Filed under: Odds and ends, Other Events, iTunes, iPhone
T-minus 2: iPhone UK News Roundup
In the interests of preserving our American readers' sanity (at least until launch day), we're going to condense the U.K.-related iPhone news into a roundup for your reading pleasure.Apple formally announces 6:02pm launch
Just in case folks were unaware, here's the lowdown from Apple PR. In case you're wondering about how you'll be able to get your hands on one: the iPhone will be available at over 1,300 outlets - Apple Retail Stores, O2 stores and Carphone Warehouse outlets.
Thinking of reselling UK iPhones through eBay?You'll want to read the Apple iPhone UK & Ireland Listing Policy eBay has localised. In short:
- "One-day listings and Three-day listings are not allowed.
- You must offer PayPal as a payment method.
- New sellers cannot list using the Buy It Now (Fixed Price) option."
Newspapers launch iPhone sections
With review units out there, broadsheet newspapers The Telegraph, The Guardian and The Times have revealed sections specifically for the iPhone launch, with an assortment of reviews and videos. Of note, The Times piece on the iPhone is somewhat misleading when it states "in the UK customers will have to pay £269, assuming they do not sign up for a contract at the same time." The iPhone is of course a fixed price, regardless of when you get the contract for it. The Telegraph video also talks about the somewhat un-localised Google Maps icon aimed at 1 Infinite Loop - it's a small thing, but it would sure be good to have a UK-based icon (and UK-style number formatting in the activation screen).
Apple posts Activation Video
Been wondering how activation of the iPhone will work in the UK? (Hint: It's almost identical to the U.S.) Apple has continued their well-rehearsed drip-feed of information with the release of a video showing you exactly how to go about getting your iPhone running, including number transfers from other carriers.
London Calling
If you're heading to the London Regent Street store for your iPhone this Friday, TUAW will be there with a handful of über-exclusive TUAW tees (namely a small, medium and a large) up for grabs that you can't find anywhere else this side of the pond. We'll let you know how to try and claim one nearer the time!
Apple Stores to close at 2pm
If you've got an overwhelming urge to visit an Apple Store on Friday afternoon, you're out of luck: stores are closing from 2pm until 6:02pm to get ready for the launch.
As ever, if you've got any tips, then get in touch via our nifty tips form.
Thanks Adam, Hutch and everyone else who sent in tips!
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Graham said 12:05PM on 11-07-2007
What time is everyone going down? I'm thinking about 6am Friday.
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chirho said 12:10PM on 11-07-2007
why condense the UK info? we have to read all the US info!
don't know about anyone else, but i'm waiting for a 3G model :(
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matthew said 4:20AM on 11-08-2007
i couldnt wait, i got mine from a loverly little store called CEX. i have it on orange and i just love it... still want edge but dont want to pay that much for it
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Tom said 12:52PM on 11-07-2007
Anyone from the UK going to the Apple Store in Lakeside, Essex to pick up theirs?? Let me know on tsfall@gmail.com
I'll be there!!!
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basscadet said 12:55PM on 11-07-2007
are there any people in the UK that haven't already bought an unlocked iPhone from the US?
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Austin said 12:56PM on 11-07-2007
Ok, one stupid question, an answer for which i have not been able to get anywhere - what happens when you activate on iTunes, and you have had, up to that point a contract already running with O2 or O2CPW - does it just disappear?
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suls said 1:00PM on 11-07-2007
hmm.. anyone knows if it's possible to buy an iphone w/o activating the contract in the uk as well?
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Graham said 1:12PM on 11-07-2007
No, not possible to use the iPhone (officially) without a contract. If you have an existing o2 contract you can choose to had the iPhone in addition to your existing contract or your iPhone contract can replace it.
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ser91e said 7:28AM on 11-08-2007
@suls
It will be exactly same procedure as in USA. You need to activate it through iTunes at home so nobody will stop you from buying it in a shop and unlocked by yourself, but I'm worried that it will take a lot time until someone will hack new firmware 1.1.2 :(.
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Steve Rapport said 1:27PM on 11-07-2007
Anyone know when you'll be able to place an iPhone order on Apple's UK web site? I live in the US, and am trying to buy one for my niece's birthday (she lives back home in London)?
Thanks.
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Andrew Woodall said 1:39PM on 11-07-2007
I'll be going along to the Birmingham Apple Store on Friday, anyone else?
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Ben said 2:14PM on 11-07-2007
Thanks for being so considerate Nik.
Shame Erica doesn't do the same with her iPhone stuff.
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MJ said 2:40PM on 11-07-2007
Austin,
If you started you are due an upgrade, then it won't cost you anything, If you have say 1 month or more left until you can upgrade, you have to pay around £210 plus the £269. This only applies to O2 not O2CPW contracts. If you have a CPW one, you have to port your number over to O2, pay the remainder of your contract up and wait 5 days for the transfer to take place.
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Tom said 2:47PM on 11-07-2007
Shouldn't that be "T-minus O2"?
Arf
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vectr said 2:48PM on 11-07-2007
I'm in New York at Christmas... can I buy an iPhone there and bring it back and get an O2 contract here? Does anyone know?
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Austin said 3:28PM on 11-07-2007
MJ,
thanks for this: I have been on the Apple discussion boards all afternoon and am getting seriously conflicting advice.
On the one hand there is, if you are already whit O2 or O2/CPW then you just start a new contract, forget the old one
and
Then there's your advice
EEK
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ultgames said 4:57PM on 11-07-2007
From the O2 FAQs
If you became an O2 customer or upgraded on or before 18th September 2007
You can switch to an O2 tariff for iPhone without paying any remaining monthly charges on your existing contract.
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Martin Davies said 5:02PM on 11-07-2007
You'll need to start a new 18 month minimum term contract and pay for your iPhone handset but you can keep your existing number. So everyone will know it's you when you call them to brag.
If you were an O2 customer or upgraded on or before 18th September 2007
You can switch to an O2 tariff for iPhone without paying any remaining monthly charges on your existing contract.
If you joined or upgraded after 18th of September 2007
You have a choice, you can either:
(i) Enter into a second pay monthly contract whilst keeping your existing contract; or
(ii) Start a new contract by paying a one-off transfer charge of £219 instead of the remaining monthly charges on your existing contract.
O2 Simplicity and O2 Pay & Go customers will not be required to pay any additional charges.
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Austin said 5:30PM on 11-07-2007
MJ, ultgames, martin
thanks for the info - I did read all that stuff, but no one seems to be able to tell me whether as a CPW/O2 person and not a straight O2 person, whether it applies to me.
I will, again, go calling around to get clarification. Perhaps there will be more of a focus on accuracy as time nears - here's hoping!
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joe said 4:33AM on 11-08-2007
@matthew - what data plan are you using? Can you access the cloud or any free wifi spots in the UK?
I am thinking of buying in the US and jailbreaking but am not sure if it is worth it to avoid the 02 tariffs or not.
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