Zune Brown" decor? No, apparently by hiring someone from... a movie studio and putting Guru's on the floor. iSigh.

Of course, the bigger challenge will be: what can Microsoft sell? Windows, Office, Xbox, Zune, and...? What exactly? Doesn't seem like a very compelling retail experience to us, but what do we know, we never thought Vista would be a blockbuster success (and we're still on the fence about Songsmith...)

How about you? Any shopping itch you think only mighty Microsoft can scratch?

The Apple Stores have been nothing less than modern retail marvels. Picking the brains (and talent) of the best of the best behind the GAP and Target by Design, Apple has out-performed even Tiffany's in revenue per square foot with their focus on customer service and lifestyle product layout.

But is all that about to change? Maybe, according to rumors. Not only will they be shifting focus to promote key Mac software like iLife 09 in an effort to lure in more and more "switchers", Apple Insider says:

Apple has also changed its iPhone 3G and iPod touch displays to reflect the emphasis on software. The tables are arranged into categories of applications; including games, pleasure and travel, and others, with new acrylic information stands for each.

Apple's never been shy to mess with past success if they think they can do better going forward. And, hey, anything good for the iPhone is fine by us, but what do you think?

Are you wishing you had iDisk on your iPhone? Bummed you don't? Looking for an alternative? Then look no further! Arstechnica informs us thatBox.net has just released an app for the iPhone! For those of you that don't know, Box.net is a free service that gives you online access to 1GB of storage. Now, you can access this information directly from your iPhone! 

After logging in you have access to your folders and documents; if the iPhone can render it, you can view it! You can even share folders with the handy "Share" button. You can also upload photos as well, but regretfully, only one at a time. 

One neat feature is that if you share a file, you will be notified of an update via the updates section located in the bottom left of the app!

This is a 1.0 release, and we are looking forward to what new features Box.net might bring us! I took some pictures from my iPhone below, enjoy!

Have you checked out our forums lately? The community is growing and the commentary is getting better and better each day. Unconvinced? I’ll bring out a thread, a post, a topic, or a comment directly from the forums and post it on TiPb’s front page every week to prove it to you. We here at TiPb love the interplay, quid pro quo, repartee with our readers, so step up your creativity and tighten up your diction, you could be next!

This week we have a tip from forum member, h22kai, on how to swap out your broken iPhone 3G for a brand, spanking new one at the Apple Store. We at TiPb have heard of more hardware issues dealing with the iPhone 3G than any other Apple product in recent memory, so if you own an iPhone 3G and are running into build quality issues, feel free to take a look at h22kai's list!

It includes simple advice like restoring your iPhone prior to your Genius Bar appointment and more specific suggestions like removing any discount from AT&T.

Go Check out h22kai's tip on how to swap out your broken iPhone 3G at an Apple Store!

So I ventured out to an Apple Store yesterday hoping that since the iPhone 3G was a couple days old that I could easily grab one. No, not for me. For the girlfriend and my sister. I could have gone to the AT&T store only a few blocks away but whenever Apple releases a new product I prefer the full Apple experience at an Apple Store (Brea, CA); it’s just more complete that way. Expecting to get some hands on time with the iPhone 3G and pick up the Macbook Air again, I was pretty excited to get to the store.

As I cheerily walked through the mall eagerly anticipating the iPhone 3G, I stopped dead in my tracks. There was at least a 100-person line that stretched multiple storefronts! The Apple Store Employee ‘in-charge’ estimated the line to be a 5-hour wait! This was a Monday afternoon, didn’t people have work to do?

But it gets better (read: worse).

Read on for the rest of this very weird Apple Store Experience!

The iPhone 3G line wasn’t the only line! There was a ‘Mac-line’ for people who weren’t interested in the iPhone 3G but wanted to buy a Mac, play Frisbee with the Macbook Air, get free WiFi, or just do whatever you do at the Apple store. That line was at least a 30 minute wait—to just get into the store! This Apple Store was making potential customers willing to spend thousands of dollars on the iPhone 3G wait outside. Two different lines to get into an Apple store—just crazy!

Adding to the ridiculousness of it all, an Apple Store employee served as a ‘bouncer’ complete with a ‘guest list’ that presumably had genius bar appointments on it. I felt like I was in Hollywood trying to get into an exclusive club, not buy a computer at a computer store.

How is it good business making people wait to buy a Mac because of the iPhone 3G? Won’t it cannibalize sales of their other product lines if Mac customers have a difficult buying process? A few people in the Mac-line were already getting quite antsy and angry at having to wait. The Store employee gave me the excuse that the lines served as a safety precaution but the Apple Store looked pretty empty. I mean Apple Stores are almost always crowded, where are the safety measures then?

I understand a line for iPhone 3G customers, as insane as a 5 hour wait is, if you want to buy an iPhone 3G you have to wait your turn, that makes sense. But having a Mac line just to get into the store? That’s a little too exclusive, even for Apple. I can’t imagine how I would feel if I was ready to buy a Mac but had to wait outside the store because of the iPhone 3G. Just let me in the store! At least I’d be able to play with my future purchase.

What do you think? Is the iPhone 3G bad for the rest of Apple’s products? Is this Apple's way to Store different? Can Apple focus enough energy on all their products? Is two lines ridiculous or what?

Photo Note: The line on the left side is the 'Mac Line' and the line on the right that stretches all the way down is the iPhone 3G line. Picture taken with iPhone.

If Casey saw some bad experiences at the Apple Store, these poor people's experience can only be described as horrendous. Short version? Lady gets defective iPhone 3G, brings it back to Apple, Apple drops it, Apple tries to give her a new one, AT&T says sorry, nope, no activation for you! Apple ends up eating the price difference (good on Apple, boo hiss to AT&T), AT&T pockets the ill-gotten gain.

And telco's wonder why they routinely bottom out the customer satisfaction charts?

Check out the whole sad, crazy tale over at the Consumerist...

Live in the USA and want an iPhone 3G? Better get up early! We already told you how AT&T stores would be opening up at 8am sharp, and now Apple Stores will be following their lead. (And if you're in NYC and want to get it at the giant glass cube flagship, the line-up has already started, so hurry up and get your spot behind the hippies!)

As to what you'll pay for an iPhone 3G, we've already covered how taking the contract price and then canceling may well be cheaper than trying to buy it unsubsidized, but now there's word that even if you don't qualify for the new or upgrade price, there may just be some dirty tricks a way around it (provided you don't mind playing fast and loose with the rules, and have a friend with an iPhone SIM card and the will to let you active with it...)

Either way, make sure you're iReady, figure out what you're going to do with your old iPhone 2G, and get ready for Friday!

Apple Insider claims to have gotten their hands on a three page memo from Apple to Apple Store staff containing a form of Frequently Asked Questions. We say "a form" because the officially dictated answers to almost all customer questions are pretty much variations on "we dunno."

Highlights include:

• No holding iPhone 3G's
• First come, first serve
• No personal shopping reservations
• No info regarding upgrades
• iPod Touch is competitive due to lack of contract requirement
• No info on future iPod Touch price drops
• Talk to AT&T about activations
• Talk to AT&T about corporate and bulk purchases
• Talk to AT&T about roaming
• Wait for AT&T to release detailed rate plans

Should be easy, given that it's only a few weeks before release, and we still know so very little...

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BoomBoom. BoomBoom.

Would, for Kiefer's sake, that it was an episode of 24 and he could just ask the writers to script him in a tasty new iPhone 3G (or just work out a product placement with Apple). Sadly, in the real world, no matter who you might think you are, how entitled a cele-bratty you may have become, and how much fiction has become substantially linked with fact in your braid, no one -- and we mean no one -- plays the snob card better than Apple.

So, if you walk into a New York Apple Store and demand the manager give you a pre-lease iPhone 3G, even if you're the star of a decreasingly popular, increasingly formulaic serial drama, don't expect to leave with anything more than a perfectly balance, elegantly finished, state-of-the-art DENIED for your trouble.

(Most likely, the manager, like 99% of other Apple employees, hasn't even held the iPhone 3G yet, much less been given a secret stash to pass on to celebrity walk ins. Either that or the manager must have feared Kiefer would try to unlock the iPhone right there in the store. He is, after all, a well known pirate... Video proof after the break...)

Update: Or maybe not: Jules lets us know in the comments that it was all just a fun game by The Defamer. Still any chance to watch Kiefer take down a Christmas tree is one worth taking. - Dieter

We repeat, this is not a drill! The Apple Store is Down! Reports are flooding in from all over the globe... Details are sketchy but authorities urge everyone to stay calm and proceed to TiPb where live meta-blog coverage of Steve Jobs' WWDC 2008 Keynote will begin soon.

Now find your loved ones. Cling to them. And hold to hope. The Apple Store WILL be back. And it will once again restore your childlike sense of wonder.

Boom-time approaches people...

First up, Engadget reportedly got their techie mitts on a leaked version of the iPhone's (final?) 2.0 firmware and are kind enough to share the following juice details:

Infineon PMB6952 / S-GOLD3 six-band UMTS / HSDPA transceiver (as we'd heard)

• Murata LMRX3JCA-479 tri-band amplifier (we're assuming for the 3G)
• Sony SP9T antenna switch for GSM / UMTS dual mode
• ARM 1176JZF-S - Main CPU (same as in 1st gen iPhone)
• Skyworks 77427 chip - UMTS / HSDPA tx 1900MHz, rx 2100MHz
• Skyworks 77414 chip - UMTS / HSDPA 1900MHz
• Skyworks 77413 chip - UMTS / HSDPA 850MHz
• Internal build model number: n82ap (1st gen iPhone was model m68ap)
• UMTS Power Saving option - on or off
• Hooks for Global Locate Library (GLL), software that handles A-GPS related commands for the host processor

No processor speed bump is a downer, as everything from video size to MobileSafari rendering speeds are CPU bound tasks. Am I saying bye-bye to my 720p 480p dreams? And will Webkits spiffy new SquirrelFish Javascript engine make up for at least some of this (if it's included, come showtime?)

Next is word from Ars Technica that Apple Stores have received "secret" shipments and new display signs under strict orders (and lock and key!) not to be opened until D... er... WWDC day. Whatever it is Apple's announcing tomorrow, ladies and gentlemen, it just may be in the building...

Okay, so their names weren't really Harold & Kumar (Fukaba and Vincenti, for the record), but then again it doesn't really sound like they were banned for life from the Apple Store as initial Interwebs rumor mongering suggested, b'okay?

Seems some Palo Alta teens were waiting for a classmate, ducked into the Apple Store to burn some time, and ended up getting burned instead. You know the story, boy finds iPhone, boy Jailbreaks iPhone, boy downloads Raging Thunder, to show another boy, Apple Store management, security, police, and parents become involved and hilarity ensues. (Though perhaps not for our hapless hax0rs and their two friends).

Fake Steve has the full fake details on what sounds to me like a bit of a fake -- or more accurately overblown -- story.

Hopefully no iPhones were bricked in the course of these shenanigans and the boys will be back to giving all their money to Apple again in the near future.

24 hours. 7 days a week. 365 1/4 days a year.

That's how often the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in New York City is open. Don't know which one I'm talking about? The big glass cube on the most expensive street in the world! This flagship store is perhaps the brightest jewel in Apple Retail, often hosting performances from the likes of Maroon 5 & Linkin Park and becoming a new landmark for tourists to visit in the city that never sleeps. It's open all day, everyday.

Well, if you don't count today.

The Apple Store on 5th Ave. is closed from Thursday, May 29 3:00 p.m. to Friday, May 30 9:00 a.m. Apple Store Employees have been telling customers that a commercial is being filmed and reports are floating around saying its a 3G iPhone commercial. Remember, Apple doesn't close this store for any old reason, the only times it has been closed before: the original iPhone launch and the release of Leopard. Hmm..

What do you think?

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Well known consumer-friendly site, the appropriately named Consumerist, brings the confessions of an anonymous Apple Specialist. While these cover everything Apple sells, from Macs to iPods, they certainly apply to the iPhone.

Top tips? If you can't reset or restore your iPod (or iPhone!), it's done. AppleCare extends your warranty, that's it. .Mac and ProCare may not be worth the cash, but One-to-One is a deal. If your item (and iPhone?) is outside the return date, Apple may take it back if it's still sealed, maybe even if it's not. No insider info on unreleased product. And the email survey is your one way ticket to managerial ear-time.

Of course, your mileage, and your individual Apple Store, may vary, so buyer still beware.

Store.apple.com is down right now, which usually means one of tow things. Either Apple's IT staff is performing maintenance on their servers, or new products are about to be posted. Nope, neither is the case. The real reason; I bought a second iPhone today, and that brought the online store to its knees. Yes, that's it. Take that, Apple. Fortunately the store went down after my iPhone shipped.

Now to track my package and bring Fedex down as well.

[update:] It's back up and it appears to be nothing more than a maintenance update. I noticed the site was having issues throughout the day, shortly after I placed my order.

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As some of you early risers noticed, Apple's online store was down in the wee morning hours, receiving a slight make over and badly needed paint job. When it went back online one product was conspicuously absent; the 4GB iPhone model. It seems Apple has quietly but publicly executed the iPhone that nobody seemed to want.

This was expected since Jobs slashed the price of the popular 8GB to $399, and made no mention of the 4GB model. So no surprise here. Move along, nothing to see here.

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Oh cheer up, guys. Sure it's only $100...but think of all the wondrous things you do with that trifling sum. Why, you can buy half an iPod. Or .0000001% of a MacBook Pro. Or a king's ransom in iTunes music. Har har.

Seriously though, I know this offer won't pacify all of my outspoken readers, but it's something anyway. Take the money, use it to buy yourself something nice, like an iPod or MacBook. Life is too short to fret over money. Go enjoy yourself, and have a nice weekend!

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Someone pick up my jaw, I'm stunned. In a totally unexpected move Steve Jobs posted a personal letter to customers delivering a peace offering to angry iPhone users upset over yesterdays dramatic price cut. Jobs goes on to reiterate his stance that price cuts come with the territory of being an ealry adopter, but also concedes that we are the pioneers that propelled iPhone on the road to success.

In short he's rewarding our loyalty by offering a $100 coupon good towards the purchase of any new Apple product, redeemable at any Apple Store, for iPhone users not covered under a 14-day rebate, regardless of whether their iPhone was purchased at an AT&T or Apple Store. You can read Steve's open letter here. A method for claiming your coupon will be available on Apple's website next week.

That my friends is class. As the saying goes...always dance with the one that brung you, and he did. Way to go Steve.

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Psst! Hey buddy, over here. Yeah, you - the one in front of the keyboard. You looking to buy a notebook or iPhone, real cheap? I know where you can get a "hot" bargain. These here just ahem fell off the truck, as they say.

My supplies are rather limited, at least until another "shipment" arrives. Heheh.

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Apple is now listing refurbished iPhones at store.apple.com for those who desperately want an iPhone but can't swing its premium price tag. These units sell for $100 less than the price of their shrink wrapped counterparts, which isn't a bad deal, depending on the condition these iPhones are in (these are pre-owned remember).

If this deal sounds sweet you better act quickly while supplies last. Only a handful of units are currently available. Get 'em before the vultures swoop in.

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The circus has come to town. At least that was the scene at Apple's flagship shop in downtown San Francisco. Something tells me the iPhone campers weren't having three rings of fun.

And for an up to the minute report, iLoser is unconscious, this time in shirtless repose. The last shred of dignity this poor guy had when out the window when he drifted off to sleep with his hands in his pockets.

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Hello, Manning? Ah good you're awake. Say, I just received this press release from Apple - apparently they're launching this smashing new iTelephone thing and they've invited us to some kind of red carpet event. Do let's meet at the Apple Store for a round of gawking, shall we? Wonderful. Afterworlds I thought we might pop over to Pacific Catch for some Calamari. That's a good chap.

CUPERTINO, California—June 28, 2007—Apple’s revolutionary iPhone™ will go on sale this Friday, June 29 at 6:00 p.m. local time at Apple® retail stores nationwide. All 164 Apple retail stores in the US will stay open until midnight, and customers can purchase up to two iPhones on a first come, first served basis. Beginning Saturday morning, iPhone customers can learn how to get the most out of the iPhone with free, in-depth workshops offered throughout the day at all Apple retail stores. Every Apple retail store will offer support for iPhone at the Genius Bar and personal training through Apple’s new One to One program.

“Apple retail stores were created for this moment—to let customers touch and experience a revolutionary new product,” said Ron Johnson, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail. “With our legendary Genius Bar support, free workshops and our One to One personal training, we’re here to help customers get the most from their new iPhone.”

iPhone introduces an entirely new user interface based on a revolutionary multi-touch display and pioneering new software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. iPhone combines three products into one small and lightweight handheld device—a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod®, and the Internet in your pocket with best-ever applications on a mobile phone for email, web browsing and maps. iPhone ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, which completely redefines what users can do on their mobile phones.

Pricing and Availability iPhone goes on sale in the US on June 29, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. local time through Apple’s retail stores and AT&T’s select retail stores. Apple’s online store will be taking orders for iPhone beginning at 6:00 p.m. PDT. iPhone will be available in a 4GB model for $499 (US) and an 8GB model for $599 (US), and will work with either a PC or Mac®. Beginning June 30 and continuing through the summer, Apple Stores in the US will open early at 9:00 a.m. for iPhone sales. Customers can check iPhone availability at their local Apple retail store starting at 9:00 p.m. the night before at www.apple.com/retail.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and will enter the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone.

Apple has updated its retail information website informing would-be customers that Apple retail stores will be closing on Friday between the hours of 2:00pm to 6:00pm, reopening shortly thereafter.

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Raven from iPhoneDevCamp sent me this link to a video interview he made with the now famous Greg Packer, better known to the world as "iPhone camper guy".

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