Despite Some Glitches, 'Suits' Wait for Apple's iPhone 3G
Date : 11 Jul 2008 Category : Technology
NewsFactor NetworkAT&T said in-store iPhone 3G activations stopped at about 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, thanks to issues with the iTunes 7.7 software needed to configure the device. AT&T is recommending that customers activate the smartphones at home. Some analysts are certain the problem is getting blown out of proportion.
"Today's iPhone launch differs a little bit from last year because this is a global launch. This started in New Zealand and will continue on to California," said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at JupiterResearch. "You literally have hundreds of thousands of people buying and activating iPhones. I am not surprised that we are seeing some issues with the activation process with some people in some locations. Frankly, that's probably to be expected."
Some Shortages Reported
Gartenberg visited both an AT&T store and an Apple store in New York City on Friday. He reported lines were moving along smoothly. However, an AT&T store in midtown ran out of the 16GB iPhone 3G as early as 9 a.m.
Whether consumers wound up disappointed with iPhone shortages after waiting in line, perhaps all night, might depend on where they were standing in line and the luck of the draw.
"At the Apple store I visited, they said they had plenty of iPhones on hand and they were not anticipating shortages. Of course, they didn't know what the demand would be like the rest of the day," Gartenberg said. "They've been selling the new iPhone since 8 a.m. The line was going around the block."
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The lines of people around the block would seem to indicate Apple has scored another big hit. But reports of glitches could be a bit of an ugly memory for some consumers.
"Any time...