iPhone 3G must be activated in-store (and other followup questions answered)
By Ryan Block 
posted June 13th 2008 12:26PM
posted June 13th 2008 12:26PM
Yesterday we went over a few of the more confusing bits of the iPhone 3G launch -- and let's be honest, the details of this launch are confusing as hell compared to the original go-round. Of course, there were a lot of burning questions to be answered from the audience, so we got an AT&T spokesperson to weigh in on what's on your mind. The most surprising answer? Contrary to reports implying otherwise, AT&T pretty much categorically claims that no matter where you buy your iPhone 3G, be it from AT&T or Apple, you have to walk out of the store an activated customer. That means no in-home activation, and definitely no buying an iPhone for your friends or family. Check it out below, more questions after the break.Chris asks: Can these devices be purchased and given as gifts?
No. You will need to walk out of the AT&T or Apple store with the device activated.
Greekjgg asks: What if I want to buy one for work which already uses AT&T for company account? I can't activate in store, obviously, so will it be possible to to buy without a contract?
We don't have details yet but iPhones for business use will likely be provisioned through your company's IT department.
Tons of people ask: If I purchase an original iPhone from a friend will I be able to get the old data plan pricing? Or will I need to sign up at the new, more expensive rate?
Yes. You can get the old data plan price if someone gives you a device and you establish service for yourself.
Chris and SeditioN VII ask: What's the no-commitment price?
We have not yet announced the unsubsidized price.
We follow up: So you WILL be able to buy it without the two year commitment?
We haven't announced whether or not that will be offered.
Vic asks: Will long-time customers who are otherwise eligible for a free or reduced-price handset upgrades be able to lower the price when buying the iPhone 3G?
No one will pay less than $199 for the 8GB or $299 for the 16GB models. As you know, those are subsidized prices.
Matt asks: Say I just recently signed up with AT&T, standard contract. Now I want to get an iPhone 3G -- will I have to pay more than $199 for the phone because it's subsidized? For example, if I were to upgrade to a Blackberry now, I can't get the advertised $99 price (because I am a new, existing subscriber); my price is $374.
It depends on whether or not you are eligible for an upgrade.
We ask: What is the penalty for not activating the phone in 30 days? How will that be enforced?
[no comment given]
Apple just needs to stop being fucking stupid and unlock the damn thing. All the damn trouble they go through just for a simple purchase.
They should have made a deal with AT&T, but Apple themselves should have only sold unlocked iPhones in the retail store.
this sucks big time, this is really disappointing. Now I'd just rather have it how it was before anyways it'll cost u still the same price with all the fees and now 10 bucks more for the data plan. errrrrrrr.
This is so funny, there are so many miss information going around. If you are already an ATT customer, all you have to do is pay 199 and your contract will get extended 2 more years from the day you activate the iphone. If you are new, your 2 year will start that day. There are no penalty to be paid if you haven't completed your contract, it just gets extended. EVERYONE can buy an iphone at 199.
As far as data plan, 30 a month for unlimited is pretty standard on all carriers and phones. I believe blackberry may even be more on some carriers and if you don't want to pay for a data plan, don't get a freakin smart phone.
T-mo is $20, and you get access to their Hotspots.
The competition btw the Iphone 3G and the Blackberry Bold is so close, every small detail an tip the scale one way or the other. This is a point for the Blackberry. It's true that you have to activate the Blackberry in store as well, but at least with the Iphone it took us to a new level of consumer experience. Now this is gone, we're back to the old way. Also, though lots of people had difficulties activating the Iphone the first time around and might have gotten angry over this, the option to do so gave us consumers a feeling that Apple is trying to change the way the game is played when it comes to phones and customers, and that was welcome with open arms. Too bad we're going back to the old system. Not good for us.
What about MMS, please?
I asked the AT&T rep by my area, "I am a current custom and I know that I am able for an upgrade, but currently I have an unlimited text messaging service, what will happen to that?"
Reply: "You will be able to keep your current text messaging plan, but you will need to change your data and voice."
I am glad to hear I can keep my unlimited text messages.
Didn't Jobs say the 8GB iPhone would be a Maximum of $199 in the keynote?
Screw the iPhone... SAMSUNG INSTINCT!!!
Well at first I was planning on buying the new iPhone but with the plans coting more and SMS not being included, I'm looking at a Moto Q or blackberry bold depending on the price. They dropped the ball when they decided to rape us on the plans.
What's with the low rankings towards people with valid questions? MS fanboys at work?
I hear everyone saying that $30 is normal price for any smartphone data plan with AT&T... but you're failing to mention that you can also TETHER with every other smartphone on the market currently.... this isn't possible with the iPhone... you also cannot receive SMS, and in my mind that is a big deal and the data plan should definitely be discounted to reflect these things.
CAN IT BE JAILBROKEN.....CAN IT BE JAILBROKEN.....CAN IT BE JAILBROKEN.......CAN IT BE JAILBROKEN......CAN IT BE JAILBROKEN.....CAN IT BE JAILBROKEN
I SWEAR ALL U LOSER NERDS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FEATURES AND PAYMENT PLAN BALH BALH BALHA
CANNNN ITTTTT BEEEEE JAIIIILBROKEN,,,,,,,,DAMMMM ALREADYY ANSWER THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION ENGADGET,,,,!!!! SSOOOO FREAKKING ANNOYING
First the hackers need to get their hands on the phone and 2.0 firmware. Just wait, I bet they can do it eventually.
I'm a little confused. First you ask the question 'Can these devices be purchased and given as gifts?' of which the answer is: 'No. You will need to walk out of the AT&T or Apple store with the device activated.'
You then go on to ask 'What is the penalty for not activating the phone in 30 days? How will that be enforced?'
This is the part that confuses me, as if you have to walk out of the store with the iPhone activated, how is it not going to be activated after 30 days as it will be activated when it is purchased.
Jailbroken? I'd expect it'll be a few months before that's possible.. Apple will have learned the lessons from the 2G and made a few changes.
Anyway why bother? You can't buy it without a contract... although you could import a payT phone from europe the poor dollar exchange rate will make it way more expensive than just getting a contract in the first place. Pretty much all the phones in people hands will be legit and not need unlocking.
I wouldn't take any notice of the ebay scammers who are already trying to claim they have unlocked 3G iphones. Nobody even has one yet to begin to work out how hard that would be.
if I get the new iPhone and theres no 3g coverage where I live or where I work do I still pay for the more expensive 3g data monthly fee or can I keep my current plan from my original iPhone? If I do "upgrade" it would be for the GPS and not much else
Didn't they say something new circuitry for improved audio quality? i wonder what that means, exactly.
Audio quality has been keeping me from buying iPods over Creative players
Fuck AT&T... this makes me want to fly to Hong Kong, purchase one from Apple or any store that carries it, that does not require in-store activation (i know a store), then fly back to the US, jailbreak it, and akuse it on T-mobile. The point of the iPhone is that i can do it myself. if you te that away. then it's just a phone. and i don't want perverts touching my Brand new iPhone 3G and getting their disgusting hand oils all over the shiny new surface before i touch it myself. Fuck you AT&T!!!
NO ONE BUY THE iPhone 3G so they will HAVE to allow at home activation!!!
Why don't you work at the factory in China and build one yourself? Catch the next plane to the US the moment you get your hands on one off the assembly line..
I've never been to an apple store or at&t and I never will. I have anxiety and I don't go to stores. They lost a sale.
Oh well I still love my iPhone
"All customers will be required to sign a 2-year agreement. There will not be a "no commitment" price for the iPhone 3G."
So if I am reading this correctly, if you aren't eligible for an upgrade and pay the full price that ATT has yet to determine, you are still required to renew contract for 2 more years....
That is some evil shit right there.
I think I know where they're going with this; they want to imply that unlocked iPhones are stolen, by making it impossible to get an iPhone without a contract or without stealing the thing... It's a psychological thing, when someone offers you an unlocked iPhone 3G you would probably think "well you can't get it without a contract, so either this guy is going to pay assrape termination fees or this is stolen".
You can unlock it easily if you use a loophole in the law. You buy and activate the iPhone, then unsubscribe during the mandatory (by law) 3-day grace period. Sure, It won't get you to a different carrier but it's legal. The other option is go through all the plans and get a short and cheap one from a foreign carrier. The data plan is probably the cheapest Apple could get, AT&T most likely charges that for all 3G phones. I wish that Apple would make a pay as you go plan, but oh well. Apple will end up making a upgrade plan, most likely, but it will not be cheap.
Here is quick one.
I dont want to extent my contract ,so I will wait and buy me Iphone 3g later ,unlocked from somewhere. My question is,as a current smartphone user paying $30 data + $5 message plan ,Can I just simply switch over my old sim card to new Iphone? I know it works on every other cell phone,but with all this BS flying around,you guys got me scared that maybe At&t may force me to extend my contract anyway,just because I will have an Iphone . Any opinion?
Anything new on FAN discounts? I know it was not available under the origial sales method, however this generation seems to be more traditional. 22% would go a loooong was towards helping with the increased data rates. Thanks in advance
Okay kids, stop your complaining. Basically when it comes down to it, you iPhone users were SPOILED when it first came out. I've been paying $30 for just internet on my Blackberry for a couple years now. So stop complaining that your not getting any SPECIAL PRICING on your plans anymore. This is the real world of cell phones, welcome.
I'm a current iPhone user and the home dock screen buttons don't work anymore (Too many dents and scratches, they should have seen my HTC 8125). AT&T does not and will not cover the iPhone. Since Apple does, one would logically assume AppleCare would be offered...
As far as the data price plan, $30 per month is pricey considering that the data download speed will be capped at 2mbps versus 7.2 for other 3g devices. I know that it doesn't sound like a big deal, but selling a service plan, and not plainly letting the consumer know it won't run as advertised sounds like a point of concern. I have a Dell laptop with a 3g card and its pretty fast. I am concerned, and suspect this will be a concern for other users as well. As far as using the data bandwidth, if I'm paying for it, shouldn't I get what I pay for? It's like buying a Corvette only to find out that the engine is being limited to run like a V6.
As for subsidization, I don't get this whole angle. Why not let the consumer decide who they want to go with. If they didn't want the end user to switch to another service, WHY ARE THEY INCLUDING A SIM CARD EJECTOR TOOL!?!?!
I dislike the App Store being controlled by Apple. There have been alot of great innovative 3rd party apps through Installer, like ebook reader, NES/Sony emulators, disk drive mode hacks, a to do list, etc...
If I buy a device (like my Nokia 3650, or HTC 8125) it should be mine and mine alone. I am forced to use my HTC 8125 because Apple nor AT&T will touch it. Yes I am a clumsy f**k but damnit I paid $600 for the damn thing, I expected it to be pretty sturdy, not dainty, and dentable. The warranty should cover the hardware and not the software. Apple stifles innovation by being controlling.
I want to buy the phone for the great features, but the more I think about it, and relate to my current iphone experience, I think I'll pass. The HTC Touch Pro, Sony Experia X1, Blackberry Bold, Nokia 5800, should all be more than enough to please the RIM, WinMo, and Symbian user and offer the necessary competition Apple needs to pull its head out of its ass. If Nokia made a touchphone, even with a stylus, I'd be all over it. The OS is solid, customizable, and easy to learn and use.
I talked to the store supervisor at one of the Apple Stores in CT and he told me that You WILL BE ABLE TO WALK OUT WITH AN IPHONE WITHOUT SIGNING A CONTRACT AND DO IT ON ITUNES. He said, Apple makes other products as well and it would be practically impossible for people to sign up for contracts at Apple stores as it will crowd up the whole place. He said, After All its an Apple store and not ATT! Which makes sense.
On a note different from what you guys are discussing, how much should I expect to pay for the 1st gen version when the 3G version is released? I'm looking to get one soon maybe.
A couple of dollars, I'd say.. But realistically, it all depends on whether iPhone3G can be jailbroken/unlocked or not. I think iPhone1's prices might hold steady if the new one cannot be cracked that easily.
I'm just wondering.. how the hell can apple keep playing on the fact that you can send SMS to 'multiple people' like it is some new feature that they discovered?!
'buy our iphone, you can send multiple messages! wooo'
i mean, you've been able to do that on mobiles for years and years!
yet when apple say it.. people love it.. OMGZZZZZZ APPLE MADE IT SO I CAN TEXT EVERYONE THEYRE SO GOOD!
its the same with the calculator.. how often do people really use it on their mobiles?! yet it seems to be a main 'feature' that theyre marketing with this one..
iphone was a massive innovation.. iphone 3g is pointless unless you didn't have an iphone in the first place IMO
I have a Nokia N95-3. I'd like to also get the new iPhone. Am I able to move the sim card back and forth from the iPhone (once it's purchased and activated) to the N95, so I can continue to use the N95 when I feel like it?
Personally, I like the iPhone, the design. But I never thought to spend a penny for it. IMHO, the phone is simply not worth the money.
I hope someone finds a way to get past activation in the store. I'm sure that has to violate some sort of law/rule.
I have a little question. Regarding the iPhone coming to Japan.
I just read a blog post (still a rumor however, still a bit scary) that says Softbank will be releasing the 8gb on the 11th and the 16th at the end of July. This is one scary aspect however, the thing that really heats my ass is the fact that they have the price listed for the 8gb just around 600 dollars. WTF. How can this be possible? I know it is another country and all and rules are different however, how the hell can a subsidized iPhone be that price when this is supposed to be a cheaper roll out?
Would anyone be able to shed light on this topic for me?
BTW here is the link of the post I read.
http://www.gizmodo.jp/2008/06/iphone_16gb7.html
Break out your translators or you can use this link instead
http://www.excite.co.jp/world/english/web/
Someone please give me some insight. I sure don't want to have to pay this ridiculous amount for this. I mean jeez it's subsidized. WTF
Am i missing something? Must be activated in store but they include a sim card ejector IN THE BOX? Maybe AT7T doesnt care if you jailbreak it as long as you pay them something (cancellation fee). I know you could pop the card out and put it in a crappy phone, but seriously, how many people do that?
Does anyone know if you are still in contract with 1yr left will I still get the 16gb iphone for 299.
Hi!
just a small question!!
I am living in Thailand, and iPhone is the best cell I eved had!
So now I cant wait for the next one, problem is, I dont think Thailand is one of the release country for 3GiPhone, next month, bummer!!!!
And I read this stuff about you have to activate it in the store...????
This means I cant get it send from some country where it is released and activate it??!!!!! Ultrabummer!!!
On the other hand, it didnt take long before iPhone 1 was unlocked, so 3G should be opened to!
But I am no expert on cell-software!!
So comon folks, what do you think!! I have to stay put whit my old iPhono???!!!
Alex!!!
i just have one question and is about the at&t plan.
I know there are three main plans : the 40 dollar one, the 60 dollar one and the other one, but i also heard that they are charge 30 dollars for the data plan... my question is can i just get the main plan without the data plan or do i also have to get the data plan with that?
PLEASE reply to my question my EMAIL is: hmartinez06a@hotmail.com
I'm amazed how Americans do so little price shopping & accept stupid 450 min. plans, that are over $60 after all the extra charges, as the only game in town. Did you know that there is a company called "Metro PCS" that has an unlimited minutes, internet & text messaging for $45.00 per month.!!! If they can afford to offer such a plan then why can't the big 3.?? Answer, they could & would if Americans weren't so quick to depart with their hard earned cash..Plus, there's no contract & you can drop service any time you desire.
Question on this.....
"Matt asks: Say I just recently signed up with AT&T, standard contract. Now I want to get an iPhone 3G -- will I have to pay more than $199 for the phone because it's subsidized? For example, if I were to upgrade to a Blackberry now, I can't get the advertised $99 price (because I am a new, existing subscriber); my price is $374.
It depends on whether or not you are eligible for an upgrade."
So if my contract with AT&T does not permit me to get a free upgrade or whatever, what will I pay for the iPhone if I want to buy one. I never had to worry about paying more with the old iPhone I bought. Even though at the time I was also not allowed to get a free upgrade, the old iPhone still cost the same. Can anyone help me out?