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Will my iPhone 3G need a computer to function on July 11?

N

nathanjbrown

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 9, 2008
265
57
Santa Barbara, CA
Here's the deal:

From CA, I'll be in Boston on the day of release. The next morning I begin a 10 day road trip from East to West coast during which I would certainly benefit from the GPS and Internet functionality of the iPhone (I will NOT have a computer with me on this trip).

If I purchase my iPhone 3G on July 11th from an AT&T store, will it be possible to begin using GPS and Internet immediately? I have an iPod Touch that required me to sync it with iTunes before ever turning it on.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Nathan
 
I'd assume if you activate it in store it should be ready to go.

i'd find a way to at least sync your contacts with your computer and whatever elese u want to sync with it, but after that initial sync it should be ready to go without a computer after that.

I think finding 10 mins with a computer wouldnt be too hard?
 
There's been very little information given about the activation procedure - at this point, nobody can say for certain.

However, going by the previous iPhone's procedure, which required activation before it could be used, and the announcement that activation would happen in-store, I would assume that you can use it straight from the store.

Try to buy it from an Apple Store if you can - I've had a few replacements given there, which also needed activation, and they gave me an in-store MacBook Pro to activate it on, and I was using it on the way home. Your AT&T store might not do this unless you arrange it with them beforehand.
 
The excuse for in store activation is that AT&T claims that customers want their phones to be up and running before they leave the store. If that's the case, you should be good to go. You won't have any of your multimedia, contacts, etc, but it'll work nonetheless.
 
I wouldn't be so sure about that.

A Japanese blog is claiming that the carrier here in Japan will not sell you an iPhone if you don't have a personal computer (Mac/Windows PC). I imagine this is because it requires a 2nd activation over iTunes, which compares favorably with earlier reports.
 
According to a rep at AT&T, they said that if you buy at an Apple Store, they will "unbrick" the phone for you in store. That's the reason why they're not selling them online. Once "unbricked" in the store, you can then take it home and activate just like the iPhone and then the process should be exactly the same from there.
 
"The Apple Retail Store is the perfect place to get your iPhone 3G. When you arrive, a Concierge in an orange shirt will direct you to the iPhone bay where you can take advantage of our free Personal Setup. A Specialist will help you choose an iPhone 3G, review coverage maps, select a rate plan, and — best of all — have your new iPhone 3G ready to make calls, browse the web, and receive email right on the spot."

Thanks MacRumors! Question answered with the utmost clarity...

Nathan
 
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