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Originally Posted by scottjl
there are what, 50 something million out in the world. apple thought 600k would be enough for opening day?
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I wouldn't expect them to actually sell/reserve their entire launch day stock online. They will hold back a large chunk of stock for the stores themselves like they did with the 3GS launch. Easily on the order of another 400k at a minimum.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JSWolf
What I did forget to mention is that Apple is also very much at fault here. By making the exclusive deal with AT&T, they've caused AT&T's network to become overly congested. Now if Apple was to allow Verizon, T-Mobile, & Sprint to also have access to the iPad & iPhone, then the congestion will surely lesson as people switch from AT&T. Plus, it would give competition as far as pricing goes and maybe AT&T would once again offer their unlimited data plan.
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Keep in mind there are reasons why cell phone makers make exclusivity deals with carriers: To get the phone out onto the market. Apple was brand new into this market, and had to convince a carrier to take their device, and at the same time, try to eek out demands from that same carrier (allow Apple to upgrade the software, allow home activations via iTunes, no MO branding on the device, etc). Stuff that is more common now, but at the time would be hard for a new player to get. That exclusivity agreement is what AT&T got in exchange for giving up control of the phone itself to Apple.
Verizon is also a bit of a problem as they were apparently given the opportunity to enter into that agreement before AT&T was. Verizon said no, and has done a poor job keeping a control freak like SJ happy with them after the fact (mocking the iPhone in your ads is not a great way to convince that CEO to come to your network with the device). There's more than the technical issues here when Verizon may have burned a few bridges with Apple in their dealings.