Cupertino, Calif. - Apple (NASD: AAPL) launched its iPhone 3G in 21 countries on Friday, but problems with activating the software plagued both purchasers of the second-generation device and those updating their first-generation iPhones with a software update that includes the new App Store. Various outlets reported that lines outside of Apple and AT&T stores were moving slowly, as servers were unable to handle the load of customers activating their phones in-store -- a new development meant to prevent consumers from unlocking them for use on competing networks.

TechCrunch reported that many current iPhone owners had their devices temporarily "bricked," or made unusable, after trying to download the 2.0 software update but finding servers unable to complete the process.

Reuters was on hand with the first person in the world to buy one, a 22-year-old student in New Zealand who said he waited in line for 60 hours to buy the device at midnight on Friday.

Related Links:

Buzz Watch: The iPhone 3G Is Here! Too Bad It Comes With AT&T...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080711/tc_nm/iphone_dc_11 (Reuters)

http://snipurl.com/2wutj (Apple Insider)

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/11/six-million-ibricks-and-growing

http://snipurl.com/2wwbq (AP)

http://www.moconews.net/channel/name/apple/