iPhone

Its been a long time since I blogged. The company I worked for got bought by a bigger company and we had a product release to get out. Thats all fairly settled now.

So the new thing for me is the iPhone. Yes, I stood in line in Providence, RI for 2 hours and bought one. I was #77 in the line. They had plenty and I got the 8GB model. The Apple people were nice to the waiters and gave us water and coupons for discounts on coffee in the mall.

Buying the phone was uneventful, choose one of 2 models then check out. Despite the stuff online, there were no bluetooth headsets available. The best cases were sold out by the time I got my phone (6:30pm EDT). I drove right home to register it.

Thats where the wheels came off the bus. Im transferring my line from Verizon. I knew it would take up to 6 hours to transfer but all the press (and you'll see current information) says you can use the phone until the transfer is complete you just cant receive calls. Well thats not true. The phone can do nothing but make 911 calls until its activated and they claim activation will take up to 24 hours:

"Phone service is scheduled to be disconnected on your current phone at or after 7:25 PM EDT on June 30. Please check your email and be prepared to reconnect and activate your iPhone before that time. Please call 877-800-3701 if you'd like to make other arrangements.

You will receive an email to xxx@mac.com as soon as your iPhone is ready to be activated. After you activate your iPhone and before your phone number is transferred from your current provider you will continue to receive calls on your current phone. Your iPhone will be able to make outgoing calls but will not receive calls until the transfer is complete."

Both the FAQ and this confirmation email make it clear you can use the product before activation is complete. This is not the case. I called and spoke to 3 people at AT&T and they didnt have a clue except to tell me to wait. I called Apple. It said there was a 5 minute wait time. Its been 1 hour 10 mins and i'm still waiting with no idea how long i'll be on hold. Perhaps 24 hours?

I understand the phone activation may take time, but the iPod, Video, Pictures, Calendar and other things should be able to work without phone activation.

Apple, figure this out and quick if you dont want to fall on your face!