It was an iDay filled with iConnectedness

I had a number of tasks in the real outside world today, but as with most things in modern life there is a connection to the virtual world and the network that connects us all. So this fluidity between the material world and the virtual world often makes for an interesting iDay.

Today these tasks included buying the new iPhone 3G S. As I was travelling around the other side of the country when it was released last month, I figured I would wait until I got home to get one. This decision was made all the more easy by the fact that none of the stores I visited in B.C. actually had a black 32G version. In fact the salesperson at one BestBuy said, "Yeah, we have been calling all the other stores around town [not just the other BestBuys] and no one has any". That seemed weird, but then again this is Canada and we seem to always get new tech later, more slowly, and in fewer amounts than our southern neighbours. It is also understandable that Vancouver and the surrouding area would be completely sold out of this icon of e-coolness. Anyone, who is anyone connected, must have an iPhone. Surely, I thought to myself, my little ol' province on the other side of the continent would have a few lying around. So I waited until today, but connecting with a new iPhone proved more complicated than I thought.

Always trying to be eco-conscious, I try to never burn gas needlessly. I won't drive across town just to look at something. I will be certain that I wish to purchase it and then call ahead and make sure it is available before I turn the ignition. So I picked up the [regular] phone and called my local iPhone carrier - the only one authorised to carry the device in Canada. But despite my efforts at being connected to the local outlet, the automated phone tree kept directing my call to their national service office.
"I don't want to hear about the packages", I said to the customer service representative.
"I want to buy the phone. I just want to make sure you have one in your local store before I drive over there", I explained.
"I am not connected to their inventory control system and therefore I cannot determine whether or not they have any in stock.", replied the CSR.
"I anticipated that" I exclaimed, "which is why I have been trying to call the local outlet, but I keep getting connected to you".
"I can connect you to our wireless technical service department" was the reply.
"Are they connected to the local inventory control so they can they determine if the local store has any phones in stock?" I queried.
"No" was the simple response.
And with a curt 'Thank you' I disconnected customer service.
I truly marvel at modern customer service. It is clearly a misnomer, because even if you can get connected it will be of no service to you at all. For another, and more humourous, customer service story, I suggest Spricket24's recent YouTube post.

Anyway, the decision to move to an iPhone was made all the more poignant when I discovered that the previously free internet service at the local store for the national book store chain is no longer free : | I had come to appreciate the time spent sitting in the small coffee shop section of the store, browsing my new books, all while being connected to the net. But now that access required I either be a subscriber to a certain local ISP (which I am not) or pay a daily connection fee. Frustrated, I took my new purchases, left the store, and headed straight to the iPhone dealer. No more would I be victim to a lack of free internet service for my, so 2008, iPod Touch. I really think that internet connectivity should be provided free of charge in certain places; schools, libraries, museums, and book stores ... you know, places of learning.

So there I was standing in a very short line at the iPhone store. Line ups here in this city tend to be very small because we are a small city in a small province. Although that doesnt seem to stop people from complaining about cueing up. Strange. Anyway, when my turn came I eagerly asked for a black 32G iPhone, fully anticipating that this little, far away from anywhere store, would have at least one.

"I am sorry, but we don't have any", was the shocking reply.
"You had THAT much demand?" I wondered, bemused by the very idea that there were local inhabitants who would want an iPhone, but did not already have one.
"No, we haven't" was the answer.
"Oh, you didn't get any?" I asked.
"Well, not really" came the reply and she continued, "we had 9 shipped to us for the release, but they never made it to our store".
"What? I don't understand". My mind raced.
"Apparently they went missing somewhere between the UPS depot at the airport and the store".

WTH?! I thought. What kind of criminal mastermind would steal a box of cellular phones that can only be supported by one carrier on an island of 500,000 people?! How are they going to them activated and connected? The phones have unique electronic serial numbers. And I am sure they are on record somewhere. You can't just walk into any wireless service provider and get them connected to just any cellular network. They can ONLY be used on one provider's network ... the one you stole them from. I suppose they can sell them on-line to people in Europe or the US, but what a hassle, not to mention the possibility that the ESNs will be traced back to those reported as stolen from here. Clearly, the 'i' in iCrime stands for 'idiot'. Okay, I just so made that up ... iCrime. But I like it.

So, I have no iPhone and have to wait until their next shipment comes in, which is apparently sometime ... hang on ... what if those iCriminals are reading my blog. No way am I going to tell them when the next shipment is due to arrive.

Anyway, here I am, with my impoverished iPod Touch and its limited wireless connectivity. At least I have some new books to keep me busy while I wait for the next shipment of the latest and greatest connected device.

Until then,
QG