Gizmodo is all screwed up again... Sometimes I think they their changes are randomly generated and pushed out to the live site without ever being tested.

Jim: Hey Bob, I just wrote a program so we don't have to manually do website updates anymore. Click that button.

Bob: It even created an error message for you. That shit be dope. Push that bitch live.

Rabid Penguin

In Auckland, New Zealand I just saw the first two guys to camp outside the Vodafone store...and consequently being told off by staff at the hotel next door since they are blocking the hotel entrance.

These two guys obviously aren't the brightest spark since it is Wednesday here and they only need to wait until tonight. They are not staying over night so why do they have tents??

lsim001

@PDSM: Burn both. Live in the jungle.

That's what I did and I turned out swell.

Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!

Can't wait to walk to work on friday past all the sheep outside the store and laugh at them. idiots.

PornoDaddy

So im having issues with my car. The AC is not as cold as it used to be. Does anyone think this could be caused by my old Iphone sucking too much power from the AC adapter. Would the new phone use less power ? Should i just get a new car ?

PDSM

@snitch29: That's what I did last year. I didn't actually intend to buy it but I got home from the bars around 3am and saw someone walking by with an iPhone bag so I decided to hit the 5th Ave store. Staggered away drunk and giddy with a new iPhone less than 5 minutes later. Only suckers waited in that line!

pantsonfireliarliar

I will just laugh at the eventual clusterfuck friday morning. People are going to get robbed, ripped off and taken advantage of like last year.

leonwestbrook

Hey you could always live in the UK. Sure the online sales crapped out after one morning but the stores will be open 8am and speaking the the managers of 2 of my local O2 stores they both reckon that they should have enough stock "To last at least Friday" I haven't even checked the O2 Centre who should have plenty of stock as everyone forgets that there is a phone shop in there too.

For once the UK gets a good deal too what with the wireless networks and *unlimited* data plans.

Brutalitarian

@xvkarbear: You need to give your SSN to them to buy a cell phone contract. Same as any other cell phone contract purchase.

Anks329

my apple store is literally next door to an at&t store. still, it's good to know i won't need to get up and be functional by 8 am.

itouchgadgetsinappropriately

Giz, thank you so much for all of this.

leetXcore

If I'm not getting an enterprise plan, but I have a corp discount with AT&T, would it be better to go to the AT&T store to make sure that corp discount is applied correctly? Or could I go to the Apple store, buy it there, and then go to the AT&T store to make sure it is all correct?

Anks329

You need to give them your SSN just to buy a *gadget*?

xvkarbear

@Pieman2: Oh yes, aslo. Is there anyway I can sell my helio if i just cancel it. Is there anywebsites or anything or should i just recycle it?

Pieman2

@SinnerG: I have a coporate discount as well but it does not apply to the iphone or the plans. Check before you jump.

MorganRW

So I've got a question for you guys.

I want to get an iphone launch but to do that I'll have to cancel my helio account witch will cost like 150$.

My parents have at&t witch means they could upgrade to the ihpone, so here is were the question comes in.

Is there anyway that me and one of my parents can switch like numbers, so say my mom has my helio with her numbers on it and then I have the iphone with my stuff on it. I know I could do this if both phones had SIM cards but I'm almost positive my helio doesn't.

Pieman2

I need help and I am asking you the Gizmodo community. Here is my issue. Everything I run in my home for music xbox 360 and video is MS based. My AT&T 8525 is acting terrible with lockups, poor batterylife and just overall terrible brick design. I am tired of waiting for an MS phone/Zunephone that does not require a stylus or for me to grow a thumbnail like a coke spoon in order to use it. Yes I have seen the Diamond series of phones but they still require a stylus and the Pro still looks like a glossy variation of my 8525. Yes the OS looks pretty but I am sure AT&T will water it down and from what I can tell, after you dig past the slick home page and coveflow, you run smack into the same old tired MS Mobile platform. I am thinking of trading for the iPhone. I hate iTunes but with exchange and ms office support, this may be the phone to get me by until MS can slap something together on par with this device. Can anyone give me a compelling reason why this is a bad idea or is there something coming that I should wait for? HELP!

MorganRW

** I have a question that no one was able to answer so far:
So, if I transfer my number from Verizon (break contract) to ATT, will Verizon be able to tell I transferred it to ATT? **

pantag

All I wanted was to pre-order my iPhone 3G online. As an existing iPhone customer, I'm a little peeved that I need to bring all this identification crap to a store, wait in line for god knows how long, only to activate my new phone. They should have all this information from me already, I'd have to use a CC to buy it online, and I can change my plan on their website now, why can't I do it here? Are you telling me there really is no way to do that? Speaking as someone who only wants one for myself, and plans on using it on AT&T's service and not unlocking it, and generally plans on doing everything AT&T and Apple would want me to do, it's more than a little frustrating to have to jump through these hoops so that they can prevent others from unlocking.

RoCKSTaH53

Last year, waited 2 hours in line at ATT store and it barely moved. Then walked over to the Apple store that had about 100 people in line. In and out in about 15 minutes. I'm definitely hitting the Apple Store this year.

Plus they're better prepared, so definitely will be stopping by sometime in the afternoon or evening. Should be in and out quickly. It's summer so most yuppy NYers will be on the Hampton Jitney by then.

contempt

How about using an apple store gift card to buy the 3G iPhone at an Apple Store? Is that a possibility? I remember there was some sort of restriction last time for this... I could be wrong...

smellslikedan

so my kids need their own credit cards as well?....and since i havent taken them out of the country yet(so they have no passport)....i have to take their birth certificates? man that is convenient...wait..no it's not...

rolfo87

The ATT guys said they have WAY more phones this year than last year. I'd recommend not waiting in line, just take your time. You'll get a phone.

James

Also, what the heck is the PIN number from my current contract... (verizon)?? Is there even one??

pantag

I remember reading a story (vaguely) about a guy that bought the original iPhone from an AT&T store and was charged a restocking fee to swap it out when it crapped out on him. Is this still the case if buying from an AT&T store, could it be avoided by going straight to an Apple store?

flapjacks

"If you're new to AT&T, your current wireless account number and PIN."

What if I'm keeping my old phone too? I've got a month left on my T-Mobile contract that I was just gonna let run out. Am I not allowed to have 2 phones? Or is this only required if you want to port your number?

Victrola

One iPhone per customer?? What about if I am buying a family plan that requires 2 iPhones? They will say no to me???

pantag

Sounds like no having to wait in line if you're in the boonies. Yay summer place!

ajlafontaine

We've got 3 AT&T iPhone stores here in my city/town, and I'm hoping that the lack of 3G coverage (currently) will deter the all but the most rabid buyers. ...For I am one of them.

Apoc112

Can't I get a iPhone...w/o the data package? I just want a WiFi iPod Touch + phone. That's all I ask.

Y2KGTP

i guess am lucky bc there is a AT&T store right by mine house witch is walking distance.

l337virus

@Rabid Penguin: I got a big chunk of my hair pulled out when I was there just to buy a printer.

Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!

Here's a question for you guys: by canceling my current ATT plan and then signing up for a new iPhone plan, I'll save about $25. Because of this, do you guys think that an ATT employee/manager may be willing to cut a small deal in order to save some effort involved on both of our parts?

karmaghost

I'm thinking of getting that new LG Chocolate phone....

Y2KGTP

@dna: That's blasphemy.
If you're going to go to the Apple store for a Wii remember to bring plenty of wooden steaks, garlic, and UV flashlights. The rabid Apple fanboys will sense your motives and know you're not there for an Apple product. And when they turn on you you'll want to be prepared.

Rabid Penguin

"Laptop with lots of spare batteries (a solar generator if you can hack it) and a 3G card"

Why do you need a 3G card? If you're outside an Apple Store, just use their free WiFi.

Another question: if the iPhone Family Plan requires you to buy at least two iPhones but they are limiting sales to one per customer, how are you meant to, uh, do that? Bring the wife and kids with you? I guess they want to meet the whole family before they bestow a family plan upon you.

It's all moot to me: I can't justify the $160 a month it would cost for my wife and I to get iPhones (that's with txts). That's more than I pay for HD digital cable w. HBO and high speed internet at home. I'll wait until the plan rates come down, or until I can get a comparable phone from a more affordable and less shitty carrier. Heartbreaking, because I've wanted an iPhone since before they even announced the first one. I love Apple. I just don't think it's worth the long-term cost (and given the state of the economy, it's going to be depressing to watch people rush out to get this gadget, then go into credit card debt trying to keep it turned on).

isoSasquatch

any word on whether or not you can upgrade your iphone via the at&t website?

cloudnine

One more thing...

The part of the stock numbers that worry me is how many are 16GB. I don't want to show up, wait in line, and have there only be 8GB versions left.

How many people are looking for white ones? I'm hoping for some side by side pic comparisons. I'd like to see if it hides the fingerprint smudges better. I think the black one looks much cooler though. If the white one isn't even an option at launch it will make the decision that much easier.

SinnerG

I'll drive by the AT&T store after dropping my kid at school around 6:30. If the line is short, I'll run to the espresso shop and head back to the line.

If the line is long (i.e. > 25-30) I'll wait until next week.

URLyAdopter

I clipped EVE's eyes from a WALL-E desktop jpeg to make my wife's MacBook look like EVE when opened. It occurs to me that giving the White iPhone the same treatment would be CRAZY-Cute!!!

Must resist urge to upgrade to 3G.....!

rtwod2

If I am new to AT&T WHY do they need my current account number and pin? What if I am new to the cellphone game - that statement dosnt make sense.

Stacky Botrus

if the lines get too deep i might just wait & just drop by the NYC 5th av store like around 3 AM & get it there, they're open 24Hour anyway

snitch29

Will the Apple stores also be selling Wii's?

dna

CAN I GET AN AMEN??!!!

I live 2 blocks from the Apple Soho store. For the 1st iphone launch, I walked over and nearly fell over at the line. Went around the block and the end of the line wrapped to the beginning of the line. I moseyed to a lame ATT store and was about the 30th person in line. It took over 2 hours and when I walked past the Apple store on the way home, there was NO LINE. Seriously, the Apple store processed at least 500 customers in less than 2 hours while it took ATT almost 3 hours for the 30th customer. Can anyone else give an amen about how quickly the Soho store processed their orders? Amazing.

thetickler

I'm going to an AT&T store since I have a corporate discount and I'm not sure if Apple can handle that.

According to AT&T's iReady video, you can go in beforehand and get a pre-qualifying credit check. Well, I went in yesterday and they said that that button hasn't shown up yet on their computers, so they can't do that yet. Lame.

I wonder what my Verizon PIN number is. Is it the same as my voicemail password?

SinnerG

I waited for about six hours on launch day, but I'm not going to do any sort of camping this time.
I'll probably hit up my local AT&T store but the lure of a white Jesus phone might take me across town to the Apple store.

David Hildreth

I plan on swinging by my ghetto At&t store sometime in the late morning Friday to see what's going on. I don't need one Friday, I want one, so if that means paying and waiting, I'll do that. I can wait until next week for the thing.

Drew P Draws

Find an AT&T store in the ghetto. Nobody in the area will know what to do with an iPhone so they won't have sold any in the first place. You may get mugged, beaten up and robbed of your iPhone on the way out but you'll at least have had one for a short time.

solareclipse2

I'm just gonna do a roll by the night before...see if there's a line at my local ATT...

They said for the first launch, there had been less than 30 people or so...if I get to the front, and find out there's no more in stock, I'll just roll over to either the Flordia Mall or the Mall at Millenia...both have Apple stores, both don't open the mall doors until 9.

Chromeo

Wow, This is the by far the most informative post I've seen on the iphone 3g. Great Job Matt. Thanks!
p.s. Not that anyone cares but I'm going to one of the larger at&t stores in my area...I called today and they told me to expect way more units than the first iphone. I'll probably drive by every couple hours fri. am

chiefdh

My prediction (based on week before last)
1) I start working in earnest by Wednesday
2) Totally pack it in all day Friday
3) Walk a little, buy something, no hassles Saturday
4) Temporarily spaced out by Monday

92BuickLeSabre

One more reason to venture into an AT&T store instead of an Apple store-if you have any complicated requests concerning your current contract status/adding phones/etc. AT&T employees have a lot at stake to get you/keep you on AT&T, and can easily negotiate (or escalate) your requests. Not sure if Apple's employees will have that leeway/motivation.

Totorototoro

Last Year I walked into the Apple store SF at 8 PM, walked up and bought an 8Gb iPhone on the spot. That's when I realized all those tools who waited in line were just that, tools...

anti-hello-kitty

Ahhh the iPhone. I suspect iPhone launches will be like this year after year, creating more and more publicity for Apple around every launch. I'm gonna wait and not upgrade my 16gb iPhone until the 3rd gen, but still, I completely understand why you crazy fucks are going ape shit about this phone. It is a wonderous device indeed.

TheSonOfKrypton

It would be nice if you could copy all of your contacts/calendar/notes/safari favorites to the SIM card, that way you wouldn't need to sync your old phone...Just pop in the SIM card with the backed up data...

anti-hello-kitty

My prediction (based on last year)
1) Lines starting in earnest by Wednesday
2) Totally packed all day Friday
3) Walk in and buy one with no hassle Saturday
4) Temporarily sold out by Monday

Totorototoro

@Rain-man: Honestly if I had to do anything fancy with my account I'd probably just go to an AT&T store.

Canadian Impostor

Do you think Apple can handle breaking an existing contract with AT&T to get the iPhone? Looks like that's what I'm gonna have to do. Or pay the $200 extra retail.

Rain-man

I'm probably going to swing by the new Apple store on Boylston St. in Boston around 10am. If they have 3Gs, great. If not I'll get one next week and enjoy firmware 2.0 on my current iPhone.

Canadian Impostor

This is going to be great

Wegmans

I'm going the "AT&T store in the boonies" route. I'm hoping against hope that the apple store starts selling some iPhone 3G cases before then so I can be ready with protection.

ramman345

OH BTW you can expect to be greeted by a Concierge (their capitalization) in an orange shirt, who will escort you to a "bay". No word about anyone sweeping down the grand staircase.

propertius

@TheSonOfKrypton: More like "less and less..." Shit doesn't seem half as crazy this time as it did last time. I honestly think the Halo 3 launch was bigger than either iPhone launch, not that I cared about H3 either. (I love being jaded about consumerism)

I'm the ultimate 3G iPhone Launch survivor; mostly because I don't give a flying rat's ass...

Love,
B~

bpapa9013

It's a shame people are getting this worked up over the phone in the first place. Apple and AT&T treat you like a scammer. You have to meet certain considerations to get the phone. You're paying for it. It shouldn't matter how many you want, how you pay for it and if you get a plan or not. The fact that they are militant about it, consumers should talk with their money and buy something else of nothing at all. Just my opinion.

Cyco

I was in my ATT store yesterday to get iReady, and they said that most people don't have a pin on their account. If you did, you'd definatley know it, otherwise it's just the last 4 of your social along with your account number (tmobile in my case). I was going to have them do the credit check to save time, but they told me to just wait until Fri. I found out their's a 9% discount on voice(not data) if you're a wellsFargo employee, nice. They were already trying to push all their accessories, I was like um, those cases aren't for 3G, but nice try.

westonalan

Is the return policy still 15 days (restocking fee) at Apple and 30 days (no restocking fee) at ATT stores?

OGHowie

@Rabid Penguin: True... its been acting up real bad today.
Also, LOL on the 'button'.

bmw5

@Victrola: I'm pretty sure this is only if you want to port an existing number. This doesn't make sense otherwise. But, they could make this a bit more clear.

EricLA2NYC

This is a riff off of Flapjack's entry, above. I've heard that if you buy your iPhone from AT&T and it requires repair, that they do not swap it they just send it on to Apple for repair. I don't know if this is true, but it does seem to me that getting a unit swapped would be easier at Apple. So, I think I'm going to Apple on Friday rather than AT&T.

Anyone with any personal experiences on the subject?

EricLA2NYC

Apple sent an e-mail today about buying one at their stores - to be helpful no doubt, and dispel some iPHUD, but also stoke up a little iPhrenzy. The principal link in the mail is
[www.apple.com] You can check on next day's stock at any Apple store from there after 9:00 pm (they claim).

propertius

@Anks329: Be safe, go to AT&T.

matt buchanan

My visual voicemail system has gone down this afternoon. I wonder if ATT is updating or changing something.

GeekyNerdGuy

what "PIN" are they referring to? I don't have a PIN for my phone that I'm aware of (my Treo unlocks by pushing the center button). Do they mean the PW for my account with Verizon when I need to log in on the web (email and PW)????

Molly O'Poverty

@thetickler: be fair to the AT&T store. Apple process was this: how many phones you want, what size, gimme your credit card you're done. AT&T stores did all the typical credit check, pick your plan BS, didn't they? Still, I'll wager Apple will be a better experience than AT&T, even though they're new to this. AT&T stores just suck every time I go into them, even for something as simple as a battery.

@karmaghost: don't you risk losing your phone number that way?

distortedloop

Shouldn't you first figure out if you can afford it?
[gizmodo.com]
Since we all know it really isn't $199

billshrinkguy

@MorganRW: Oh yes, very true. I'll just wait till next month to get it. It's not that much of a biggy that I have to get it right when it comes out.

Pieman2

Can someone just answer a question please, does having an iphone make me able to get the iphone 3G at a discount or do I have to pay full price?

gamecrazychris

@Pieman2: My thought is it cant be done and here is why. You are sending your phone number to another provider and that would be breaking your contract. Instead of strapping your mom to the POS Helio, you should either stick it out or pay the contract bust cost. This may be a double whammy because your mom would probably get hit with early termination for porting her number away from ATT.

MorganRW

@PDSM: lol, my question would kinda be long for google.
I've been asking around though and yeah I'm pretty sure I'll have to just wait a month to get my iphone, witch sucks because I like the feeling of getting something launch.

Pieman2

Its ok Pieman2 . No one will answer my question either. too bad there is no way to search the interwebs for an answer :(

PDSM

@Pieman2: No one can answer my question? :(

Pieman2

Bah. all hype...

holocron

hassle = not worth it

diesel828

MAKE SURE THE AT&T STORE IS EVEN SELLING THEM!!

Only certain AT&T stores will get them! Only about half the ones in Orlando for example will even CARRY the Iphone 3G.

Also, offering a warranty is not necessarily a scam. It just means it is NOT FROM AT&T or APPLE. Our local AT&T store offers third party warranties on non-official warrantied items. They basically just came to an agreement manager to manager and do the paperwork for each other. The AT&T store makes a small commision on the insurance. So it is just a small extra fee for convenience, at least here, but that store is also not selling the IPhone 3g.

Alluvian

@gamecrazychris: HAHAHAHAHA no, you would never get a discount. You will be able to buy it at the 2 year contract price (8gb 199, 16gb 299), but you wont get anything past that... and thats inly if you bought it from apple or att in the first place

WinkMe

@gamecrazychris:

I would give you a qualified YES.

But its quite simple-go to att.com, log in to your account, and click upgrade my phone. It will tell you if you are eligible for an equipment upgrade.
My iPhone says it is, the other two non-iPhones on my account are not.

Totorototoro

@isoSasquatch: @pantag: I just got off the phone with AT&T myself asking the same question. Friendly CSR rep informed that for a FAMILY PLAN ONLY, I will have no trouble on upgrading. If I am upgrading within a family plan, I can purchase up to 3 iPhones this Friday, and I can go by myself, to either AT&T store or Apple store. Rep was kind enough to confirm that the "1 phone per customer" mess that's spreading around is only in online forums and blogs, and that its not listed in Apple or AT&T literature.

Specifically in my case, I am upgrading into a Family Plan and want to purchase iPhones for two lines, and after double-checking again with their "higher level" at the CSR, they confirmed that I will not have issues, and can purchase up to 3 iPhones. So there. Whew.

eduardjm

@billshrinkguy: I'm sorry.. but it really IS only $199. All smartphones need dataplans to work (the way they're meant to work) and all data plans cost money. If the cheapskate in you wants to whine about getting stuck in a contract, well.. the choice is yours.. feel free to go and buy a 800 dollar nokia n96 or something online and enjoy the thrill while it lasts. To add to your thrill, you can save even more money by not signing up for a data plan and using your 800 dollar shit for a paperweight.

sisya

I keep reading people talking about their discount for the iPhone. Unless you work for Apple, corporate discounts do not apply to the iPhone and if I am not mistaken.. they dont apply to their plans either.

PS. Since noone answered my earlier question, looks like the iPhone may be a go for me.

MorganRW

I'd be the tool camping at the front of the line, but I'm in Iraq. I was pissed when I found out they weren't doing any online sales.

iSliceAndiDiceandiNeverGoDull

so i have a family account with 1 old jesus phone and 1 regular non-jesus phone, does this mean that I cant walk in and buy 2 iphones? 1 for each line?

anyone know?

psension

@SlinkyDink: I think they assume the first 200 people in the door will be on some kind of amphetamine.

92BuickLeSabre

Credit Card, SSN, Valid Government ID. What, no piss test?

SlinkyDink

Also ATT Store's will be accepting cash for the device so for you who hate using your CC's you are welcomed at our stores with your cold hard cash.

EGBTMagus

@Alluvian:
I work for ATT if a Store is offering an insurance plan on a device that is not covered then what they are providing is against company policy and the associates tied to such a deal will be fired. Either that or your not going to a Corp owned ATT Store.

To everyone who has a Corp Discount, the Iphone 3G is eligible for a FAN discount. The original 2G one is not. So go ahead and sign up for your FAN Discount if you plan on getting a 3G iPhone.

All apple products sold by ATT have a 14 return policy, this is due to our agreement with Apple. We also will be charging a restocking fee with all Apple products aswell because it is apples policy. Complain to apple, its not our choice, just the agreement we had to sign when we signed the exclusive iphone contract.

EGBTMagus

@pantag: " if I transfer my number from Verizon (break contract) to ATT, will Verizon be able to tell I transferred it to ATT?"

I think so. The rule of thumb is to never cancel your current contract until you've created a new one, or you could lose your number. So when you get a new contract at ATT, ATT requests the number from Verizon, which transfers it to ATT.

frigg

I plan on being asleep.

bobx3

@lsim001: The iPhone is being released on Friday at 12:01am not Thursday at 12:01am (1 1/2 days away, not 1/2 a day away) that would explain the tent

paul

Does anyone know what steps I will need to take in order to connect my iPhone 3G to my corporate e-mail account? I'm having a hard time finding any info on it.

hermanfish

Has anyone found anything anywhere regarding pricing for family plans with a mix of iPhone and a "dumbphone" with AT&T?

rton20s

I just want it sometime after Friday at 8am. No worries if it is Saturday or the following Friday. I'm in Manhattan, so I assume it'll be fine. Got an iPod Touch at the 5th ave. store 2 weeks before they were everywhere else.

zingbot

@Totorototoro:

I don't think you prediction on the Saturday walkup will be correct. I think it will be non-stop until the sell (at the Apple Stores) until Sunday when they run out.

The price drop is gonna lure in the suckas in hundreds.

iPhoneGroupie

That first update regarding the family plan is confusing. I was told by a rep it's one iPhone per person you're with is the limit. So it can be pretty much anybody as long as you have someone with you, you can buy more than one from what I was told. From the way it was worded in the update, you're saying that the other person has to be the person that the iphone is going to as well?

SDreamer

[gizmodo.com]
What's the word on the May 27th free trade in thing? I know you guys confirmed it but both ATT and Apple said no comment when I called them.
In fact, the girl at ATT said "that would be pretty cool" like I was offering it to her.

rabiddachshund

@iPhoneGroupie:

Well crap, I won't get out of bed on Saturday, then. :p

Totorototoro

what is all this about needing to buy 2 phones if you have a family plan? i just want to upgrade my account, and no one elses. oh and you cant pay with cash?

yablunk

"if you're new to AT&T, your current wireless account number and PIN." Don't you mean, if you're old to AT&T, as in a preexisting customer? Then you would definitely need your AT&T account number.

And it's amazing the number of people posting comments that would just take a quick search in the FAQ to answer. Guys. That's what the internet is for. That's what Ctrl+F is for. Read a little.

@PDSM: The actual cause for your car's AC to no be as cold is the lack of freon, the chemical used in ACs to make the air cooler. I think you need to replace it every couple of years.

@Pieman2: You can have your mom's iPhone, but you will have to "assume her identity", as people who call her number will be answered by you. If you don't mind that major inconvenience, then your mom's contract can have the iPhone, but you're using it and her number.

Just tell all your friends that your new number is your mom's number and the same thing for your mom.

nintendude

@Stacky Botrus: It's your current provider's acct # and pin, for porting your number.

macinjosh

Remember that if you have to swap your iPhone 3G, if you bought it from an Apple store they can do it on the spot but if you got it from AT&T then you must have it shipped out.

dagamer34

@Stacky Botrus:

You probably don't. It's only for porting your number over.

I'm just gonna get a new one.

dagamer34

To clear up various issues:

* Account password/pin requirement- On the AT&T page about "what to bring when buying iPhone 3G" at [www.apple.com]
it explains that you should bring the account password/pin for your current cell account. AT&T will basically contact your current provider (Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, Alltel, etc.) and tell them they want to port your old number to AT&T. Under existing laws passed in recent years, companies are required to do this.

* Credit Card/ID/SSN requirement - this is SOP (standard operating procedure) for activating a line of service with a cell phone company. They are in effect using your good/bad credit to determine whether you're a risky investment. AT&T is ponying up $200 that says you're good for the money. Apple is letting you walk out the door with a $500-600 device and the 2-year contract is needed for all parties involved to get a "fair" deal.

*In-person only activation - we've all heard the stories about jailbreaking (and in some cases, bricking) of the first-gen jesusphone. I think Apple put the crunch on AT&T and made it so that Joe Blow couldn't order 3 iPhones online and wind up with two of them leaving the country for his buddies overseas, or to be sold willy-nilly on eBay and later show up on T-mobile :-)

With 22 countries launching the iPhone 3G at 8:00AM local time this Friday, it is assured that they will sell tons of these things. Thousands (if not millions) more will be sold when 48 more countries join the iPhone 3G craze later in the year.

farker

@sisya: @sisya:
No whining, just want to make sure there's transparency on the claim it's half the price and only $199. Data went up $10 and sms for 200 that used to be included is another $5. 2 year contract, that's $360 more than the old iphone. If you then compare it to other networks and other smartphones it's really much more than that. Plus the minutes they give you at $70 is only 450??

billshrinkguy

Dam man, its just a phone. You people need to get a life. I for one, am going to drive by and laugh my head off at you standing in line jonesing for your new toy. I'll wait till they make it online. Just about every domain name for the 3g iphone is taken, you know that there will be loopholes in the Apple/AT&T marriage. I will just wait it out and end up with a better deal then all of you. Thanks for being the guinea pigs for progress.

sregork

@Rabid Penguin:

soggy_cheerio

Wait so no insurance? Ha..i guess a lot of you will be SOL when the phone breaks.Honestly-this phone is all hype.I'm quite happy with my instinct,and only waiting for that opera mini to drop. :D

TonyBravo

I hear the Samsung Instinct is a better phone in all aspects. Plus people won't look at you like you're a d-bag when you pull an Instinct out on the subway (unlike current iPhone users).

kJeff

I highly doubt these will be that hard to get. I have a bunch of AT&T stores and a few Apple stores all within 10 mins so I am not expecting a problem. I can't get out of work Friday so I will check after work, if not, I'll get one over the weekend. If somehow they manage to sell out everywhere, I'll just wait until next week, not the end of the world.

If you are getting more then 1 phone for a family plan, more then 1 person has to be there, 1 phone per person. Also, all you need is a CC#, SS# and ID. I don't see why people are complaining, you need that some shit to get any phone contract. My VZW billing cycle ends on the first, I am debating on whether or not to cancel ahead of time to get it pro-rated, or open my AT&T account on the 1st. Paying all bills on the 1st of the month just makes things easier.

Import98

@karmaghost: You actually won't save much at all. The upgrade fee (existing subscriber getting a new phone) is $18, while the setup fee (new subscriber) is $36. So if you just upgrade you'll pay $499 + $18 = $517, whereas the cancel/sign up procedure would cost you $299 + $175 + $36 = $510.

Seems like a lot of hassle for seven bucks. Do you even get to keep your phone number if you do it that way?

nnnnnnnn

if i buy my iphone at the att store and i am an existing customer upgrading, must i pay by credit card?

yablunk

I went by the AT&T store here in Dayton last night and asked the AT&T rep how many they thought they were getting. He said they would be receiving about 200, 1/2 8GB and 1/2 16GB. He said half of the 16GB would be black and half would be white. Sooooooooooooooooooo, idk how reliable his info is since he also said that the iPhones at the Apple store could only be activated at AT&T, which we all know is only true for business account customers. /attach "grain of salt"

YourJFix

you guys are so full of misinformation it's pitiful.

1. If you're porting your number over, it all happens AT THE SAME TIME. You do NOT need to go back and cancel your account, or do one before the other, or do anything at all. The activation process cancels your old number for you and establishes the new account all at once.

2. The Apple Store is going to take just as long, if not longer, than AT&T to process your purchases because ALL phones will be activated in-store, by an Apple employee. It might (and probably will) take longer because they really have no idea what they're doing. They were just told two days ago that they will be activating phones on-site, and have recieved very little training on how to do so. Its all done through the EasyPay machines but there's a learning curve (and the first people in line are the first time they will ever step through the process)

3. They need all of your information, including your old account numbers and passwords/pin, because they are porting your number over and doing a credit check. Its the same information you would need anytime you go to establish a new cellular contract... this isn't rocket science, guys. They are also electronically cancelling your old account, thus the need for the previous information. Its saving you the hassle of doing it yourself and getting it wrong.

4. The Apple store will accept whatever form of payment you want, BUT if its anything other than a credit card you'll have to buy an Apple Store gift card and use that to make the purchase. If you are heartset on writing a check fine, but you have to stand in line twice: once to get in, once to buy the gift card at the one cash register.

5. There is no "upgrade" pricing for the new iphone for previous owners, just as there is no "upgrade" pricing on any other cell phone that gives you credit for having the previous LG. It was worth $500 when you bought it or you wouldn't have paid for it. Stop demanding things that no other company would do for you...

grawwwer

Regarding the PIN number, you only need it if you want to transfer your old phone number from your current wireless provider to AT&T. As for myself, I'm letting my old (Sprint) number expire. I want a brand spankin' new phone number to go along with my new iPhone.

corpus_goatse_tx

What happened to this whole unsubsidized price of $69 for the 16GB version? I went by an ATT store and they had no idea and now this doesn't mention it either. I really want to swap the sim from my corporate phone in to a new iphone. I guess I'll be waiting for someone to figure all of this out.

SpecialEdge

Here in Madison, WI I am getting 2 different stories about the # of iPhones for purchase. I called the Apple store and was told that if I was switching 2 numbers, to the same Family Plan account right then and there, I (alone) could purchase 2 phones, as long as I was going to be the payer on the At&t account. I then called the At&T location, which is more convenient for me, to double-check. But, alas, they claim only one per person, unless there is no line(?!)in the store. Their reasoning was it wouldn't be fair to sell 2 to me, possibly selling out, while someone in line behind me wouldn't get one and I get 2. Totally doesn't make any sense. So I ask...can I bring my child, in which case I would have 2 people, therefore could I purchase 2 iPhones? Their answer: yes! 2 people (never mind one isn't in kindergarten yet) = 2 iPhones. I'm thinking I might just wait until my husband and I CAN actually make it up there together, so I don't end up waiting with the kids and then getting screwed. Very silly indeed.

little_cougs

@anti-hello-kitty:

Actually there's a new way to copy sim contacts to the iPhone.

It was in our training on how to do it. We will be taking care of all our customers' iPhones as far as SIM contacts go.

Also thanks Giz for getting all these customers educated.

jjohnson154

I am told that I will get a 15% discount on my iPhone and service since I am a consultant working for the state. Only time will tell.

jwlussow

@pantag:

Yep, they will know. I got a bunch of offers from Nextel when I left them for my first iPhone. BTW, AT&T service is fantastic compared to Nextel.

jwlussow

@pantag:

Bring a friend (and their credit card...)

jwlussow

Missed a 9 there. I meant to say $699.

SpecialEdge

@soggy_cheerio: Funny... but you probably shouldn't have made the alert on mouse over :c)

Rabid Penguin

@Pieman2: Check out Flipswap.com

bdragonmsl

@karmaghost: You bring up a great point. I recently signed up with At&t just for the bloody iPhone 3G. Now they're going to punish me with full price for signing on early?!?

They should be happy that they've been getting my money for the past two months. If I had known about ONLY subsidizing NEW contracts, I would've waited the the extra 8 weeks!!!

I may be an a$$hole and break my contract only to sign up again to save the 25 bucks!!!

Edog72

@grawwwer: you're almost correct, however, you're wrong on the last point. there IS an upgrade price for current iPhone customers, $199 and $299 but that's if they originally purchased their iPhones last year or anytime before May 27 (and were upgrade eligible prior to the iPhone purchase and still haven't used that upgrade). May 27th or after, there's a 10% restocking fee but you are allowed to exchange your 2G iphone.

for people who are not upgrade eligible, either you renewed your contract recently or aren't out or towards the end of it, you are going to pay the nonsubsidized price of $399 and $499 and yes you do still need a contract.

i just want to see how many foreigners are going to be able to sucessfully get iPhones this year. They're not going to pass the credit check without a SSN, but if they manage to get it and pay their deposits, then the iPhone will already be unbricked by the time they leave the store

but i really don't see it. it's JUST an iPhone, though its more understandable now that the price is 199 so *shrug*

cogi

@EGBTMagus: doublecheck your iPhone training aid, the 3G iPhone return policy is now 30 days =)

cogi