Mac Offers AU

Apple Advert Filming

AppleOffers — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:47:49 +0000

News from MacRumours today….

Apple’s 24-hour flagship 5th Avenue retail store in Manhattan was in the process of shutting down for the night yesterday. An unusual move for the 24-hour store. Apple’s retail page reflects the temporary shutdown:
Please note we will be temporarily closed Thursday, May 29 at 3:00 p.m. and will reopen Friday, May 30 at 9:00 a.m. During this time, please visit one of our other two Manhattan locations.

Employees are telling passersby that a commercial is being shot at the 5th Avenue Apple store. We’ve been told that Apple’s 5th Avenue store has only been entirely closed twice in its history: the iPhone launch and the Leopard launch.

According to MacRumors sources, Apple is actually filming a commercial for the upcoming 3G-capable iPhone with filming to occur inside and around the 5th Avenue store.

Have you seen any signs of an Apple advert being filmed in Australia? Leave details below and we’ll follow it up with a spot of investigative work!

Apple Educational Offers Rumours

AppleOffers — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:38:10 +0000

Taken from MacRumours…

Apple as early as Monday is expected to announce its 2008 back-to-school promotion, which will encourage students to purchase a new Mac through some of the biggest incentives in the company’s history, AppleInsider has learned.

Company senior vice president Ron Johnson stoked anticipation of the promo a few weeks ago while addressing some of his retail staff, people familiar with the matter say. Specifically, Johnson is said to have promised that this year’s promo would be the biggest “ever” for Apple.

While it’s unclear exactly what that means, speculation among those familiar with past promotions believe there’s a possibility the Cupertino-based company will tie some of its touch-screen handhelds into the mix — like the 8GB iPod touch.

Last year’s promo offered teachers and students up to a $199 rebate when they purchased a qualifying Mac and either a video iPod or iPod nano at the same time of purchase.

The deal translated into a free 4GB iPod nano, which was then priced at $199. However, participants also had the option to apply the $199 rebate towards the purchase of a pricier 8GB iPod nano or video iPod. The iPhone, Apple TV and refurbished products were excluded from the deal.

In 2006, Apple offered a similar rebate for $179, or the then current cost of a 2GB iPod nano. In 2005 the deal was the same, but good towards a free iPod mini.

In terms of qualified Mac systems, Apple has always excluded the Mac mini from its back-to-school promotions due to its extremely low cost. However, all other Mac systems — Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and iMac — have been eligible.

This year, the MacBook Air is expected to join the roster of Macs acceptable for the promotion. Students and teachers will also get to apply their education discounts towards the deal.

On Tuesday, Apple will also be updating some of its retail store planograms, sources say.

These rumours are based on whats going on in the US, but have you heard about any details for the Apple Australia Educational offers….leave a comment below if so!

Vodafone To Sell iPhone

AppleOffers — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:09:28 +0000

Here’s an excerpt from a very recent press release from Vodafone:

Vodafone today announced it has signed an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone in ten of its markets around the globe. Later this year, Vodafone customers in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network.

Great news for the Australian public as this means more choice and therefore it’s likely we’ll see a slight drop in price as competition increases.

Australia Apple Stores

AppleOffers — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:41:38 +0000

It is a confirmed fact that at least two official Apple stores will be opening in Australia this year.

Over at MacTalk there has been some very interesting speculation as to where the stores will be. There appear to have been some developments recently.

Forum Moderator, Andrew Wilson writes:

“Melbourne: A forum member has taken some recent pictures showing that the outside of the Chadstone store has been painted black, similar to what has been seen overseas before Apple Stores have opened.”

There has been continued discussion about the Apple store opening in Melbourne, but not quit as much as that of the speculation surrounding Sydney…

“Sydney: Another forum member has been providing a great set of recent photos showing that the scafolding at the Sydney store has now been taking down, leaving the glass panel covered in black. The newest set of photos also reveal a permit at the site stating construction can continue until May 20. With little work done on the inside of the store, this leaves plenty of time for an extensive shop fitting, stocking and perchandising period. What does this mean, things look to be on target for a late June launch…”

So the two stores are definitely coming, but the locations have yet to be revealed. Check back here for further details - as soon as we hear any news, we’ll make sure you know about it!

iPhone News

AppleOffers — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:12:20 +0000

iPhone speculation is going to be everywhere for at least the next few months! There was a lot of discussion on the internet has been abuzz with rumours surrounding iPhone Take Two - the unlocked version.

Over at MacTalk, one of the Moderators says:

“Exciting news for those who don’t like paying big phone bills…an application called Fring is apparently bringing VOIP to the iPhone. It does of course require Wifi and at this stage requires that both devices have Fring installed. It also supports AIM, MSN and most other chat protocols you can dream of.”

At WWDC, there was some interesting news regarding release of a 3G iPhone. O2 in the UK have today confirmed they are taking £100 off the price of 8GB iPhones. We’ll kep you updated on the impact of thi come the 1st of June when the sale ends.

Other developments are being discussed over at 9to5Mac, where a source states that “India will be getting an 8GB iPhone in September and a larger model ‘mid 2009′.” The impact of this on the Australian market is that the same source claims that the “deal will be with Vodafone India and that Vodafone may pick up the contract when the iPhone hits Australia, although it is likely there will be more than one carrier in Australia.”

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment if you’ve got any other news!