SmallBizResource Blog -- Mobility

Apple Rolls Out iPhone 3G

Posted by Gayle Kesten Friday, Jul 11, 2008, 01:22 PM ET

Back in the day, I camped out for tickets to see Bruce Springstein and Hall & Oates. So I really can't fault Mac fans for wanting to be among the first to buy the new iPhone.

From bMighty.com: "As expected -- and greatly anticipated by crowds of excited customers -- Apple's latest iPhone went on sale today, the first going to a student in New Zealand who waited on line 60 hours."

People were cheering in Japan, as well: "Friday’s launch marks the first time the iPhone has been available in that country and the chance to be one of the first to own one attracted more than 1,000 people to the store of Japanese carrier Softbank in Tokyo’s trendy Harajuku neighborhood by the time sales began at 7 a.m."

Here's what the crowd looked like in Manhattan. (For all the live coverage going on, I'm surprised I couldn't find more photos from elsewhere.)

The iPhone, priced at $199 for an 8-GB model and $299 for a 16-GB model, runs on AT&T's high-speed 3G network. The phone requires in-store activation and a two-year contract (read the small print, some analysts are warning), and includes built-in GPS and business email capability. The iPhone also lets users download cheap or free applications from Apple's new App Store.

More about that in-store activation: According to reports, the process has hit a few snags, with servers going down due to volume. Folks on Twitter are also chiming in, says CNET, including one guy from Minneapolis, who two hours ago posted: "got the new Iphone 3G... but cannot use it because apple store activation is down :(."

Sit (or stand) tight. All good things come to those who wait. But for those who already own the previous model, at least one reviewer would likely suggest you just go home.

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