06/30/2008, 11:30am, EDT
Monday, June 30th
AT&T details iPhone activations, 3G optimizations
Leaked memos are continuing to expand on AT&T's plans for the iPhone 3G, a new report indicates. Retail stores are, for instance, said to be having a new desktop shortcut pushed to their computers, "for the iTunes utility that will be used for unbricking iPhone 3G devices during the activation process." Workers are being told not to use the software until July 11th, as it is only a partial version of iTunes and intended solely for activations.
Memos suggest that activations will be completed entirely in store, though not whether they will still be divided into a rumored two-step process. The insistence on control is expected to produce heavy demands on AT&T staff, to the extent that the company is calling for extra part-time help simply to run 3Gs from storage to clerks, "to facilitate unbricking."
The company is further pressuring workers to take extra four- to seven-hour shifts in other unorthodox roles for launch weekend, such as Greeter, Crowd Manager or Floor Coordinator. Crowd Managers are expected to setup line barriers, and "coordinate efforts with [the] Line Manager to ensure customers are iReady;" Floor Coordinators are responsible for ensuring reasonable occupancy, as well as a lack of line cheating.
Network engineers, meanwhile, are said to be making continual refinements to AT&T's 3G network, using information gleaned from past Fine EDGE enhancements. This includes extra radio capacity, earlier triggering of additional resources, and a larger number of T1 lines. The company is also attempting to speed up overlay work that was originally scheduled for 2009.
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idiotic...
...use of the term 'unbricking', seeing as how none of the iPhones are bricked to begin with.
Bricking refers to a device being rendered completely inert and unoperable -- i.e. unable to be 'unbricked', though it was made popular by the idiot 'iPhone dev team' hackers, who were quick to blame Apple for their own screw-ups when they failed to code a proper unlock.
sigh. . .
I hate to waste the gas, but I think I'd rather drive 4hrs to the nearest Apple Store than deal with this self-destructive red tape ATT is insisting on wrapping the iPhone up with..
Actually, if I could find someone trustworthy w/ a 1st gen 16GB that would sell it for a reasonable price...
sigh
Windows drones
Nice to see that they're using Windows to activate APPLE products. That's just tacky.
Re: sigh...
"I hate to waste the gas, but I think I'd rather drive 4hrs to the nearest Apple Store than deal with this self-destructive red tape..."
What makes you think the process will be any different at the Apple Store? All the things I've read seem to indicate the same required activation procedures will be in place at the Apple Stores as well. (Ex: them supposedly launching at 8am instead of 6pm to deal with the added delay of having to do the activations.)
also...
I didn't grab an iPhone last go-round but am planning to for version 2 - and I have every intention of driving 4 hours to goto an Apple Store before I step foot in an AT&T location_ Besides I'd be able to visit a couple of buddies in the town with the Apple Store_
Idiotic...
to not just allow iTunes activations at home like the original iPhone. It was one of the greatest things Apple brought to the cell phone industry. Figures that would be gone. And its not like it is going to stop unlockers from activating the iPhone w/o a contract. If it can be activated with software, it can be hacked and activated. And even with the ETF, it still might be worth it to activate. I may even buy one and sell to be unlocked- since I'm already on ATT, I don't mind if my contract gets extended.
optimistic
I should think with the downturn in economy, from gas to groceries, this sexy beast will gather some dust after the early adopters have their feeding frenzy. I put myself in the "after" category. I think Apple's done its part with the price slash.
I don't usually support monopolies. Even new Macs offer a choice of OS's. AT&T better rethink its charges, develop a cheaper plan, redevelop Pay As You Go, or fire up its dustbusters. The AT&T iPhone today asks you to spend one thousand eight hundred plus dollars for a two year contract, including iPhone.
I'm sorry, that's my gas money!
Apple should get other providers in.
Competition needs to be.
Choice is good.