World of Apple

PC Advisor is reporting that “secret plans” for the UK launch of the iPhone 3G have been revealed to the publication.

The publication claims that a local Carphone Warehouse disclosed the information which stated times and details of the iPhone 3G launch on July 11, these included VIP passes for those who pre-order the iPhone.

Contrary to previous reports the publication notes that O2 and Carphone Warehouse stores will open at 7.02am and as of Monday July 7 customers will be able to pre-order the iPhone online; although O2 has confirmed that iPhones will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

According to the report customers who pre-order will receive a “Welcome Pack” and “VIP ticket.”

O2 has confirmed that it will open its stores in the UK at 7am on July 11 to begin selling the iPhone 3G.

The information emerged yesterday when O2 contacted customers warning of potential stock shortages.

“Orders will be placed on a first come first served basis,” O2 warned, “we will be writing to you again before the 11th with details about how you can place your order.”

AppleInsider has posted an article claiming that O2 Stores in the UK will open at 7.05am on the day of the iPhone 3G launch. This time is well ahead of the stores usual opening times and a far cry from the 6PM launch of the original iPhone.

AppleInsider is also reporting that O2’s policy of offering an unlock code for Pay As You Go phones after 12 months will remain in place for the iPhone 3G.

The unlocking which costs £15 would allow the iPhone 3G to be used on any other network.

After much rumour mongering, O2 has announced the pricing for the iPhone 3G for those wishing to use it on Pay-as-you-go.

The 8GB iPhone 3G will cost £299.99 and the 16GB will come in at £359.99.

Both iPhone models include 6 months of unlimited browsing and Wi-Fi, benefits that will cost pay-as-you-go customers £10 per month afterwards.

[Update] O2 has pulled the page containing the prices as of 23.00 BST on Wednesday June 25.

Mac Rumors reports that worries over huge queues on the iPhone 3G launch day on July 11th may have convinced O2 to allow signups prior to the date.

Unlike like the launch of the original iPhone, customers can no longer buy a handset and activate it onto a contract from home, purchasers must sign up to a contract in-store and the credit check process can be lengthy.

According to Mac Rumors an O2 rep has informed several customers that users will be able to signup for iPhone 3G contracts ahead of the handsets launch:

The main point he told me was this, From July 1st All O2 stores in the UK will offer pre registration Credit checks, You can come in store, have your contract setup for you, and a unique registration code given to you. The contract will simply be “paused” and wont be activated. No details are taken about which model phone you are going to be purchasing.

You can then turn up on July 11th and quote the registration code and then make a standard purchase of the phone and then the contract will become activated.

In other news Stuff Magazine claims that sources have disclosed the price points for the pay-as-you-go iPhones from O2. Stuff claims that the 8GB iPhone will cost £370 and the 16GB £470.

When the iPhone 3G launches on July 11 Apple Stores in the UK will not be taking part in the celebrations, only O2 and Carphone Warehouse stores will be selling the newest iPhone.

According to a report Apple and O2 are working out a method in which Apple can sell iPhones through its online and high street retail stores at the O2-subsidised selling price.

The problem occurs because iPhone 3G purchasers will have to activate their new iPhones in-store, and Apple lacks systems to carry out credit checks in its stores.

“We are currently working closely with Apple to enable them to issue contracts in store. Full details are still to be confirmed,” an O2 spokesperson explained.

The O2 spokeswoman also confirmed that pay-as-you-go (prepay) iPhones, which are expected to be sold at the full price, will be sold in Apple stores, as well as O2 and Carphone Warehouse.

The sale price of prepay iPhones is rumoured to be in the region of £350 (8GB) and £450 (16GB).

According to O2 UK consumers are four times more interested in the iPhone 3G than its predecessor.

According to the UK carrier almost four times as many people have registered interest in the iPhone 3G than those who registered an interest in the original model.

O2 claims that 130,000 people have registered their interest since last week when the iPhone 3G saw an announcement at WWDC.

Following the announcement of iPhone 3G earlier today, O2 who remains the exclusive carrier of the iPhone in the UK has announced the new tariffs for iPhone 3G.

O2 today introduced a new £30/month iPhone tariff featuring 75 minutes and 125 texts on top of the normal unlimited data and visual voicemail.

O2 offers the following four tariffs for iPhone 3G:

• £30/month – 8GB iPhone £99 – 16GB iPhone £159 – 75 Minutes – 125 Texts – Unlimited Data & WiFi – 18 month contract
• £35/month – 8GB iPhone £99 – 16GB iPhone £159 – 600 Minutes – 500 Texts – Unlimited Data & WiFi – 18 month contract
• £45/month – 8GB iPhone Free – 16GB iPhone £59 – 1200 Minutes – 500 Texts – Unlimited Data & WiFi – 18 month contract
• £75/month – 8GB iPhone Free – 16GB iPhone Free – 3000 Minutes – 500 Texts – Unlimited Data & WiFi – 18 month contract

O2 is also offering existing iPhone customers the chance to simply renew their contract rather than having to pay it off.

To thank you for being an iPhone fan, we’re offering you an early upgrade to the brand new version when it launches on 11th July 2008. You won’t have to wait until the end of your existing contract either, all you’ll need to do is agree to a new 18-month minimum term contract.

Macworld UK is reporting that O2 is planning to offer the new iPhone free to customers who sign onto the top tariffs.

The article also concurs with a rumour last week that the iPhone will cost £100 and be sold with an 18-month contract. But it appears O2 is also planning to offer free upgrades to some users and free iPhones to those on the top iPhone tariff which is currently £75 per month.

It is also expected that owners of the current iPhone will be able to upgrade their handsets without charge although they will be “obliged” to sign-up for another 18-month contract.

The 3G iPhone is widely expected to see a debut this coming Monday at WWDC but not ship until later in the month.

Times Online is reporting that the new iPhone could retail in the UK market for as little as £100.

Apple is widely expected to allow mobile carriers to subsidise the new iPhone which is rumoured to see an introduction at WWDC which kicks off on June 9th.

A source close to the deal stated to Times Online that the new iPhone will be on store shelves by July.