iPhone 3G Update

As the storm dies down here’s what we know:

• O2 are sold out of all iPhone 3Gs online.
• There are no white 16GB models to be offered from launch.
• The PAYG version won’t be launching any time soon – possibly not until Christmas.
• Carphone Warehouse are selling new connections on-line, but upgrades must be done by phone or in-store. The telephone line is busy(!)
• Neither O2 or Carphone Warehouse stores will take advance orders. However, staff seem poorly briefed and are complaining they haven’t even been told the information published on the respective websites.
• There are unsubstanciated rumours that numbers of units available in-store on launch day will also be very limited (this could, of course be part of th ehype around Friday so take with a massive pinch of salt).

Favourite moments of the day so far:

“You can’t upgrade your original O2 contract hasn’t finished yet” – Carphone Warehouse store manager.

“Our upgrade site broke because we don’t have enough iPhones. It’s Apple’s fault for not sending enough” – O2 store staff.

I suspect the world won’t end if I (or plenty of others it seems) don’t get new iPhones on Friday, but as an enthustic customer I’m irritated that after several hours of trying I wasn’t able to place an order or even get a unit reserved somehow. O2’s site says ‘first come first served’ but that’s not been the case today… and that’s a great way to piss off customers.