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Vodafone UK begins shipping iPhone – 50,000 pre-orders dispatched
Steve O'Hear	@sohear / 11 years
[UK] In case you weren't already convinced by the level of pent up demand for an alternative to O2's iPhone monopoly in the UK, more evidence comes from Vodafone today. The mobile operator has begun selling the iPhone 3G and 3GS, including shipping 50,000 units to customers who have pre-ordered.
That's a pretty healthy number for Day One but it doesn't look quite so impressive when compared to the number of pre-orders – 65,000 – that Orange is said to have clocked up in its first few days after announcing it would offer the device. It's likely that Vodafone, initially at least, has been impacted by Orange breaking O2's monopoly first and, perhaps crucially, in time for the holiday season. Especially since there is little to distinguish all three offerings price-wise. Apple still commands an unprecedented amount of control over the iPhone brand and pricing. The retail monopoly has been broken by the supply monopoly remains nicely intact.
That isn't stopping Vodafone's UK CEO Guy Laurence (pictured above) from being in buoyant mood though, not surprising since the iPhone has been such a long time coming. Of course, Lawrence is keen to credit Vodafone's "outstanding network" for the high demand – and it's true O2 has had major capacity issues, especially in London – although, technically, Orange's 3G network covers more of the UK population.
But how long before everybody offers the iPhone?
If you're a network and you don't sell Apple's iconic smartphone then you're left with a real customer churn problem with regards to some of the highest value customers. T-Mobile, which is on track to merge with Orange, doesn't yet offer the iPhone in the UK and is known to have had a batch of 'grey' imported iPhones as a carrot to keep high spending customers. While a reliable source recently told me that 3UK are doing something similar for their so-called 'VIP customers'.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Did you know that Cold Stone sells ice cream cupcakes? They do. Did you know that ice cream is my ultimate portion control weakness? It is. If you put this in front of me and left me alone, it would be gone when you came back.
Individual ice cream cupcakes, however, this is portion control I can live with. Using Cold Stone as my inspiration, I created Black Bottom Ice Cream Cupcakes, a dessert that combines the sweet crunch of chocolate, creamy ice cream and and soft spongy cake!
I used a white cake mix (gasp), made with applesauce and egg whites, fat free strawberry ice cream, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. The combinations of flavors are endless and I can't wait to make different versions of these cupcakes. They would be a perfect dessert for a child's birthday party or for an adult like me who has no control around ice cream.
There are a few components to this recipe, but are really easy to make.
I love ice cream on a sugar cone!
Holy yum!!! I love this idea, esp. for a kids. My kids wouldn't know what to go for first — chocolate, cake, or ice cream! The ultimate dilemma.
Such a great idea, I just love it! Stunning photos too!
I too have absolutely NO control around ice cream. I literally could sit and eat an entire tub. The only thing better than ice cream, is ice cream with bits of cake in it! These look ah-mazing!!!
great idea to healify a decadent treat!
I ate most of these last week, and now that they are gone I'm making my own version. I put the leftover cake, strawberry ice cream and chocolate chips in a bowl together, and just add spoon. It's not as pretty, but it gets the job done!
I love this idea! It's like the perfection portion of chocolate vanilla and strawberry!
I didn't even realize that, but you are right!!
I love your recipe/ print format, very neat!
Thanks! I was hoping that would make things easier if anyone wants to print recipes from the blog.
This is such a great idea – perfect for parties!
Wow! Those look so decadent and simply. I am defiantly putting that on my recipe to do list.
this looks amazing! thank you for sharing this post:) i am so craving for some right now.
Ice cream is totally my weakness as well. I'll occasionally buy a carton and tell myself that I'll only have a spoonful. Always a big mistake. These cupcakes though? Portion control done right. they look delicious!
Those look amazing!!!! Ice cream cake is one of my favorites so to have it proportioned is perfect!!
These look amazing and I can't wait to make them :) But my favorite way to eat ice cream is on Thursday nights on the floor of our Highland Lake apartment…preferably straight from the container!
Cold Stone better watch out! These look delicious.
wow those look suuuuper delicious!!! cant wait to try your recipe for myself!
These look great and so easy to make! Thank you!


Three new firefighters — Clint Musgrave, Kevin Montgomery and Brian Dover — have begun serving with the Superstition Fire and Medical District, which services Gold Canyon and Apache Junction.
"Although each of these individuals will be serving as new firefighters for the district, none are new employees. All three have previously worked on an ambulance for the fire district's transportation division," SFMD Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Richard Ochs said in a release.
"They were each offered positions as firefighters after competing with nearly 200 applicants and after completing an extensive testing process that began in late 2018," he said.
The three began their training as recruit firefighters at the Phoenix Fire Academy on Oct. 15 and graduated on Jan. 25.
The new state-certified firefighters are serving the community at various SFMD fire stations, Assistant Chief Ochs said.
Mark Nelson, Chris Wohlforth, Matt Leon and John Rankin have also been offered positions as firefighters with SFMD and will attend the Phoenix Recruit Academy on Feb. 25.
A significant portion of the salaries for these seven new firefighters is funded by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's for a three year period, resulting in a cost saving for district citizens, Assistant Chief Ochs said.
In September the fire district was awarded a Federal Firefighter Assistance Grant for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response.
"The primary purpose of the SAFER grant is to provide fire departments with temporary financial support to assist in increasing the staffing and response capabilities to meet community needs. Improving staffing and deployment capabilities allows fire service organizations to respond to emergencies more safely and effectively," Assistant Chief Ochs said.
Go to fema.gov/staffing-adequate-fire-emergency-response-grants or sfmd.az.gov.