Apple has postponed selling the latest iPhone 4S in some stores in mainland China after crowd disturbances spoilt its launch day. The main trouble appeared outside of the Apple Store in Sanlitun Beijing.

Would-be customers, many of whom had waited over night in the freezing cold to be among the first to purchase the latest iPhone, became so unruly when the store failed to open its doors on-time that Apple was forced to cancel first-day sales there. And rather than risk a repeat of the incident — which ended in profanity, egg-throwing and a few scuffles, the company has decided not to sell the 4S at any of its retail stores in Beijing and Shanghai. Instead, it will sell the device through its Web site and carrier partners.

Source: All Things D, Image: MIC Gadgets

Randomly accurate rumor site Digitimes reports that, according to supply chain makers, Apple may have trouble meeting initial demand for the iPhone 5 thanks to a defect discovered in the production process for the touch panels made by Wintek.

A defect has presented in some iPhone 5 touch panels produced by Wintek which may affect the ability to meet initial shipment targets for the launch which is expected in October, according to iPhone supply chain makers.

The defect involves a “delayed bubble” effect which is harder to avoid during touch panel production, especially when the problem isn’t found during the laminating process. If the problem isn’t found before assembly, Wintek will have to scrap the panel altogether, essentially losing money and output during the production process.

Wintek currently accounts for some 20-25% of the overall production of touch panels Apple uses in the iPhone 5 with Chimei Innolux and TPK Holding pushing out the rest, so the problem shouldn’t have a huge impact on volume out of the gate.

Apple running into production issues isn’t completely unheard of, either, and Wintek also says to expect a quick remedy due to the fact that the lamination process in the iPhone 5 touch panels is the same as the iPhone 4.

[Digitimes]

According to a report from All Things D, Apple will hold its media event to launch the iPhone 5 on October 4.  The information comes from “sources close to the situation”.

Tuesday, October 4. That’s the day Apple is currently expected to hold its next big media event, according to sources close to the situation, where the tech giant will unveil the next iteration of its popular iPhone.

The event will be of particular significance because it will supposedly be fronted for the first time by new CEO Tim Cook. Tim Cook will be the main presenter according to the same sources but will have help as usual from Scott Forstall, Phil Schiller and maybe even Eddy Cue.

TiPb previously heard that Apple was moving up the iPhone 5 launch from an October 14 to October 7 timeline, but if the announcement is only happening on October 4, the launch would have to be later in the month, perhaps October 14 again.

There has been no official word from Apple to confirm the date and until there is, this remains nothing more than a rumor; although All Things D is a very reliable source. Apple will send out invites for the event but notoriously leaves it as late as possible. We will let you know as soon as it is set in stone!

UPDATE: Jim Dalrymple for The Loop, whose sources at Apple are usually terrific, seems to agree about the date. [The Loop]

Yep.

[All Things D]

Despite recent fears and rumors about a possible delay, the iPad 2 will still be released on Friday March 25… in the United Kingdom at least. UK tech site TechRadar managed to squeeze some confirmation out of the usually tight lipped Apple.

Everything that is on the website still holds true.

Well the good news is the UK Apple website clearly shows the release data as March 25. Most of the rumors stemmed from the Apple Czech Republic site, which clearly showed the release had slipped to April 25^th. This appears to have been a typo; the Czech Republic site has now changed back to March 25 too.

We’re still waiting on official confirmation from Apple regarding what time exactly online and in-store purchasing will begin. Hopefully that will come today or tomorrow. Are any of our international readers planning on hitting the Apple Store on Friday to grab an iPad 2? Let us know in the comments!

[TechRadar]

Just like RadioShack announced a few days ago, CNET is reporting WalMart has now added their name to the list of retailers gearing up to sell Apple’s iPhone 4 on the June 24th launch date.

“Walmart said Friday that it will be one of several retail outlets who will have the iPhone 4 on June 24, its first day of availability anywhere. While Walmart has carried previous versions of the iPhone, this is a first that it will be for sale in its stores on the device’s official launch day.”

This is really not that shocking considering this very company was the first to slash the price on the 16 GB iPhone 3GS. So who is going to head to their local WalMart come June 24th? Sound off in the comments below!

[Mac Rumors]

RadioShack’s corporate Twitter account has just announced that The Shack will be offering up Apple’s latest and greatest device, iPhone 4, on launch day – June 24th.

YES! RadioShack will have #iPhone4 at launch. More info tomorrow.

RadioShack now joins the ranks of Apple, Best Buy, and AT&T stores in selling iPhone 4. Where do you plan on going come June 24th?

Sound off in the comments below!

[Gizmodo]

According to Mac Rumors, Best Buy is gearing up for Apple’s iPad launch on April 3rd. The retail chain is providing its employees with details leading up to launch day and stores are expecting display materials early next week. Not every Best Buy will carry the device, however. Only the stores with Apple shop sections will be lucky enough to sell iPads at launch. If you do plan on making a purchase at Best Buy on April 3rd be aware none of their stores will be opening early.

In other iPad sales news, 9to5Mac points out Amazon.com also seems to be prepping for iPad sales as well by setting up a placeholder for all three WiFi versions on their site. So while you will not see it on Amazon for sale on day one, it should not be long after.

More choices are better for the consumer, but which choice is best for you? Where will you be picking up your iPad? Let us know in the comments below!

Apple has sold an estimated 60,000 iPhones on launch day in South Korea and can be considered a success, especially if compared to the dismal sales in China.

In the 3rd quarter of 2009, the 60,000 iPhones sold equal 15% of the 400,000 total smartphones sold within the country. Not too shabby for for a single day of sales.

“In spite of the fact that the Korean market offers one of the most advanced set of mobile products and services in the world, smartphones only represent about 1% of the total mobile market, Executives at KT believe that the introduction of the iPhone could be a turning point for smartphones in Korea.”

With smartphones representing a total of only 1% of the total market, mainly due to handset manufacturers such as LG and Samsung who have long been king in this particular market, it seems like Apple has their work cut out for them.

[Via AppleInsider]

Upgrading to an iPhone 3G S in Canada? We feel for you, and we fear we’re going to continue to feel for you for a healthy portion of the day. Last year there were activation backlogs and hang-ups all over, but it was especially egregious in Canada, where people were waiting for half the day for Rogers’ system to get up and happy and talking with Apple’s system.

Our esteemed editor Rene Ritchie just called in from his Apple Store to say that their system isn’t showing the 3G S on the Rogers system and it’s unclear how exactly it’s going to be resolved. Last year we heard 6-hour-wait horror stories. This year we’re crossing our fingers that resolution will come more quickly.

On the bright side, we haven’t heard a whiff of a problem anywhere else. From Switzerland to Cincinnati people who didn’t pre-order are finding lines short enough to guarantee everybody will get their phone and activations almost as quick as the iPhone 3G S itself.

Update: Rene is currently channeling the fury of his fellow Rogers-snafu-victims on his twitter feed.

Back on July 11, the iPhone 3G launched in 22 countries. Along with much fanfare, hippie attention seekers, lines that would stretch out for weeks on end, and constantly crashing servers. But since Apple sold about a million of the hot new handsets that weekend, you just knew they were going to do it again.

“Today” brings phase 2, where 21 more countries are supposed to come online with the iPhone 3G. (Officially Aug. 22nd, which may or may not be “today” to you depending on your timezone). How are things going so far? Reader Anton was gracious enough to send in this report (thanks Anton!):

Now it’s midnight in Estonia and I’m at the iphone launch event. No special frenzy, about 1000 people in one supermarket, a couple of DJs and a lot of light. There’s just two plans offered: us$55 and $89. First one includes 100 minutes, 100 SMS and 100 Mb; the other one – 250 of each. Every extra megabyte will cost $.25 and $.21 respectively. The phone itself is $267/8Gb and $396/16Gb with $55 plan and $149/8Gb and $278/16Gb with $89 plan.

Ouch! When will telcos worldwide realize what Henry Ford did almost 100 years ago. Mass pricing leads to mass adoption which leads to mass profits. Sheesh!

So are you standing in line right this very minute, ready to get your shiny new iPhone today? Is your carrier up? Is iTunes activating? Let us know how things are going!

And if your market still doesn’t have the iPhone 3G, just remember that Apple promised another 30+ countries — a grand total of 70+ — for 2008, which is now set to include Russia via MTS. That pretty much leaves China standing alone as the last major market sans carrier deal… for now.

During Apple’s Q3 conference call Monday, along with App Store updates, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Tim Cook, announced that the iPhone 3G would launch in 20 more countries/regions on August 22nd, some six weeks after the initial 22 country launch back on July 11th.

While we’ve previously known that some 70+ countries would launch during 2008, we still don’t know which of the remaining 50 will be included in the second wave (or whether carrier and iTunes servers will remain up and running this time!).

Guesses anyone?

Here at the Providence, RI Mall, the halls are filled with lost souls as of 5:45 am, wandering in a state of limbo, unable to queue up because of a short security guard with delusions of importance. Nevertheless, Randyman was kind enough to kick our local line off with the following photo, Will was here at 3:45 am, and the other 6 us are alternately sneaking around the halls or sitting here in the parking lot, waiting for the overzealous security guard’s wristwatch to read 6am.

How’s your line going?

5:58: Well now, we managed to get lined up a whole three minutes early! Mr powerful is claiming I can’t take photos in front of the stores and is now hovering about our line of 20 people to make sure we don’t start a pre-iPhone-riot. We’re a dangerous-looking bunch, I tell ya.

6:20: Mall Security hijinks continue, we’ve moved a full three feet to get in line within between stanchions. More photos from the rest of the TiPb team coming soon!

6:35: Gentle Apple Employees give us RI line waiters free water:

6:40: Chad reports that the Kentwodd Towne Center in Cincinnati, Ohio has the same sort of overzealous security guards that I encountered here. They haven’t opened the mall doors yet and there are around 50 people milling about outside. Chad, though, he’s a TiPb’er, which means he found the back way in. WTG Chad!

6:50: They’re handing out cards now detailing all the stuff we already all knew about what we need in order to be able to activate in the store. Apple store employees are chatting us up regularly now, they seem as excited as we are. My favorite security guard has read the writing on the wall as our line approaches 100 people and disappeared. OOH, they’re giving away coupons for free coffee at the local shop — though said shop isn’t open yet.

7:15: The official count as of this time per the Apple guy with the clicky widget: apparently classified. We’re guessing around 175, with a side of a dozen or so at the Mall’s AT&T store.

7:20: DANG! Chad reports that that the Apple folks at his store have brought out demo units and are letting folks play with them as they wait in line.

7:30: Ocala, FL checks in with around 30 people in line:

7:40: Cinci’s getting long!

…Alright, folks, my line is getting restless, time to close up the laptop, stand up, and pace a bit. Our unboxing, hands on, and much MUCH more coming up soon!

Here’s a bit more: Jeremy says the Michigan Avenue line (Chicago, we presume) is only about 80 people (he’s 35), not bad at all. Update: This is what happens when you assume things, Jeremy updates:

• Chicago is blocks long! Sorry for confusion. Orland park store where I’m at is about 200-250. I’m 35 here*

Frank writes in from Chelsea:

This is about 1/4 of the way in! Line stretches one full city block (ave to ave) and there’s the maze setup amusement park style just before the entrance to the store. Developers are solicting the line with postcards for their apps – pretty cool vibe but it could very well be a four hour wait!

And lastly, yes, even our neighbors to the north are in on the action, though clearly all the Rogers brouhaha has dampened numbers. Rene — all alone!

The “Final Update” means that, yes, I’m back in my room and mixing down an unboxing video and photos right now!

Alright, we can’t resist one more. Here’s Brian’s view from Salt Lake City:

Who’s first in line for the iPhone 3G at the Apple Flagship glass cube store in New York City? Exactly. TheWhoFarm, to be even more exact. Why the irony? Seems they’re hoping to use the media attention around a decidedly less-than environmentally friendly iPhone 3G to draw attention to their causes, which are sustainability, affordable housing, energy security, locally-grown food (and multi-touch, desk liberating, universe denters for every child?)

Check out their wish-list from their open letter to Steve Jobs, Sen. Hillary Clinton, and Mayor Michael Bloomburg among others, after the break.

Waiting for Apples in the Big Apple

• We will spend a lot of time in a great public space, around the clock.
• We will use mobile solar power from Solar1.
• We will drink NYC’s renowned tap water.
• We will have local healthy food (especially Apples) delivered by our community gardener friends, Greenmarket farmers, and locavore restauranteurs via bicycles and pedicabs.
• We will compost our foodscraps, to help sustain our fragile soil.
• And most importantly, we will talk to whoever happens to stop by about local organic farming as a critical element to sustainable healthy living, food security, youth education, and climate change mitigation.

Read Via

As Rene mentioned over the weekend, the iPhone 2G has just turned one year old, we here at TiPb look to the future, though, and the future looks great. Great enough that we’re still planning on giving away an iPhone 3G to one lucky winner who’s made at least 20 posts in our iPhone Forums. Grab the full contest details here. Even better – when you visit the forums from your iPhone you should see a big ol’ “iPhone Version” that lets you interact with the forums via an iPhone interface. Don’t like it? The option to switch back is on the bottom of the iPhone version. What are you waiting for? Go on and register, post, and possibly win!

Also notable, you can now get your iPhone Blog six ways from Sunday. Ok, just two ways. You can now just punch in http://tipb.com into your browser to be brought to our main page. Easy, no? We’re not bringing out an iPhone version of the blog proper just yet — when we find / develop a verison that’s both fast and usable enough you’ll be the first to know.

Meanwhile, there’s only a couple weeks left now in the iPhone Wait-a-Thon, wherein we give away an iTunes Gift card worth $100 to somebody who’s commented on a Wait-a-Thon-tagged post (like, you know, this one). Details and rules here. Congrats to our latest winners, Tom, Mark, and Rafael. Your Gift Cards forthcoming just as soon as we convince Apple we’re not trying to defraud them by buying too many gift cards.

So with just a couple weeks left, we gotta ask: What’s your game plan for July 11th?. Rumor has it the launch will happen at 8 in the morning, so will you be camping out the night before? Sitting at home and pretending your iPhone 2G hasn’t been replaced with newer, faster, better, more? Answer in the comments for a chance to win!

Adding further fuel to the fire that Apple Inc. will drop the 3G bomb on June 9th, during CEO Steve Jobs’ Keynote address, InfoSyncWorld is claiming that, once announced, the 2nd generation iPhone will be made available via AT&T roughly 10 days later, on approximately the 18th or 19th.

InfoSyncWorld further speculates on HSDPA, GPS, Mobile TV, and other oft-cited iPhone 3G rumors.

And with the time left before WWDC growing shorter and shorter, when it comes to speculation and rumors, no doubt we ain’t seen nothing yet!

Read

First, the St. Paul Pioneer Press was there. The photographer had her camera on the ground taking pictures of feet of passers-by. The flash on her camera was mighty, and it freaked out people as they went. I guess the photo didn’t work out; they ended up not using it. Pictured here are waiters #10 and #11, Tim Normandt and Emily Phernetton. You can see them very early in the morning at the bottom of this picture playing Sudoku. Waiter #1, Joe Dowdell, with the money quote:

Some people think I’m nuts because I wanted to be here so early.

Aaaand… that’s his only quote. I can’t help it, but I think that’s funny.

Our flickr photostream has been updated with all photos, and I’ll give a recap of them below.

Pictured here are two of the kids that were paid by parents to wait in line for the iPhone. They made over $100 each. Plus, they get an iPhone. Not too shabby!

The above two photos are just pictures of the line ahead and the line behind, from about 10 or 11.

Ah, my view for 10 hours. I have not listened to Beck since, nor do I intend to.

At 2 PM CST, Apple closes down the store to get ready for the iPhone launch. The omni-present filming by TE is, well, omnipresent. I could either take a picture with them in it, or not at all.

Finally, Beck is gone, and there’s a timer that tells me exactly how much longer there is to wait. This last half hour disappears very quickly. To the right is Brandi Jade Thomas, the photographer from the Pioneer Press.

Here’s the line at about 5:45 PM CST; as you can see, it’s huge. There’s a ridiculous amount of people in line; I don’t know if they got to the overflow line or not.

There’s just minutes to go, and all of the Apple employees have gathered around. There’s a ton of them — there must be over 30. As the minutes count down, they cheer, clap and in general raise the roof of the Apple store.

And finally, here’s the view from #13. I have to say, the Apple employees were pumped. I got handshakes, back slaps, congratulatory messages from all of them. They were excited about this launch too, which is kind of odd: they probably had to stay here until 10 or midnight on a Friday night. If that was bothering them, it didn’t seem to show. Maybe they’re still excited at the prospect of a free 8GB iPhone.

Mike’s in line at the Mall of America – lucky number 13! Which means that a) at least one of the proprietors this website, which is dedicated to the iPhone, will actually have an actual iPhone in their hands, b) he has been there since 7am CST, and c) he has a good long wait ahead of him.

As Mike mentioned in his post below, news is taking a back seat to getting an iPhone today. However, you can keep an eye on this post right here for more pictures and updates of the Mall of America’s Apple Store iPhone craziness throughout the day.

(Latest update: 4:45:00 CST)

Here it is, the iPhone display at the Apple Store, Mall of America. At least there will be something shiny to look at while Mike waits. The real question, though, is can he and the other Apple fanatics resist the urge to wander into the Apple store (and out of line) to grope at the Macbooks?

A jittery shot of the stanchions set for the line – there appears to be space for around 300 people or so. Why so jittery? A 7am Tee-time at the iPhone line requires copious amounts of coffee. Or maybe just jittery with excitement.

Looking behind Mike’s spot in the line, there’s maybe about 40 people as of 10:45 CST:

…Looking ahead of Mike in line and we see…. AHHH! the creepy Blue Shark from Underwater Adventures! Make it stop! It won’t be long now before there’s an entire convocation of 3rd-rate, large-headed, mascot-esque creatures swarming upon the line, scaring children and creeping out everybody else – what with the formerly-known-as-Camp-Snoopy theme park not 100 feet away.

…and in the background on the left is the Lego World store. That’s right, in Minnesota we have an Apple Store located about 50 feet away from giant Lego statuary. It would be paradise if it weren’t in a mall.

Want an iPhone? Yes you do. Want to be confident you’re getting one? Head out of the city into the country, my friend, and go to a AT&T Store out in the boonies. Or the semi-boonies – here’s the Ocala, FL AT&T store. The only campers are the guys we’ve sent there:

They just turned off the lights.

a non-blurry shot of the black paper. Those camera folks form TE are omnipresent, I tell you. I can’t keep them out of my photos. a blurry shot of the black paper they’re using to cover the windows. Note the spokesperson from Technology Evangelist in the front right.

The line as of about 2:00 PM. We’re probably about 80 people deep right now. The ginger haired fellow in the front has been here since 5:30 AM.

AT&T iPhone display cases courtesy of Chris Kingree in Florida