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iPhone 3G Australia Launch Guide
Posted by Nick Broughall at 11:38 AM on July 9, 2008
It's two days and counting until iPhone 3G liftoff. If you're planning on getting your hands on a shiny new (i)phone on Friday, then it's time to start preparing for a big couple of days. So what do you do? Fortunately, Giz is here to hold your hand through the hardest part of it all - the waiting.
It all begins in New Zealand. At 12:01 NZ time, the very first iPhone 3G handsets will be sold. Hell, they're already queuing up to lay claim to that exclusive title of "first". Giz AU will actually be over in Auckland on Thursday night, covering the world launch of the next Jesusphone (and hopefully scoring one ourselves), so make sure you come back for all the latest up-to-the-minute information. And if you happen to be lining up in Auckland yourself, make sure you say G'day.
Back in Australia, the first step is getting over the fact that the Kiwis beat us at getting their hands on the iPhone (you can always take solace in the fact that no matter how bad the iPhone plans are over here, they're much worse over there). The second step is planning either a late night or an early morning, so long as you're in Sydney, that is.
It all begins in New Zealand. At 12:01 NZ time, the very first iPhone 3G handsets will be sold. Hell, they're already queuing up to lay claim to that exclusive title of "first". Giz AU will actually be over in Auckland on Thursday night, covering the world launch of the next Jesusphone (and hopefully scoring one ourselves), so make sure you come back for all the latest up-to-the-minute information. And if you happen to be lining up in Auckland yourself, make sure you say G'day.
Back in Australia, the first step is getting over the fact that the Kiwis beat us at getting their hands on the iPhone (you can always take solace in the fact that no matter how bad the iPhone plans are over here, they're much worse over there). The second step is planning either a late night or an early morning, so long as you're in Sydney, that is.
Optus are kicking off the iPhone 3G party by opening their George Street store in Sydney at midnight. But if you're thinking of crashing the party, think again - it's only for those of you who are already Optus customers and plumped up a deposit for your right to an iPhone. Of course, that doesn't guarantee you an iPhone either - but if you meet those conditions, you might want to get there early.
The Optus midnight event will be hosted by Fuzzy, and kicks off at 10pm. There'll be free coffee, snacks and giveaways for those in the queue as well, although I strongly doubt they'll be giving away that which the people want most...
If you can't make the midnight event, 6-7am on Friday is the time for you. Optus, Vodafone and Telstra will all be opening several stores in the major capitals for those keen enough to get out of bed that early (Telstra's jumping the gun with the 6am launch at their Sydney and Melbourne Tlife stores). Optus are once again giving preference to people who have paid a deposit, although as stocks are limited, you'll still need to get in early. Vodafone are planning on making a party of it as well, with DJs and celebrity host Bianca Dye...
Of course, we're still waiting for pricing details from telstra and Vodafone, so that could put a severe dampener on any early plans for the super keen.
And one last thing - we've been hearing a lot of rumours from a lot of different sources all saying the same thing: most stores won't actually have any iPhones for you to take away on Friday. Instead, they'll be sent out to you after you fork over a heap of cash and sign up to a contract. We're not sure how valid these rumours are, but we'll keep you posted. If they are true, then history will look back at this clusterfuck as a perfect way to not launch a phone in future.
[iPhone 3G launch on Giz]
Tags: apple | au | iphone | iphone 3g | launch | phones | top
Comments
B
Posted July 9, 2008 1:07 PM
Maybe these rumors were put out there to reduce the early morning queues.. So how early are you planning on getting to the stores friday morning? I'm going to a store that opens at 7am and was thinking about getting there at 6
Jared
Posted July 9, 2008 1:23 PM
Went to an Optus booth and asked how many iPhones they had ordered. They said none, you have to sign a contract first then they will order it for you. Overnight shipping. Thats a nice way to lose impulse buyers.
Max
Posted July 9, 2008 1:47 PM
I was expecting something smaller, is there a 'smaller text' option for such a big screen? People down the other end of the train would be able to read my emails at this size.
bluemukaki
Posted July 9, 2008 1:59 PM
Fuck this. Why wait for a phone when you don't even get the damn thing when you buy it, and you don't know how much they're going to charge you?
Darren Pearson
Posted July 9, 2008 1:59 PM
I have been told at an Optus store that not all stores will stock the iphone, but two in my area will have them on friday morning.
Chik Odomzig
Posted July 9, 2008 8:28 PM
I really don't want to buy an iPhone from a telco. Wish it was easy to by from reseller or Apple. Telcos are like dealing with leeches.. They don't know the product. They just want you to sign a contract and leave the store.
n
Posted July 9, 2008 10:00 PM
i calculate OPTUS PLAN.
Im going to take iphone 16GB on $19 Plan for 12 Months .
$59(mobile)+$19(plan) for 12 months
$78 X 12 =$936
unlocked iPhone and used My three Number
:)
i think its better then BUY it UPfront ($849+$80'Recharge')
its just like BUYing iphone First day and make this pay it in installment.
Cheers
M@
Posted July 10, 2008 9:10 AM
Just finished on a chat with Telstra - according to the agent, no plan details will be released until tomorrow. Given the launch is at 6am, most staff will not know anything until after the launch - how dumb is that? As a loyal Telstra customer for over 10 years, that REALLY p!sses me off. I am seriously considering a change - despite every other carrier having worse coverage. This is just a clear indication that the customer comes last as far as they are concerned.