Apple Posts Details for iPhone 3G Launch

[thecartoonguy]

What the ****? Apple does not need my Social Security number! Yet another reason not to purchase the iPhone.

I think this is to reduced fraud. I remember seeing a certain demographic buying six phones at one time. The general thought is they were going overseas thus the new requirements.

 

[theloon]

Social Security Number!! It's not a legal requirement and can't be insisted on..

Please refuse to give your social security number when signing up. They can't enforce this, or refuse to sell you the phone/contract.

You can be credit checked without it.

 

[DeaconGraves]

Who are they and why do I need to make someone's life easier?? This is about protecting my identity. Credit? What, am I buying a home or something? This is a freakin' electronic toy we're talking about!

No, but you're signing a contract with AT&T. Hence the credit check. (Although I would think that if one already has a relationship with AT&T a credit check, and hence your SS#, would typically be unecessary.)

 

[abijnk]

I really like how people think their social security numbers aren't readily available to anyone who wants them anyways...

Don't want you social security number to get out? Then don't have one... Like it or not it is heavily used in our society. Apple and AT&T will use it to run a credit check, which, again like it or not, is pretty much their only way of guessing whether or not you will pay them each month. Don't like it? DON"T BUY AN IPHONE!

/rant

 

[wildcardd]

Who are they and why do I need to make someone's life easier?? This is about protecting my identity. Credit? What, am I buying a home or something? This is a freakin' electronic toy we're talking about!

It is kind of like buying a house or car if you think about it. You are signing a contract that you will pay X number of dollars over the period of the contract. They need to run a credit check to make sure that you will likely pay that contract.

Them's the rules...like 'em or not.

 

[PcBgone]

Can I order my iPhone online at www.apple.com ? Im a current Att subscriber, who is eligible for the upgrade, however I dont want the Data plan. There are plenty of open wifi networks. Throw in the fact there is no
3g service in my area, and you will see why I dont want the data plan. All I want to do is get my 199 iphone, and attach it to my att account, without alerting att, so I dont have to pay the data plan.

Possible?

 

[wildcardd]

I really like how people think their social security numbers aren't readily available to anyone who wants them anyways...

Don't want you social security number to get out? Then don't have one... Like it or not it is heavily used in our society. Apple and AT&T will use it to run a credit check, which, again like it or not, is pretty much their only way of guessing whether or not you will pay them each month. Don't like it? DON"T BUY AN IPHONE!

/rant

Errr..you legally need to have a SSN in the United States.

 

[jklps]

Can I order my iPhone online at www.apple.com ? Im a current Att subscriber, who is eligible for the upgrade, however I dont want the Data plan. There are plenty of open wifi networks. Throw in the fact there is no
3g service in my area, and you will see why I dont want the data plan. All I want to do is get my 199 iphone, and attach it to my att account, without alerting att, so I dont have to pay the data plan.

Possible?

They are not selling iPhones at www.apple.com. Might wait a few weeks and see what turns up on eBay..

 

[fusconed]

Number portability.

I am a Verizon customer with a regular cell phone switching to an iPhone. So what does this mean to me?

"- Your current wireless account number and password or PIN (if you’re new to AT&T)"

I have my wireless account number, so what password/PIN do I need?

This is so you can port your number from Verizon to AT&T. If Verizon requires a password/PIN for you to do this, then you need that info. Some detail is given on AT&T's website (http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/basics/transfer-number/porting-faqs.jsp), but it just says (if applicable). Might be worth calling and asking Verizon, or calling AT&T to get clarification.

 

[corygreenwell]

It seems people are only talking about iPhone 3G, which doesn't seem to be nearly as important as the 2.0 software....are we to assume that this is to be released on Friday at 8am also? I really wish they would have given this to current iPhone users before 3G was released as it seems it would make downloading less likely to murder their servers, downloading both the update and essential software apps (iChat & MMS, fingers crossed).

 

[Bruce Patterson]

My question is: Can I buy an iPhone from an Apple Store (Vancouver) or do I have to buy it from the store of a Canadian cell phone provider? Anyone know how it's supposed to work in Canada? I can't imaging that Apple would either:

a) not sell their own product in their stores and
b) if they do sell them that they wouldn't allow us to activate them in the store.

There is only 1 network in Canada that is even capable of supporting the iPhone (GSM), but I can't seem to get a straight answer out of Apple or my cell phone provider...

 

[Monty1]

You have to be 18

This makes me so sad, I'm 17 and was going to camp out and everything....
Does anyone know anyway I can get around this? I was going to sign up under my fathers name anyway. I am currently a gophone iphone subscriber (Under my fathers name)

 

[Fulgham]

Who are they and why do I need to make someone's life easier?? This is about protecting my identity. Credit? What, am I buying a home or something? This is a freakin' electronic toy we're talking about!

THEY would be AT&T ... and your signing a contract to get the iphone. They do a credit check in order to make sure that your not too
much of a risk for them. They do a credit check with ANY cell phone contract they sell. Contact AT&T and ask if they are going to accept anything in replacement of the SS #. This is not a new thing... its been around for a while now.

 

[grappler]

Are they serious? What if you're already an iphone customer? Do you still need to be ready with your freakin social security number to transfer the existing account to the slightly newer iphone???

 

[abijnk]

Errr..you legally need to have a SSN in the United States.

That was my point... Complaining about having to use it is useless...

My question is: Can I buy an iPhone from an Apple Store (Vancouver) or do I have to buy it from the store of a Canadian cell phone provider? Anyone know how it's supposed to work in Canada? I can't imaging that Apple would either:

a) not sell their own product in their stores and
b) if they do sell them that they wouldn't allow us to activate them in the store.

There is only 1 network in Canada that is even capable of supporting the iPhone (GSM), but I can't seem to get a straight answer out of Apple or my cell phone provider...

Some Websites are saying Canadian Apple stores will not get the iPhone. At least on launch day...

 

[jklps]

This is so you can port your number from Verizon to AT&T. If Verizon requires a password/PIN for you to do this, then you need that info. Some detail is given on AT&T's website (http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/basics/transfer-number/porting-faqs.jsp), but it just says (if applicable). Might be worth calling and asking Verizon, or calling AT&T to get clarification.

Thanks.

I did call Verizon earlier and were not super helpful...they wanted to know why I was switching, telling me to go check out the new LG Dare...and asked me what it would take not to switch, and I said free service forever. Don't think they loved that.

 

[Fulgham]

My question is: Can I buy an iPhone from an Apple Store (Vancouver) or do I have to buy it from the store of a Canadian cell phone provider? Anyone know how it's supposed to work in Canada? I can't imaging that Apple would either:

a) not sell their own product in their stores and
b) if they do sell them that they wouldn't allow us to activate them in the store.

There is only 1 network in Canada that is even capable of supporting the iPhone (GSM), but I can't seem to get a straight answer out of Apple or my cell phone provider...

No the Apple store in Canada will not sell the iPhone. Have to go to a Rogers or Fido store.

This topic is for US only.

 

[junebug1]

Don't know if this will help anyone but I just spoke to my local Apple Store (Legacy Village) and the Apple rep said that if you are a current iPhone owner and already have an account with AT&T you just need a credit card for purchase and your wireless number and password to set everything up. No need for an ID or SS #. Just have your current phone with you and you are set to go.

 

[fusconed]

It seems people are only talking about iPhone 3G, which doesn't seem to be nearly as important as the 2.0 software....are we to assume that this is to be released on Friday at 8am also? I really wish they would have given this to current iPhone users before 3G was released as it seems it would make downloading less likely to murder their servers, downloading both the update and essential software apps (iChat & MMS, fingers crossed).

The software will be released before the first 3G iPhone goes on sale (in New Zealand, I think). The new iTunes and software is required for 3G, so it has to be ready for them. That should be sometime Thursday for most of us.

 

[9367547]

apple still leaves many questions unanswered on their launch and activation process. come on apple there's only 3 days left!
anyway i have a question, I'm 18 and an Authorized user on my mom's AT&T account, will Apple be able to see I am an authorized user and let me buy and resign the contract or will my mom still have to be there?

also..does anyone know if i can buy at an apple store if I have a FAN# on my account. i currently don't get the discount right now anyway for some reason. if Apple wont deal with FAN accounts i can remove it. but does anyone know yet. my employees at the apple store seem to know less than us macrumors members do.

 

[eastcoastsurfer]

It seems people are only talking about iPhone 3G, which doesn't seem to be nearly as important as the 2.0 software....are we to assume that this is to be released on Friday at 8am also? I really wish they would have given this to current iPhone users before 3G was released as it seems it would make downloading less likely to murder their servers, downloading both the update and essential software apps (iChat & MMS, fingers crossed).

I'm betting the 2.0 software will release with .me tomorrow or Thurs.

 

[Fulgham]

Don't know if this will help anyone but I just spoke to my local Apple Store (Legacy Village) and the Apple rep said that if you are a current iPhone owner and already have an account with AT&T you just need a credit card for purchase and your wireless number and password to set everything up. No need for an ID or SS #. Just have your current phone with you and you are set to go.

I agree. They already have everything they need for a credit check on file (and a payment history)

 

[Pwned]

All:
Well I contacted Clarendon, VA Pentagon City, VA and Tysons Corner, VA Apple stores regarding AT&T customers not eligible for an upgrade and here is what I was told. Yesterday all 3 said I need to go to an AT&T store but here is what they said today:

Pentagon City: We do not have that information at this time, please check back with us on Thursday.

Tysons Corner: Yes you will be able to purchase an Iphone but at the 399/499 price tags.

Clarendon: We do not have that information at this time, please check back with us later in the week.

Still going to have to go with Arn and go to an AT&T store unless Apple puts something official out but this shows even the Apple stores are unsure at this time.

Pwned

 

[fusconed]

Don't forget you may (should!) get carded when using a CC

Don't know if this will help anyone but I just spoke to my local Apple Store (Legacy Village) and the Apple rep said that if you are a current iPhone owner and already have an account with AT&T you just need a credit card for purchase and your wireless number and password to set everything up. No need for an ID or SS #. Just have your current phone with you and you are set to go.

I wouldn't be so eager to leave your ID at home. It would be unfortunate to go wait in line, get a phone and be denied because they asked for ID to verify your credit card was actually yours.

 

[Fulgham]

I'm betting the 2.0 software will release with .me tomorrow or Thurs.

It would have to be... As the article about Mobile Me being launched on the 10th pointed out... the time difference between Australia and North America would mean an "early" release here.