Comments on: Big iPhone headache: Waiting for AT&T activation

Buying an iPhone was the easy part. It took AT&T 39 hours to activate my iPhone, and it can't be used even for playing music or movies until that happens.

[highway61]

The iPhone is as orgasmic as my first iPod, maybe even my first computer.

I have to admit that I am truly in love with my new iPhone. I can't wait to use it more. It works and operates just like a little Mac. It is more of a handheld computer to me
than anything. It immediately took to my wireless router and surfs as well an my PC and my Mac. It synced up well with my iTunes and sucked in all my contacts and
calendar details efficiently. I immediately could send and receive email. My little hand held computer was alive and kicking. I could even peruse YouTube videos. Whoa
baby!

Oh, yeah, and you can even make phone calls with it too.

The touch screen keypad will definitely take some getting used to. My fat finger continually hit the wrong key. Previously I used a Nokia E62. Damn nice phone with a
damn nice keypad. I had the same problem to a lessor degree since I could lean onto the key I really meant to hit and it would be forgiving, or sorry for me, enough to give
me the letter I wanted. But it seems to be a minor adjustment to make. After all I did eventually manage to get good at Graffiti on my old Palm 3. So this shouldn't be too
hard.

Activation took about 15-20 minutes. Geeeeze! Seemed like a friggin eternity. Eternity, I tell ya. Here I was all jazzed about a new piece of electronics porn and I had to
wait for AT&T and iTunes to shake hands, hug, and be happy. Some things just can't be set aside or explained. From what I have read, I was kinda lucky.

All in all it is another totally cool tool from Apple. What can I say? It is a fun device that can do many useful things very well. Oh, and it even makes phone calls. Some
people complain about using AT&T for that, but it is only a phone call. Get over it and surf, or email, or check out some YouTube or something. Don't waste your whole life
blabbing on a friggin phone. If that is all you want to do than save yourself a few hundred and get a free phone. You can talk on one of those too I hear. Some even have
cameras. Oh, yeah, the iPhone has one of those too. I took a picture of my wife and made it my background. She was really impressed. OK, so she said "ya right". I will stick
to my Nikons for real pictures.

Is the iPhone worth $600? Well, cell phone + Ipod Nano 8gb + small computer = ??? Do your own math. Compare to the Sony Vaio UX series and decide. They can't even
make phone calls.

[Lee in San Diego]

Fingering the keyboard

I handled an iPhone at the Apple Store this afternoon. It took me a
few minutes to get used to the keyboard. At first I was frequently
selecting the character to the right of the one I wanted. I figured
out that it was sort of a parallax thing with my left eye which is
dominant and my right index finger, I shifted my finger to the left a
bit. I see people double thumbing on the keyboard and had I more
time playing with the iPhone I would have tried that.

[wtussey]

AT&T problems? No surprise...

I left AT&T three years ago after wretched service and the worst customer service I've ever experienced from any cellular provider I've ever used... And I spent 12 years around the world with the Air Force, subscribing to cell service in four other countries around the globe. I left AT&T after my one-year agreement terminated; I was preparing to deploy overseas for duty in the Middle East and I thought it was a good time to finally part ways with AT&T especially since my contract was over. Surprise surprise! AT&T charged me an early termination fee of $150 even though I had been a customer for fifteen months on a twelve month contract. They claimed I had altered my contract with them--and thus re-started the account--when I went back four months after signing up to retrieve a very small but still useful miltary discount applied to my account. I argued the point as being an error for the remaining six weeks before I deployed, all to no avail... Yes folks, AT&T is the worst carrier in the world based on my experience. Oh, and wait until they start screwing up your bill as they did with everyone I knew who had their service. Now they've bought Cingular to try and salvage their badly tarnished reputation in the wireless market. Yeah, right.

iPhone and AT&T is an ugly marriage (due entirely to AT&T), and it's the one and ONLY reason I don't currently own an iPhone (saw one today and had a salesman ready to sell it to me at the Apple UTC store in La Jolla, CA). No thanks. I'll purchase one in the future when AT&T isn't involved.

[wtussey]

Same here... I'll wait until AT&T is out of the picture...

I agree wholeheartedly... My heart sank when I heart iPhone would only be available through an AT&T contract service agreement. :-(( That's the ONE AND ONLY reason I do NOT have an iPhone, period. I was just looking at one in the box today ( I went down to see the hype at the Apple store), but when the salesman asked me if I was ready to buy it, I said, "No thanks... Not with an AT&T contract."

I personally hope this shows the world how lousy AT&T really and truly is... It's just a shame that this will tarnish the otherwise wonderful iPhone. Folks, no joke here... I've sworn off AT&T telecommunications (Read: Internet service, cellular service, terrestrial telephone service, ANYTHING they provide) based on a horrendous experience I had with them on a one-year contract. This is why I don't have an iPhone, even though I really want one very badly... :-(

[wtussey]

This will be a terrible thorn in Apple's side

Yes, Apple should start preparing litigation now before this becomes any worse... Just wait until all those new iPhone users start getting zapped by lousy ongoing customer service from AT&T.

Does anyone recall that Uncle Sam tried to break up and kill off the AT&T monopoly back in 1984 when good telecommunications customer finally started emerging? Any questions?

[bburn--2008]

What ya expect...

Apple entering cell business + thousands of new subscribers + sucky carrier = PROBLEMS

[maverick_99]

Big iPhone headache: Waiting for AT&T activation

That's odd because you should be able to put your sim card in and it will at least work as a phone. I purchased a new treo 750 and it didn't require any activation and the internet worked also without any extra screwing around by at&t and I didn't buy it from a cingular store.

[Syd Logan]

Exactly my experience

I waited with about 40 people for 3 hours in a line at an AT&T store. They were letting people in 5 at a time. When I was 2 away from entering, they came out and said "no more 8 GB iPhones available". But they encouraged us to stay in line, and order one, with no promises as to when they would ship.

I decided to take my chances and go to an Apple store 25 miles away. I walked in, maybe at 8 p.m. by now. No wait, and they just swiped my card on a handheld, and I was out the door.

Some other major differences -- the AT&T store handed you a sealed bag, and would not let you open it until you were out of the store. Not sure why the heck they did that. The Apple store, on the other hand, had no rules whatsoever, and the employees seemed so much less uptight.

Activation was commenced at 9 p.m. and it took until 4:35 a.m. the next day to activate. But it was worth it -- I made great use of several of the iPhone features the next day.

[Baldilocks73]

Yer waiting on Apple NOT AT&T sheesh!!!

AT&T has already activated your SIM. Your SIM will work in another AT&T phone.
You are complaining about AT&T when its not even their fault.
You are waiting on Apple!! Get your facts straight before you post an article.

[deanrd7]

Oh please...

You don't really think anyone will believe your BS do you?

[haitianhottiee]

Actually, Get YOUR Facts Straight....

We ARE waiting on AT&T as the Email that comes from them clearly
reads: AT&T is processing your activation/ you will recieve an email
confirmation once activation is complete.
You can take your foot out of your mouth now, Bad-phone-
company-supporter!

[Thomas, David]

Balidlocks73

I can't believe posted complete nonsense ... o screw it ...

But
you could not be more of an idiot.

[eantowen]

Shame on AT&T

How did we become so naive to think that AT&T would destroy the joy of getting an iPhone yesterday only to have AT&T make our lives miserable with their non-activation service!!!
I waited for 4 hours in 112 degree heat in AZ and got one. That was where the joy ended thanks to AT&T non readiness for activation and I am already an AT&T (Cingular) customer!!! I cannot believe Apple is going to love this kind of negative publicity for their precious iPhone. They can have it back. Maybe that will get the attention of AT&T

[fshepinc]

No Problems At All For Me

Count me as one of the lucky ones -I got my phone at a local
AT&T store, connected it, and had activation in about three
minutes. Getting my phone number transfered from my previous
carrier (T-Mobile) took another 5-8 minutes. Done. The phone
has worked perfectly; the controls and interface are very
intuitive. Went by an Apple Store today to attend one of their
iPhone classes -not really necessary... But the lines around the
iPhone display were about 5 to 8 people deep!

For those having activation trouble, go to the Apple site and
check out the discussions there. A lot of people are reporting
issues with SIM cards that are easily corrected, and that
activation goes through immediately once you take care of the
problem.

[hashembajwa]

30th Hour

I'm now entering my 30th hour of waiting for that magical email. A dozen calls to idiots at AT&T.

And I slept overnight for 24 hours waiting for the iPhone and was among the first dozen people to get one in the SF Apple Store, and I'm an ATT customer already!

Best experience in the world turned into the worst experience in the world.

Curse you AT&T.

[Beezoo]

Re: Yer waiting for Apple Sheesh

No Sir, you have it quite incorrectly. We ARE waiting for AT&T. I
initially tried to activate my phone on Friday evening at aprox.
8:30 PDT. By 2PM Saturday I finally called AT&T to inquire.
After being moved to the "Special iPhone Activation Group"
someone at AT&T, who was trying to help me, deactivated the
Sim card in my existing AT&T phone and I still have no
activation on my iPhone at 1:30 AM Sunday July 1. This is an
absolute nightmare. Not only did they tell me it now might be
days before my new phone can be activated because of how
overwhelmed the AT&T servers are. It is so bad that they
actually recommended that I go out and purchase a disposable
phone FROM ANOTHER CARRIER because if I bought one from
AT&T (the company I have been doing business with for years)
they can't guarantee they will be able to activate that either. So
now I have no telephone service at all (I gave up my landline
years ago). This freakin' nightmare is all AT&T.

[haitianhottiee]

You are ABSOLUTELY Correct!

My Nightmare ,as is yours, is caused by AT&T.....I share your pain. I
too am without a phone as my previous one was stolen so I thought
I'd treat myself to the iPhone, but treat is NOT the word!(Thanks to
AT&T) Not when I've been waiting 2 days for that "so-called" email
confirming activation from AT&T!!! My phone is still in the dock w/
the same "slide for emergency call" screen. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

[sscroggi]

Thank you

Fibnally, someone who get's it. No one was forced to get an IPHONE, it was an individual choice, and as anyone knows, when you are activating that numbe of items at the same time over any network, it can be overwhelmed. To be honest with all those activations, whether new or existing, my AT&T service on my existing Trea continued to work without an interruptions, I say good job, Apple and AT&T.

[sscroggi]

Got it

AT&T does care about customer service and I can tell you no one is happy about the delays. The problems people are having doesn't make me happy, however, for those who have phone which are working you are all pioneers, this is the first of it's kind. I'm sure more to follow, the bugs will be worked. We can't loose site of the fact that, we all live in a country where we can speak our minds. I will get an IPHONE in the upcoming months, hopefully I will have a good experience.

[1st]

long term

Here are my take on the topic:
(1) Apple should be more aware of the ATT service and
compatibility regarding the pain and suffer of transfer from one
carrier to another (like VZ to ATT), and give the user a heads-up.
(control the expectation). That is the true partnership. If ATT
fail to disclose the "pain and suffer" to Apple, ATT is at fault.
Not a true partner.
(2) Appear to be ATT has problem, regardless of iPhone or other
service (just read the blog on Kawasaki's experiences try to
cancel DSL line). The fastest fix is call Mike Armstrong out of
retirement either as a consultant or a CXO. You need an insider
to fix both tech and service problem. (it would take too long for
any outsider to learn and work on it).
(3) Most of the other carriers have the same problem. The
fundamental activation process should be changed to user
friendly. (i.e. a attached code to verify user with automatic look-
up table would be much faster for example... But much more lag
work might have performed prior to the activation process... Not
sure if FCC would consider it security good enough or not...).
(4) There are speculation that other carriers purposely made
transfer number process painful (few e-mail at mercurynews). If
it is true, that might make some sense. But the deal with such a
transfer should be deal with and anticipated. Voice early and
keep the customer informed (transparency) might be the best
way for ATT look good and other guys like Darth Vader.
(5) don't get me wrong, I love both Apple and ATT. Support
both with my hard earned cash in mid 90s when the dark cloud
over both of their head. I wish them success in their
partnership.
-my silly 2 cents.

[Sandyr813]

Dump Apple and ATT shares on Monday to protest.

I was on the phone over 7 hours trying to connect my kid's phones.
Both companies need to be punished for mesing up what should
have been a smooth and consumer friendly event. They both knew
several hunded thousand were going to be sold and activated.
Apple's stock price is at record highs and ATT is only up slightly
due ti the release. Both companies should be punished for the
awful after purchase experience.

[1st]

you better not

appl is going up high in Asia... Hopefully, you are not shorting it..
hahaha

[matchespsych]

The Hassle

After purchasing the iPhone I decided to activate it the next morning. Here is my first error. Around 7:30 I recieved an e-mail from AT&T informing me that I had an address problem that would delay my activation another 8 hours. 8 hours later still no activation.

[Wuzer248]

36 hours

Still processing activation

[retibra]

31 hours so far; On hold for last 49 minutes at ATT

I got my iPhone Friday night after hours of lines. It took me nearly an hour to get the activation process started because the USB chord it came with was defective, so I had to use a friends.

31 hours later, I've received two emails telling me about the activation "process", one from donotreply@itunes, the next from donotreply@att. Apparently I have an order # (and a dead iPhone?).

I was told to give it 24 hours. This is just rediculous. So I called ATT's iPhone Activation hotline [phone], and I've now been waiting for "the next available representative" for 52 mintes 30 seconds. Think someone else is having this problem too?!

JOBS! GET THEM IN LINE!

[vaidehiswaraj]

Activation problem

I have been on hold for the last one hour for the next available rep. Waited in line for 5 hrs to get the iphone. I went to the store yesterday to get it activated they said it was. Now i am without a phone.

[retibra]

72 hours and counting...

Am I the last one left who's iPhone is still in "Activate iPhone" mode? Why has ATT left me stranded?

[tlmck]

Thats what you get for being a lemming.

Ha! Ha!

[jrs_66]

or those transfering # --- A FIX!!!

Ok...

After 3 calls with AT&T i found someone who supplied the answer...

1) Turn your phone off... fully 'off', which means hold down the top button until the red slider appears... shut off.

2) Wait 20 minutes

3) Turn back on and wait 5 minutes.

4) You should receive another email about your transfer... re-sync with iTunes...

5) This should unlock your phone... still won't be able to receive calls, but all other stuff should work.

good luck!

[haitianhottiee]

Question?

Should your iPhone remain in the Dock During all this (shut-off &
on)?