3rd Party iPhone Accessories

[pale9]

Not to disagree with an employee who may or may not know his own name, but. Remember that Verizon turned Apple down on the iPhone. Ask yourself this: Would the top cell phone company turn down the hottest product in years at a price point of $120/month? The answer clearly is NO! Certainly not on the Edge network to boot.

Apple is holding back the pricing because that is going to be the final surprise, or if you will the "Killer App"

If Apple and ATT are dumb enough to bring it out at $120/month, they wouldn't be needing all those extra employees for crowd control, now would they?

Put on your thinking cap people. No one wants to pay $4/day for a phone, not even an iPhone. The price is the final unbelievable feature. That is why Verizon passed. Apple low balled ATT to get them to think long term and market share.

Apple ][ Forever!

hello mr. apple ][ forever! i have news for you. att is your typical corporate behemoth, not some flexible young, dynamic company. i would not be surprised at all if the $120 turn out to be correct. i had several 976 phone services back in the 80's (pay per call for you people that were not around yet). i was constantly surprised how stupid and inflexible the att managers were.

 

[bdj21ya]

I hope it works with my Apple FM receiver. Great little gadget, though a lot of times when I plug it in to my wife's nano, the nano freaks out and says that Firewire connections are not supported. Hmm...guess it's time to make an appt. at the Genius Bar.

 

[sananda]

I agree they need better cases. The hip case is functional but just too dorky. The wrap around thing takes 100% of the cool factor away.

i agree. you can't put a beautiful iphone in a belt case (which are the preserve of the geeky and plumbers )

 

[DTphonehome]

Not to disagree with an employee who may or may not know his own name, but. Remember that Verizon turned Apple down on the iPhone. Ask yourself this: Would the top cell phone company turn down the hottest product in years at a price point of $120/month? The answer clearly is NO! Certainly not on the Edge network to boot.

Apple is holding back the pricing because that is going to be the final surprise, or if you will the "Killer App"

If Apple and ATT are dumb enough to bring it out at $120/month, they wouldn't be needing all those extra employees for crowd control, now would they?

Put on your thinking cap people. No one wants to pay $4/day for a phone, not even an iPhone. The price is the final unbelievable feature. That is why Verizon passed. Apple low balled ATT to get them to think long term and market share.

Apple ][ Forever!

You're dreaming. AT&T is giving away a lot to Apple already in exchange for being the exlusive iPhone carrier (such as a percentage of monthly fees, and complete interface control), and if you think they'll come up with some super-discounted plan for iPhone users, you're nuts. The iPhone is targeted at a wealthier demographic, who is probably already paying close to 100 bucks a month for voice/data. They'll sell out of these in no time; what's their incentive to discount the calling plans?

 

[DTphonehome]

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

 

[pale9]

pretty standard not!

$129 is pretty standard. You can get the cheap ones for less, but there is a clear difference between the quality of these products (and I'm not just talking materials, but performance, where it really matters). Trust me, I've got a cheap one and it's barely usable at times.

i dont know what you consider standard. let me tell you what i am paying with sprint. i have a family plan with 3 phones, one of which has the umlimited data plan. incl. 500 anytime minutes and free nights and weekends etc. total cost per month incl. all taxes and fees: $100.00

and the sprint data network is MUCH faster that what att has....

so much for standard rates

 

[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/ipod/review/griffin-technology-elan-snap-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....

 

[ryanwarsaw]

Sure they could package the shield or whatever in with a pack of iKlear and charge good money for it. iKrystal could be the only approved shield to work with iKlear. 3 sheets of iKrystal for $29.95 I really think they will do well with accessories and add ons. Although my comments seem a little negative, I am actually laughing my way to the bank along with Apple.


*Hears faint voice in my head saying "If you build it they will come."

 

[voicegy]

Cases, cases

There's all sorts of cases coming down the pike and there will be even more as time goes by. http://www.iphonescases.com/

All I'm really worried about is car adaptation and Apple 'boom box' adaptation. Right now I have a Nano, and an FM gooseneck transmitter for the car. I'll probably have to spring for a hard wired option in my Volvo when I start using the iPhone, but as for my boom box, I would assume that a special adaptor will be coming out for that unless one of the current iPod adaptors fits it.

Keepin Jobs' airplane gas tank full.......

 

[thequicksilver]

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

 

[jur1st]

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.

 

[plumbingandtech]

There's all sorts of cases coming down the pike and there will be even more as time goes by. http://www.iphonescases.com/

All I'm really worried about is car adaptation and Apple 'boom box' adaptation. Right now I have a Nano, and an FM gooseneck transmitter for the car. I'll probably have to spring for a hard wired option in my Volvo when I start using the iPhone, but as for my boom box, I would assume that a special adaptor will be coming out for that unless one of the current iPod adaptors fits it.

Keepin Jobs' airplane gas tank full.......

I know. I bought a new car last year with an iPod adapter and it works fine... only problem is that I do not want to put my iphone in the glove compartment everytime i get in the car.

My dream solution would be an bluetooth adapter I plug in the ipod adapter in the glove comp. that streams my music from the iphone on me or in a cup holder to the stereo.

Not sure about bandwidth for quality stereo.. just hoping...

 

[ryanwarsaw]

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.

Makes note to self: Do not enter a gay bar with hip mounted iphone.

 

[Romanesq]

$129 is pretty standard. You can get the cheap ones for less, but there is a clear difference between the quality of these products (and I'm not just talking materials, but performance, where it really matters). Trust me, I've got a cheap one and it's barely usable at times.

Sorry, I completely disagree. I've used some excellent Jabra products and these bluetooth devices are far below $129. Currently, I'm using Jabra's BT 500 and I think it was far less than $100. I also have used their BT 350 and again excellent performance and I got it for probably like $50.

So forget $129.

 

[sananda]

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

 

[DTphonehome]

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.

Don't forget the blue denim button-down shirt!

 

[ajhill]

You're dreaming. AT&T is giving away a lot to Apple already in exchange for being the exlusive iPhone carrier (such as a percentage of monthly fees, and complete interface control), and if you think they'll come up with some super-discounted plan for iPhone users, you're nuts. The iPhone is targeted at a wealthier demographic, who is probably already paying close to 100 bucks a month for voice/data. They'll sell out of these in no time; what's their incentive to discount the calling plans?

Since when did Telcos have ANY say so in the interface design of phones?

I'm not saying that the monthly plan will be super discount. I'm just saying it's not going to be over $100/month. EDGE is slow. We don't know what Apple's monthly take is, but it'll probably only be a buck or two. Not a real factor.

But the masses are going to make this phone a success or a failure. And Verizon would in noway have passed on the phone at over $100.

Think about it! Job's is not an idiot. iPod worked because he sold them to everyone, not just the wealthy.

Revolutions don't come with industry standard pricing plans, now do they?

How about you folks out there? What would you pay for a great phone on an okay network with a slow data connection? For me, not anywhere near over $100/month. Maybe $70-$80. For Verizon a figure like that is a deal breaker. For Att with a slower network that they are trying to squeeze money out of in order to build out their faster network it makes a lot of sense.

ps: This is the exact reason that Apple is having a hard time finding a cell partner in Europe.

 

[DTphonehome]

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

That's how we keep patients and their families from yapping all day long on our busy floors But seriously, the chance of interference is extremely low, but it's best to keep it minimal. And the docs may need to be reached in case of emergency, so we balance that chance of interference (which is a non-issue with most recent medical equipment anyway, which is shielded) with the chance that there is a life-threatening emergency we need to get to.

 

[LordJohnWhorfin]

Sorry Apple... That's too much.

Cingular is just too pricey a carrier. Their lowest voice plan is $40/month and includes only 450 anytime minutes, unlimited nights and week-ends, and rollover of unused minutes. Unlimited data is $40/month for smartphones/PDAs. You can cheat and get an unlimited data plan for $20/month by telling them you have a different phone, but since at&t will be signing you up for 2 years they'll probably also require both plans, so I would assume $80/month to be the minimal commitment for the iPhone.
It wouldn't be so bad if the iPhone was 3G, but EDGE? Forget it. EDGE is not worth $20/month, let alone $40.

And $120 for the headset when you can get a Jawbone for $80 at eCost? I don't think so.

 

[ajhill]

i dont know what you consider standard. let me tell you what i am paying with sprint. i have a family plan with 3 phones, one of which has the umlimited data plan. incl. 500 anytime minutes and free nights and weekends etc. total cost per month incl. all taxes and fees: $100.00

and the sprint data network is MUCH faster that what att has....

so much for standard rates

My point exactly. This price is key, which is exactly why they are saving it for last. DTphonehome may want to pay $120 for an EDGE phone, but the rest of the world won't, not matter how good the interface, or iPod player is. At $120/month they won't need to hire any extra employees, because there won't be much of a line...

Remember... Verizon passed on this phone, and there is no way that they pass on the iPhone at $120/month JUST NO WAY!

 

[ryanwarsaw]

And $120 for the headset when you can get a Jawbone for $80 at eCost? I don't think so.

Other companies already sell headsets for more than that. If Bang & Olufsen can sell $150 sets of ordinary headphones, then I don't see this price point being an issue.

 

[s10]

iPhone + bluetooth earpiece

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?

 

[pale9]

Cingular is just too pricey a carrier. Their lowest voice plan is $40/month and includes only 450 anytime minutes, unlimited nights and week-ends, and rollover of unused minutes. Unlimited data is $40/month for smartphones/PDAs. You can cheat and get an unlimited data plan for $20/month by telling them you have a different phone, but since at&t will be signing you up for 2 years they'll probably also require both plans, so I would assume $80/month to be the minimal commitment for the iPhone.
It wouldn't be so bad if the iPhone was 3G, but EDGE? Forget it. EDGE is not worth $20/month, let alone $40.

And $120 for the headset when you can get a Jawbone for $80 at eCost? I don't think so.

finally somebody that makes sense! some people posting here (maybe apple shills) act as if $120 is just fine. why not pay 190 a month? and sign a life long contract? i smell a marketing disaster in the making...

 

[kuebby]

Sorry, I completely disagree. I've used some excellent Jabra products and these bluetooth devices are far below $129. Currently, I'm using Jabra's BT 500 and I think it was far less than $100. I also have used their BT 350 and again excellent performance and I got it for probably like $50.

So forget $129.

I totally agree, my Motorola BT headset that works fine and doesn't even look half bad cost me $40 on Amazon. Apple design is worth a premium but not a 3x jump in price.

Unless one of the last minute surprises is that the BT heaset also work as wireless headphones then I really hope it doesn't cost $129.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

I totally agree, my Motorola BT headset that works fine and doesn't even look half bad cost me $40 on Amazon. Apple design is worth a premium but not a 3x jump in price.

Unless one of the last minute surprises is that the BT heaset also work as wireless headphones then I really hope it doesn't cost $129.

At the end of the day if what you currently have is cheaper and works fine, then what do you care how the others are priced? Could it be that at some level you really want that little Apple on yours? It must be torture wanting one sort of badly but not being able to justify spending an extra $50 or whatever it is to shell out on one.

Apple knows they generally get premiums for the little add ons, even if they don't work that great (mighty mouse). People will buy it. Using your logic there are cheaper phones you could get, cheaper rates to use it, more favorable terms etc. If your main concern about the device is the cost it doesn't make sense to buy it at any level. Nobody is buying this product to save themselves money.