iPhone 3G: in-store activation only, free upgrades
updated 08:30 pm EDT, Mon June 9, 2008
AT&T talks iPhone contract
Following the announcement of its price hike, AT&T on Monday said that all iPhone 3G handsets must be activated at the time of purchase in the retail store and that all first-generation phones purchased after May 27th will be eligible for a free upgrade to the 3G model. In an interview with Gizmodo the company said that Apple/AT&T would not allow home-based activation via iTunes, which Apple's CEO touted during the initial launch. AT&T's President of National Distribution Glenn Lurie told the publication that there would no in-home activation for iPhone 3G and that the new iPhone 3G must be activated in either an Apple or AT&T store.
The AT&T exec said that the would takes only "10-12 minutes" and that his company would provide more details regarding the sales procedures for the new iPhone sometime "in the next week or so;" however, he suggested that there may not be online sales of the iPhone 3G at launch and thus users may have to travel to retail store to purchase the new device.
In addition, Ars Technica says that consumers who purchased an original iPhone on or after May 27 will be eligible to upgrade the device to an iPhone 3G at no additional cost.
Further elaborating the details on contracts, the publication reports that AT&T will make all iPhone 3G buyers sign a new 2-year contract, effectively replacing their current contract. Some had speculated that AT&T may add an additional 2 years to existing contracts, but report said that buyers would start on a fresh new contract of 2-years from date of purchase, regardless of the term left on their contact. Existing customers will also be able to purchase the iPhone for $199, the report said.
Activation
06/09, 08:42pm reply
"all iPhone 3G handsets must be activated at the time of purchase in the retail store"
What a colossally inconvenient and poor move. And I thought only the lack of 32GB was the bad news for the day.
mgpalma
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2000
?!?
06/09, 08:44pm reply
What happened to us 1st gen iPhone users from getting "Grandfathered" into an extended contract?
*I can't IMAGINE the CHAOS on 7/11 if each person on line has to activate the phone in-store. Wow...
chotty
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2003
And what about...
06/09, 09:12pm reply
...the aftermarket for all those used 2.5 iPhones on unlocked GSM networks? (wishful thinking)Or do they all go to landfill to help Edward Burtynsky make his next feature film 'Manufactured iScapes'...?;-)
bobolicious
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Joined: Aug 2002
meh
06/09, 09:18pm (1 reply) reply
I refuse to give out my personal financial info the the.. um characters at the only ATT or Apple store within a 6 hr drive of me.. sry Apple, you just lost a sale.. off to ebay I go ..
jwdsail
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2000
What did you expect?
06/09, 09:36pm (1 reply) reply
The iPhone 3G costs $199 because it's being subsidised by AT&T so they are not going to sell you one unless you first sign a contract with them.
Londor
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2004
Now that's a LINE
06/09, 09:50pm reply
So, I want to buy one as a gift...no?
No cash, must be in store activation. And you must hold it with your right hand and look forward the entire time.
Or, no soup for you!
dmsimmer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2005
iBrain 2009...
06/09, 10:39pm reply
...temple implants will offer 4G communication speeds, infinite dopamine generation
bobolicious
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2002
...
06/09, 11:10pm reply
and other 'undisclosed benefits' all for merely the assignment of principal assets (including offspring) and signing of an nda...
GPS & cash flow monitoring provided free of charge...
(previous post was cut off - conspiracy theorists may want to take note :)
bobolicious
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2002
No more jailbreaking?
06/09, 11:51pm reply
The activation at the store is to make sure that hackers won't be able to buy the 3G iPhone. I Love It! Serves them right! So with activating at the store, hackers will now have to be committed to a iPhone and plan for two years if they want a 3G iPhone. That helps prevent someone buying the phone and doing a SIM unlock and using the iPhone on T-Mobile.
kobi
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Activation Fiasco
06/09, 11:58pm reply
How soon everyone forgets the activation fiasco when the iPhone was first released.
RKDinOKC
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Joined: Jul 2007