iPhone midnight launches across Australia
All four major Aussie telcos will host midnight launch events for Aussies eager to get their hands on an iPhone 4.
Aussies eager to get their hands on Apple's iPhone 4 will have the chance to snare one early at midnight launches across the country, hosted for the first time by all four of the major telcos.
Optus, which has held a midnight launch for each of the previous iPhone releases, will invite customers to stores in four major cities; George St in Sydney, Queen St in Brisbane, Bourke St in Melbourne and Murray St in Perth.
The company has recruited singer and performer Kelly Rowland to celebrate the launch. Those queuing will be given scarves, beanies and beanbags to keep warm — there will also be magicians, music, games and surprises to keep customers entertained.
Telstra and VHA will join the party this year, re-opening stores at midnight to meet anticipated iPhone demand.
Telstra has confirmed 25 locations across all Australian states (PDF). The telco will have co-host Matt Preston and finalists of the popular cooking show MasterChef Australia Series 2 hamming it up for fans to help "make their MasterChef dreams a reality".
MasterChef finalists will be at Telstra's flagship T-Life store in the Sydney CBD at 8pm tonight and Preston will make an appearance from 10pm. There will be apple treats for consumers prepared by the finalists and other activities including cook-offs.
Meanwhile, VHA will host Vodafone and 3 customers at a private party at the Ivy in Sydney's CBD. Customers interested in choosing Vodafone or 3 as their iPhone carrier can meet with VHA reps at the Vodafone store on George St at 10pm to receive a numbered wrist-band, before partying down with free food, drinks and entertainment until their number is called and they are invited back to the store to collect their new phone.
If you're going to be queuing up in Sydney tonight be sure to rug up, and keep an eye out for the CNET crew who'll be there to capture the festivities.