Will the Scobles wait in line for 3G iPhone?

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New 3G iPhone is coming this summer, it seems. Will Patrick and I wait in line overnight again like we did last year?

No.

Why? Even though the line was a heck of a lot of fun, I think that’s a one-time deal. It’s pretty clear there won’t be any scarcity (there wasn’t any real scarcity last time, either) and I doubt Bill Atkinson (Apple’s first software developer) will come and wait in line overnight with us like he did the first time.

That said, I will be one of the first to buy the 3G version. I hope it has video on it.

The downside? With millions of people getting new 3G iPhones, I bet the speed and quality of AT&T’s 3G network will go down. In the United States there aren’t many 3G phones yet, and the ones that are out there suck for Web browsing, so other than a few freaks like me who are using it to broadcast video there isn’t much usage yet.

The 3G iPhone will change all that.

Published by Robert Scoble

I help entrepreneurs build their technology business' story, help with getting ready for investors, with other launch plans, and many other strategic things that can help your new startup. Call to talk: +1-425-205-1921 (text first).

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66 thoughts on “Will the Scobles wait in line for 3G iPhone?”

  1. Try HTC Touch Diaomond announced today, which also has built in GPS and a 3.2 megapixel camera and a full Opera based Web Browser. It has 4GB built in flash memory. It would be much cheaper than iphone, and from the demos I have seen, much better.

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  2. Try HTC Touch Diaomond announced today, which also has built in GPS and a 3.2 megapixel camera and a full Opera based Web Browser. It has 4GB built in flash memory. It would be much cheaper than iphone, and from the demos I have seen, much better.

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  3. Waiting in lines, whether for an iPhone or a Star Wars movie or whatever, is for people who are doing a publicity stunt (i.e., podcasters and such), or people who don’t have jobs.

    All the sane, employed people just wait until the next day.

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  4. Waiting in lines, whether for an iPhone or a Star Wars movie or whatever, is for people who are doing a publicity stunt (i.e., podcasters and such), or people who don’t have jobs.

    All the sane, employed people just wait until the next day.

    Like

  5. really you need the upgrade to 3G? I wish I had money to throw around everytime a new product comes out. how will your current contract with AT&T work w/ a “new” phone? Are you extending your service contract with AT&T or how is this working out?

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  6. really you need the upgrade to 3G? I wish I had money to throw around everytime a new product comes out. how will your current contract with AT&T work w/ a “new” phone? Are you extending your service contract with AT&T or how is this working out?

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  7. Will the Scoble’s wait in line for 3G iPhone

    -Surely you’re aware that questions end with a question mark, and apostrophes are never used to make something plural.

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  8. Will the Scoble’s wait in line for 3G iPhone

    -Surely you’re aware that questions end with a question mark, and apostrophes are never used to make something plural.

    Like

  13. Jonathan: With the existing handsets being subsidy-free, I’d hope and expect you can just buy a new 3G iPhone, move your SIM card over and start enjoying the 3G goodness on your existing tariff (presumably shifting the new SIM card into your old handset to sell on Ebay, with the buyer then able to sign up for a new contract). I think that’s what happens now if you damage your existing iPhone and replace it, too.

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  14. Jonathan: With the existing handsets being subsidy-free, I’d hope and expect you can just buy a new 3G iPhone, move your SIM card over and start enjoying the 3G goodness on your existing tariff (presumably shifting the new SIM card into your old handset to sell on Ebay, with the buyer then able to sign up for a new contract). I think that’s what happens now if you damage your existing iPhone and replace it, too.

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  15. I’m betting you’ll still be in line. The build up will eventually get to you. I’ve read your stuff for a long time now and you just don’t seem like someone that is built to wait for anything. It won’t be just about 3G. Won’t we see 2.0 of the software then as well?

    I predict you’ll not only be in line, but you’ll stream it live on Qik, send at least 80 tweets, keep a friendfeed going, and post a few pics on flickr. ;p

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  16. I’m betting you’ll still be in line. The build up will eventually get to you. I’ve read your stuff for a long time now and you just don’t seem like someone that is built to wait for anything. It won’t be just about 3G. Won’t we see 2.0 of the software then as well?

    I predict you’ll not only be in line, but you’ll stream it live on Qik, send at least 80 tweets, keep a friendfeed going, and post a few pics on flickr. ;p

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  17. I’m an unapologetic Apple fanboi, but there’s no way I’d stand in line like that. Unless I was on the clock and getting paid for it, of course 🙂

    Let me put it this way: Starwars ep 1? Definitely a historic thing, worth standing in line for (regardless of how the movie turned out). Episode 2? Meh. See it on day 3 so you can still talk to people about it in the office on Monday but don’t have to stand in line.

    iPhone 2 is my Starwars 2. I just hope it doesn’t come with Jar-Jar.

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  18. I’m an unapologetic Apple fanboi, but there’s no way I’d stand in line like that. Unless I was on the clock and getting paid for it, of course 🙂

    Let me put it this way: Starwars ep 1? Definitely a historic thing, worth standing in line for (regardless of how the movie turned out). Episode 2? Meh. See it on day 3 so you can still talk to people about it in the office on Monday but don’t have to stand in line.

    iPhone 2 is my Starwars 2. I just hope it doesn’t come with Jar-Jar.

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  19. I bet the speed and quality of AT&T’s 3G network will go down.

    *WHAT* AT&T 3G network? I wasn’t aware they HAD one yet (despite what they say in the stores about their 2.5G network being 3G).

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  20. I bet the speed and quality of AT&T’s 3G network will go down.

    *WHAT* AT&T 3G network? I wasn’t aware they HAD one yet (despite what they say in the stores about their 2.5G network being 3G).

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  21. It was fun camping out last year for the iPhone. I suspect Apple will do *something* to make the event special this year as well. It’s all about making the early buyers feel like celebrities going to a premiere. It could be free t-shirts, give-aways, or something. It may even be that there could be scarcity, or fear of scarcity like last year. Things are different now that Apple has to distribute the phones around the world.

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  22. It was fun camping out last year for the iPhone. I suspect Apple will do *something* to make the event special this year as well. It’s all about making the early buyers feel like celebrities going to a premiere. It could be free t-shirts, give-aways, or something. It may even be that there could be scarcity, or fear of scarcity like last year. Things are different now that Apple has to distribute the phones around the world.

    Like

  27. I had a ton of fun waiting in line last year we had almost 200 people in line with us! However, this year I believe it will be a silent update or part of the WWDC keynote. So I doubt any waiting in line will happen. Although It would be fun to do it again sometime.

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  28. It’s here, finally, if iffy, they have been “preaching” it for years. More cities are getting on, and HSUPA by mid-year, and then in 2009, or more likely 2010, HSPA+ and 4G LTE, with nationwide LTE in 2012 or so, I’d wager. Which means, that some of the top markets will get 3G, leaving massive gaps, and they will roll on to 4G without completing the network. Typical AT&T. Come back in 4 years.

    But early iPhone adopters get shafted (twice)…of course most (smart ones) are on WiFi…tho that has it’s limits. But hrrmph, still no WPA2 Enterprise? Gawd.

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  29. I had a ton of fun waiting in line last year we had almost 200 people in line with us! However, this year I believe it will be a silent update or part of the WWDC keynote. So I doubt any waiting in line will happen. Although It would be fun to do it again sometime.

    Like

  30. It’s here, finally, if iffy, they have been “preaching” it for years. More cities are getting on, and HSUPA by mid-year, and then in 2009, or more likely 2010, HSPA+ and 4G LTE, with nationwide LTE in 2012 or so, I’d wager. Which means, that some of the top markets will get 3G, leaving massive gaps, and they will roll on to 4G without completing the network. Typical AT&T. Come back in 4 years.

    But early iPhone adopters get shafted (twice)…of course most (smart ones) are on WiFi…tho that has it’s limits. But hrrmph, still no WPA2 Enterprise? Gawd.

    Like

  31. Be realistic on how much an improvement 3G will actually give you. Especially on a mobile device.

    Bandwidth is only part of the equation. Latancy is another big one, and 3G will improve latency, but not proportional to bandwidth improvement.

    So on long downloads you will see a nice big jump. However, regular web browsing, with lots of request/receive iterations the latency still adds up and the actual throughput improvement will not be linear to bandwidth. 2x maybe.

    That said. I’m sure there will be plenty of other cool features in the new iPhone.

    IMO the worst feature of the iPhone is AT&T.

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  32. Be realistic on how much an improvement 3G will actually give you. Especially on a mobile device.

    Bandwidth is only part of the equation. Latancy is another big one, and 3G will improve latency, but not proportional to bandwidth improvement.

    So on long downloads you will see a nice big jump. However, regular web browsing, with lots of request/receive iterations the latency still adds up and the actual throughput improvement will not be linear to bandwidth. 2x maybe.

    That said. I’m sure there will be plenty of other cool features in the new iPhone.

    IMO the worst feature of the iPhone is AT&T.

    Like

  33. 3G makes a huge difference, but I haven’t heard anything about improvements in camera quality. I’ve been using my K850 for the better part of 08′ and I can tell you that it’s going to be tough to buy an Iphone with a 3G connection a lame 2MP camera. 5MP pixel camera or bust!

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  34. 3G makes a huge difference, but I haven’t heard anything about improvements in camera quality. I’ve been using my K850 for the better part of 08′ and I can tell you that it’s going to be tough to buy an Iphone with a 3G connection a lame 2MP camera. 5MP pixel camera or bust!

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  35. Iam totaly going to get the G3. My brother in law just got the I phone and I must say it is freakin sweet! I totaly want to get one but I am still on a contract with verizon. i tell you what tyhough, the moment I am no longer on a contract I am getting the G# to show up up! what now!

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  36. Iam totaly going to get the G3. My brother in law just got the I phone and I must say it is freakin sweet! I totaly want to get one but I am still on a contract with verizon. i tell you what tyhough, the moment I am no longer on a contract I am getting the G# to show up up! what now!

    Like

  37. Robert, I think you should do the line again. Last year, I brought popcorn in a hit-and-run. (I didn’t end up buying.) This year, I intend to buy, and if you’ll join me in line, I promise a wild party experience. Have you ever had my Margaritas? I think not!

    John McCrea
    vp of marketing, plaxo

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  38. Robert, I think you should do the line again. Last year, I brought popcorn in a hit-and-run. (I didn’t end up buying.) This year, I intend to buy, and if you’ll join me in line, I promise a wild party experience. Have you ever had my Margaritas? I think not!

    John McCrea
    vp of marketing, plaxo

    Like

  39. Say what you want about other 3G phones, (I’ll conceede the Tilt is awful) but I really like my Blackjack 2. I can use it anywhere, and despite WinMo the browser works quite well. And lets not forget built in GPS paired with Windows Live maps. In fact I just returned from Japan and Korea with no problem and the GPS/Live maps combo worked fine there too. iPhone has great UI but after playing with one for a few weeks I just couldnt get used to the soft keyboard. I want buttons, it’s just me.

    So 3G iPhone is just a bunch of false hype if you ask me. It is kinda like Microsoft hyping Flip 3d as a feature of Vista. It sounds cool on paper but other than a few of us geeks, who is really going notice?

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  40. Say what you want about other 3G phones, (I’ll conceede the Tilt is awful) but I really like my Blackjack 2. I can use it anywhere, and despite WinMo the browser works quite well. And lets not forget built in GPS paired with Windows Live maps. In fact I just returned from Japan and Korea with no problem and the GPS/Live maps combo worked fine there too. iPhone has great UI but after playing with one for a few weeks I just couldnt get used to the soft keyboard. I want buttons, it’s just me.

    So 3G iPhone is just a bunch of false hype if you ask me. It is kinda like Microsoft hyping Flip 3d as a feature of Vista. It sounds cool on paper but other than a few of us geeks, who is really going notice?

    Like

  41. BIG-O dont talk to me abot Episode one

    I was working on Odeos Website and they wanted to do online ticket sales for episode one – a volenteered to baby sit this and two switch the site on at midnight – it crashed and we made the first sale at around 4:30 in the morning

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  42. BIG-O dont talk to me abot Episode one

    I was working on Odeos Website and they wanted to do online ticket sales for episode one – a volenteered to baby sit this and two switch the site on at midnight – it crashed and we made the first sale at around 4:30 in the morning

    Like

  43. So I’ll only get to enjoy 3G on my new N95 for a couple months? I imagine a bunch of new iPhone users won’t really affect the video quality of Qik broadcasts? I also want to see video on the 3G iPhone, but I probably won’t get one because I’m disappointed by the SDK restrictions, which limits the spread and adoption of new app-based social networks.

    Also, why aren’t you using Disqus or something on this blog? Threaded comments FTW!

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  44. So I’ll only get to enjoy 3G on my new N95 for a couple months? I imagine a bunch of new iPhone users won’t really affect the video quality of Qik broadcasts? I also want to see video on the 3G iPhone, but I probably won’t get one because I’m disappointed by the SDK restrictions, which limits the spread and adoption of new app-based social networks.

    Also, why aren’t you using Disqus or something on this blog? Threaded comments FTW!

    Like

  51. Yes I remember Leo Laporte saying that he wasn’t even going to buy the original iPhone after Jobs made him wait for it from January to June. Yeah right, iPhone 2 will even be bigger, especially with Qik and twitter technologies going mainstream.

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  52. Yes I remember Leo Laporte saying that he wasn’t even going to buy the original iPhone after Jobs made him wait for it from January to June. Yeah right, iPhone 2 will even be bigger, especially with Qik and twitter technologies going mainstream.

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  53. Robert you wrote: “In the United States there aren’t many 3G phones yet . . .”

    Actually 1 in 4 phones in peoples’ hands in the US are now 3G–over the past three years adoption has hockey sticked, though you’re right that the user experience on many/most of these phones is subpar and isn’t yet driving much bandwidth intensive application usage, though mobile video viewing continues to climb with about 13M mobile video viewers per month.

    Patrick, you wrote: “I believe it will be a silent update or part of the WWDC keynote”

    If you’re referring to 3G, this can’t happen via a software update as 3G radios require different hardware componentry.

    I’m bemused that with the launch of the iPhone I now carry around two gadgets–an iPhone and an N95. Love the iPhone for browsing but can’t do without the N95’s camera and video recording capabilities.

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  54. Robert you wrote: “In the United States there aren’t many 3G phones yet . . .”

    Actually 1 in 4 phones in peoples’ hands in the US are now 3G–over the past three years adoption has hockey sticked, though you’re right that the user experience on many/most of these phones is subpar and isn’t yet driving much bandwidth intensive application usage, though mobile video viewing continues to climb with about 13M mobile video viewers per month.

    Patrick, you wrote: “I believe it will be a silent update or part of the WWDC keynote”

    If you’re referring to 3G, this can’t happen via a software update as 3G radios require different hardware componentry.

    I’m bemused that with the launch of the iPhone I now carry around two gadgets–an iPhone and an N95. Love the iPhone for browsing but can’t do without the N95’s camera and video recording capabilities.

    Like

  55. I’m waiting “in line”…

    Am hoping they’ll pay me to cut my Sprint contract so I can buy the iPhone in June rather than having to wait until Feb.

    Any rumors around AT&T cutting cost of the family plan?

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  56. I’m waiting “in line”…

    Am hoping they’ll pay me to cut my Sprint contract so I can buy the iPhone in June rather than having to wait until Feb.

    Any rumors around AT&T cutting cost of the family plan?

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  59. I can’t say that I’ll wait for two simple reasons:

    1) I’m actually still very happy with my iPhone regardless of a few feature sit should already have. This is a first as I’m never happy with my cellphones for more than a few months.

    2) The price cuts so early on the first time around really bothered me so I’ll have to sit this one out

    Now, all that being said I guess I’ll really have ot wait and see what actualy gets released. After all, I was commited to waiting until this year fo rthe 3G version but still bought 1st gen last year.

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  60. I can’t say that I’ll wait for two simple reasons:

    1) I’m actually still very happy with my iPhone regardless of a few feature sit should already have. This is a first as I’m never happy with my cellphones for more than a few months.

    2) The price cuts so early on the first time around really bothered me so I’ll have to sit this one out

    Now, all that being said I guess I’ll really have ot wait and see what actualy gets released. After all, I was commited to waiting until this year fo rthe 3G version but still bought 1st gen last year.

    Like

  61. Impossible to be rational when it comes to most of what Apple builds…I’ll be ordering one the day they launch.

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  63. I think the 3g iPhone will finally get me to get rid of windows mobile. I’ve been waiting for a phone that will allow me to update my site from my phone, and I think this will be the best to do it with. Still anxious to hear if copy/paste will be put into it, or if a developer can get something to work

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  64. I think the 3g iPhone will finally get me to get rid of windows mobile. I’ve been waiting for a phone that will allow me to update my site from my phone, and I think this will be the best to do it with. Still anxious to hear if copy/paste will be put into it, or if a developer can get something to work

    Like

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