That’s what the Apple Store looks like at five in the morning. It’s the grand opening of the first Apple Store in Hong Kong, and I’m psyched!
Apple
My iPad 2 ordered from the Hong Kong Apple Store arrived today, a whopping 4 days ahead of schedule. It took exactly 2 weeks, and I couldn’t be happier, because I wouldn’t otherwise be able to get one at retail shops with all the professional queue-ers who make a living buying and selling iPads and iPhones. As of today, the Apple Store online still lists all iPad 2s as “Currently Unavailable.” Another reason I’m thankful for mine.
The iPad 2 just became available in the Hong Kong Apple Store online a little after 1AM. The waiting time for delivery is 1-2 weeks, the same as the US store, which is perfectly acceptable, considering I won’t have to pay inflated prices that all the other HK people had to prior to this. I can’t wait to read the news on the crowd that will be/are in line at the different brick-and-mortar venues fighting for the limited number of iPad 2s at each location later today. I use “fighting” not lightly, because we all know how aggressive HK people can be when they want something.
[Update] Only one hour after I placed my order, I went back in the Apple Store online and ALL iPad 2s are showing “Currently Unavailable.” Could the generous limit of 5 iPad 2s per order have something to do with it? After all, the secondary market for Apple products is huge here, so enterprising individuals and companies might be maximizing each order.
Wow, I guess now I shouldn’t complain that my order will ship on May 16th, a little more than 2 weeks from today.
No kidding. The Hong Kong government is giving away HK$6,000 to every Hong Kong resident over 18, because the government monetary reserve is overflowing with money. With the top-of-the-line iPad 2 priced at HK$5,688, the $6K will be more than enough to cover the cost of a new iPad, with spare change for the Smart Cover.
Then of course some of us will use the money to help alleviate the rapid inflation on food and other basic necessities.
Yup, there’s a white iPad 2. That’s all I need to know.