Since I'm a Verizon Wireless customer the closest thing to joining the iFrenzy for the iPhone 3G is taking advantage of Apple's App Store and the wealth new software options available for my iPod Touch. The only problem (sound effect of vinyl record scratching) I can't run any applications from the just opened Apple App Store because I'm locked out. Worse, now that I've updated iTunes to 7.7, I can browse and salivate over applications compatible with my iPod Touch and even download them to my PC. The only problem is my iPod Touch firmware won't update to the latest 2.0 version available today. I've been stuck looking at the message "This version of the iPod software (1.1.4) is the current version."
Problems Are Widespread
I'm not alone. I've been able to find plenty of iPod Touch, first-gen iPhone, and new iPhone 3G owners just like me stuck in the same boat. For over 8 hours I've been unable to update my iPod Touch because the Apple iTunes Store's servers are overwhelmed. The same complaints of not being able to connect to Apple iTunes' servers are coming from hundreds (if not thousands) of first-gen iPhone users and iPhone 3G owners. Apple has quite a mess on its hands.
Bottom line: If you're even considering updating your first-gen iPhone, don't even try. Doing so will likely lock it up. If you're think of buying a iPhone 3G today, don't. Wait till this entire mess is sorted out first. And consider yourself one of the fortunate iPhone 3G users if you aren't having problems activating your new 3G phone. My colleague Denny Arar is having some major headaches with her new iPhone 3G (See Caught in iPhone Activation Hell and Early iPhone In-Store Activations Go Smoothly, Later Activations Stall).
In the interim AT&T has confirmed Apple is having global activation problems. Apple hasn't publicly acknowledged a problem.
UPDATE: At 5:45pm ET Apple's iTunes Servers are still coughing up errors and locking untold thousands out of activating their iPhone 3Gs, updating first-gen iPhones and iPod Touchs. Apple tech support is telling consumers there isn't much they can do and that Apple's servers just weren't prepared for the onslaught of new users. Apple tech support is also pointing part of the blame at AT&T telling one frustrated PC World staffer that Apple should not have told new iPhone 3G owners to try to activate their iPhones from home.
From the Beginning
(Skip to the bottom of this blog for latest on Apple's botched activations.)
Around 8:30am ET a new message popped up in my iTunes 7.7 software under the iPod Summary tab that reads "A newer version of the iPod software is available (version 2.0). To update your iPod with the latest, click Update."
Great I thought until I clicked on "Update." Now I'm getting an error message saying "We could not complete your iTunes Store request. The iTunes Store is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."
The Saga Continues
About five minutes later I'm getting another mysterious message from iTunes now claiming "Your iPod software is up to date." But that of course is not true, because a check of my iPod Touch's firmware shows I'm still using the 1.1.4 version.
I can only assume that Apple's servers are being overrun and overloaded by people like myself eager to update their iPod Touch, first-generation iPhones, and those lucky people downloading new applications with their brand new iPhone 3Gs.
Stay tuned for an update.
UPDATE: 11:10am ET
I'm still locked out of updating my iPod Touch via iTunes. But one thing Apple has managed to do is bill me for Apple App Store software downloaded to my PC earlier this morning. I JUST received an e-mail confirmation my credit card has been billed.
Grrrr. It would be nice to actually use these apps now that I paid for them.
UPDATE: 1:15pm ET
I'm definitely not the only one having troubles. First generation iPhone users are fuming mad over not only not being able to update firmware to the newest iPhone 2.0 version. Complaints are piling up the failed update has essentially "bricked" their iPhones. Some Wall Street wonks are attributing activation problems for a drop in Apple's stock (down 4.7 points as of 1:15pm ET).
There is not much good news to pacify those frustrated by the failed update. Apple is officially not saying a word. The number of complaints popping up in Apple's support forum is growing by the minute. One iPhone user able to contact Apple support said he was told "The tech said that Apple's server has shut down because of the huge surge of people who are updating their phones. They are now working on it, he said."
UPDATE: 3:06pm ET
Still dead in the water with my iPod Touch along with an unknown number of first-generation iPhone users. Also consider yourself one of the fortunate iPhone 3G users if you aren't having problems activating your new 3G phone.
No official word from Apple what's going wrong. But AT&T is publicly acknowledging it's aware of a "global problem" with Apple's iTune servers. My guess is AT&T doesn't want anyone to think it is to blame and is happy to point the finger at Apple. AT&T says Apple's iTunes servers are preventing some iPhone 3Gs from being fully activated in-store.
As an alternative AT&T Wireless retail store employees are directing new iPhone 3G owners to go home and try to connect to Apple's iTunes' servers on their own.
That's not working either. Here at PC World several eager iPhone 3G owners have yet to activate their iPhones because of an inability to access Apple's iTunes servers. A couple of staffers have been trying with no luck for hours to activate their iPhones.
As for me, all I'm getting are new variations of the same error message from Apple's iTunes software.
Check back for updates...
i'm having the same problem...grrrrrr
same problem, I'm trying to update my 1st gen iphone, I'm stuck at the point where it gives me the "We could not complete your iTunes Store request" error message, can't even use my phone while I wait for this....
Exactly the same problem as Tom, its damn frustrating.
Same issue here, If I try to go to apple store and download it from there, I get a message that "This link needs to be opened with an application" And gives a blank window.
Same issue. I have NO phone service at all at this time.
I was at my local ATT store bright and early this morning to find out that they only had ~10 black 16gb phone to sell because apple was reserving the rest for some exclusive list no customer on the 200+ person line had ever heard about. Add that to the fact that after 40 minutes I was sent home because they couldnt activate my phone instore and now, and that I still cant activate it o of some the Itunes store issue, you can imagine how I feel.
Wow Wow Wow
Been trying since 7:50 am. Bunch of error messages version is updated version needs to be updated. Cannot access itunes store. Apple should have been prepared for this. Awesome products but cannot keep a website from crashing come on!!!!
I had a problem with the check for update button wrongly saying there was none. So I shut down itunes and unplugged my phone, when I plugged it back it it asked if I wanted the 2.0 update. So now its installing.
Been trying since 6:45. Totally locked out of my phone. Cannot even restore it. I now have no phone, no ipod, etc. WTF? Please, someone, advise!
Apple is totally blowing it. I made the big mistake of trying to update my old iphone. now i'm unable to make or recieve phone calls worse.. I'm in a holding pattern with bricked phone. The message says do not disconnect or try to reboot the phone and keep trying until it works.. thanks apple
I read horror stories about AT&T customer service from last year,but I thought you they surely resolved those problems this time around.Sadly,I was proven horribly wrong time and time again.The ?bouncer?(I call him that because that is how he was acting)controlling the line was extremely rude. When we asked if they even had enough phones to get through the line we were rudely told(with a holier than thou attitude)?I can?t divulge that information? like it?s some sort of state secret. All we wanted to know is ?are we wasting our time??
David Larry is coordinating ALL input of ALL Apple and ATT problems with 'THIS DISASTER" ... Please have all your attorneys and victims contact ...
www.appleattiphoneclassactionlawsuit.com
This will be the WORLD's first Social Networked "LAWSUIT" Worldwide - but unfortunately - NOT the last!
PRODUCTS MUST WORK!