Though rumors of in-home iPhone activations in September were quickly dashed when it was revealed that AT&T was simply offering a "pre-qualification" program, AT&T is now offering customers the chance to buy an iPhone 3G online and finish the activation process at home through iTunes.
If you'd rather not leave the house to pick up an iPhone 3G, AT&T has you covered.
A banner on AT&T's wireless website promotes online buying of an iPhone 3G for the holidays. Clicking though leads to a page to select an iPhone 3G model, and even offers free overnight shipping. It appears as though the offer only applies to new customers, however. Those with existing AT&T accounts are still directed to "purchase it at a store near you."
Though Gadgetell broke the news early this morning, the blog later posted an update that AT&T representatives were giving conflicting information about the offer. We verified with AT&T that this is the real deal, however. "The device ships activated," AT&T spokesperson Brad Mays told Ars. "But a customer must accept terms and conditions over the phone with customer care or online at att.com—the same process for other phones purchased online—after which he or she will simply sync the device with iTunes to use it."
Since the iPhone requires a contract and activation via a wireless carrier in most countries, Apple is not selling the iPhone online except in Hong Kong and the UK. In the US, AT&T is now the only way to get an iPhone 3G from the comfort of your own home.
