Apple and AT&T bring back iPhone home activation

Online shoppers looking to spend the holiday season firmly planted on the couch can add the iPhone 3G back to their lists -- we've just confirmed that Apple and AT&T have quietly brought back in-home activation. Sure, it's been available in limited circumstances before, but now it's here and for real, just like with the first-gen unit. Would-be unlockers looking to score a phone for $199 flat can't start celebrating just yet, though -- you'll still have to provide your billing details and face an ETF if you don't activate within a set period of time. Oh well -- at least it's convenient, right?

[Via Boy Genius Report]

[Kris120890 @ Dec 11th 2008 10:51AM]

Let the hacking begin.......................again.
I'm pretty you can already do this in the UK already. Feel free to prove me wrong.

[RichardR @ Dec 11th 2008 10:59AM]

I can prove you wrong, you have to activate in-store, just like the US, except the lines were shorter and the servers did not go down.

[Flashpoint @ Dec 11th 2008 11:10AM]

It took me all of 30 minutes to download Quickpwn, two ipsw files - and then to run Quick Pwn to completely Pwn my iPhone.

PWNED OS 2.2!

Cydia, Installer and all other types of unlicensed apps for the taking, including PDAshare so I can use the iPhone as a bluetooth wireless 3G cellular modem :-o after Apple decided to remove Netshare from the App Store.

So...what is apple saying about Home activation? HOW ABOUT HOME PWNAGE !

[mrhahn @ Dec 11th 2008 11:21AM]

@RichardR: I bought mine online (from the Carphone Warehouse) and never stepped foot instore.

[Patriks7 @ Dec 11th 2008 11:32AM]

I'm willing to bet you are not pretty! (jk)

Anyway, this has been in Europe ever since it was introduced.. Atleast in Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary as well I think..

[Biggie @ Dec 11th 2008 12:34PM]

Great! Hopefully they start selling refurbs from their website soon!

[bubba @ Dec 11th 2008 1:11PM]

I am glad apple and AT&T did that. I worked for apple during the launch of the new IPHONE and it was mess to activate them in the store. Thank you for waking up putting the customer first instead on your greedy companies.

[Alex @ Dec 11th 2008 10:54AM]

Well, actually, yes, that is convenient.

If you don't want one and plan on coughing up the ETA, this is a way to do it and not have to bother with any human interaction.

Hell, for an existing ATT customer it'd still be $25 cheaper than buying it at the non-upgrade price.

[Doug @ Dec 11th 2008 10:55AM]

Ohhhhhh yes!!! When I got my white 3G, it took FOUR FREAKING HOURS to activate!!! (It was launch day, BTW) I am SO glad they re-introduced this! Now I can get my friend an iPhone 3G gift card, she can go pick one up at the local Apple Store, and then activate it from the comfort of home.

Thank you AT&T for being reasonable (for once)! =D

[zach @ Dec 11th 2008 11:07AM]

On launch day, I was first to get the phone and the ATT store gave it to me unactivated. Told me to go home and plug it in to activate it. I don't know why this is a big deal is I was able to do it on launch day.

[lucas @ Dec 13th 2008 5:28PM]

totally wrong Engadget.

when you buy the phone in store they set up the account, sign the contract etc. just like before. and while an ATT store might unwisely let you walk out without the itunes connection the Apple stores don't. because they want to make sure the phone works when you leave. I upgraded a line and my first iphone had a dead pixel on the screen when they hooked it to itunes. so they swapped it on the spot.

when you buy from ATT online you do the same set up of your account, agree to the contract etc. the only difference is that you have to wait a day or so for the phone to actually arrive and with luck, activate in itunes without issue. and if you are porting a number you will be without a working cell phone while you wait.

but it is NOT like the first go around when you bought a blank uncommitted phone and had no contract etc. allowing for ease of unlocking without an ETF etc.

[iCandy @ Dec 11th 2008 10:59AM]

Still no full price? How is one suppose to give this phone as a gift?
oh well... we can do this the easy way or the hard way...

[ran @ Dec 11th 2008 1:12PM]

You're suppose to give "iPhone Gift Cards" now:
http://store.apple.com/us/personalize/iphone?product=MB891LL/A&mco=MjQxODg1NA

[John Sullivan @ Dec 11th 2008 2:47PM]

You can't (or shouldn't), except to members of your own family, due to the amount of personal information required to order one for in-home activation. Not to pull views from engadget (hence I won't post the link), but Appleinsider's article on in-home activation returning has slightly better analysis of this very gripe.

[dhaasgob @ Dec 12th 2008 1:40PM]

@ran

Which that means nothing, since the person receiving the gift card must go and pick up the iPhone afterward (and if I'm not mistaken, the 'iPhone' gift cards are only accepted at Apple Stores... hopefully I'm wrong). Wouldn't you rather having it under the tree, ready to be connected to iTunes for activation/contract signing? I would.
Last year, one could buy the first-gen *for anybody* as a gift and never have to talk to AT&T about activating it, signing contracts, and getting a data plan (all this was done via iTunes).

There's still no prepaid/non-commitment options, and that saddens me. I'm honestly thinking buying a HK iPhone sounds better and better everyday.

[Didou @ Dec 11th 2008 11:04AM]

What's an ETF ?

[StalematE @ Dec 11th 2008 11:09AM]

Estimated Time of Failure

[eggothewaffle @ Dec 11th 2008 11:10AM]

I'm guessing it stands for Early Termination Fee, but maybe it means Engadget Trout Fillet.

[Craig @ Dec 11th 2008 11:11AM]

Early Termination Few? I'm guessing.

[Craig @ Dec 11th 2008 11:12AM]

Fee... stupid fat fingers.

[iCandy @ Dec 11th 2008 11:19AM]

Early
Treachery
Fee

as in buy iPhone for $199, wait 31 days then turn on AT&T and cancel...

[Esat Dedezade @ Dec 11th 2008 11:20AM]

StalematE wins.

[Ray @ Dec 11th 2008 1:56PM]

"Fee... stupid fat fingers."

That's what she said...

[joe_bruin @ Dec 11th 2008 1:59PM]

How much is the ETF?

[Messymeese @ Dec 11th 2008 3:22PM]

You know what I do when I don't know an acronym? I use Wikipedia.... Then I don't look stupid, and it makes me appear as a knowledgeable person. For the same reason, blogging is easy.

[Macca @ Dec 11th 2008 11:53PM]

You know what I do when I don't know anything? I use Wikipedia.

[Bryan @ Dec 11th 2008 11:13AM]

ETF= Early Termination Fee

[Mux @ Dec 11th 2008 11:14AM]

Weird stuff, why wasn't that before?
In The Netherlands home activation is the only way. You sign your contract and walk out the store with the box still sealed. You can even order online and have it send to you together with the contract sim.

[Flashpoint @ Dec 11th 2008 11:16AM]

The only reason Apple allowed home activation is because they don't really care now about people hacking iphones and because they don't want to make an unnescessarily hard experience for people who've chosen iPhone over Storm and G1's.

They forced you to activate them in the stores before because all the unlocking software released during the first iPhone release made it possible to basically buy a bunch of iPhones, unlock them, and sell them on Ebay. They even stopped letting people here buy them with cash. Those same people then got smart and started buying them using gift cards.

Now that pwning software is easily available and iphone is offered in more countries, it isn't a big deal now.

[Dan @ Dec 11th 2008 11:58AM]

You've always been able to activate them at home.

If one was to steal a BUNCH of sealed Iphone 3G's if they put in a at&t sim and plug it into itunes it will unbrick the phone.

[me @ Dec 11th 2008 11:20AM]

that means u need to have the phone for one month or more on AT&T to cancel,or just pay the phone and ETF???

[Stanley @ Dec 11th 2008 11:52AM]

No surprise here, esp. in light of the news that the phones were coming to WalMart.

[Felipe @ Dec 11th 2008 12:16PM]

Its true...queues were shorter in the UK!

[dale1v @ Dec 11th 2008 1:50PM]

Yes sir-eee, and they'll be even shorter now. I see that the PAYG iPhone 3G costs £350.

[cash @ Dec 11th 2008 1:07PM]

Uh. Wrong. It is buy online pick up at store. They do not ship it to you. Follow the link trail back to the original story at gadgetell.

kthx

[lucas @ Dec 13th 2008 5:28PM]

no they will ship it to you but the contract is already set up. it's not the blank phone of 2007.

what you are thinking of is the 'start at home' where you can put in all your personal details and not have to recite them to the person at the store, which on those little keyboards is annoyingly slow.

[SB @ Dec 11th 2008 1:15PM]

Crap! Now they're gonna be sold out when I'm finally eligible for an upgrade tomorrow!

[Carlos @ Dec 11th 2008 1:55PM]

You order online and it's mailed to you. I just tried and my order is being process.

It made me pick a 2 year contract with the order, give a credit card number and SS# for the credit check. If the order is placed before 2pm it will ship for deliver the following day.

[Big GIANT Balls @ Dec 11th 2008 1:57PM]

FIRST!!!!!!!!¡¡¡!!!!!!!!

[Messymeese @ Dec 11th 2008 3:22PM]

Reasons why I'm low-ranking you:

1. The only reason you want to be first is so you can show off your username.

2. You're not first.

3. Your username

[FreeRange @ Dec 11th 2008 1:58PM]

I was wondering how it might work if Wal-Mart was to sell the iPhone... Now they just have to sell the hardware. I stopped paying attention if that was a rumor or confirmed, btw, and so if it's been refuted, disregard my comment.

[JJ @ Dec 11th 2008 2:30PM]

Does it even matter anymore? The iPhone is available in so many countries, when unlocking the device via software does become possible, most folks will only unlock just to have the ability to use it on another network. They will likely activate with their home network first.

[Jash Sayani @ Dec 11th 2008 2:32PM]

So we can pay $199 and order the iPhone online and can get it shipped to our homes...?
That would be great !!

[JustAGuy @ Dec 11th 2008 2:51PM]

This is low key?
http://www.att.com/

[I Want 2 phones @ Dec 11th 2008 3:02PM]

I can't seem to order two iphones and a family plan on the att site this way.
When I select the first iphone, the family plan optino forces selection of a second phone....but the iphone isn't one of the options.

AT&T FAIL?

[ATT FAIL! @ Dec 11th 2008 4:19PM]

Thank you for your patience! An AT&T sales representative will be with you shortly.

You are now chatting with Kathlean, an AT&T sales representative.

Kathlean: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?

xxxxxxxx: Hi! I can't seem to order 2 iphone 3Gs with a family plan...

xxxxxx: when i select the family plan, i'm prompted to add a 2nd phone...however, the iphone isn't in that list

Kathlean: I am reading your question and will be right with you.

Kathlean: Hello, I am happy to help you.

Kathlean: At this time the iPhone is only available for one per household.

xxxxxx: via online ordering / home activation?

xxxxxx: what if i went into an AT&T store, or Apple store? Could I get two that way?

Kathlean: That is online, yes, I am sorry I didn't state that.

Kathlean: Yes, you may do that in a store.

xxxxxx: OK, not problem. Thanks for your help!

[davelogan77 @ Dec 11th 2008 5:12PM]

LOL

[Messymeese @ Dec 11th 2008 3:22PM]

http://planet-iphones.com/wp-content/filez/upload/iphonewalmart121108.png

"While visiting his local Walmart, our very own Allen was able to snap a few photos of the upcoming pricing arangement for the iPhone. Allen’s friend who works at Walmart gave him a premium peak at this upcoming ad and told him it is sure to come. This photo shows very clearly when and how much the iPhone 3G will be selling for right after christmas time. Just a little authentic glimpse of what is about to happen."
(http://planet-iphones.com/2008/12/11/allen-gets-a-closeup-of-the-walmart-iphone-prices/)

-Planet-iPhones

And, as you can see in the picture, there's gonna be a $550 iPhone without a contract....

[Lucas @ Dec 13th 2008 5:29PM]

sorry but I can't believe that they would let Walmart play by different rules than even the Apple stores have to follow.

[digitallysick @ Dec 11th 2008 5:07PM]

Does that mean that they will sell the 3g iphone online finally? Having to go to the store is horrible