Apple began notifying affected customers via email on Sunday that they might be further delayed for another two days because of “system issues” and “high activation volumes,” according to readers of various blogs who claim to have received e-mail message.

The problems began immediately after the launch of new iPhone on Friday.

As a way of apology for the delay, the same e-mail, said Apple plans to offer customers a $ 30 credit at the iTunes Store Credit “inconvenience this delay has resulted.”

Here is the full text of the e-mail:

Dear Apple Customer,

Thank you for your recent Apple Store order. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience caused by the delay in activating your iPhone.

We are still addressing the issue, which had been encountered in the process of activating your iPhone, at least, and T. Unfortunately, because of the system and still high levels of activation, it may take us up to 48 additional hours.

On Monday, you’ll receive an email from the Apple iTunes Store with a credit of $ 30. We hope you enjoy this gift, and please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this delay has caused.

Thank you for choosing Apple.

Best regards,
Apple Online Store Team

Apple representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In July last year in the iPhone, as the launch of new customers trying to fill needed at the store activation process overwhelmed AT & T activation servers slowed Apple Store scanning lines, and eventually crashed the servers at all. Apple ditched soon in store activation and a “unbricking” phones that allow customers include them in the house, rather than stand on line because of crashed servers.

Contrasts sharply with the frenzied first day of the sale of the original iPhone, and last year’s iPhone 3G, launched on Friday was significantly smaller and quieter than the crowd for smartphone debut.

One analyst expected Apple to sell 500,000 iPhones this weekend. This is half the phones, as Apple has sold when he began to iPhone 3G, Apple has sold but that the phone in 21 countries, on the first day. For comparison, iPhone 3G S was sold in eight countries, on his first day.