Signup with AT&T before visiting the Apple Store
In an attempt to speed up the notoriously slow iPhone activation procedure, Apple and AT&T will now let you get the ball rolling before you leave home.Customers can go to the new iPhone "Buy" web page and fill out preliminary information like billing information, select an AT&T plan and review eligibility pricing information.
I haven't purchased an iPhone since my good old original 4GB model went on sale back in June of '07, so I can only assume the process has improved. If you take advantage of this pre-sale registration, let us know how it goes.
[Via MacRumors]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jay said 4:21PM on 9-23-2008
A day late, and a dollar short. This might have helped me avoid the sunburn I sustained on July 11th, but then part of me doubts that as well.
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paperless said 3:35PM on 9-23-2008
It was much easier with the 1st iPhone...
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MRCUR said 6:20PM on 9-23-2008
They just need to bring back the damn at-home activation! I cannot stand being forced to open my brand new purchase in the store and allow an employee to activate it.
I know this has been common practice for many years, but I've never understood it. It's not hard for me to buy the phone, get a SIM card (for non-iPhone phones), go home and call the carrier. I would MUCH rather do that than have anyone touch the phone in-store before I can.
What makes is worse is the fact that the iPhone 3G is certainly capable of at-home activation...
Mark David Gerson said 4:17PM on 9-23-2008
Just bought a new 3G at the Apple Store on Saturday. The AT&T part was pretty quick; not sure I would have saved much time with this new system.
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SteveoftheDead said 4:30PM on 9-23-2008
Android ftw!
I even have an iPhone and have had one since the beginning, but Android is gonna give iPhone a run for it's money ;].
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colouroflight said 4:31PM on 9-23-2008
You can't be serious.
SuperMac said 5:03PM on 9-23-2008
No way. Period.
Cameron David said 4:39PM on 9-23-2008
Shame on them for not implementing this for the 11th.
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Chris said 4:55PM on 9-23-2008
Well you live and you learn. They are at the least making a pro-active attempt to speed up the process. And yes Apple better kick it up another notch or Android will. Here is a hint: Stop policing the Apps so strictly and give more leeway or all these open source apps that are coming to Android will make you!
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SuperMac said 5:03PM on 9-23-2008
Great idea. APPLE: ARE YOU HEARING THIS?
Jay said 5:16PM on 9-23-2008
If this phone ever makes it into a sleek sexy package like the iphone, I think it will definetly put some competition on apple in the consumer market. Some competition for Apple in this area would be great, maybe then we would see some faster improvements with the app store and mobileme...
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Evan said 5:48PM on 9-23-2008
I tried to do this earlier and when it got to part where they were running my credit - the browser (firefox) kept locking up.
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Denny said 6:24PM on 9-23-2008
I just tried it and it's "checking my credit". The message says:
"You're almost done.
Please wait while we process your request.
This may take up to 3 minutes."
3 minutes, ha! How about it's been 15 minutes. Safari is working fine, so it's not locked up. We'll so much for that.
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bud said 6:27PM on 9-23-2008
it was the only way to make the lines go away.
If you have a process that takes 30 minutes because of one of your business partners att, you have waiting in line.
And Lines.
And people who will not buy because of the lines and their available time.
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Alex Paris said 10:18PM on 9-23-2008
I tried this today. It didnt woork for me... the "review and save" step just kept spinning and spinning. hmm.
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Alex Paris said 3:17PM on 9-24-2008
I would like to amend my statement. I tried again in Safari (Vs FF3) and it worked just fine.
TJ said 10:33PM on 9-23-2008
Am I missing something Im kinda confused. When I signed up for a contract they sent me a sealed iphone, I turned it on it says to plug in to activate. I plug it in and it activated in a second. Or is that an ATT restriction?
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Michaelsviews said 6:42AM on 9-24-2008
More than likely your IMEI number was scanned into the system under your name and last 4 of SSN, and than when you activated it through iTunes/AT&T everything was preset.
MRCUR said 9:57AM on 9-24-2008
Where did you order the phone from? What you're describing is pretty much at-home activation, minus selecting a plan.
Jonathan Wise said 10:26AM on 9-24-2008
1st Gen 4GB FTW!!
I have the same phone, and its unlockability has come in very handy, and the
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