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iPhone 2.0 = In Store Activation?

gkarris

gkarris

macrumors G3
Original poster
Dec 31, 2004
8,301
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"No escape from Reality...”
I haven't heard anything about it, but do you think that the new iPhone will require you to activate in store (at Apple or AT&T) to purchase one?

So many just go ahead and buy one to just unlock... :eek:

... especially with the AT&T refurbed deals. :D
 
gkarris said:
I haven't heard anything about it, but do you think that the new iPhone will require you to activate in store (at Apple or AT&T) to purchase one?

So many just go ahead and buy one to just unlock... :eek:

... especially with the AT&T refurbed deals. :D
Click to expand...

no,

You can always activate on iTunes
 
gkarris said:
I haven't heard anything about it, but do you think that the new iPhone will require you to activate in store (at Apple or AT&T) to purchase one?

So many just go ahead and buy one to just unlock... :eek:
Click to expand...
I don't think that Apple will do in-store activations because it would be way too much of an operational bottle-neck in their already jammed-packed stores.

As for unlocking, I think Apple making non-exclusive deals all over the world is their solution to that.

The difference between the number of countires where the iPhone is currently sold and where the iPhone 2.0 is going to be sold is staggering.

Check out the map below:
http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2008/05/12/apple-rings-up-four-new-iphones-deals-in-asia/
 
aristobrat said:
Check out the map below:
http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2008/05/12/apple-rings-up-four-new-iphones-deals-in-asia/
Click to expand...

Cool map (are we all going Communist? :eek:).

I was just referring to the fact that because of subsidies, and Apple trying to thwart unlocking (note that Eastern Europe and China, places where there are a ton of unlocked phones are not on board yet), Apple might make it so that you have to sign up and activate at the store. Sort of what they do now as far as warranties - they check to see if it has been properly activated.

DreamPod said:
The AT&T refurbished deals require signing up for a 2 year contract...
Click to expand...

No, they don't - I got one earlier as a backup... :D
 
The impression I got from reading the recent articles about Apple not doing exclusive carriers was that they won't be demanding subsidies, either. Why would a wireless company pay a subsidy to Apple when their competition is also selling the iPhone?

But in regards to them forcing in-store activations, from an operational point-of-view, I can't see that happening.

There are days where even with every Specialist in the store ringing up sales on the EasyPays (taking 60-90 seconds per sale), the store can't keep up. To implement in-store activation (which would take what .. 5 - 10 minutes easily per sale, on the ones that work?) would bring the flow of the store to a screaming halt. :eek:
 
^^^ tell me about the stores.

I remember the old days when I went there to check out the "New iPod" and admire the snow-white iMac G3's and I was the only one in the store. Now you can barely get inside. :eek:

They could make it so that there is a seperate checkout for iPhones, I would imagine they'd make it easier since they may be selling the new Tablet with 3G and try to get people to sign up for data-only plans for that.
 
I suspect if the rumours are true that getting an subsidy if signing up with AT&T are true then you will probably have to sign a binding contract in store.

Phazer
 
gkarris said:
I haven't heard anything about it, but do you think that the new iPhone will require you to activate in store (at Apple or AT&T) to purchase one?

So many just go ahead and buy one to just unlock... :eek:

... especially with the AT&T refurbed deals. :D
Click to expand...

Why in the heck would Apple or AT&T do this? Activating through iTunes is much simpler and keeps store employees free to activate inferior products.

If you're trying to combat unlocking, there are other ways to do it. I also don't think Apple is too concerned because if they were, they would've done more by now.
 
Phones will still be activated through iTunes.

Subsidy will be issued in the form of a rebate after activation, simple as that.

Apple isn't going to waste their time signing people up for ATT.
 
gkarris said:
I haven't heard anything about it, but do you think that the new iPhone will require you to activate in store (at Apple or AT&T) to purchase one?

So many just go ahead and buy one to just unlock... :eek:

... especially with the AT&T refurbed deals. :D
Click to expand...

Uh. No. Would completely eliminate internet sales.....
 
onlycopunk said:
Phones will still be activated through iTunes.

Subsidy will be issued in the form of a rebate after activation, simple as that.

Apple isn't going to waste their time signing people up for ATT.
Click to expand...

If it is a rebate, then this would work for everyone. If it is a credit on a future bill, then this complicates things for some people. In my case, I buy the phone but my employer pays the monthly bill directly. I would not be happy with a subsidy credit reducing my phone bill.

This has been a problem for me with AT&T in the past.
 
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