Following a relatively smooth morning roll out of the iPhone 3G S, reports are beginning to surface suggesting that early morning West Coast sales and pre-order deliveries are beginning to put strain on Apple’s servers as larger numbers of users try simultaneously to activate their new handsets. According to AppleInsider, Apple is now providing a warning message through iTunes to affected users, stating that their activation needs extra time to complete, and may take up to 48 hours to go through. The message states that an email will be sent to the customer’s email address when activation is completed, apologizes for the inconvenience, and suggests the user try out some of the phone’s features that don’t require a cellular connection. The situation recalls memories of last year’s iPhone 3G launch debacle, when thousands of users were left waiting for hours in- and outside AT&T and Apple stores while employees tried in vain to activate their new phones.
Posts Tagged ‘at&t’
Apple: iPhone 3G S Activation May Take Up To 48 Hours
Friday, June 19th, 2009AT&T Wi-Fi Supports Auto-Authentication With iPhone 3.0
Thursday, June 18th, 2009AT&T has announced that with iPhone OS 3.0, iPhone users will no longer need to go through a two-step authentication process in order to access one of the company’s Wi-Fi Hot Spots. According to AT&T, auto-connect will be established once a customer connects his/her iPhone to an AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spot for the first time; following this connection, the user should be able to seamlessly switch from AT&T’s 3G network to an AT&T Hot Spot without being prompted. AT&T operates more than 20,000 Wi-Fi Hot Spots in the U.S.
AT&T resumes $100 Apple iPhone refurb discount
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009AT&T has resumed an earlier discount made possible for the iPhone 3G. The carrier is once again selling refurbished iPhones with a $100 price cut, bringing the cost of the 8GB model down to $99, and the 16GB version to $199. A fresh two-year contract is also required, and AT&T warns that some phones could be marred by “minor scratches.”
The reason for new offer is unclear, as several motives may be present. AT&T may for instance be hoping to boost sales in the face of a shrinking economy and lower wages; the carrier may alternately have received a sudden influx of used phones, or be looking to help Apple clear out inventory in advance of a new iPhone in the summer. A simpler explanation may be that AT&T intends to sell refurbished models on a periodic basis.
Apple And AT&T May Offer Tiered Data Plans
Sunday, February 15th, 2009Reports are that Apple and its US wireless partner AT&T are discussing plans to potentially offer next-gen iPhone customers more data plan choices amid fears of losing their business during a time of economic hardship. Because of this, Kaufman Brothers analyst Shaw Wu thinks Apple is planning to release multiple new models with different capabilities and prices. He also believes AT&T may consider tiered data plans at different price points to satisfy customers’ desire for lower monthly fees.
Wu’s suggestion that “due to fear of lower profits, AT&T is more open to developing tiered data plans that fit more in line with today’s environment. The cheapest iPhone plan possible includes a $40 per month voice plan and a $30 per month unlimited data plan. With fees and taxes, most iPhone users are paying at least $80 per month. If you’re not a heavy network user, a lower price with a reasonable data cap is likely very appealing.”
The high minimum monthly fee is an often-repeated complaint against getting an iPhone so AT&T would be wise to consider tiered data pricing to attract and keep new customers.
Apple Issues Update Signaling iPhone Compatibility With AT&T’s MicroCell
Monday, February 9th, 2009Late last week, Apple issued a “carrier settings” update for iPhone users in the United States. While Apple provides few details on the contents of such updates, MobileCrunch discovered several image files in the new update package that appear to signal the iPhone’s compatibility with AT&T’s upcoming 3G MicroCell technology. The 3G MicroCell device connects to a user’s existing broadband Internet service and provides enhanced 3G voice and data coverage within a 5000 square foot range.
Device Features:
- Enhanced coverage indoors – supports both voice and data up to 5000 square feet.
- Available unlimited minute plans – Individual or Family Plan.
- 3G handset compatible – works with any AT&T 3G Phone.
- Up to 4 simultaneous voice or data users supported.
- Device is secure – cannot be accessed by unauthorized users, easy and secure online management of device settings
- Seamless call hand-over – start calls on your 3G MicroCell and continue uninterrupted even if you leave the building.
Pricing and availability for the device and associated monthly plans have not yet been announced.
iPhone Helps Boost At&T’s Fiscal 4th Quarter Results
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009Reporting its fourth-quarter financial results, U.S. iPhone carrier AT&T announced that it activated 1.9 million iPhone 3Gs during the quarter, bringing its total to 4.3 million for the second half of the year. It added that approximately 40 percent of iPhone activations were for customers new to AT&T, and that the phone continues to deliver subscribers offering higher average monthly revenue than the company’s contract subscriber average.
AT&T Increases Number of Free Wi-Fi Hotspots
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008AT&T has bought Wi-Fi services provider Wayport for $275 million in cash. In so doing, it has added about 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots to its network.
The deal will expands AT&T’s Wi-Fi footprint to nearly 20,000 domestic hotspots and allows it to claim the title of having the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network. The company now has about 80,000 hotspots worldwide.
Wayport has its Wi-Fi access spots available in major hotels and in select McDonald’s restaurants. AT&T recently announced the launch of free Wi-Fi access for iPhone users.
AT&T Says iPhone Tethering Coming Soon
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008A very common complaint of iPhone users is that even though the device is built for Wi-Fi and 3G, the iPhone can’t be tethered to a laptop to provide you access to the Internet unless you jail-break your iPhone.
An official AT&T sanctioned solution is coming “soon” according to AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph De La Vega confirmed in an interview with Michael Arrington at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco.
However, if AT&T comes out with an exorbitant price, that could be a deal breaker for most people. No word on what the cost of iPhone tethering will be or when it will be available.
AT&T Attempts Free WiFi For iPhone Users Again
Saturday, November 1st, 2008The on-and-off again relationship with AT&T and the iPhone’s free WiFi, which has had its share of bumps in the road, finally seems to have been worked out. The company has begun sending sms messages to their customers that they can now access free of charge the carriers WiFi.
AT&T has nearly 20,000 locations in its national “Basic” aggregated network: about 8,000 Starbucks locations, currently transitioning from T-Mobile’s hotspot service, and 10,000 McDonald’s stores available under contract from hotspot builder Wayport. The other roughly 2,000 locations include some coffeeshop chains, Barnes & Noble, and a some airports.
iPhone owners can use this link to locate AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots in cafés, bookstores, airports, hotels, and universities, or this link to find their nearest Starbucks location.