Apple Store & iPhone activations

[mav]

I just called a local Apple store and talked to the store manager. They confirmed the release date being set for 6/29 (no surprise here) and also stated that the iPhone purchased through Apple will include a SIM card and a phone number to activate the iPhone over the phone with AT&T. Apple stores will not be handling any activations. For current AT&T customers, it will be simply mean transferring your SIM from your old phone to your new shiny toy. She admitted that she is not 100% sure on this yet, but this is what she knows so far from what she has been told and what is happening.

 

[ebrunn]

I just called a local Apple store and talked to the store manager. They confirmed the release date being set for 6/29 (no surprise here) and also stated that the iPhone purchased through Apple will include a SIM card and a phone number to activate the iPhone over the phone with AT&T. Apple stores will not be handling any activations. For current AT&T customers, it will be simply mean transferring your SIM from your old phone to your new shiny toy. She admitted that she is not 100% sure on this yet, but this is what she knows so far from what she has been told and what is happening.

good info. THanks

 

[ColsTiger]

I just called a local Apple store and talked to the store manager. They confirmed the release date being set for 6/29 (no surprise here) and also stated that the iPhone purchased through Apple will include a SIM card and a phone number to activate the iPhone over the phone with AT&T. Apple stores will not be handling any activations. For current AT&T customers, it will be simply mean transferring your SIM from your old phone to your new shiny toy. She admitted that she is not 100% sure on this yet, but this is what she knows so far from what she has been told and what is happening.

I don't think it's going to be just a simple matter of sliding in a current Cingular/At&t SIM card. New customers will have to activate a two-year contract and current might have to add two years on to their current contract.

 

[ebrunn]

I don't think it's going to be just a simple matter of sliding in a current Cingular/At&t SIM card. New customers will have to activate a two-year contract and current might have to add two years on to their current contract.

All that can be done over the phone

 

[ColsTiger]

All that can be done over the phone

I was talking about existing customers, but you're right, it can all be done over the phone.

 

[tompayne]

current cingular/AT&T customers, you can renew your contract 21months out. it's in your agreement and the customer reps will tell you this also.

 

[ebrunn]

I have no problems with Cingular/Att anyways so signing another two year isn't a big deal.

 

[ColsTiger]

current cingular/AT&T customers, you can renew your contract 21months out. it's in your agreement and the customer reps will tell you this also.

Not a problem for me. One of my lines has been up for renewal since May.

 

[tuckerbball]

so if i have a phone that is able to upgrade in december i can just do it the 29 and just sign another new contract and upgrade then

 

[tompayne]

so if i have a phone that is able to upgrade in december i can just do it the 29 and just sign another new contract and upgrade then

exactly, i know a lot of people that think that you have to wait until the upgrade date. and if your up for an upgrade, i was told to try an negotiate extra's for signing another two years.(like with my last phone with cingular, i resigned 2yrs and got a car charger for free)

 

[Spin This!]

I don't think it's going to be just a simple matter of sliding in a current Cingular/At&t SIM card. New customers will have to activate a two-year contract and current might have to add two years on to their current contract.

People have been doing this for years... getting a prepaid phone (say yours breaks), pop your sim card in, and you're back in businesss.

I'm guessing there may be special hooks though to allow the iPhone to access Visual Voicemail, and such so we'll see...

 

[tomheff]

will include a SIM card and a phone number to activate the iPhone over the phone with AT&T.

What do you mean by a phone number? Do you mean that you will be assigned your # then? I'm moving to a different state on the 30th and want to wait to activate until I get there. Do you think that will be possible?

 

[jtlax3]

What do you mean by a phone number? Do you mean that you will be assigned your # then? I'm moving to a different state on the 30th and want to wait to activate until I get there. Do you think that will be possible?

I think that means you will be provided a phone number TO CALL.

 

[tomheff]

I think that means you will be provided a phone number TO CALL.

Thanks! Thats what I was hoping!

 

[cjosof]

I just called a local Apple store and talked to the store manager. They confirmed the release date being set for 6/29 (no surprise here) and also stated that the iPhone purchased through Apple will include a SIM card and a phone number to activate the iPhone over the phone with AT&T. Apple stores will not be handling any activations. For current AT&T customers, it will be simply mean transferring your SIM from your old phone to your new shiny toy. She admitted that she is not 100% sure on this yet, but this is what she knows so far from what she has been told and what is happening.

So What if you're switching from say... T-mobile and you want to keep your phone number?

 

[Spin This!]

cjosof: by law, you have a right to your number. "porting" it to AT&T should be no problem, provided you fulfill your contract requirements (which may mean an early cancellation fee if you're ending early).

 

[cjosof]

cjosof: by law, you have a right to your number. "porting" it to AT&T should be no problem, provided you fulfill your contract requirements (which may mean an early cancellation fee if you're ending early).

Do you think I could do all of that over the phone? I was wishing for an earlier release date but now it comes out when I'm out of town at a wedding-ugh and I still count on buying on the 29th even if it means sneaking out of a wedding

 

[lasquintanas]

Do you think I could do all of that over the phone? I was wishing for an earlier release date but now it comes out when I'm out of town at a wedding-ugh and I still count on buying on the 29th even if it means sneaking out of a wedding

Yes. I believe online as well.

 

[ColsTiger]

Yes. I believe online as well.

Online purchases from At&t and Apple will certainly be an option, but we don't know yet when you can expect delivery.

 

[Spin This!]

If Apple doesn't offer at least some kind of pre-order option at the keynote to "avoid the rush", I'd be very surprised.

The last thing Apple needs is a launch that goes badly with geeks scratching and clawing at each other to get the device. (And people wonder why other countries hate us...)