A *big* hint that o2 will be doing the iPhone in the UK?

[emotion]

I know people will disagree with me, and I know there's still a place for basic free phones, but that's just my thoughts on the subject.

I actually agree with you.

However, I'd almost put money on it being a 24 month contract. O2 appear to have rolled over to Apple on demands (10% of contract, allow MMS - unlike att, not using their 3G network).They gotta get something juicy out of the deal aside from publicity. A nice fat (35-40 quid) contract is just the ticket.

Edit: some detail above is wild speculation.

 

[josepho]

I work at o2 - this message appeared on the intranet yesterday.

Why would o2 upgrade their kit from GPRS to EDGE when they're focusing on 3G otherwise?

Hmm.

-Leemo

I saw that on VitalO2 this morning and was convinced of the same thing... Pity I'm leaving O2 in a month now...

 

[Leemo]

I actually agree with you.

However, I'd almost put money on it being a 24 month contract. O2 appear to have rolled over to Apple on demands (10% of contract, allow MMS - unlike att, not using their 3G network).They gotta get something juicy out of the deal aside from publicity. A nice fat (35-40 quid) contract is just the ticket.

I've got no doubt that o2 did what you just suggested - completely gave into Apple's demands!

Looking into my crystal ball (an imaginary one, I grant you) I think there's going to be some sort of announcement around the 25th, with the Apple Expo in Paris, along with which there will be a nice software update potentially with MMS and god knows what else. Looking at the keynote from yesterday there were aspects of the iPhone that *looked* different, and I have a hunch that's a nice clue that there will soon be a fresh update.

I also don't think it's any coincidence that the iPod Touch isn't being released until the 28th. New features (and enhanced iPhone? 16gb perhaps?) along with the announcement for the UK launch - just enough to distinguish it as superior to the iPod Touch so sales do not become too cannibalised by that before the iPhone reaches these shores.

Once again, these are just my thoughts, and are probably completely wrong. The timing just seems right, and something funny is going off at work at the moment.

-Leemo

I saw that on VitalO2 this morning and was convinced of the same thing... Pity I'm leaving O2 in a month now...

I'm leaving in two weeks as well - just hoping I can somehow carry across my rather nice £20 staff tariff!



-Leemo

 

[emotion]

I've got no doubt that o2 did what you just suggested - completely gave into Apple's demands!

Looking into my crystal ball (an imaginary one, I grant you) I think there's going to be some sort of announcement around the 25th, with the Apple Expo in Paris, along with which there will be a nice software update potentially with MMS and god knows what else. Looking at the keynote from yesterday there were aspects of the iPhone that *looked* different, and I have a hunch that's a nice clue that there will soon be a fresh update.

I also don't think it's any coincidence that the iPod Touch isn't being released until the 28th. New features (and enhanced iPhone? 16gb perhaps?) along with the announcement for the UK launch - just enough to distinguish it as superior to the iPod Touch so sales do not become too cannibalised by that before the iPhone reaches these shores.

Once again, these are just my thoughts, and are probably completely wrong. The timing just seems right, and something funny is going off at work at the moment.

Again, I'd agree.

The Leopard release is the only thing that makes me think maybe a later announcement (I think some of the missing features depend on Leopard). Say mid-october when Leopard is launched, expect an announcement.

The late September date looks quite likely though in a lot of respects.

 

[josepho]

I'm leaving in two weeks as well - just hoping I can somehow carry across my rather nice £20 staff tariff!



-Leemo

Well, there's nothing to say that it will change, not until you upgrade at least. If your next upgrade is done through a store (on Gateway, not through Staff Accounts) and you casually state if questioned that you still work for O2, then I see no reason why it will change. If you called Staff Accounts they MAY have some way of knowing, but I wouldn't bet on it. I'd just avoid calling them for an upgrade and you should be okay. It is a sweet deal, especially with my Blackberry Unlimited included...

Which pastures new are you off to?

 

[Leemo]

Well, there's nothing to say that it will change, not until you upgrade at least. If your next upgrade is done through a store (on Gateway, not through Staff Accounts) and you casually state if questioned that you still work for O2, then I see no reason why it will change. If you called Staff Accounts they MAY have some way of knowing, but I wouldn't bet on it. I'd just avoid calling them for an upgrade and you should be okay. It is a sweet deal, especially with my Blackberry Unlimited included...

Which pastures new are you off to?

That was my plan - to keep quiet about it when upgrading and hope for the best. I have a Berry as well, works out great with the 75mb data etc, not bad for £20!

I'm off to work for ITV News, o2 has been my part-time job whilst doing my MA. It's been ok though - for a retail job - and much nicer than being stuck in a bloody call centre. Spent far too many weekends of my student days in those places. Ugh.

-Leemo

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

The thing I have a nasty feeling about is that O2 will charge customers the rates as if the phones were subsidised and not the sim free rates. I don't mind the whole idea of paying for the whole phone up front as long as I don't get tied into an endless contract. As it is, I've refused to switch to the 18 month contracts since they started trying to flog them. Luckily I've weadled O2 down to a level of service that you'd get for an 18 month contract on a 12 month contract although I'm sure I'd lose that come the iPhone. Right now I pay something like £27 a month on my contract. I'd happily pay an extra say £20 a month on top of that for unlimited data access although not with a 24 month contract.
I'm still hoping there's going to be a way to get the phone without a 24 month contract and use it with your existing phone sim - I think some people have done that in the states. With the same network of course. If I could do that, add £20 a month to my existing contract for unlimited data and have a fully functioning iPhone (whilst still getting a new phone every 12 months on my contract) then I'd snatch it up in a heartbeat.
I really hope they don't force the US "cellular" business plan on the uk market. Out there 24 month unsubsidised contracts are the norm. Over here 12 months subsidised or 18 month heavily subsidised and better deal contracts are the norm.

£300+ for the phone (16GB)
24 month lockdown
Lowest tariff being a £40 monthly tariff of which the data plan consists of:
-400 mins cross network
-unlimited web/email
-unlimited voicemail
- 200 texts
-Rollover for first 3 months
-unlimited mins O2 to O2 calls

From those though, I wouldn't expect a 16GB iPhone, I'd expect a data plan of £50 at least (because we're in the uk and we're meant to be charged more - its the law), no rollover of texts and no unlimited minutes O2 to O2.

 

[ooALoo]

The thing I have a nasty feeling about is that O2 will charge customers the rates as if the phones were subsidised and not the sim free rates. I don't mind the whole idea of paying for the whole phone up front as long as I don't get tied into an endless contract. As it is, I've refused to switch to the 18 month contracts since they started trying to flog them. Luckily I've weadled O2 down to a level of service that you'd get for an 18 month contract on a 12 month contract although I'm sure I'd lose that come the iPhone. Right now I pay something like £27 a month on my contract. I'd happily pay an extra say £20 a month on top of that for unlimited data access although not with a 24 month contract.
I'm still hoping there's going to be a way to get the phone without a 24 month contract and use it with your existing phone sim - I think some people have done that in the states. With the same network of course. If I could do that, add £20 a month to my existing contract for unlimited data and have a fully functioning iPhone (whilst still getting a new phone every 12 months on my contract) then I'd snatch it up in a heartbeat.
I really hope they don't force the US "cellular" business plan on the uk market. Out there 24 month unsubsidised contracts are the norm. Over here 12 months subsidised or 18 month heavily subsidised and better deal contracts are the norm.



From those though, I wouldn't expect a 16GB iPhone, I'd expect a data plan of £50 at least (because we're in the uk and we're meant to be charged more - its the law), no rollover of texts and no unlimited minutes O2 to O2.

I wholeheartedly agree. Im with o2 at the moment paying £30 a month for 700 minutes and 700 texts and no data-plan. Included in that cost is the subsidised payments I'm making for a SE K800i, which would have been £300+ to purchase sim-free. Now if I have to pay £300+ for an iPhone I would expect a much cheaper monthly tariff than what I'm paying already - I mean another £20 for unlimited data as well as whatever the tariff ends up being. It could end up pricing itself out of the european market completely.

That iPod Touch is looking better and better by the minute. Hopefully we will get some definite details regarding pricing and release dates soon because quite frankly as time goes by the iPhone is going to be less and less appealing as new (wholly subsidised) handsets come on to the market.

 

[emotion]

That iPod Touch is looking better and better by the minute. Hopefully we will get some definite details regarding pricing and release dates soon because quite frankly as time goes by the iPhone is going to be less and less appealing as new (wholly subsidised) handsets come on to the market.

I'm thinking an SE phone (k770i, k850i) and a Touch instead of the iPhone at the moment. The iPhone looks clunky compared to the razor thin Touch.

Apple know that people are clamouring for info. I'd be very surprised if we don't hear all the details before the full Touch release.

 

[EvanLugh]

I think you'll have two options.

1.
- iPhone £99 - 199
- O2 18 month contract £30 p/m
- Unlimited data usage
- 500 Minutes
- 500 texts

Maybe?

2.
iPhone - £299
Sorted!

 

[edesignuk]

oh piddle. no revised 3G iPhone for us then.

 

[Leemo]

oh piddle. no revised 3G iPhone for us then.

It *could* be that o2 are providing EDGE for when 3G isn't available - obviously it's much better to fall back on EDGE than GPRS, and although 3G coverage with o2 isn't bad, it's hardly country-wide.

I doubt this is the case, but it's a realistic scenario - just have to wait and see.

-Leemo

 

[EvanLugh]

Any ideas on dates? I'm just assuming the 25th but it's obviously not definite. And prices would be good too!
Perhaps I need to goto the notts apple shop.

 

[Leemo]

Any ideas on dates? I'm just assuming the 25th but it's obviously not definite. And prices would be good too!
Perhaps I need to goto the notts apple shop.

Nah no-one knows. I'm assuming around the 25th as well, with the Apple Expo - seems like the right kind of time to announce something.

The store in Nottingham won't know anything either - they're not even an official Apple store, just a reseller.

-Leemo

 

[jordygreen]

I think if you will be able to buy the phone from apple then hack it to any network ill be doing that, because it will most likely be £40+ per month on the phone! And most ikely will tie you down for a 24month contract.

 

[emotion]

It *could* be that o2 are providing EDGE for when 3G isn't available - obviously it's much better to fall back on EDGE than GPRS, and although 3G coverage with o2 isn't bad, it's hardly country-wide.

I doubt this is the case, but it's a realistic scenario - just have to wait and see.

Plausible theory. I'm deliberately setting my sights low. This is Apple we're dealing with here.

3G with the tethering hack would be nice.

 

[RossoA]

I'm thinking something along the same lines. £250 for the phone (16GB, EDGE...the coverage is better I'm sorry to say) and maybe £35 a month (I'm probably thinking wishfully here, probs £40) .

Data rates are obviously something O2 hasn't tackled properly yet.

I'm glad the above story has surfaced. I've just gone on anecdotal evidence of people seeing 'E' on their phones instead of gprs on O2.

But AT&T are offering a £30 ($59.99) a month package, this gives me hope that O2 won't be too pricey per month.

That said, I pay £40 a month (with no data tariff) and I paid £180 for my Nokia N93 which is now broken. I'm waiting for the iPhone because I cba to get a new phone just to try and sell it and quit my contract.

 

[edesignuk]

But AT&T are offering a £30 ($59.99) a month package, this gives me hope that O2 won't be too pricey per month.

What AT&T charge makes no difference, they're operators in different countries in different established markets. What does matter is what Apple charge for the hardware, and they'd better not rip us off...too much.

 

[RossoA]

What AT&T charge makes no difference, they're operators in different countries in different established markets. What does matter is what Apple charge for the hardware, and they'd better not rip us off...too much.

True, but O2 are pretty big, when I was with them before they seemed very keen to keep me a customer, whereas Vodafone don't care.

I agree though, I want it to be pricey, but not too expensive. I say around £250 would be good.

 

[EvanLugh]

I say around £199 is better

We can dream

 

[yogamonkey]

Apparently (if my source at Apple Europe is correct!) it's a 1st October release date, on 02 in the UK. He thought the phone would be £300-400 but this was last weekend, before the US price drop so don't know if that will change. According to him it's going on Orange in France and T-Mobile in Germany.

 

[daneoni]

I just have this feeling they will make the iPhone package irresistable one way or another so as to lure potential iPod touch customers to the iPhone.

They have to make the iPhone package superior and bargain-able otherwise the iPod touch will cannibalize sales of the iPhone here.

I don't really see myself signing a 24 month lockdown for a phone...even the iPhone. I'd be willing to suffer 18 months but no more. Also i don't see myself paying more than a £40 monthly tariff (hopefully £35)

Finally i hope they price the iPhone at the same price point as the current touch (£199 (8GB) and £269 (16GB)) or lower if they do two models

 

[RossoA]

Apparently (if my source at Apple Europe is correct!) it's a 1st October release date, on 02 in the UK. He thought the phone would be £300-400 but this was last weekend, before the US price drop so don't know if that will change. According to him it's going on Orange in France and T-Mobile in Germany.

It's 23 days until the 1st October. Apple had their US webpage updated about the iPhone ever since it was announced in January. I can't believe that Apple would rush it so much as to release it on October 1st.

That being said, if it's true, it means we'll get something official, and soon!

Oh GOD Apple! COME ON!

 

[jordygreen]

I just have this feeling they will make the iPhone package irresistable one way or another so as to lure potential iPod touch customers to the iPhone.

They have to make the iPhone package superior and bargain-able otherwise the iPod touch will cannibalize sales of the iPhone here.

I don't really see myself signing a 24 month lockdown for a phone...even the iPhone. I'd be willing to suffer 18 months but no more. Also i don't see myself paying more than a £40 monthly tariff (hopefully £35)

Finally i hope they price the iPhone at the same price point as the current touch (£199 (8GB) and £269 (16GB)) or lower if they do two models

I dont think the 8GB iPhone will be the same price as the iPod touch when it has more features like mail and phone and sms, i think the 8GB version will be £250 and *if* there is a 16GB it will be £369......

But i agree with you i wont be locking myself to a 24month contract no chance even for the iPhone.

[EDIT]

I think it would bea wise idea for Apple to also to release the iPhone in europe before christmas!

 

[yogamonkey]

It's 23 days until the 1st October. Apple had their US webpage updated about the iPhone ever since it was announced in January. I can't believe that Apple would rush it so much as to release it on October 1st.

That being said, if it's true, it means we'll get something official, and soon!

Oh GOD Apple! COME ON!

I agree, it does seem very tight! However, if they announce it in France at the end of September with a "In stores next week" headline it would certainly generate quite a frenzy. I reckon there's enough awareness about this product from the US launch to minimise the need for a long lead time.

Here's hoping!