From my live blog:

9:29: Just saw a copy of an email about the system issues stating:

“Current Issues and Workarounds

These are the issues that are currently being worked. We do not have solutions for some of the systematic issues just yet. As many workarounds as are available are provided below.

Issues upgrading a FT line (CARE only):

Work around to get customer out the door: split line off of the FT, make individual and then put back on the FT account.

Tethering for Unbrick is slow or erroring (telegence and care)

Send customer home to tether. Reps will still be comped.

Cannot add a line to an existing FT account (CARE only):

New line Port-in Failures:

The vast majority of our port failures have been because the rep is not asking for the Pin/Password. This field MUST be populated if the customer has a pin/passcode on their account.

Cannot sell out the 16GB white device (69115)- not available for sale (care and telegence) on both new line (port) and upgrade:

Not showing as a 3G device.

The CSS for upgrades in CARE markets is not printing the Upgrade Fee for ANY phone sales. iPhone and non-iPhone.

Rep must be sure to cover the fee with the customer. Fix is not until Tuesday.

Feature Conflict with Existing FT Messaging”

I didn’t get the second page, so if anybody wants to fill that in, email me.

Picture after the jump.

7:00: Daycare was a few minutes late opening but traffic was not too bad. I am number 59 in line. It just so happens that my spot has a bench to sit on. They won’t tell us how many are in stock. I got a free bottle of water. I wonder what happens if I have to go to the bathroom. I’ll take it easy on the water. Pictures below.

I just saw a person that was waiting in line last year for the iPhone and the Ms. Debbie Heroman, the lady that did our flowers.

7:22: The guy in the number 61 spot bought a first-gen iPhone two weeks ago and now has to wait in line to exchange it for the 3G version. What rock was he hiding under?

8:00: The doors are finally open. I ran to Starbucks to use the bathroom while someone held my spot in line. I talked to the first people in line and they said they got here about 11:30 last night. I also got a glimpse of the new phone. Pretty nice looking. The line is moving fast.

8:30: Pretty much at a standstill. I’m sure activating in store this year is going to make the wait a little longer. I’ve made a few business contacts while waiting in line.

8:40: Someone just came outside and said there was a “small glitch” in the system. Great.

8:44: I’m starting to hear a lot of cell phone conversations saying “I’m gonna be a little late for work.”

8:49: Some guy just shouted “Does anybody want to buy a BlackBerry Curve?!” My battery is about to die on my laptop. I’ll be back when I plug it back in.

9:29: Just saw a copy of an email about the system issues stating:

“Current Issues and Workarounds

These are the issues that are currently being worked. We do not have solutions for some of the systematic issues just yet. As many workarounds as are available are provided below.

Issues upgrading a FT line (CARE only):

Work around to get customer out the door: split line off of the FT, make individual and then put back on the FT account.

Tethering for Unbrick is slow or erroring (telegence and care)

Send customer home to tether. Reps will still be comped.

Cannot add a line to an existing FT account (CARE only):

New line Port-in Failures:

The vast majority of our port failures have been because the rep is not asking for the Pin/Password. This field MUST be populated if the customer has a pin/passcode on their account.

Cannot sell out the 16GB white device (69115)- not available for sale (care and telegence) on both new line (port) and upgrade:

Not showing as a 3G device.

The CSS for upgrades in CARE markets is not printing the Upgrade Fee for ANY phone sales. iPhone and non-iPhone.

Rep must be sure to cover the fee with the customer. Fix is not until Tuesday.

Feature Conflict with Existing FT Messaging”

I didn’t get the second page, so if anybody wants to fill that in, email me.

10:32: Finally in, out of the 92 degree heat. It is a little heated in here, with people frustrated by the system slowdowns and news that they are not eligible for upgrade. The combination of the two has caused a pretty long wait.

I’ve been told that I will have to activate the phone using iTunes. They also have to change my rate plan to the same rate plan??? It was easier when you just had to buy the phone and then activate through iTunes.

10:50: Got to play with a demo. 3G is pretty fast, but I noticed that the frame rate is lower than using wifi. i’m going to post a video review once I activate through iTunes.

11:10: I’m done. Not sure what all just happened, but I am getting out of here. Still have to “unbrick” through iTunes. I might wait until a little later to activate it.

11:23: As I was walking out, I heard a manager say they were out of 16GB in black.

Pictures below.

Read below for the link and some videos showing people popping popcorn using cellphones (supposedly an advertisement and not real, still cool though).

Ben
ben@wirelessiqllc.com
www.wirelessiqllc.com

Read CNet’s Article

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju5yIFu4yY8]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V94shlqPlSI]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAd0aWxs7kQ]

3G, Built-in GPS, 5 hours of talk time on 3G, 8GB for $199, 16GB for $299

Launching July 11th. Read more for other announcements from Apple.

You can watch the entire keynote here.

Thanks Engadget.

Contact us if you want to know how these announcements can help your business.

Ben

ben@wirelessiqllc.com
www.wirelessiqllc.com

Other things announced today:

iPhone 2.0 software update will be released in early July.

Features:

• Exchange capabilities
• Contact search
• iWork support
• Microsoft Office support
• Bulk delete/move for documents
• Ability to save images from emails
• Scientific Calculator (<sarcasm>woohoo!</sarcasm>)
• Parental Controls
• New languages supported

MobileMe

A service that pushes email, contacts, calendar and keeps your Macbook, Outlook, iPhone, and a web-based platform synchronized. You will get 20GB of storage for $100/year.

Apple Push Notification Service

A tool for developers to be able to push information (i.e. Instant Messaging) to an iPhone without having to run the application in the background.

RIM (BlackBerry) – 44.5% up from 35.1% in Q4- Staying strong due to the anticipated release of the GSM 3G version of their device. There have been a lot more advertisements on television, something that has not been present in the past. There was also an announcement of the BlackBerry Partners Fund. A joint venture between RIM and a few venture capitalists to promote the development of third party applications.

Apple – 19.2% down from 26.7% in Q4- Also anticipating the release of a GSM 3G version of the iPhone. Unlike BlackBerry, Apple has only one device model in the marketplace, making would be purchasers inclined to wait for the newer version. Apple has inked agreements with many foreign carriers to sell the iPhone. This number will probably go up in the next few quarters. It is still not bad for a company that entered the market less than one year ago.

Palm – 13.4% up from 7.9% in Q4 – Finally some good news for palm. The Centro took off when it was released. The device is more mainstream than the 650 and 680, making it more desirable for the younger demographic. The price is positioned significantly lower than the iPhone and BlackBerry devices.

Samsung – 8.6% up from 5.1% in Q4 – The GSM BlackJack II and the CDMA version, the Ace offered by sprint, also gave consumers a low cost option when choosing a smart phone.

HTC – 4.1% down from 7.9% in Q4 – Not much being released by HTC either and their phones are generally more expensive than other options.

Motorola – 2.6% down from 7.5% in Q4 – Motorola is really struggling right now. Not much released except for the Q9, an update from the original CDMA Q. When it comes to GSM, consumers have way too many other options compared to the Q. Not to mention Motorola has been dealing with the turmoil of selling off its mobile division.

You can read the original article here.

Feel free to check out our website or contact us if you are deciding which smart phone to buy.

Ben

ben@wirelessiqllc.com

[Update 6/11/2008 – (via Engadget) The software update may come earlier than expected.  Apple’s Australian website is showing that the App Store will be available on June 27th)

Back in March, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced a software update that will help the iPhone evolve and better position itself in the business segment and against other smart phones. With rumors circulating about a 3G iPhone release, early adopters of Apple’s wireless device can get the software upgrade for free and take advantage of true business applications, without having to upgrade their device. These applications include access to Microsoft Exchange’s wireless sync capabilities, increased control by IT administrators, and third party application support. Jobs anticipates that this software update will be released before the end of June, probably around the one year anniversary of the iPhone launch date. We will have a video review when the update is released. Read on for more details about the update.

Currently, iPhones can access corporate email using POP or IMAP access to their company email server. Many IT admins do not allow this type of access because of security reasons. Contact and calendar data must be synced using a USB cable connected to the user’s computer. The iPhone software update will bring Microsoft Exchange capabilities to the iPhone, allowing users to securely receive their email from a company’s Microsoft Exchange server (2003 or later). Outlook data, such as contacts, calendar, tasks, and memos will also synchronize over the air. iPhone end users will have access to their company’s Global Address book, giving them the ability to view colleague

IT administrators will also have increased control over iPhone users accessing corporate information. Admins will be able to remotely configure IT policies on iPhone devices. This is especially important for businesses that transmit proprietary information. Mandatory passwords can be implemented to devices to protect data from getting into the wrong hands. A lost or stolen iPhone can also be remotely locked until the device is recovered or the data can be completely wiped from the device. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be used to access information on a company Intranet, whether it is using the at&t data network or through built-in wifi capabilities.

The most anticipated feature is the ability to download third party applications for the iPhone. Wireless phone users love to customize their device to fit their individual business and personal needs. iPhone users will be able to access the Apple App Store and download applications directly to their device. The Software Developer’s Kit (SDK) for the iPhone was released about the same time this software update was announced. Third party application developers have been working hard to come up with applications to be used on the iPhone, some even being free of charge to the end user.

Wireless I.Q. specializes in helping professionals customize their wireless phones to assist wireless users in becoming more efficient in their day to day activities. We look forward to the release of the software update and being able to better people’s lives through the use of technology.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have.

Ben

ben@wirelessiqllc.com
www.wirelessiqllc.com