AT&T and Apple Issue iPhone 3G S Checklist for Friday

AT&T and Apple have issued an information checklist to ensure a smooth launch and sales of the iPhone 3G S.

• The iPhone 3G S will be available tomorrow morning from all 2,200 company-owned AT&T retail locations and all 211 US Apple retail stores.

• AT&T stores will be opening at 7AM to fulfill in-store pre-orders for the iPhone 3G S. Customers who did not pre-order will be able to purchase the new iPhone at the regular retail opening schedule on a first come, first served basis.

• Apple stores were expected to open as normal at 8AM but are now reportedly opening at 7AM. Call ahead to confirm store hours.

• Shipments for online pre-orders will be delivered starting tomorrow. Initial inventory for pre-orders is sold out so delivery dates may be later than the 19th for new orders with a two-week window to account for order volume.

• The iPhone 3G S will be available for $199 (16GB) and $299 (32GB) for all new AT&T customers and existing AT&T customers who have fulfilled their contract. AT&T has extended this pricing to current iPhone 3G customers who purchased the iPhone 3G in July, August, or September 2008. Eligibility requirements still apply.

• All other iPhone 3G owners who have not yet fulfilled their existing agreement can upgrade early to the iPhone 3G S for $399 (16GB) and $499 (32GB). Full retail purchases without a two year contract are also available. To check eligibility, use MyWireless online, call AT&T or go to an AT&T store or text *639# from an AT&T handset.

• No multiple handset purchases will be allowed. AT&T stores will only sell one iPhone 3G S per person for new customers, one iPhone 3G S per eligible line for current AT&T customers and one device per household for online shoppers.

• If porting a number from another carrier, remember to bring the appropriate documentation which consists of a copy of a current wireless bill from the service provider, account number, name and billing address on the account, Social Security number or tax ID and account PIN or password.

• If given an iPhone 3G from a friend or family member, a visit to an AT&T store is in order to activate the device. If given an original iPhone, a new SIM card can be requested from an AT&T store and can be subsequently activated at home via iTunes.

• Listen to/archive voice mail messages if possible as all voice mail will be lost when switching devices.