AT&T In Store Activation Rumors False?

[admanimal]

What is really the point of trying to decipher all of this stuff so far in advance? We know that the exact process will be made clear with plenty of time to go before July 11.

 

[Benjamindaines]

I think we've all been missing the painfully obvious. The iPhone 3G will still activate over iTunes just as the original one did, you will just have to do it in the store when you buy it. But if you need to restore your phone you will still be able to do it at home just the same as before, and if for some reason you can't do it in the store you can do it at home; hence the 30 day grace period.

At least that's how I think it will be (and hope!).

 

[aethelbert]

No one at AT&T has stated that the purpose of in-store activation is to stop the unlocking.

It's pretty obvious that they're doing it to prevent unlocking, though. They'll never come out and say it, though. iTunes worked fine and I never heard of any problems with it, but the unlocking eats into their business. It's pretty clear to me that they want to keep the iPhone as exclusive as possible in the US.

 

[wesk702]

Do you seriously believe that they would make you activate at one place but not the other? That completely defeats the purpose, and everyone who would unlock would just buy it elsewhere. If they're gonna lock down the system, they're gonna lock it all down. Not just half of it.

Agreed, even in the memo it makes reference to a tethering tool that will be provided to Att stores that will help along the activation process. This could be the essential item needed to properly activate the phone. It won't be difficult to activate it at the apple store with some hardware. Afterall, look at how easy it was for us to just activate it at home for gen 1.

I think the statement regarding penalties is just some sort of "safety net" terms of agreement in case some buyers manage to find a way to screw the system.

 

[Van Wildonher]

Does anybody think that maybe they will make you sign a contract saying if you don't sign up with AT&T within 30 days you will get fined or whatever? And that they only "tether it" in the store? That would allow it to be turned on, and then you have the option to finish there or take it home and sign up with iTunes?

Doesn't make much sense to do it like that, but it might help with the line... if there is one.

 

[Merlosso]

The SSK has been modified to allow customers interested in the iPhone 3G to enter their information, select rate plans and data plans, and print a document that will allow COR reps to quickly access the customer's information in OPUS and save time for data entry in the activation process.

What does this mean? What is an SSK?

 

[tjespo22]

yea I've been hearing a lot of the same.

me too, i think its true, well i hope it is.. but i think it will also be optional like it is now, like if you think you will have a problem doing it or if you do have a problem doing it then can do it right at the store.

tom

 

[guru_ck]

What does this mean? What is an SSK?

Sounds like some type of kiosk system.