iPhone 3G – Sync or Swim?

The iPhone 3G’s first day of sales got off to a slightly rocky start. While sales have been brisk, the activation process has been experiencing delays and outright failures.

Courtesy of Apple

The activation process differs slightly, depending on the country and carrier involved, but essentially, activation requires syncing the iPhone with a computer running iTunes. Most carriers, as well as Apple retail stores, require activation to be completed before the customer leaves the store. Initially, the activation process was expected to take a maximum of 10 minutes per person, but due to the sheer number of iPhones being purchased, iTunes servers (at Apple and at the various carriers) have been unable to keep up with the demand.

For most individuals, this means the purchase and activation process can take more than 30 minutes to complete. Some carriers are allowing customers to leave with their purchased iPhones, with instructions to complete the activation process at home. Other carriers are asking customers to return later in the day, to pick up their fully activated iPhones.

Despite the inconvenience, iPhone 3G sales seem to be going well. We won’t know the full extent of the performance of first-day sales until later next week.