# 3G iPhone Failure to Launch Retrospective of Jobs' Epic Fail By Going Like Sixty | Published 2008-07-12 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-epic-fail References: [venturebeat](http://venturebeat.com/2008/07/11/the-great-iphone-3g-ifail-a-retrospective-with-videos/) [Apple](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-ultra-concept) has failed its minions. The [iPhone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-fold-concept) has a failure to be activated in many, many instances. Uber-blogger Robert Scoble stormed out of the Apple store without a phone, and the many customers who were sent home with new [iPhones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classic-c1) received instructions on how to activate it later. After waiting hours, some people even days, in line, no one wants to walk out of a store with a phone that doesn't work. Apple and AT&T have nobody else to blame but themselves. They require the phone to be activated in the store. So a high demand (duh) or any other glitch kills the positive buzz. Epic Fail. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 42% | Activity: 78% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Failed Product Launches:** Companies can learn from Apple's iPhone failure to ensure successful product launches by conducting thorough testing and anticipating potential glitches. - **Customer Activation Experience:** Improving the activation process can enhance the overall customer experience and prevent frustrations caused by delayed or failed activations. - **Negative Impact of Glitches:** Glitches during product launches can quickly kill positive buzz and damage a company's reputation, highlighting the importance of meticulous planning and execution. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Smartphone Manufacturing:** Innovating the smartphone manufacturing process to prevent activation issues can give manufacturers a competitive edge and improve customer satisfaction. - **Telecommunications:** Telecom companies can invest in seamless activation systems and comprehensive customer support to minimize activation-related frustrations and retain customers. - **Product Development Consulting:** Consulting firms specializing in product development can help businesses identify potential pitfalls and develop robust activation strategies to avoid failures like Apple's iPhone launch. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [High-End Rugged Smartphone Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-ultra-concept.md) - [Smartphone Cellular Emergency Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-14-emergency-sos.md) - [New Tech Product Announcements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-tech-products.md) - [Previous Generation Smartphone Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-4-concept.md) - [Durable Pro-Inspired Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-17.md) - [5G-Enabled Legacy Smartphone Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-apple-iphone-se.md) - [Charged Phone Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apples-miss-you.md) - [Ultra Slim Light Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-air-1.md) - [Hybrid Iphone Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-fold-concept.md)