First Generation Nerd

This morning marked the release of the new Apple iPhone 3G, which includes 3G wireless speed, an integrated GPS, and the new version 2.0 software release that allows users to add applications to their device.  Apple and AT&T stores opened at 8:00am local time across the country.  Just minutes ago, the last locations to open on the west coast began admitting customers into their stores.

However, those last people being admitted to the stores are being greeted with an unpleasant surprise: AT&T’s activation servers have been unable to stay operational to complete the process.  Gizmodo has reported that the official word is: 

“We have had reports that customers attempting to download new iTunes 7.7 software to their new iPhone may get an error message saying “page not found.” We have reported this issue to Apple. While Apple works to resolve this issue, we are asking customers to sync their newly activated phone later at home.” via Gizmodo

Some people have waited more than 30 minutes to have their phones activated, only to be sent home to try the activation process from iTunes on their home computers (TUAW), which was the way the process went for the first iPhone.  The first customers on the east coast were able to get their phones activated in the stores, but those who have been sent home are still having problems because of the server issues.  

Leo Laporte has been broadcasting the whole event with footage from around the country, which you can access at http://twitlive.tv.  I am so glad that I didn’t try to get in line only to have these issues!  It still is one exciting day

I’m not going to do the full run-down here of all the junk news we have been receiving about the July 11 release of the iPhone.  What I am going to do is simply say that owning an iPhone is not just a mobile device choice; it is a financial obligation.  I signed up for AT&T in March to prepare for this iPhone release.  I didn’t want to be stuck in an AT&T or Apple store on launch day waiting for a credit check or having some problem with my plan - I wanted to get in, get it, get out.  So, it was quite surprising when I discovered that existing AT&T customers (which is now me) have to pay $200 *more* than new customers for the phone because of upgrade ineligibility.  Tack on the extra $10 per month in 3G data and at least $5 to make up for the lack of included texts, and I am preparing to spend an extra $560 for the iPhone over a 2 year contract.  Is this amount calculated above my current plan?  NO…above the cost to run the current 2.5G iPhone.  I was excited about the first-generation iPhone, even with the price premium, but this is starting to get a bit pricey.  Let’s see what happens…