Apple has made it official. iPhone 3G goes on sale at 8am local time at an Apple Retail Store near you:
To purchase and activate iPhone 3G, you need the following:*
• Credit card
• Social security number
• Valid government-issued photo ID
• Current wireless account number and password or PIN (if you’re new to AT&T)
If you already own an iPhone, remember to sync it with iTunes one last time before you get your new iPhone 3G.
*Transferring your mobile number will terminate your service with your existing provider; termination fees and other charges will apply. New two-year contract required. Qualified customers only; credit check required; must be 18 or older. Visit http://www.wireless.att.com to check AT&T network coverage in your area. Current and new iPhone users who now or will receive service under a corporate account and wish to upgrade to or purchase iPhone 3G need to contact AT&T directly. iPhone 3G is configured to work only with the wireless services provided by AT&T.
More info here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Rex” for the heads up.]
I love apple products but why do they want my SSN. That’s BS.
Too much iPhone talk…
must…
…break…
… fre eeee….
Not upgrading this time… not worth it just for GPS. No G3 where I live
“Apple has made it official. iPhone 3G goes on sale at 8am local time at an Apple Retail Store near you”
Exclusions may apply. Like the entire nation of Canada.
“No G3 where I live”
If you did have it, would it be blue and white?
@ t:
They need it to do a credit check and open the AT&T;account.
Why a SSN?…let’s think about that…
Maybe because you’re signing up with a wireless carrier who requires it!?!
Apple would never ask for that info, cmon.
Wasn’t this already official news? So nows its officially official?
Any word on the apps store? That’s very exciting!
Apps Store and Moble ME in the same week… thanks Apple!
There is an interesting article on CNET concerning providing AT&T;and apple the SSN (news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9739118-7.html).
BTW Duh if you look at the image capture that cnet provided you’ll see an apple logo.
Now it may not be a big deal for some … but I see no logical reason to provide a corporation my SSN, outside of possibly performing a credit check as indicated earlier. But in the same regards your not buying a home, or an auto its a phone…This is almost akin to providing a corporation your root password to your mac.
damn dyslexia!! 3G of course
It’s called a credit check. Try getting a subsidized cellphone contract at any wireless carrier without one.
“damn dyslexia!! 3G of course”
“Why a SSN?”
Maybe they’ll take your registered MDN Username instead.
@KenC –
I understand the concept of a credit check. Personally – I wish apple would sell the phone unsubsidized and allow the consumer to pick there wireless provider.
Why do they need to do a credit check if I already have an account with AT&T;?
The SSN is to stop the foreigners from buying iPhones then skipping the country.
I have two questions that no one at the Apple Store seems to be able to answer, so maybe someone here can help:
1. When the first iPhone came out, there was a way to check on the web to see if you could transfer your existing number to the iPhone. The sign-up link seems to be gone once the original iPhone went away. Is there any way to check if one can reuse one’s number?
2. Assuming that one’s existing number is transferable, is it possible to buy an iPhone after 7/11, activate it, and then transfer the number later on (i.e., have two numbers for a while)?
I believe the FCC regulations regarding your phone number changed – basically, you own the number, and can transfer it to what ever provider you want. But I may be wrong.
when does Apple release the 2.0 software for original iPhone users??
Remember they cannot require your social security number. It is ILLEGAL. AT&T;tried to do this several years ago and I got them to change. Evidently they have reverted. Guess its because it is a different company. But don’t let them bully you. They can ask for the SS# but they cannot require it. Refer to the Social security web site if they give you any flack.
and in Italy ??? Apple will sell iPhone 3G at Apple Store Roma Est too ?
The SSN is probably like your “right” to fly. You don’t have to go through security, but they don’t have to let you near the aircraft either.
“iPhone 3G is configured to work only with the wireless services provided by AT&T;.” How’s that going to work?