Good solution or ruin the fun?

[Neil]

Allowing pre-orders would save a lot of this uncertainty. Stores would be informed how many units they would initially get, people could sign up, and that would be that. Same deal for subsequent shipments.
No...wait.... that would be too organized!

 

[wjp09]

I think people would be VERY upset if they didn't pre order AND on top of that if they were waiting in store which HAD phones but weren't allowed to buy do to preorders.

 

[Neil]

Why would they be waiting in the store if the pre-orders were finished? Same as with video games.

 

[thinkart]

that works for smaller releases...but this is steve's baby. he's not stupid. HYPE is free advertising. a ridiculous amount of news blurbs and articles have surfaced over the last month. he couldnt spend all the money in Apple's pockets to get this kind of valuable marketing.

 

[att_employee]

that works for smaller releases...but this is steve's baby. he's not stupid. HYPE is free advertising. a ridiculous amount of news blurbs and articles have surfaced over the last month. he couldnt spend all the money in Apple's pockets to get this kind of valuable marketing.

HYPE is right.
Why do you think it's a 6pm launch?
SO IT WILL MAKE THE LIVE LOCAL EVENING NEWS FEEDS IN ALL MARKETS

 

[thinkart]

HYPE is right.
Why do you think it's a 6pm launch?
SO IT WILL MAKE THE LIVE LOCAL EVENING NEWS FEEDS IN ALL MARKETS

im sure thats a bonus, but the original reason is so that FedEx can control the safe guarding of the iPhone until launch. no matter how many retail outlets promise that they wont sell them ahead of schedule....there would be plenty that break the rules. the 6pm time allows Apple to REALLY control when everyone gets a chance to buy.

 

[ColsTiger]

Allowing pre-orders would save a lot of this uncertainty. Stores would be informed how many units they would initially get, people could sign up, and that would be that. Same deal for subsequent shipments.
No...wait.... that would be too organized!

Naaaa. Get in line on launch day if you want one bad enough.

 

[Lazarus]

yes always keep in mind that a company's first and primary objective is to make them a lot of money$$$$ NOT cater to the needs and wants of the consumer. Hence the lack of revolutionary features like ringtones

 

[Neil]

yes always keep in mind that a company's first and primary objective is to make them a lot of money$$$$ NOT cater to the needs and wants of the consumer. Hence the lack of revolutionary features like ringtones

Oh, yeah, I forgot.

 

[spacerog]

im sure thats a bonus, but the original reason is so that FedEx can control the safe guarding of the iPhone until launch. no matter how many retail outlets promise that they wont sell them ahead of schedule....there would be plenty that break the rules. the 6pm time allows Apple to REALLY control when everyone gets a chance to buy.

Exactly it is about control and Steve loves control. If you only designate a launch day then some stores will open at Midnight to sell on the correct day. You still need to ship them the day before and some stores will sell the day they receive them.

By haing a launch time you can ship the same day! if any stores try to sell early it will be only a few hours early.

It is all about control, the added media attention is a bonus.

- SR

 

[thinkart]

yes always keep in mind that a company's first and primary objective is to make them a lot of money$$$$ NOT cater to the needs and wants of the consumer. Hence the lack of revolutionary features like ringtones

youre right about their main goal...but wrong about their intentions. Apple is set apart from every other money hungry corp because their goal IS TO MAKE THE CONSUMER HAPPY! that is how they have a niche of the market. that is how they make their money. you ringtone freaks make me laugh. you will be able to have your annoying Beyonce ringtone...just give it a bit. im betting that the next update to iTunes after friday will have it in there. you don't know what legal BS they are dealing with. artists are probably complaining about their songs being turned into ringtones and not getting paid extra. think about that! the ringtones tab disappeared for 1 of 3 reasons.
1. to make us question it. the anticipation, hype, and surprise.
2. legal bs
3. software challenges
oh and i almost forgot a 4th one
4. to make more money on tones