iTunes glitch stalls 3G iPhone launch

Apple Inc.’s launch of its 3G iPhone this morning got off to a rocky start for some. According to AT&T Mobility spokesman Mark Siegel, customers buying the device were having trouble synching their new phone to Apple’s iTunes service in retail outlets, which is required for the final activation process. Because of the issue, Siegel said both Apple and AT&T Mobility were telling customers having troubles synching in store to take their handsets home and attempt to synch with their iTunes account later today to complete the activation process.
An RCR Wireless News staffer who bought one today got his phone activated after seven hours.
Meanwhile, blog reports noted frustrated customers angry that the process had not gone smoothly, a repeat of last year’s 2G iPhone launch.
The issues did not appear to impact all locations or all customers, though Siegel said the issue was connected to a worldwide problem with Apple’s iTunes service. Apple launched an update to its iTunes service this week ahead of the 3G iPhone launch. Both Apple and AT&T Mobility were confident their retail locations could handle the newly required in-store activation for the 3G iPhone. The previous version of the device required customers to activate service from their home iTunes account, but was believed to have been the source for millions of iPhones ending up overseas.
Siegel added that customers are able to select their calling plans, data package and any other offering while at the retail locations and that once the customer successfully synchs the device with their iTunes account the phones should be operational.
Apple has not yet returned a call for comment.