Engadget has posted a photo claiming to that of an iPhone 4 arriving early at one of Wal-Mart’s retail stores. However, Apple is forbidding retailers receiving early shipments of iPhone 4s from selling the device before June 24th, which is the official launch day.
On the other hand, Apple is sending out emails to customers who pre-ordered the device, stating that their shipments will arrive today, which is of course, a day ahead of the official launch.
Here’s what the email looks like:
Dear Apple Store Customer,
You recently received a Shipment Notification email from Apple advising you that your iPhone has shipped.
This email is to confirm that your delivery will occur on June 23rd. Although Apple and FedEx tracking information may currently indicate a later date, you can check the FedEx website the morning of the June 23rd to track your package to your doorstep.
In the event that you will not be available to accept delivery on June 23rd, it may be more convenient to use our pre-sign delivery option by visiting our Order Status website at http://www.apple.com/orderstatus.
Sincerely,
Allowing shipments to arrive early is an odd move for Apple. In fact, just as recently as the iPad launch, Apple held shipments so that they would not arrive ahead of the scheduled launch day.
My best guess for allowing the iPhones to arrive early, is an attempt to lessen some of the strain on AT&T’s activation services on launch day. Because if AT&T’s servers can’t handle the strain of activation better than they handled the pre-ordering process, we’re in for a brutal launch day.
UPDATE: Jumped the gun. Apple did send out notices telling customers that their shipments would arrive today. However, it appears FedEx is holding some shipments until tomorrow, which is of course, launch day.
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