iTunes activation servers go down, iPhone 3G customers being sent home unactivated, first-gen iPhone customers stuck with dead iPhones
By Nilay Patel 
posted July 11th 2008 2:40PM
posted July 11th 2008 2:40PM
Update: Apple has confirmed to us that activation is down, and that customers are being asked to take the phone home and activate via iTunes later. We're not sure what good that'll do, since the servers are down no matter where you are, but Apple says it's "working on a solution." In the meantime, it looks like the new SIM works in first-gen units, so at least upgraders aren't totally phone-deprived. Oh, and remember that updating a first-gen iPhone to 2.0 requires hitting the server as well, so if you haven't taken the plunge we'd say hold off until this all gets sorted.
Update 2: In related news, those updating their first-gen iPhone to 2.0 are also getting caught in the activation shuffle, leaving some with bricked iPhones. In our test case, the activation servers came back up after about 45 minutes just long enough to get 2.0 running on our first-gen iPhone, but not all have been so lucky. Is your first-gen iPhone stuck in activation limbo from the update? Let us know.
This reminds me of firefox...
It kinda looks as if the system is up again.
So my phone activated randomly about 20 mins ago while itunes was still "waiting"...
But I still cannot sync my media/contacts.
Anyone else in the same boat?
I was 18th in line. I was activated instantly. The guy first in line, my cousin with whom I work with. He was sent home, and was still unable to activate. He is now BACK at the store awaiting activation.
I am all setup. LOL
(Shreveport, LA)
My iPhone is bricked, only phone I have. This sucks!
Come on.....don't you think Apple is working on getting it fixed?
Take a deep breath and think about all those days you've waited to get your iPhone 3G.....and now think you have to wait 1 more.
But I thought XServe was for the enterprise? How could Apple servers fail?
Why the heck do I have to activate when I upgrade? I just upgraded my old iPhone to the 2.0 software and now my phone is unusable. Great.
Now that's odd...
While I get the same errors everyone else gets on iTunes, my iPhone already has my AppleID stored. I'm able to use the AppStore via iPhone no problemo.
AT&T Store in Norwalk, CT sold out of 16GB Black in 5 min. after letting 10 people into the store. I was on line since 6:30am.. Thanks Apple for again creating an artificial shortage to hype demand... you guys stink!!!!!!
we had 40 in our local store
The Shelton store told the people outside at around 6:45 that they had no 16GB iPhones because they weren't delivered. Most people left....they only had 10 8GB iPhones...and around 7:45 a fedex van came and delivered the other 20 16GB iPhones....10White and 10Black
I got the 8GB Black iPhone
pretty sweeetttt
wait does this mean that I could go and grab one, not have to activate and then pwn it to unlock it and put it onto a different carrier? if this is true now would be the time to storm the stores!
No, the phone is still SIM locked, you cannot use it on another carrier's SIM without something like Jailbreak.
Also you sign the contract with AT&T in the store before you leave. So the contract is done, you just can't use it cuz you're phone won't activate to pair with your plan.
I picked up a 3G this morning in a north suburb of Chicago... and itunes was down at that time 8:15am... I was told to activate it at home... but my 1st gen iPhone still works...
Where at? I did too.
who had the brilliant idea to release the 2.0 software to the world at the same time the U.S. was starting to sell the iPhone 3G... I've been predicting that the 2.0 software would either come the night before 3G morning, or the night after... I guess no one at Apple is that smart.
I'm happy though, I barely got my 2.0 update finished this morning as the servers came crashing down.
Hey if they will sell me an iPhone without activating, does that mean I can go pay $199 and then not activate it/jailbreak it?
No, I'm pretty sure you're required to sign up for the contract anyway, so you're still paying for the service, so there's really no point.
They have you sign a contract before you leave. I checked when I got home, and the contract is already in effect... yet I can't get the dang thing to activate now.
I'm disappointed at you, Apple. You build up all of this like a Jenga tower and right when we start to play you pull the bottom block and everything topples over.
Thanks.
it's not apple it's at&t
Wrong:
It's Apple, not AT&T
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25637854/
From the article:
"A spokesman for AT&T Inc., the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in the U.S., said there was a global problem with Apple Inc.'s iTunes software that prevented the phones from being fully activated in-store, as had been planned."
That'll teach the losers who have to be first for waiting in line for hours outside a store.
No, you aren't cool.
Much cooler to point and laugh at those effected on a online blog about gadgets.
This is why you wait a week or so before buying.
I dont get it first time shame on you second time shame on me..
When Microsoft released HALO 3 the servers went down due to , Too much traffic. Microsoft said hmm we definatly dont want that happening again when a big game comes out.. Here come GTA Release date.
Makes apropriate updates.. Viola GTA goes online virtually flawless with 1 million concurrent users.
You would think Apple would of took the time to evaluate and update stuff for a situation like the 3G iphone coming out.
I'm waiting for Cello GTA...
wow so glad i updated my iphone this morning without reading crap!!!! now I cant text at work!
Just to chime in, I was looking forward to installing the update on my first-gen phone. iTunes allowed me to download and install it, and now I'm getting the lovely error message
"We could not complete your iTunes Store Request. An unknown error occured (-9838)."
So cellphone is dead, to quote Beck.
And the me cloud rejected me too.
GRATS!!!
My 1st gen iphone is bricked too.
Just get the Slide for Emergency screen.
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! I feel bad for those who waited in NY for a week. Actually, I dont feel bad.
Laugh out out out out out out out out out out ...
Apple Store at Perimeter (Atlanta Dunwoody, GA) had a line of 200 plus. Average time was about nine minute per person. Opened at 8 AM by 9 PM many were abandoning the line. Apple Store assistant manager admitted things were moving "much slower" than they had expected. What a huge PR debacle.
Hot blonde on the left ;)
At my local AT&T store I had just finished getting my 3G 16GB in white booted up and then the manager informed all his salespeople the system went down. Sweeet, looks like I got in before the bad stuff happened!
I have the same problem.
I'm in...
Hey guys, it's back up...but slllooowwwwwww
It was incredibly stupid to release the 2.0 update for the OG phone and have thousands of people trying to activate the 3G phone on the same day. 2.0 should have been officially released yesterday.
Ditto. Bricked 1st-Gen too.
I'm gonna go take a nap and pretend it isn't happening.
I would however like to know why apple hasn't pulled the update if activation is down. Seems silly.
So..i was the first one to get the 8gb 3g at our att store....and....its a smudgy piece of shit. I'm keeping my old one and selling this bastard.
My first Gen is BRICKED It downloaded the new 2.0 from iTunes and went thru the whole process..now its saying it cannot connect to the sercure server..make sure ssl3.0 and ttl1.0 is on in control panel ... IT IS!
Now MY PHONE IS BRICKED !!! HELP
what the heck apple
Damn Microsoft Vista!
Oh, wait... it's Apple this time.
In that case. LOL HHAHAHAAAHHAAAAHHAAAA LOL ROFL!
"Alecia Lee: Welcome to the AT&T Live Support Chat.
Alecia Lee: My name is Alecia , I will be happy to assist you with your technical support questions.
Michael Jennings: hello
Alecia Lee: Hello, what can I do for you?
Michael Jennings: while holding, i've since read about the widespread activation issues
Michael Jennings: any solution yet?
Alecia Lee: I assume you mean Iphone? No, we have just been told that due to the volume of activations there are delays. We don't have any further information at this time.
Michael Jennings: yes, as I entered above.
Michael Jennings: well, thanks? i guess
Alecia Lee: Is there anything else I can do for you here?
Michael Jennings: i suppose not.
Michael Jennings: have a good day.
Alecia Lee: Thank you for using the chat line. Have a nice day.
Alecia Lee: Thank you for visiting the AT&T Live Support Chat.
Alecia Lee: It has been my pleasure to assist you today, please click the close button to end your session.
Alecia Lee: A customer satisfaction survey will automatically appear and we appreciate your feedback."
This is a disaster i have the old iphone went to upgrade this mourning
and my iphone is bricked unusable wtf apple can everyone just upgrade
we are going to spend money anyway on youre app store.
Activation is slowly working in stores
ahahahahahh awesome we broke the fruit!!!