UK

Apple's gotten some criticism in the US for their slight exaggeration in their iPhone 3G ads, such as their claim that the iPhone 3G is twice as fast as the 2G iPhone, and is even facing a possible class action, but has otherwise garnered no bad consequences. The UK government appears to have taken the matter more seriously and has banned the ads from airing in the country.

O2 announced during their Q2 financial results that they have gained over 137,000 new monthly-paying customers to their user base thanks to the iPhone. Interestingly these users arrived before the iPhone 3G launch. Prior to the iPhone 3G launch, O2 cut the prices for their 8GB and 16GB iPhones to clear out inventory in anticipation of iPhone 3G shipments, and their claims show that it was successful.

O2 was named the exclusive carrier for the iPhone 3G in the UK, but Apple may be looking to add another to the mix. While O2 certainly has done a fairly good job with offering their iPhone users coverage plans far better than in most countries, rumor has it that Apple's exclusive agreement with the company will end by the end of the year, and that Orange will be stepping in as a second carrier of the device.

Supplies of iPhone 3G's at Apple stores and carrier stores alike have been low, but some have been wondering if the carriers have secretly been holding out on customers. Both O2 and AT&T have commented on their supplies, and both of them have said, not surprisingly, "no". They're exactly as short on iPhone 3G's as you think they are.

I was really excited to get my iPhone 3G on Friday, but my activation process was a nightmare and left me in suspense for several hours while I waited to get through. And by no means was I the only one. People across the US had the same problem. Similarly, things were less than perfect in the UK.

It looks like we're not the only ones having major iPhone 3G activation issues. Reports are saying that customers in the UK are also getting frustrated due to an unforeseen software compatibility issue in their activation process. The registration process for O2 does not use iTunes, but instead uses a web-based system. Unfortunately for Apple Stores, their system requires Internet Explorer to function, whereas Apple Stores had only Safari to work with. They managed to get around it by installing Fusion on some of the Macs but their system isn't going as smoothly as hoped.

O2 Sales Director Stephen Shurrock has said in a message to potential customers that they are expecting an iPhone 3G shortage that will last weeks due an unexpectedly high demand for the device. According to the message, their systems were knocked out during the swarm of online orders, and stores have since sold out of stock.

We have some bad news for our friends in the U.K. who were hoping to get one of the white iPhone 3Gs. O2 has revealed earlier that the white iPhone 3G will not be available from O2 on July 11th, but will "come later". In fact, Carphone Warehouse adds that "that the white 16GB model won’t be available at launch" anywhere in the UK. This makes us wonder if we'll be seeing the fabled white iPhone anywhere at launch, or for some time.
[via PocketLint.co.uk]

Customers in the UK hoping for the pay-as-you-go iPhone 3G may have quite a wait, according to The Register. Carphone Warehouse has announced that their pay-as-you-go models will be available in time for Christmas. They haven't specified what their prices will be yet, but they are promising more information as the time draws nearer.
[via The Register]

There had been rumors going around that O2 would be allowing customers to pre-order their iPhone 3G's in advance before launch day in the UK and elsewhere, and since then had been gaining credibility. Now it has been confirmed once and for all. O2 sent out emails to customers informing them that the iPhone 3G would be available for pre-order as of 8AM, July 7th (today), up until July 11th, at which time they will be delivered to the recipients doorstep.