Thanks to the loose lips of a local employee, we now bring news that Fry’s, the ginormous big-box electronics retail chain that is part Mecca and part Disneyland for nerds, will next month start selling AT&T Wireless. They haven’t announced this yet, but it’s a big deal. Fry’s was always reluctant to offer Cingular’s services for various reasons, but seems to be ok with AT&T.
Shipments of promo materials (as spy-snapped above) have arrived, and the phones themselves will show up on the 5th. Fry’s then starts selling the phones six days later, on Monday the 11th. What’s really telling is the chatty clerk mentioned that they were making room on the 10th for a special display featuring a new, high-end phone made by Apple.
This means that we can perhaps divine a June 11th sell date for the iPhone. This echoes rumors we’ve heard before of that date. It also lines up nicely with Apple’s WWDC and Steve Jobs’ keynote. You know he likes surprises, so look for something along the lines of “Goes on sale today.”
More on iPhone [CrunchGear coverage]
Hopefully this is true. If Apple has enough stock for the Apple stores, AT&T stores, Fry’s, and all of the websites, that hopefully means that there is going to be a good supply of iPhone’s at launch. That is my one fear – that I won’t be able to get one right away due to limited supply.
This site sells all the iphone accessories you will ever need. I think it is dedicated to all Iphone products.
Just thought i would share it with you… http://www.iEverything.com
Nice plug, dude. Nice plug.
Ain’t gonna happen. The iPhone will only be sold at Apple Stores, At&t Corporate stores and At&t & Apple websites. Authorized At&t dealers, which Fry’s would be, will not be authorized to sell the iPhone.
Personally, I’m excited to see what the iPhones packaging will be like. I am a big fan of well packaged products (Zune, iPod, etc). I don’t think the iPhone is enough reason for people to switch to AT&T. Although, if it can be unlocked (which should be easy with a quick call to CS) it will do much better. With CDMA networks getting the short end of the stick as usual. Especially Verizon… As usual.
Apple releases EVERYTHING on a tuesday so would expect the keynote to be more like “the i phone goes on sale……………………………………………………………………..(click) TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!! yaaaaaa!!!!
I figured all along that the iPhone would be released on June 11 [6/11]. You know Apple’s facination with numerology – 611 is the number to call from your Cingular [AT&T] cellphone to reach Customer [no] Service [in India]…
The picture of the “promo” material is no evidence of anything. You’ll notice the manual refers to GoPhone – Cingular’s/ATT’s prepaid, phone in a box, product. Fry’s has been selling this product for over a year.
if true – this is horrendous news for both Apple and AT&T – Fry’s is the WORSE retailer (I shudder to even apply the word to the corportation). Please don’t purchase ANYTHING from this uncaring behemoth – purchase direct from Apple or AT&T.
Nope. Not happening.
Apple Stores. AT&T Stores. Apple.com. AT&T.com. That’s it. They said so.
Fry’s may begin selling AT&T services on June 11th, but that’s just part of the big AT&T rebranding/relaunch. Doesn’t include iPhone at Fry’s.
Steve may show the iPhone this week at All Things D but it will not available to buy before June 20th.
The deal between ATT and Apple allows Apple to make all distribution decisions. Apple could decide to also include Frys’ as an authorized distributor. However, I doubt Apple would do so right away. If smart, it would first allow ATT and Apple only to benefit from the initial release before inviting others to the party. Also, I doubt Apple would piss off other companies like Best Buy or Walmart by including Frys without them (unless those companies were not interested).
My prediction, is Apple will first only release to its own stores and ATT. After it can judge demand it will then open up the playing field.
June 26th is the official iPhone launch 6-26-07… remember what happened on that date???
Possibly one of the LAMEST rumors thus far. Apple has already stated that only the Apple and AT&T physical and online stores will be carrying the iPhone. So why would they share that exclusivity with the likes of Fry’s. Keep in mind we are talking about a retailer whose online cell phone selections contains a GRAND TOTAL of only ONE Helio phone and ONE Nokia phone (both of which are prepaid phones and neither of which are AT&T from what I can tell).
I have found china I would like to purchase, but cannot find the way to place an inquiry and place my bid. Please advise.