Apple updates iPhone 3G launch info as unboxing photos appear

[AppleInsider]

Apple has issued emails and updated its iPhone pages with new information regarding iPhone 3G launch day procedures. Meanwhile, the first sets of unboxing photos are appearing on the Web now that demo units have started to arrive at retail stores around the world.

All Apple Stores opening at 8:00 a.m.

"Apple Retail Stores will open early this Friday to help you get set up and get going with your new iPhone 3G," the company said in an email to US customers this morning. The same message confirmed that Apple Specialists will be on hand to offer a "Personal Setup" that will help you choose your phone model, select a rate plan, and prep your new handset so that it's "ready to make calls, browse the web, and receive email right on the spot."

What you'll need

Separately, Apple updated its iPhone websites with information on How to Get Ready for the new iPhone 3G and What To Bring to Apple (or AT&T) retail stores when you're ready to purchase. Much of the information on these pages echoes information published (1, 2, 3) by AppleInsider in recent days.

For instance, Apple says that in order to purchase iPhone 3G, you will need to have a credit card, your social security number, a valid government-issued photo ID, and your current wireless account number and password or PIN (if you’re new to AT&T).

"Current and new iPhone users who now receive or will receive service under a corporate account and wish to purchase iPhone 3G need to contact AT&T directly," the company added. "Also, if you want your Phone to access your business email account, check with your IT manager first."

Official iPhone 3G accessories

A list of official Apple-made iPhone 3G accessories is now also available, and includes the iPhone 3G Dock, existing iPhone Bluetooth Headset, Apple USB Power Adapter, iPhone Bluetooth Travel Cable, Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable, iPhone 3G Universal Dock Adapter 3-Pack, and iPhone TTY Adapter.

First unboxing photos

Meanwhile, photos of the first iPhone 3G unboxing have appeared on the Portuguese-language iPhonePortugal website just as a set of in-store display photos hit the Swiss website Gadget O'Mac.

Given that the neither the iPhone nor its packaging have changed much compared to the original iPhone, the photos are not particularly revealing.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[bigmc6000]

And there we have the lovely draw back of all plastic - that thing is a finger print magnet! I bet all the conspirators are thinking the gov't paid them to do it so they'll be able to take your finger print whenever they want

[manfrommars]

Conspiracy theories aside, what's with needing to provide your Social Security number to Apple? I understand 'credit check' but I already have an ATT account as I'm sure many of us do. Any opinions on this?

[rbonner]

That picture just swayed me into the white model.

[rbonner]

Originally Posted by manfrommars

Conspiracy theories aside, what's with needing to provide your Social Security number to Apple? I understand 'credit check' but I already have an ATT account as I'm sure many of us do. Any opinions on this?

I am thinking that this is for new accounts only, but is interesting. Does anyone know if you need your SSN to get a new account at the AT&T store for other phones? Is this SOP?

I will bring mine, but will be asking why it's needed at the store.

[iVlad]

OMG im getting a white iPhone. Black just looks like any other phone.

[sandau]

Originally Posted by manfrommars

Conspiracy theories aside, what's with needing to provide your Social Security number to Apple? I understand 'credit check' but I already have an ATT account as I'm sure many of us do. Any opinions on this?

I don't like it at all. But....

http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs10-ssn.htm#11

Must I give my Social Security number to private businesses?

Usually, no, you do not have to provide your Social Security number. You are not legally required to provide your SSN to private businesses — including private health care providers and insurers — unless you are involved in a transaction in which the Internal Revenue Service requires notification. (MediCal and Medicare are government health plans and can require a Social Security number.)

There is no law, however, that prevents businesses from requesting your SSN, and there are few restrictions on what businesses can do with it. However, even though you are not required to disclose your SSN, the business can refuse to provide you with service if you refuse to give it.

[Victor3]

I can't wait till get this phone I hope it live up to all its anticipation.

[Chris_CA]

Originally Posted by rbonner

I am thinking that this is for new accounts only, but is interesting. Does anyone know if you need your SSN to get a new account at the AT&T store for other phones? Is this SOP?

Yes, it is SOP.

[norton]

Still no information on whether there is a limit per customer. I want to buy an iPhone for myself and my wife on a family plan. AT&T claims that both people should be present, but that is just stupid. Why cant I buy two if they get placed under my name on a family plan anyway.

Come on Apple...update that piece of info for all of us.

[Callaway7]

Hope they will have a white version to demo. Curious to see how it holds up fingerprints, smears, etc compared to the black version.

[franciscoandre]

Also, I can show you a new and simple object that will be included on the iPhone 3G Box set: Sim Ejector Tool (see picture). Basically, it's helpful to eject the Sim Card slot from the inside of the iPhone 3G.



Best Regards,
Francisco

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by manfrommars

Conspiracy theories aside, what's with needing to provide your Social Security number to Apple? I understand 'credit check' but I already have an ATT account as I'm sure many of us do. Any opinions on this?

AT&T always ask me for my SSN when I need to change something with my account whether on the phone or in person at AT&T store. However, most of the time they ask me for the last 4 digits of my SSN.

[DimMok]

White is the new black...damn the black!

[QiTH8N]

I find it a little interesting that the bulky security sensor in the photos was "strategically" placed in the upper right corner of the iPhone. I see a point to include the attached security sensor on the back of the phone, but why on the front?

Especially considering a number of previous reports (albeit... unconfirmed reports) that the new iPhone would include a front mounted camera in the exact same location of the sensor. It would not surprise me if at launch, the veil drops and all of the sudden..."hey there's a camera on the front!"

It may be far fetched, but interesting none the less.

[mrjoec123]

Originally Posted by Chris_CA

Yes, it is SOP.

I've read elsewhere that SSN is only required for non-ATT customers. If you already have an account with ATT, there's no reason to run a credit check, and thus no valid reason to take your SSN. Apple doesn't want your SSN, believe me. That's information that no company wants floating around in a database unless absolutely necessary. Too much potential for responsibility if there were a leak of some kind.

Since you need to activate in the store, I'm assuming that there wouldn't be a limit to how many you can buy, as long as you're willing to sign all those contracts. But there may be limits set for the first day, just to keep the store from running out.

[tailg8r]

Originally Posted by QiTH8N

I find it a little interesting that the bulky security sensor in the photos was "strategically" placed in the upper right corner of the iPhone. I see a point to include the attached security sensor on the back of the phone, but why on the front?

Especially considering a number of previous reports (albeit... unconfirmed reports) that the new iPhone would include a front mounted camera in the exact same location of the sensor. It would not surprise me if at launch, the veil drops and all of the sudden..."hey there's a camera on the front!"

It may be far fetched, but interesting none the less.

my guess is that this alien fob that comes around to the front of the phone covers one of the sensors that controls the screen either dimming or turning on/off (when held to face). In covering the sensor there is probably a light being shined on the sensor so the screen doesn't go to sleep mode while no one is playing with it. just a guess

[tailg8r]

speaking of qty to be purchased, i am wondering how many phones the stores will have? I am hearing and reading there probably won't be a problem with supply but I am guessing in major metro areas (chicago, nyc, la, atl, etc) there could very well be some shortages

[QiTH8N]

Originally Posted by tailg8r

my guess is that this alien fob that comes around to the front of the phone covers one of the sensors that controls the screen either dimming or turning on/off (when held to face). In covering the sensor there is probably a light being shined on the sensor so the screen doesn't go to sleep mode while no one is playing with it. just a guess

You make a good point and are probably right! Who knows what the Apple-heads have up their sleeves, I guess we'll just have to wait 3 and a half more days until one is in hand.

[Abster2core]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Given that the neither the iPhone nor its packaging have changed much compared to the original iPhone, the photos are not particularly revealing.

Yes they are, particularly to the idiots that were complaining a couple of weeks ago that Apple was ripping them off because they were going to have to pay an extra $30 for a 'dock'.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by manfrommars

Conspiracy theories aside, what's with needing to provide your Social Security number to Apple? I understand 'credit check' but I already have an ATT account as I'm sure many of us do. Any opinions on this?

Standard operating procedure. What's the big deal?

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by iVlad

OMG im getting a white iPhone. Black just looks like any other phone.

You wouldn't be able to see the fingerprints as easily with white.

[SpamSandwich]

Nice to see so many people are eager to get this. I'll continue to wait out the frenzy for as many years as it takes for a non-at&t iPhone to become available.

[pmjoe]

Hmmm ... well it'll be interesting to see how they respond when I refuse to give them my SSN. There isn't anything they need it for.

[solipsism]

Who is getting what capacity model? I am reading here people want the white model, so that suggests they are going for the 16GB model phones. I'm still undecided as 8GB has been plenty for my needs by I think I could go overboard with apps in the next year so 16GB may be the way to go.

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Nice to see so many people are eager to get this. I'll continue to wait out the frenzy for as many years as it takes for a non-at&t iPhone to become available.

Move to Canada, they have non-AT&T iPhones there.

[sapporobaby]

Originally Posted by manfrommars

Conspiracy theories aside, what's with needing to provide your Social Security number to Apple? I understand 'credit check' but I already have an ATT account as I'm sure many of us do. Any opinions on this?

Exactly. Freedom of Information Act lawsuits a-plenty.

[Boogerman2000]

The phone's screen does not look as wide as the 1st gen.- more black around the edges. Maybe it's due to the new design. $30 is expensive for a dock, but expected.

[ravedog]

Originally Posted by manfrommars

Conspiracy theories aside, what's with needing to provide your Social Security number to Apple? I understand 'credit check' but I already have an ATT account as I'm sure many of us do. Any opinions on this?

SSN + GPS = Gov't Big Brother LOL

[Tantrum]

The Constitution guarantees your right to bear arms and all but there isn't anything in there that guarantees your privacy. There are laws that forbid actions that violate your privacy but the government and most legitimate businesses can easily buy enough information about you to connect the dots from Choicepoint.

For example, the government can't collect and aggregate some information from different databases but it can buy it as a complete package from Choicepoint and credit vetting agencies after you willingly submit it to get that Amex card or that shiny new car.

This whole obsession with privacy is nothing more than a loony left-wing and ultra-right wing fantasy.

[macinthe408]

Oooh, the Keypad got a makeover!? Looks completely different than 1.1.4 Keypad.

[bobo28]

Originally Posted by pmjoe

Hmmm ... well it'll be interesting to see how they respond when I refuse to give them my SSN. There isn't anything they need it for.

Apple has no legit reason that I'm aware of to copy and store your social security number ( they prob don't want the liability anyhow) While it seems innocuous to some, it's anything but. Just the combination of an SS#, Cell# and GPS are problematic on it's face. Just consider how easily the telecoms bent over for the Bush Admin. and stand a good chance of receiving immunity for it. The picture should be pretty clear to every US citizen. If you think it's OK to give up your basic Constitutional Rights just because YOU think you have nothing to hide , you deserve what your going to get . . . " What type of Government have we Mr. Franklin ? A Democracy gentleman, if you can keep it ! "

Perhaps more importantly , I'll be waiting until at least MacWorld, if not the expiration of the ATT exclusivity deal to get my new multi-core, special order color, 128gb iphone . Should be a breeze while everyone else lining up for a new Newton. Unless of course we have to start this social security number thing again !

[Tantrum]

bobo28 and others,
dudes, there's no such thing as a basic Constitutional right to privacy. I'm not kidding, ask a lawyer.