Apple iPhone 3G goes on sale in the UK Modest queues see in iDay in London

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11 July 2008 8:57 GMT / By Stuart Miles

The Apple iPhone 3G has gone on sale in the UK, as well as in 22 other countries around the world. Pocket-lint headed into the centre of London early this morning to see how the initial demand and sales were going.

Around 100 people were queuing for the device at the flagship Apple retail store on Regent Street in London, while outside the O2 shop similar numbers were in line. Carphone Warehouse also saw healthy demand with folk braving the early morning chill for a place in the queue.

Reports are coming from those who've been in store, or spoken to staff, that queuers could face seriously long waits due in part to the new in-store credit checking and contract admin process.

But, Pocket-lint spoke to some folk who'd been quoted a 4-hour wait time, apparently due in part to software problems with linking the Macs in the Apple store to the Windows-based O2 system.

Meanwhile, thousands who ordered the device online, either via O2's troubled site on Monday or Carphone Warehouse's online shop, will be eagerly waiting at home for the promised couriers to turn up.

Existing iPhone owners will no doubt be busying themselves today with the release of iPhone 2.0, the new firmware for the device, as well as the App Store, that has gone live with over 500 applications for the touchscreen mobile.

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Comments

  • Has anyone recieved their Iphone 3g that they ordered from CARPHONE WAREHOUSE yday before 3.30pm? I dont want to be waiting around all day if its not actually coming!
    -Thanks
    Posted by eddie, UK
  • In the Milton Keynes branch of Carphone Warehouse, I was 5th through the door and couldn't get one (16 GB, black) as they only had 4 in stock. I couldn't even order one, as the O2 servers crashed and no credit-checking could take place. Carphone Warehouse were doing their best, bless 'em but since O2 obviously hadn't prepared for this, the whole thing turned into a disappointed shambles. Perhaps O2 should have learned something from the last release? Seems not. Posted by Sion, UK
  • iPhone 3G just been delivered by the Carphone Warehouse, though I did order it on Monday at 12.30 Posted by George Peabody, UK
  • Which courier was is dude cus ill give em a ring?
    -Cheers!
    Posted by Eddie, UK
  • Mmmm tasty 16gb black in hand. Was 12th in queue at my local o2 store. Nightmare with the systems down - first people out the door took over an hour to process, everything done manually on carbon paper. Had huge stock at the store (apparently) - believe they may have had as many as 24 16gb and 36-48 8gb. Queued from 6:30. Was told with the systems like they are it could take anywhere from 2-48 hours for the paperwork to be entered into the system and processed, so it could take 2-48 hours before can activate the phone. At work though so can only try tonight. Its a damn sexy phone... Posted by dylan, UK
  • Unfortunately us mere mortals who can't be bothered to stand and queue for the new 3G, can't even update our old phones to the new V2 software.
    After talking to apple they tell me it won't be available until tomorrow.

    Apple and o2, you are both as bad as one another!!!!
    Posted by Andy, UK
  • Pretty sure that it was a CityLink courier Posted by George Peabody, UK
  • Hi received my 3g on Friday BUT still no service being displayed !!!!!
    02 not very organised went int 02 shop on Saturday they said should have service by Monday. (not holding my breath)
    Pete. Hull
    Posted by Postie, United Kingdom

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