iPhone 4 Launch

Although the white iPhone 4 was missing from Apple and AT&T's websites during the preorder madness of last week, it has suddenly appeared on Walmart's website today. You can't preorder now, or even find out if it's available in your local store come Thursday, but it seems that Walmart is either expecting them or could be falling victim to the same confusion that hit Best Buy last week, when it began taking preorders with no white iPhone 4s to reserve.

In other iPhone 4 news, some customers who chose to have their preordered iPhones delivered to their homes are getting them today, but according to Apple, they can't be activated until tomorrow. Finally, AT&T has issued a statement saying they will not have any iPhone 4s available for walk-in customers until June 29. If you've already preordered through AT&T, you should be good to go on Thursday; however, you should change your plans if you were hoping to camp out in front of your local AT&T location.

My heart skipped a beat when I received an email from Apple this morning (I thought it would be one of those dreaded cancellation notices we've been hearing about), but really, it was just a reminder from Apple to pick up my iPhone 4 this Thursday, June 24, starting at 7 a.m. In the email, I noticed something that sets this launch apart from other releases — Apple stores will be separating the preorder customers from the nonpreorders, making things less painful for all involved. If you already have your iPhone 4 preorder, at least you won't have to sit and wait in a huge line! I guess that guy in Dallas (who already preordered his iPhone) may be wasting his sweet time by camping out a week before the launch!

Another detail worth noting in the email is that Apple addresses price discrepancies that some customers have been finding on their order confirmations. You'll want to check your pricing online through AT&T's website to see if you're getting the upgrade eligible price or the regular iPhone 4 price.

It seems that the iPhone 4 preorder fiasco continues into the weekend: there have been reports that both AT&T and Apple have been canceling iPhone 4 preorders, and alerting customers via email. Some cancellation notices state that their authorizations couldn't be processed, while others simply say "Your iPhone 4 preorder has been canceled," end of story. Additionally, some Best Buy locations that weren't made aware of the white iPhone 4 delay have been rescinding those reservations as well. Obviously, there are no white iPhone 4s to reserve just yet.

While AT&T has stated previously that it is canceling orders made in error during the system outage on Tuesday, it seems that some reservations are being canceled for reasons unknown. My advice? Walk into the Apple or AT&T store where you reserved your iPhone 4 and double-check that your preorder stands — I did just that earlier today, and can sleep well knowing that my order is legit and on the books. Let us know — has your iPhone 4 preorder been canceled?

It came as a bit of a surprise, but both Apple and AT&T sold out of their iPhone 4 preorder stock yesterday. Despite the hardships of getting through on either company's systems, there were a large number of people who got their preorder on — 600,000 people to be exact.

Apple released a statement this morning apologizing for the malfunctions and messy preorder situations, saying, "It was the largest number of pre-orders Apple has ever taken in a single day," and the sales numbers were "far higher" than expected. Additionally, AT&T released a similar statement to its employees saying that its first-day sales were "10 times higher" than that of the 3GS. One other twist to the AT&T story — all preorders of the iPhone 4 have been suspended on websites and stores, presumably to process all those handwritten preorder slips. You can still reserve a black iPhone 4 on Apple's website, but you'll be getting it just in time for your Independence Day festivities on July 2. Otherwise, plan on being in line at your nearest Apple store when it opens on June 24 at 7 a.m.

Well, well, it seems that the iPhone 4 is quite the popular gadget around these parts — both Apple and AT&T have sold out of their preorder stock. The new shipping date for those who have yet to order their iPhone is July 2, but if you are planning on lining up (or picking up your reserved iPhone) on June 24, be ready for the stores to open at 7:00 a.m.

I was able to reserve an iPhone 4 via the new and free Apple Store App (who knew!?), and my confirmation lists the pickup time as beginning at 7:00 a.m. Better get your camping gear ready — looks as if it's going to be a long wait at the Apple store, and these other launch day locations.