3rd Party iPhone Accessories

[MacRumors]

A Flickr account, presumably by an AT&T store employee, shows some of the early iPhone accessory arrivals. Despite Apple's claims that the iPhone will be relatively resistant to scratches, it is expected that carrying cases and protectors will be one of the hot-sellers.



Of course, iPhone will also work with Bluetooth headsets, including its own Bluetooth headset, which an unconfirmed rumor points to a $129 pricetag for. iPhone also includes Apple's 30-pin dock connector, so most existing iPod accessories should work as well (car chargers, FM transmitters, etc).

[odyssey924]

I'm hoping for $500 or $600 that it comes with some kind of case...

[nagromme]

The iPhone is so thin and portable, I'd almost hate to bulk it up more than I'd hate to scratch it.

I've been carrying my iPod caseless for months now and its scratches are tiny and visible only in the right light, never interfering with use. And it's not made of glass. (I already know how scratch-resistant anodized aluminum is: my ~4-year old Al PowerBook has only one little scratch. Most sharp things write on it like a crayon leaving a "scratch" that just rubs off. So I'm not too worried about the iPhone back.)

Besides, if you carry it in an always-on case, it's like a tree falling on a mime. Who cares whether it's scratched or not if you never see the device itself anyway? I may as well carry it bare, let it get scratches (if any), and then hide the disgrace with a case later. (Any case risks making small scratches of its own anyway.)

If it wasn't for the glass, I'd probably use a film protector without a case. But with glass there's no need for that.

On the other hand, some cases look pretty nice in their own way, and let you customize your device. And extras like a belt clip can be useful. And whether it "really" matters or not, the first scratch on an Apple device is very annoying! They have better design than other brands, and so you tend to care more about preserving the looks.

[ryanwarsaw]

Originally Posted by odyssey924

I'm hoping for $500 or $600 that it comes with some kind of case...

They don't give bags with laptops. I can't see them giving you a case that they know full well you will otherwise buy.

[FACT]

If i were in the market for an iphone, I would definately get a case, but I'd get one like the belt clip one shown in the picture because you can protect the device when you're not using it but have the phone caseless as it should be when you have it out. I think the rubber slide over cases like the one on the far right in the pic are ugly as hell and i personally would never even consider blemishing such a good looking product with something like that.

kthxbi

[nagromme]

Supposedly Apple will include a "lightweight zip-seal travel pouch made from space-age transparent polymer film".

Purported spy photo here.


Anyway, I do kind of like this vege-leather case in red, if I had to have a case:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipo...ld-for-iphone/

Originally Posted by rdowns

ATT reps don't have any details yet. ^^

Nor have they gotten the memo to stop making stuff up

[SiliconAddict]

Originally Posted by odyssey924

I'm hoping for $500 or $600 that it comes with some kind of case...

HA! Hi. welcome to Apple. You must be new here. If it does come with one its going to be the cheapest cover you've ever run across.

[Darkroom]

Originally Posted by SiliconAddict

HA! Hi. welcome to Apple. You must be new here. If it does come with one its going to be the cheapest cover you've ever run across.

i remember a year or 2 before the massive iPod boom a few years ago, my iPod was $600 (Canadian) and it came with a good case, a dock, charger plug, cables, a pin converter, and even some apple stickers... *sigh*... i miss apple stickers.. (although i got some apple stickers with my new iMac last year)...

i wonder if the iPhone will come with apple stickers...

[DoFoT9]

Originally Posted by Darkroom

i miss apple stickers.. (although i got some apple stickers with my new iMac last year)...

i wonder if the iPhone will come with apple stickers...

hahahaha i know how you feel, it really is all about the apple stickers!! but when i get them i dont want to waste them, cauz they might get damaged, or wet, or mightnt stick on properly
go

[Cybergypsy]

Originally Posted by Darkroom

i remember a year or 2 before the massive iPod boom a few years ago, my iPod was $600 (Canadian) and it came with a good case, a dock, charger plug, cables, a pin converter, and even some apple stickers... *sigh*... i miss apple stickers.. (although i got some apple stickers with my new iMac last year)...

i wonder if the iPhone will come with apple stickers...

it comes with stickers

[b3beater]

Originally Posted by Macrumors

A Flickr account, presumably by an AT&T store employee, shows some of the early iPhone accessory arrivals. Despite Apple's claims that the iPhone will be relatively resistant to scratches, it is expected that carrying cases and protectors will be one of the hot-sellers.

Of course, iPhone will also work with Bluetooth headsets, including its own Bluetooth headset, which an unconfirmed rumor points to a $129 pricetag for. iPhone also includes Apple's 30-pin dock connector, so most existing iPod accessories should work as well (car chargers, FM transmitters, etc).

to me that's always been the rub about apple gear.

it looks great - a design marvel....

but it's so damn expensive you have to put in it some ugly protective case so nothing happens to it...

[iMichael72]

I'll definitely get some sort of screen protector.

B3beater, you are right. The iPhone looks amazing, it's a shame you have to (should) keep it in a case to protect it.

But, I'll have no problem doing that. Have to take care of it.

[Jack Nance]

I just talked with an AT@ T representative yesterday. With all the features of the iphone, plus service with 1000 minutes of phone air time, the cost will be::::::

120.00 per month for one Iphone

i'm going to wait for prices to come down for sure.

[rdowns]

ATT reps don't have any details yet. ^^

One rumor says Apple will include a slip case with the iPhone.

[sishaw]

Originally Posted by Jack Nance

I just talked with an AT@ T representative yesterday. With all the features of the iphone, plus service with 1000 minutes of phone air time, the cost will be::::::

120.00 per month for one Iphone

i'm going to wait for prices to come down for sure.

What if we don't need 1000 minutes of talk time? I'd be happy with 400 minutes (I hardly use 100 minutes a month, actually) plus unlimited data (I use lots of that). Did you get any sense of how that kind of arrangement might affect the price? Thanks.

[eddietr]

Originally Posted by sishaw

What if we don't need 1000 minutes of talk time? I'd be happy with 400 minutes (I hardly use 100 minutes a month, actually) plus unlimited data (I use lots of that). Did you get any sense of how that kind of arrangement might affect the price? Thanks.

Just go to cingular.com and price out a plan for one of the HTC phones with the number of minutes you want. The price is not going to be much different from that.

I have a blackjack from Cingular/AT&T and my data plan for unlimited use including ActiveSync is $30/month over and above my 1500 minute family plan. On my wife's line we pay $40/month for unlimited data for her blackberry. I'm not expecting my bill to change much at all on Friday when we replace both with iPhones.

I really expect the pricing to be pretty much the same as every other data plan.

[sbrownla]

Originally Posted by sishaw

What if we don't need 1000 minutes of talk time? I'd be happy with 400 minutes (I hardly use 100 minutes a month, actually) plus unlimited data (I use lots of that). Did you get any sense of how that kind of arrangement might affect the price? Thanks.

Probably about 80-90 bucks. I know it's a broad range, but since plans won't be "exotic", they won't deviate from the current norm (39.99 for 450 anytime and 5k night/weekend, 29.99 smartphone max: unlim data 1500 sms = ~70.00 without taxes and fees, usually 15 bucks).

It just depends on whether they classify it as a PDA or not, and since it's offering POP, full email, visual voicemail (which is most likely adds to the price) and other stuff, it's gonna be significant.

As for cases, how many of the people saying they won't need a case have ever had a touchscreen PDA/Phone? It becomes a much more tactile device when it's touchscreen and is a lot more prone to dropping, so whether or not it is made of glass, there is a LOT more surface area to pay attention and that can get scratched. It has a lot more functions, so you can't really compare it to an iPod. With an iPod, you aren't poking and prodding it as much.

Also, someone else said it first but nobody should ever have anything attached to their belt unless they are a super hero or a mechanic/construction worker.

[DTphonehome]

Originally Posted by sbrownla

Also, someone else said it first but nobody should ever have anything attached to their belt unless they are a super hero or a mechanic/construction worker.

What about us docs in scrubs? The pockets are barely usable and things fall out of them all the time. My Treo is safely ensconsed in a hard case on my waist. Although I suppose we can fall into the "superhero" category

[jur1st]

Originally Posted by DTphonehome

What about us docs in scrubs? The pockets are barely usable and things fall out of them all the time. My Treo is safely ensconsed in a hard case on my waist. Although I suppose we can fall into the "superhero" category

That's acceptable. It's the guys in pleated khakis with their cell phone, work badge, and keys clipped to their braided belt that drive me up the wall.

[sananda]

Originally Posted by DTphonehome

What about us docs in scrubs? The pockets are barely usable and things fall out of them all the time. My Treo is safely ensconsed in a hard case on my waist. Although I suppose we can fall into the "superhero" category

and they tell the patients here that a mobile will interfere with hospital equipment. but you always see the docs and nurses using their phones. i've always been suspicious about that one

[avigalante]

Originally Posted by DTphonehome

What about us docs in scrubs? The pockets are barely usable and things fall out of them all the time. My Treo is safely ensconsed in a hard case on my waist. Although I suppose we can fall into the "superhero" category

To further that notion - what about us, investment bankers, that need to look clean and sharp with our blackberries attached to the back of our waist....

[plumbingandtech]

Also, someone else said it first but nobody should ever have anything attached to their belt unless they are a super hero or a mechanic/construction worker.

Normally I would agree but the reason I will be using this belt clip with my iPhone:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipo...in-for-iphone/

Is that I currently put my phone in my back pocket. (a big no no but I don't care about my current phone.) and using a belt clip will not only keep it in a safe place with a MUCH lower chance of me dropping it compared to carrying it in my hand, but it will make getting in and out of the car easier...

I plan on wearing over my right front pocket though and covering it up with my shirt when possible to minimize the Village People look though....

[thequicksilver]

If the Bluetooth headset is to be that price, it had better be good…

[MacTheSpoon]

Originally Posted by plumbingandtech

Normally I would agree but the reason I will be using this belt clip with my iPhone:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipo...in-for-iphone/

Is that I currently put my phone in my back pocket.

Heh, that looks pretty good, might grab one myself. I think I will go for a plastic screen protector sheet, for sure; even though it's glass, I prefer to be careful...

[s10]

For some reason I have this memory of the earpiece sharing the same charger as the iPhone.. am I correct? Or just mixing things up?