Leaked iPhone Activation Process Memo

[MacRumors]

iPhoneinCanada.ca posts a memo that reportedly describes some of the iPhone 3G activation process for Rogers stores in Canada. Specifically, they point to an "activation only" version of iTunes which is being offered as a beta download from Apple.com:

To ensure customers can leave with a fully functional iPhone, it must be first be "unbricked". This process involves using the tether (a USB cable: see below) to connect/sync the iPhone to a unique 'Activation Only' version of iTunes via a computer. More information about the unbricking process will be provided in training (found on Fast Track and Sales Central) and you will be informed when the job aid is available.

Come July 11th, the full version of iTunes 7.7 will be publicly available which will also contain this "activation only" mode. Little other new information is provided. Most of that appears as if it will appear in a later training memo.


Article Link

[PoitNarf]

The memo uses the term "unbricked"? Yeah, sure...

[DMann]

Originally Posted by PoitNarf

The memo uses the term "unbricked"? Yeah, sure...

Agreed...... 'unbricked' is not a term which would inspire consumer confidence.

[italiano40]

I am call it a FAKE

[syclonefx]

Originally Posted by italiano40

I am call it a FAKE

I posted this about a week ago. I contacted att about the iPhone and this was part of their responce.

The new 3G device, Mr. P******, will be activated in store in both AT&T and Apple store locations. You must accept AT&T and Apple's Terms and Conditions, as well as select a 3G iPhone Data plan before leaving the store. You can add the $30.00 per month 3G iPhone Unlimited Data (Email-Web) plan that includes Visual Voicemail to your qualifying voice plan. The 3G iPhone $45.00 per month Unlimited Data with personal and Corporate e-mail, Web, and Visual Voicemail can be added to your qualifying voice plan if you intend on using the 3G iPhone for access to corporate e-mail, business applications, or access to corporate intranet. The activation process for 3G iPhones includes a short tether process to unbrick the 3G device and will be performed in all AT&T stores (tether cords will be provided). Apple stores will also perform this tether process, however, in the event that your device is not tethered in the Apple store, your device will be inoperable until you get home and tether through iTunes. Prepaid and Pick Your Plan service will not be available on the 3G device. Service discounts are available to qualifying customers for individual user accounts for voice and data plans on the 3G iPhone only. The return policy for the new 3G iPhone is 30 days for both Apple and AT&T stores. To cancel service within the first 30 days, you must return your equipment to the place of purchase. If you cancel after the 30 days, you will be charged the early termination fees and are not required to return the device.

You can read the complete response from att here http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=501955

[Shadowriver]

Originally Posted by italiano40

I am call it a FAKE

It's not a fake.. memo contains real link to Apple server, with beta version of itunes 7.6.3b4 that contains "Activation Only Mode". According to memo 7.7 will contain this mode in regular instaletion

[RoboCop001]

One advantage of activating in store is making sure you don't get a broken iPhone.


So does this mean we don't HAVE to activate it in the store, since iTunes 7.7 will activate it at home?

[swingerofbirch]

Well the fact that you can easily download this special version of iTunes is pretty convincing. I just wonder why Apple didn't put it behind their firewall.

[Decrepit]

Originally Posted by PoitNarf

The memo uses the term "unbricked"? Yeah, sure...

Internal corporate memos use some pretty outlandish descriptions. They're never supposed to be seen by the public.

You'll get stuff using codenames and jargon from engineering.

I've actually created jargon that made it back to engineering and ended up as a term of endearment for a part of a computer that was used in training for future products.

No normal customer would know what the Tiki-God referred to, but anybody supporting a particular system would know instantly what it was. The marketing name for the product that the public saw just sucked. Our internal term was far better, in my not so humble opinion.

[dizastor]

I wonder if unbrick will make it into the dictionary one of these days a la truthiness

[SirOmega]

Yea, the link to the special version of iTunes pretty much cements this as a real memo for me.

I guess the activation process might not be too bad. Apple will have all their macs in the store running this version of iTunes for people to activate the new phones. It'll still be slower than last year, but they might be able to get people out the door in under 10 minutes if they keep things moving and the activation server and credit checking mechanisms can take the heat.

Hopefully they sell the iPhone at store opening instead of 6pm! If Rogers sells it at opening time, it'll be available in Canada before the US!

[bushido]

considering that we can still order the new iPhone online i assume it's save to say there must be some kind of process u can do at home. Plus germany doesnt even have any apple stores to do that right away

[HalibutRon]

Originally Posted by dizastor

I wonder if unbrick will make it into the dictionary one of these days a la truthiness

Very good wonder, dizastor.

Also worth watching is the co-opting of existing words to mean new things.
For example, would you ever have thought the word 'family' could connote xenophobia? :
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com...ves/16044.html


iPhone in Canada thread:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost...&postcount=936

[Ironduke]

Originally Posted by PoitNarf

The memo uses the term "unbricked"? Yeah, sure...

actually I think someone commented a while ago that the SDK contains the Word Bricked

[vevtuhov]

http://narod.ru/disk/1175776000/Atta...-2008.zip.html - both versions
http://narod.ru/disk/1176493000/iTun...ndows.zip.html - win
http://narod.ru/disk/1175872000/iTunes763_Mac.zip.html - mac

[abegley]

I had talked to an ATT manager last week and he said all they were doing in store was unbricking the iphones and that the customer would then take the phone home and activate it like the original one. But it was an ATT manager so I didn't really believe him, but now I do!