Yup the launch is over. Now's the mundane procedures of picking up the iPhones by prebookers. Already saw a couple of early ones lining up coming out with their iPhones.

As for tomorrow and Sunday's event and whether non-prebookers can come in, it may depend on who you are with. Harmeet is on his way here, wasn't one of the prebookers but he has 3 prebookers already inside the hall who could come outside and invite him in. Gracious that he offered to get me in, appreciate it bro. But the launch is done, so I'll take a raincheck on that.

Personally I don't understand on the apparent stance of Maxis restricting entrance, is the hall too small? This reeks of snobbishness, I'm sure everyone would agree that the more exposure this event gets, the better. Exclusively limiting this to prebookers only makes it look like the iPhone is only for the select few only.

Take for example the American or even the New Zealand launch. There are no segregation between those preordering and those walking in and just wanting to join the festivities. Everyone was treated as equals.Not with all these panderings and kissing up to VIPs like Datuks or the PM. This device is not just for the select few.

I can hardly call this launch a packed and huge lineup. There wasn't much of a line at all, and the fun and camaraderie is shielded from the general public inside walled spaces. In fact, other than the word of mouth and sprinkles of advertisements here and there, nobody who roams the outside of KLCC would even know there is an iPhone launch at all. We diehards and nerds would of course know about it , but Joe Public definitely would remain oblivious.

This air of exclusivity is worrying. I'd rather have lots more people able to afford and enjoy the iPhone as I have been, than turning it into a status symbol, as what Maxis is implying, intentionally or otherwise.

In any case, I'm outta here catching a movie and dinner. Just saw someone looking like xaw walking past by me. To the new owners, welcome! Congratulations and please make full use of your iPhone.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Mar 20 2009, 07:42 PM

Wat? This is called a launching event...

Not even with the first iPhone owner walking out and getting cheered???

Why go so exclusive? It's a great phone and everyone from the public should be allowed to go in and experience it.

This post has been edited by neekun: Mar 20 2009, 07:43 PM

There were sprinkles of cheers when those with confirmation slips were ushered in the line. I would not know because I'm not special enough to go inside.

Hanxz may be able to clarify this.

I'm dismayed by the fact that Maxis panders more to the VIPs than the average folks. The objective is to get the iPhone into more hands of the ordinary people, but they treat it the other way round. The price's atrocious, the plan's restrictive, and the event itself shows how important "the average Joes and Janes" factor into their iPhone plans.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Mar 20 2009, 07:48 PM

great review guys. Thanks. I will be there tomorrow and let's see how it goes.

Might see u there tmr!

I wish I coould do more than just typing words.

Post your experience tomorrow.

It is a whole day event - dont know if there will be a huge crowd or not.

ah, can anyone tell me is there any installment for the iPhone? i believe VISA/CREDIT accepted, so i don't need to carry that much cash around

yes credit cards are accepted.

Just off the convention centre. Yups I saw the guy with MacBook .

It's not long awaited iPhone. But wait long.. Huhu

A not so grand launching + wait at the mini entrace while your number be shown on the LED.

Too many men in black around. But the process is not smooth.

Good thing i didn't go there n waste my time. Hanxz complained that the press are not treated properly. Waiting for hanxz photo.

Yeah, and some of them are welcomed to the tutorial hall after getting their devices. Especially for those who dont know shit about iPhone. Actually I am a little bit unsatisfied with the booths they have given to us. Only one chair for each booth for the developers. Well of course there are two chairs for the visitors but mostly used by preorderers to rest rather than the intended purpose (which is for them to ask us about applications rather than asking for their preorders). Lanyards for developers were not available. Wtf la maxis. So we have to use normal crew lanyards which also make people mistaken us for the crews (we are application developers ffs).

so, wat's the special for those who be the 1st batch customers? Any free gift / freebs /??

no gifts no nothing
first customer got on the stage
presented his iphone by datuk joseph and everyone cheered and its not a cheer at all just well loud blast of little fireworks and confetti

still in office, will post pictures later tonight or tmr very tired d, still got a story to file

Makes me wonder if Sunday will be something like that >.> I'm going with my dad and meh I'd rather not have the whole line-up thingo

Read please.

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/961060

A friend of mine got his number around 6:00 p.m. - he just got his phone at 9:30 p.m. - wtf three hours wait???

oh thanks for the link. rm2960.

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Added on March 20, 2009, 10:23 pmmy first 2g iPhone bought about 2 n half years ago. trade in for 3g iPhone about 5 month ago. much cheaper thn maxis iPhone. I am very please with it.

This post has been edited by DIABLOW: Mar 20 2009, 10:23 PM

Matthew is Maxis Chief Marketing Officer ...
http://www.maxis.com.my/personal/about_us/people/senior.asp

pictars as promised







apparently this guy (second from left) is the first iphone user in msia....oh wait the first iphone-maxis user
p/s the pictures arent great, just some snapshots from a humble nikon


overall, from the looks, maxis had invest alot for the 3-day event, and thats all i would say about the event on the forum openly
sry string didnt call u up, was busy with my own stuffs and i was actually looking for some HD action..too bad

This post has been edited by =Hanxz=: Mar 21 2009, 12:07 AM