When talking about in-store activation of a certain mobile phone, there isn't much to be said, but what about the iPhone 3G? Well, there's not much to be said about the "in-store" part, but the "out-store" issues are interesting. Why? Look at the image below and you'll figure it out by yourselves!
Obviously, to start having problems with the iPhone 3G, you need to buy it and activate it, first of all. As you can see, there was a huge line of people near AT&T's store on the Chicago State Street, because as soon as the doors opened early in the morning, and the iPhone 3G hungry flock could go in and start buying the smartphones, AT&T's system crashed, making in-store activations impossible! No activations possible - no iPhone 3G sales possible - complete halt of all in-store activities, at least those related to the iPhone 3G, of course!
The funny part is that some stores, including a part of those located in the US, simply told their customers to get the iPhone 3G, go home, and activate it through iTunes! So, Apple says there is no chance for activating the iPhone 3G outside the stores, and some of the stores decide that this is possible, and sell iPhone 3Gs WITHOUT ACTIVATION? Interesting...
Anyway, the funny part is that, at least yesterday, most of those that got home glad they have the iPhone 3G at hand, and were ready to activate it, found out that the iTunes Store also went down!
In the end, I should also add that some AT&T stores simply sent people home without any iPhone 3G, and where the system was still working, the clients were also served extremely slow.
I guess nothing's perfect, after all...so, I must repeat my question I asked yesterday: did you have any experience with the iPhone 3G yet? Don't be shy!
Psychic Advice, on July 13, 2008
Great blog, subscribed to your rss feed. Thanks.