Details leaked for iPhone 3G sales at AT&T stores for July 11th
Posted June 30th, 2008 by GenghisPhlip
Some details of the iPhone 3G release to AT&T stores were released earlier. Of note is an “activation only” version of iTunes which is being offered as a beta download from Apple.com:
To ensure customers can leave with a fully functional iPhone, it must be first be “unbricked”. This process involves using the tether (a USB cable: see below) to connect/sync the iPhone to a unique ‘Activation Only’ version of iTunes via a computer. More information about the unbricking process will be provided in training (found on Fast Track and Sales Central) and you will be informed when the job aid is available.
Come July 11th, the full version of iTunes 7.7 will be publicly available which will also contain this “activation only” mode. Little other new information is provided. Most of that appears as if it will appear in a later training memo.
Further details come from an un-named but very trustworthy source. The source tells us that AT&T employees are scheduled to be at work at 6:00am on the 11th of July. This early arrival is required for an 8:00am release of the iPhone 3G. This information meshes with the rumored early start time that we posted last week. AT&T employees will be required to work with all clients on a case by case basis so some clients who enter the store may be interested in other devices than the iPhone 3G. The first day of sales for the first generation iPhone saw AT&T stores shift to an iPhone only sales period after 6:00pm. This gave store personnel time to make the adjustment and allowed them to focus solely on sales of the iPhone. The same source tells us that AT&T employees will not be allowed to purchase the iPhone 3G until some date after the 11th. This is in line with the policy that they instituted for the first iPhone sales day in 2007. AT&T employees were not allowed to purchase their own iPhone until at least a week after the general public release in most locations.
Also released to AT&T employees were details on how to best control the expected crowds and how to answer anticipated questions about activation, rates, plans and other competing devices. No word has leaked yet on the level of security that will be seen around AT&T and Apple stores on the 11th but we expect it to be tight.
A cop buddy of mine says he’s been contracted to work security at an AT&T store for the launch. He is supposed to report to work at 7:00am.
I like blogs like this one, I am sure you put an effort on it to keep it up. Nice post, grazie mille .
Just wasting some in between class time on Digg and I found your article . Not normally what I like to read about, but it was certainly worth my time. Thanks.