Looks like iPhone owners will once again be able to activate their handsets from the comfort of their own homes. AT&T has reintroduced the feature, which has been absent since the release of the iPhone 3G earlier this year--a move that was no doubt taken, at least in part, to avoid some of the gridlock that the first iteration of the handset suffered through upon its release.

AT&T is advertising the activation through its site. Apple, on the other hand, seems to still require users to come into one of its retail storefronts to activate the handset.

The timing of the move is particularly interesting in light of recent rumors that have Wal-Mart stocking the handset. Online activation of the device would certainly save the mega-retailer from a potentially enormous headache, should the partnership roll out ahead of the holidays.