World of Apple

Brier Dudley of the Seattle Times offers an interview with Glenn Lurie, president of National Distribution for AT&T’s wireless operations, responsible for National Retail Operations, National Dealers, Direct Mail/Direct Response, Resale, eStore Sales and Service via Cingular.com, as well as Prepaid/Hybrid Sales

The interview offers background on Lurie and his history with AT&T, but also goes into some details of the iPhone we haven’t heard of in the past.

When discussing the potential success of the iPhone Lurie said;

“The anticipation that we’re seeing, the buzz we’re seeing, at least for me, has far exceeded our expectations of how important this would be to the business and us,”

The interviewer mentioned that he was sceptical on the price of the iPhone compared to current competition, Lurie answered with;

Here’s how I’d explain it. The most popular iPod, a 4-gigabyte Nano, costs $200. If you’ve got a RIM BlackBerry or Palm Treo, you probably paid $200 minimum. Then you’ve got a phone that you got for free or paid maybe $50.

There are other things — you have the widgets, some of the Google applications that are coming — there are just so many things here that the price will not be an issue.

When questioned on whether a subsidy would be offered for the iPhone Lurie said;

We’re not talking about that.

Boy Genius reports has revealed screenshots of AT&T’s accounting that shows the iPhone available to pre-paid users.

Screenshot of AT&T internal accounting system

The accounting system shows three versions:

• iPhone PostPaid
• iPhone PrePaid (Pay As You Go)
• iPhone Hybrid (Pick Your Plan)

For clarification for international readers Cingular describes ‘Pay As You Go’ and ‘Pick Your Plan’ as follows:

Pay As You Go
Pay As You Go is wireless made easy. Simply pay in advance for what you need. No long-term contracts, credit checks or surprise bills - just all the benefits of wireless, with no complications.

Pick Your Plan
Get the best of wireless without long-term contracts or unexpected bills. With Pick Your Plan, you establish monthly automatic payments for service and use the balance on your account for voice minutes or other features. It’s that easy.

At this very moment it is unknown whether this is purely an error on AT&T’s system, but if true it would mean customers could simply pony up the money for the phone and use it with other networks.

The Boy Genius Report posts an article discussing iPhone display cases that will be used in AT&T stores.

The site which states that the information is from a reliable source notes that the display cases require some stores to be rewired as the cases require power and network connectivity.

The cases are also said to be 3ft by 7ft tall, but the site was unable to pinpoint when the cases and iPhone’s would be put on display.

Preperations for iPhone Training

MacRumors is reporting that training for individuals related to the iPhone will begin on May 30th and continue through to June 20th. The site points to after June the 20th for a launch date.

Meanwhile the report goes on to say that AT&T/Cingular technicians have begun visiting Apple Stores around America to test mobile network strength, presumably to aid in the demonstration of network features.

Apple advertises in The Record for iPhone team

Apple also appears to be making preparations for the arrival of the iPhone with an advert in ‘The Record’ a newspaper based in the Elk Grove region of California.

The half page advert reads:

The revolution continues.

This event is invite only, so call 1.866.238.6785 to reserve your spot today.

Apple has also begun advertising in the Elk Grove area for iPhone Personal Trainer’s and iPhone Personal Trainer Team Manager.

AT&T Blocking Out June/July

A report from Boy Genius posts an email sent from within AT&T to employees requesting that they don’t take holiday (vacation) during the period of June 15th to July 15th.

The email reads:

As previously announced, Apple and AT&T will soon debut the iPhone, which combines a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and breakthrough internet communications into one small and lightweight handheld device. The new AT&T has a multiyear, exclusive agreement to provide U.S. service for the iPhone.

I want to thank you in advance for your understanding as this is likely to be the biggest selling period we have seen in a few years.

AT&T Q&A For Exployees Rehashes Details

Engadget Mobile has posted an internal Q&A document being distributed within AT&T to employees. The Q&A outlines no new information but does clarify known details;

• Availability June 2007
• 4GB $499, 8GB $599.
• Available in Cingular company-owned retail stores, direct mail, Apple stores, and Apple.com
• “No subsidies are being offered on the phone at this time”
• Access to Cingular’s MyAccount via the device and the iTunes site.
• Rate plans will be detailed closer to launch

Further details after the jump.

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