Apple and AT&T Inc. today announced that iPhone users will be able to activate their new iPhones using Apple’s popular iTunes software running on a Mac or PC in the comfort and privacy of their own home or office, without having to wait in a store while their phone is activated. Activating iPhone takes only minutes as iTunes guides the user through simple steps to choose their service plan, authorize their credit and activate their iPhone.
Once iPhone is activated, users can then easily sync all of their phone numbers and other contact information, calendars, email accounts, web browser bookmarks, music, photos, podcasts, TV shows and movies just like they do when they sync their iPods with iTunes.
“Users will be able to activate their new iPhone in the comfort and privacy of their own home or office, without having to wait in a store while their phone is activated,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, in the press release. “There are tens of millions of people in the US who already know how to sync their iPods with iTunes, and syncing their new iPhone with iTunes works the same way.”
“iPhone’s user-driven activation is another example of how AT&T and Apple have partnered to bring innovative new features to our customers,” said Randall Stephenson, chairman and CEO, AT&T, in the press release. “iPhone’s innovative activation and sync is just one example of how this is going to be a real industry game-changer.”
iPhone introduces an entirely new user interface based on a revolutionary multi-touch display and pioneering new software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. iPhone combines three products into one small and lightweight handheld device-a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and the Internet in your pocket with best-ever applications on a mobile phone for email, web browsing and maps. iPhone ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, which completely redefines what users can do on their mobile phones.
iPhone goes on sale at 6:00 p.m. (local time) on Friday, June 29 and will be sold in the US through Apple’s retail and online stores and AT&T retail stores. iPhone will be available in a 4GB model for US$499 and an 8GB model for $599 and will work with either a MAc or PC.
iPhone activation requires an Internet connection; an iTunes Store account or a major credit card; a valid Social Security number (as required by AT&T); the latest version of iTunes available at http://www.itunes.com and a Mac or PC with a USB 2.0 port and one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X v10.4.10 or later; Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later; or Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise or Ultimate Edition. iPhone requires a new two-year AT&T service plan. Customers with existing AT&T accounts will have the option of keeping their existing phone number and upgrading their account to work with iPhone.
Apple has provided an iPhone Activation and Sync video here.
MacDailyNews Take: Leave it to Apple to remove one of the biggest pains in the ass for new phone buyers: waiting for what seems like eons while Joe and/or Jane store clerk hunt and peck through some nightmare software they don’t understand in order to activate (and screw up, usually) your mobile phone. Good riddance! It’s also going to greatly speed up iPhone purchases in Apple and AT&T stores on Friday, June 29th and beyond. Thanks, Apple!
MacDailyNews Note: For those who might be thinking of buying an iPhone and never activating it in order to use it as a 6G iPod, Think Different™. From Apple’s iPhone Rate Plans page: Minimum new 2-year wireless service plan and activation fee required to activate iPhone features, including iPod; plans are subject to AT&T credit approval.
Wow! This is a great idea. This should cut down on the time the crowds need to spend in the stores on launch day – an iPhone purchase won’t take any longer than any other purchase at an Apple store, or buying an accessory at an AT&T store.
This is yet another great surprise.
Wonder what happens if you never activate?
And since this mentions the “Service Plan press release”, it sounds like we’ll get that Real Soon Now.
This is excellent news!
Dash in, buy, split.
**and one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X v10.4.10 or later**
I was told at our local Apple store that Tiger was not a requirement; that only the latest iTunes was needed. Which is true?
Yes! Great news. Sounds like the out-of-the-box experience won’t be ruined after all.
And best of all, the staff that they are paying to work in their shops will be free to do other things. Things that will make the companies more money from increased sales. It’s not a difficult concept. It amazes me that with all the talk of efficiency in modern companies, there are so many things that are just massive time and money wasters for all involved.
If you don’t activate…
I wonder if you can still use the iPod and Wi-Fi web browsing capabilities of the iPhone? It would be interesting if you could.
Any idea how we will be able to transfer our existing phone numbers?
I want an iPhone, but not for the “phone” part. My big question is if I buy one and don’t activate it, will I still be able to use the Wi-Fi capabilities for web surfing, along with all the iPod features, and email (POP & IMAP via Wi-Fi)?
If I can then I’m going to buy one. If I can’t I won’t since I don’t use the phone part and paying $720 a year for nothing is just not justifiable.
I’m going to guess that those of use who are switching providers and want to keep our non-AT&T numbers might still get stuck in the store while they finagle that.
“Any idea how we will be able to transfer our existing phone numbers?”
Watch the video. You can transfer numbers from other carriers simply by typing it into the registration screen. They say it may take from 20 minutes to a few hours for it to happen…EASY!
With the do-it-yourself activation, what keeps these things from ending up on eBay for ridiculous prices? It’s going to be just like the PS3 and Wii all over again….
iPHONE BITCH!!
Has anyone noticed the 7.27 GB of formatted HD space at the beginning of the video and then 74.70 GB at 6 minutes and 18 seconds video time frame?
Am I wrong? I noticed this since I’m always updating my iPOD.
There’s a little note at the bottom of the rate plans at the above URL that says that the minimum 2 year wireless service plan and activation fee will be required to activate “iPhone features” including “iPod”.
Wow, I’m actually very impressed with the rate plans! Its very affordable.
Should have noted this in my previous comment…..this looks like without the initial activation through iTunes this thing will pretty much be a brick, since they’re tying the activation to the iPod and iPhone features (assuming that includes the web stuff as well). However I wonder if I stop paying AT&T after the initial activation will the iPhone turn back into a brick or just a very expensive iPod?
Anyone notice the iphone in this video has 74gigs of space. Look at storage bar at end of video
AT&T does not NEED anyone’s social security number. That’s your government retirement account and unless they are going to deposit money on your behalf like your employer does, then there is no reason for it especially in this day of identity theft.
Make your voice be heard! Don’t provide an SSN just because someone asks for it. WHY do they need it? HOW are they going to protect it 100% (answer: they can’t!). Or use 000-00-0000.
Apple and AT&T are getting this iPhone thing right all the way. This is going to be big! They went all they way with unlimited data included at 59.95. I’m paying 49.95 just for the stinky voice line!
@Riley – that is the space on the hard drive.
Activating the iPhone with iTunes & therefore linking it to an Apple account, makes me wonder if this will help prevent stolen iPhones from being updated through another account if you report yours stolen.
Just a thought.
The real news here is the use of iTunes to activate the phone, This seems to be a big tech demo to the recording/movie industry. If this works as advertised it will open up many more posibilities for services to be rendered through the IMS. Cutting down brick and mortar expences is the key to profit making in this low margin arena.
p.s. MBP+20″+CS3 Suite is on order today, Yes!
The video shows a iphone with 74 gig of capacity!!!!!!
I want that one!
80 Gig iPHONE? Did anyone else see that at the end when they displayed the summary of media??? Someone please verify this… At the beginning it says 7.5 Gigs… But when they upload content the summary displays 74.40 Gigs…. Wouldn’t that be great!!!!