iPhone Rumours Abound: New Version Coming In 60 Days?

As anyone who has tried to purchase one in the past few weeks has learned, iPhones are in short supply. New York's Apple Stores have been sold out for a while, and online stock is back-ordered. Apple in its signature way, has met inquiries with stony silence. The myriad tech blogs and business analysts all seem to agree that a third generation model (3G) is on the way, and Apple has intentionally curtailed production on the current models to make space in inventory for a new model with faster internet capability and possibly some design updates. According to the diligent folks at AppleInsider, that The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg has now been quoted as expecting the new model within 60 days, just about a full year after the magical little phone's initial introduction. Will we see the same sort of insane rush for the new and improved iPhone? Probably not, but some reports have the new model sitting alongside the originals in an expanded iPhone product line which will include lower prices.
We may finally just have to get one of these things.
WSJ's Mossberg says 3G iPhone due in 60 days (AppleInsider)

For God's Sake...Close Already!

We certainly hope that the CompUSA liquidation is heading into its last weekend, because, frankly, there's nothing left, and the prices still aren't that good! Computers, the main attraction, are still only reduced by 25%, and aside from that, what's left is really the dregs. There is nothing left from Apple or Bose (which weren't discounted heavily to begin with).
There is a random array of printer's ink cartridges at 40% off, but none that we can use. Other items one would want like flat screens or digital cameras seem to be reduced to floor models, and still not marked down enough to make them worth buying. While 16 locations of the chain are being saved, neither the Columbus Circle (pictured above) or the Fifth Avenue locations appear to be among them.
So close up already! There's nothing more depressing than a store in the final throes of liquidation.
Put it out of its misery.

Behold the MacBook Air

The item-of-the-moment to covet, the MacBook Air has arrived in limited quantities at the city's various Apple Stores. For anyone who has to lug around a laptop, it looks like a must-have. Customers are lining up to experiment with the few models on display. The first thing everyone does is to pick it up to see how light it is: about the weight of a substantial magazine.
Expect to wait before you can play, or just go early in the day.

Halston Relaunch to Offer Instant Gratification for Internet Shoppers

This Internet Shopping thing might work out after all.
In what sounds like a first for Fashion Week, WWD reports that web retailer Net-À-Porter will exclusvely offer two looks from the about-to-be relaunched (again) Halston collection on February 5th, the day after the runway show. A daytime shirt dress for $1,495 and a silk evening  dress for $1,795 by new Halston designer Marco Zanini will be available for immediate order with same day delivery to customers in New York and Paris. A special mini-site will be set up to promote the relaunch of the brand and reconnect it to the label's legendary heyday of the 1970s (at left) rather than the succession of designers who created the line during the last series of relaunches.
That's one way around the rampant copying that has developed as fashion shows appear on line almost instantaneously but months before the looks can appear in stores.
Assuming anyone wants to copy them, that is.
Fashion Getting Faster: Net-a-porter to Deliver Halston Day After Show (WWD)

For Your Consideration...

It's January, and that means it's awards time. In case any loyal readers are curious, There is a Blog award, and this year they have added a Fashion Category. The Shophound wouldn't presume to blatantly ask for a nomination...however...if nominated, we would totally accept.
More information here.
The Eighth Annual Weblog Awards (Official Site)

Goodbye Bras - Hello iPods: Apple Designates a West Side Site

Not satisfied with their current crop of three big stores, Apple appears to have set its sights on the Upper West Side for yet another signature retail unit. Rumors run rampant about Apple's plans in New York City, with reported openings on 34^th Street and in Williamsburg yet to be confirmed, or even acknowledged. Our friends at RACKED have verified the sometimes unreliable New York Post's report, and we can now look forward to yet another grand opening extravaganza at the corner of 67^th and Broadway. Start lining up now.
The Post is reporting that the current home to Victoria's Secret will be torn down to make way for an entirely new building, although we wonder if all they need to do is get to rid of some of the VS tat and renovate the fairly recently built two-level space. If a new structure is in order, will it be only a store, or will it be a much larger building with upper residential floors? That certainly would be a much more lucrative (and likely) use of such a valuable corner lot.
Apple Of Upper W. Side's Eye (NY Post)
It's All Happening: Apple To UWS Rumor Valid (RACKED)

Tuesday Evening Spree

• Kate Moss is marked way down at Barneys and Opening Ceremony. Have we hit Moss Overload? The perfume hasn't even come out yet. (RACKED)
• For the gospel fan: a 1GB crucifix shaped MP3 player. No Star of David? Bigotry! (Coolhunting)
• Chloé customizes the iPhone. Take that, Prada! (Fashion Inc.)
•Rogan collaborates on a $150 hunting knife. Had co-branding hit its nadir? (Refinery29)
• Men are shopping more like ladies. Again. That's straight men. (Wall Street Journal)
• Cavalli mania over too quickly to have a lasting effect at H&M, where business has flattened. (NYPost)

Say Goodbye to CompUSA. We'll Miss You. Sort Of.

CompUSA announced on Friday that it had been acquired by the restructuring firm Gordon Brothers Group, which will in turn liquidate the company, or what's left of it after half of its locations were shuttered earlier this year. The company noted challenging business conditions as the primary reason for its demise, though anyone who has shopped there recently would be able to tell you that poor service,  dull merchandising, dreary store environments and a general lack of competitive pricing are to blame. What else besides mismanagement could be to blame for the demise of a large national computer chain (228 stores this time last year) during a technology boom? The Shophound lives near a sizable branch of the store, and lately we have been going there to only look at what we will order later for a better price from Amazon. The above photos were taken on what should have been a busy Holiday Season Saturday afternoon. We barely saw a hint of Christmas decoration, let alone much in the way of customers. The giant new Best Buy a few short blocks away which sells much of the same merchandise, was substantially busier.
A liquidation, however, usually means a big liquidation sale! Woo hoo!
Before you get too excited, we are willing to bet that the chain's premium vendors who rarely if ever discount, like Apple or Bose for example, will be able to demand that their goods be returned before they are sold at fire sale prices. As of yet, the G.O.B sales have not yet begun, however, we will be keeping a sharp eye out for them. After all, it will probably be worth it just for the discount on printer ink and blank CDs.

UPDATE: We hear that liquidation will begin after the Holidays which could mean Chanukah, which ends tomorrow (but probably doesn't), or New Years, but most likely means December 26th. Can you hold out for that cut-rate external drive, or are you just not that much of a geek?

Apple Plans an Evening Opening

The newest Apple Store is indeed opening this Friday at 6 PM as we and everybody else on their email lists had cofirmed today. The three-level store will be the biggest in the city so far and will feature a much discussed spiral staircase (presumably like the one at Fifth Avenue) and an entire floor dedicated to workshops, support and personal training (that's computer training). This should hopefully make it easier to use the genius bar without an appointment, at least for a while. It will also be open until midnight most days, which is substantially more sensible than the 24-hour gimmick uptown.
There will be prizes and t-shirts for early birds as always, and they've given you geeks all day to line up. Happy waiting!
Apple Store 401 W 14^th Street at Ninth Avenue, Meatpacking District, Opens 12.07.07

New Apple Store Ready Next Week?

The typically reliable AppleInsider tells us that the opening date for Apple's latest store, a great big flagship at 14^th street and Ninth Avenue, is projected to open on Friday December 7. We have been walking by regularly, and we didn't think it was that far along, but Christmas miracles will happen to get stores open before the holidays. No word on the hours yet, but given the neighborhood, doesn't it make more sense for this location to be open 24 hours instead of the Fifth Avenue unit? It would certainly make those late-night weekend DJ sets more appealing.
We will keep you posted on this one.