Hey don't get so much worked up about it. Are you an ATT executive or what? jeeezzzz
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Apple Announces iPhone 3G S, Launching June 19th
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Hey don't get so much worked up about it. Are you an ATT executive or what? jeeezzzz
Guys.. Looks like some bad news for us current 3g owners wanting to upgrade
[/COLOR]Upgrade
If you're already with us on Pay Monthly, you can upgrade to the new iPhone 3G when it's time to upgrade. It's usually the last month of your contract, but you can check at My O2.
If you've already got an iPhone, download the new iPhone OS 3.0 software from 17 June and you'll get over 100 new features. Find out more
Taken off the o2 website
[/COLOR]Upgrade
If you're already with us on Pay Monthly, you can upgrade to the new iPhone 3G when it's time to upgrade. It's usually the last month of your contract, but you can check at My O2.
If you've already got an iPhone, download the new iPhone OS 3.0 software from 17 June and you'll get over 100 new features. Find out more
Taken off the o2 website
I'm gonna defend some of the 'cost' whiners here and I'm normally the other way. Here's why ;
GIVENS;
1) Everyone knows it's a subsidized phone
2) Everyone expects to pay a reasonable amount for an upgrade
BUT
1) Apple are releasing a new iPhone ever 12 months - so naturally Apple faithful want one every 12 months
2) Telco's are on 18 month contracts - this screws with Apple's release cycle and people's 'desire to buy' cycle
3) Nobody is gonna buy mid-cycle - end result - disgruntled customers.
BUT MOSTLY
1) The updates on this phone aren't substantial enough to warrant £500 UK ( $800 US) upgrade costs
THEREFORE
1) Apple faithful have been denied the pleasure of new Apple kit.
2) They lose - Apple lose - Telco's don't care since iPhone has seemingly been relegated to 'just another phone' status.
3) Apple faithful have to wait 2 years for new iphone.
WHY?
1) Either Apple is making the phone too dammed expensive
2) Telco's are ripping off too much margin and are not interested in maintaining and rewarding current loyal iPhone fanbase with a good deal every 12 months
I really believe they may just have stabbed the golden calf a little here - it's not dead by a long way, but it's got a leg missing.
GIVENS;
1) Everyone knows it's a subsidized phone
2) Everyone expects to pay a reasonable amount for an upgrade
BUT
1) Apple are releasing a new iPhone ever 12 months - so naturally Apple faithful want one every 12 months
2) Telco's are on 18 month contracts - this screws with Apple's release cycle and people's 'desire to buy' cycle
3) Nobody is gonna buy mid-cycle - end result - disgruntled customers.
BUT MOSTLY
1) The updates on this phone aren't substantial enough to warrant £500 UK ( $800 US) upgrade costs
THEREFORE
1) Apple faithful have been denied the pleasure of new Apple kit.
2) They lose - Apple lose - Telco's don't care since iPhone has seemingly been relegated to 'just another phone' status.
3) Apple faithful have to wait 2 years for new iphone.
WHY?
1) Either Apple is making the phone too dammed expensive
2) Telco's are ripping off too much margin and are not interested in maintaining and rewarding current loyal iPhone fanbase with a good deal every 12 months
I really believe they may just have stabbed the golden calf a little here - it's not dead by a long way, but it's got a leg missing.
So I've tried pre ordering on the AT&T site and it looks like the plan is gonna be the same. Something strange that I noticed was the extra charge for voice calling which is just on the iphone. Is it possible that we might have to pay for the voice services? because if we do.... that would just make ppl want to completely get away from AT&T
Wow...
This is going to be long, but I've got something to say:
REALLY? Am I hearing everyone correctly? I (along with many others) bought the 2g iPhone in June 2007 for $600 unsubsidized (but we did get that $100 Apple store credit a couple months later when the price dropped by $200) and you are griping about this? I had already been with AT&T (and Cingular/old AT&T Wireless previously) for four years. Buying the phone unsubsidized still extended the contract by 2-YEARS, but I got to keep the upgrade that I was due for in May 2007. And guess what? I'm still eligible for that upgrade two years later...
Fast-forward to July 2008. iPhone 3g buyers get to buy at a SUBSIDIZED cost of $199/$299. Which means it works like an upgrade and extends the contract by two years. I didn't see the need to upgrade and kept my perfectly fine 2g.
I feel like many new 3g iPhone customers (as well as 2g owners who upgraded last July) ASSUMED they could upgrade at-will every time a new iPhone came out, but this was never expressed or implied by AT&T or Apple. Since the iPhone is now subsidized, it'll work just like every other cell phone on the market and you'll be able to upgrade every 2 years for a newer subsidized model. It also doesn't hurt to read the contract that you sign.
A few tips if you think you're being nickled and dimed:
-Get the FAN discount. http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/?WT.svl=3 It'll save you at least 15% on your bill. It doesn't apply to the 2g, but works for 3g. All you need is a valid participating school or employer e-mail address. Ask your friends/family. There are work-arounds for this if you aren't eligible initially. (google is your friend)
-Ask to have Upgrade Fees removed. This one's pretty simple and it amazes me that so few know about it. It'll work as long as you stay paid up on your bill and aren't a PITA customer. Call up AT&T and get a CSR on the line. Ask to have recent upgrade (or activation fees) credited back to your account. You'll hear the CSR say "Ok, Mr. X, that $18/$36 charge has been credited back to you and it will show up in the next billing cycle." I've got 5 lines and upgraded everyone of them at least once, so it's worked for me 10+ times.
-Closely monitor your account. Read your bill. Add everything up and make sure what you're getting is what you're getting charged for. Mistakes do happen from time to time. AT&T's on-line account look-up is second to none. You can adjust your features to exactly how you need them. Use it to your full advantage. Block text/data on kids'arents' phone lines if they never use them. Junk texts and accidental data usage add up over time. You'll have to call AT&T to put a block on a line.
I really hate to sound like an AT&T homer because I've had my share of issues with them. But all-in-all they're really not that bad. You just have to know how to use their billing system to your own advantage. But alas, if you don't know how to massage the system, go buy a Pre. I'll gladly use your bandwidth.
Like I said before, I have 5 lines (1 iPhone & 4 normal) on a Family plan and I pay $150 a month (700 minutes at $59.98/mo. + 4 Family lines at $9.99 x 4 + unlimited texts for all at $30.00 + iPhone data at $20.00 + ~ $11 in taxes - $10.00 for the FAN discount, but only applies to additional lines and texts) This is for me, my wife, sister and parents. My parents and sister all pay me back $20/month for their lines, which reduces my costs down to $90/month, which I feel is very reasonable, especially since we all got to drop our land lines and talk to each other as much as we want without using any minutes. I've went over on minutes one single month in six years (I was out-of-town without my work phone), but thank goodness for Rollover.
Just as a comparison, if I upgraded to 3GS my costs would be: 700 minutes at $59.98/mo. + 4 Family lines at $9.99 x 4 + unlimited texts for all at $30.00 + iPhone data at $30.00 + ~ $12 in taxes - $24 for the FAN discount (applies to everything now, except taxes), for a TOTAL of $148. After what my sister and parents reimburse me, I'm looking at $88/month, therefore my bill would be $2 cheaper than it currently is.
Sorry for the long-winded post, but for 2g early-adopters we finally get a break...a new iPhone (with a cheaper bill with the FAN discount). For 3g owners, sorry...June 2010 will be here in a year. After all, us original 2g's deserve it. I felt like a beta-tester after I went through seven 2g iPhones which all had different problems ranging from: broken volume button, home button unresponsive, ringing without vibration or sound, horizontal crack across the top of the glass, no vibration at all and a fade across the screen. I'm sure many others had just as many issues. But Apple came through with their excellent customer service and replaced every single one of them, and I applaud them for that. They always have and always will fully back their own products. That's something to be appreciative of this day in age.
So, in essence, you're welcome 3g iPhoners, us 2gs worked all the bugs out for you...
This is going to be long, but I've got something to say:
REALLY? Am I hearing everyone correctly? I (along with many others) bought the 2g iPhone in June 2007 for $600 unsubsidized (but we did get that $100 Apple store credit a couple months later when the price dropped by $200) and you are griping about this? I had already been with AT&T (and Cingular/old AT&T Wireless previously) for four years. Buying the phone unsubsidized still extended the contract by 2-YEARS, but I got to keep the upgrade that I was due for in May 2007. And guess what? I'm still eligible for that upgrade two years later...
Fast-forward to July 2008. iPhone 3g buyers get to buy at a SUBSIDIZED cost of $199/$299. Which means it works like an upgrade and extends the contract by two years. I didn't see the need to upgrade and kept my perfectly fine 2g.
I feel like many new 3g iPhone customers (as well as 2g owners who upgraded last July) ASSUMED they could upgrade at-will every time a new iPhone came out, but this was never expressed or implied by AT&T or Apple. Since the iPhone is now subsidized, it'll work just like every other cell phone on the market and you'll be able to upgrade every 2 years for a newer subsidized model. It also doesn't hurt to read the contract that you sign.
A few tips if you think you're being nickled and dimed:
-Get the FAN discount. http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/?WT.svl=3 It'll save you at least 15% on your bill. It doesn't apply to the 2g, but works for 3g. All you need is a valid participating school or employer e-mail address. Ask your friends/family. There are work-arounds for this if you aren't eligible initially. (google is your friend)
-Ask to have Upgrade Fees removed. This one's pretty simple and it amazes me that so few know about it. It'll work as long as you stay paid up on your bill and aren't a PITA customer. Call up AT&T and get a CSR on the line. Ask to have recent upgrade (or activation fees) credited back to your account. You'll hear the CSR say "Ok, Mr. X, that $18/$36 charge has been credited back to you and it will show up in the next billing cycle." I've got 5 lines and upgraded everyone of them at least once, so it's worked for me 10+ times.
-Closely monitor your account. Read your bill. Add everything up and make sure what you're getting is what you're getting charged for. Mistakes do happen from time to time. AT&T's on-line account look-up is second to none. You can adjust your features to exactly how you need them. Use it to your full advantage. Block text/data on kids'arents' phone lines if they never use them. Junk texts and accidental data usage add up over time. You'll have to call AT&T to put a block on a line.
I really hate to sound like an AT&T homer because I've had my share of issues with them. But all-in-all they're really not that bad. You just have to know how to use their billing system to your own advantage. But alas, if you don't know how to massage the system, go buy a Pre. I'll gladly use your bandwidth.
Like I said before, I have 5 lines (1 iPhone & 4 normal) on a Family plan and I pay $150 a month (700 minutes at $59.98/mo. + 4 Family lines at $9.99 x 4 + unlimited texts for all at $30.00 + iPhone data at $20.00 + ~ $11 in taxes - $10.00 for the FAN discount, but only applies to additional lines and texts) This is for me, my wife, sister and parents. My parents and sister all pay me back $20/month for their lines, which reduces my costs down to $90/month, which I feel is very reasonable, especially since we all got to drop our land lines and talk to each other as much as we want without using any minutes. I've went over on minutes one single month in six years (I was out-of-town without my work phone), but thank goodness for Rollover.
Just as a comparison, if I upgraded to 3GS my costs would be: 700 minutes at $59.98/mo. + 4 Family lines at $9.99 x 4 + unlimited texts for all at $30.00 + iPhone data at $30.00 + ~ $12 in taxes - $24 for the FAN discount (applies to everything now, except taxes), for a TOTAL of $148. After what my sister and parents reimburse me, I'm looking at $88/month, therefore my bill would be $2 cheaper than it currently is.
Sorry for the long-winded post, but for 2g early-adopters we finally get a break...a new iPhone (with a cheaper bill with the FAN discount). For 3g owners, sorry...June 2010 will be here in a year. After all, us original 2g's deserve it. I felt like a beta-tester after I went through seven 2g iPhones which all had different problems ranging from: broken volume button, home button unresponsive, ringing without vibration or sound, horizontal crack across the top of the glass, no vibration at all and a fade across the screen. I'm sure many others had just as many issues. But Apple came through with their excellent customer service and replaced every single one of them, and I applaud them for that. They always have and always will fully back their own products. That's something to be appreciative of this day in age.
So, in essence, you're welcome 3g iPhoners, us 2gs worked all the bugs out for you...
What I do like:
1. Snow Leopard upgrade for existing Leopard users just for $29
2. Getting rid off MacBooks good idea
3. Finally TomTom is in
4. Stupid name for new iPhone will create more confusion.
5. Find My iPhone feature
6. Generally new approach to games and apps from developers perspective.
What I do not like:
1. Where is Steve Jobs?
2. BS about new eco screen with arsenic-free glass for iPhone where is OLED?
3. No iChat AV with front camera
4. Improved performance, Built-in video camera with editing, Voice Control, Compass and 32 GB storage is not worthish an upgrade. Myself waiting another 12 months.
5. AT&T blocking Tethering and MMS for now its just lol, however I do not care because I live in UK
6. Having say that why O2 dont say anything yet on their website?
I second all this.
worth up-grade from gen 1 phone to 3GS, yes. Worth upgrade from 3G to 3GS. No for me, I'll just get OS 3.0 for my 3G and wait for next year.
Thanks for the advice! I'm in college but I'm an RA and evidently that makes me a university employee
Agreed - very plasticky, screen is a tad too miniaturized, keys are way too small and close together, very sharp edges on sides of keyboard (sliders) are downright hazardous, Web OS apps are lethargic, and battery life is abysmal. Overall, the Pre pales by comparison, in many respects.
Well that made my decision for me..
hello Nokia..
Weighs 15g more yes..
115.5x62.1x12.3 iPhone
117.2x55.3x15.9 n97
32GB + upto 16GB on SD
More talk time - battery life
More pixels in the screen..
two cameras , main camera - 5MP WITH dual flash LED
Nokia site says £499, but I'm sure would be able to get it cheaper than from there..
o2 iPhone £538
If only someone could hack it to run the iPhone software..if they can do it to a PC why not start on phones.. next project please...
hello Nokia..
Weighs 15g more yes..
115.5x62.1x12.3 iPhone
117.2x55.3x15.9 n97
32GB + upto 16GB on SD
More talk time - battery life
More pixels in the screen..
two cameras , main camera - 5MP WITH dual flash LED
Nokia site says £499, but I'm sure would be able to get it cheaper than from there..
o2 iPhone £538
If only someone could hack it to run the iPhone software..if they can do it to a PC why not start on phones.. next project please...
I would buy the iPhone at the $200 price for the new iPhone in a heartbeat, as a current 3g user. But, $500 to upgrade to a 32 gig... No way. Sorry, but charging that much is going to mean less sales, and is less money in Apple's pocket. I don't understand how charging 200 dollars less for new AT&T/Apple customers is a good strategy, and I don't understand how it shows appreciation for their "valued AT&T customers." But then again, I feel like this may be alot of AT&T's doing, as far as the price goes...
So AT&T flips the bird to its current customers. Almost begging them not to upgrade.
How dumb is that company? How dumb is that company??
How dumb is that company? How dumb is that company??
I am in similar situation despite fact that I got 3G already
. Bit the thing is this 3Gs is not worth an upgrade without front camera and iChat. Its just speed bump up plus video recording. Thats all what it is. I am waiting another year and see you then. 
Look closer on the O2 site, it says "If you're already with us on Pay Monthly, you can upgrade to the new iPhone 3G when it's time to upgrade. It's usually the last month of your contract, but you can check at My O2."
Which basically means no early upgrades
If you want one early, it looks like you'll have to buy the PAYG version at full price 
Lame new phone, going to be pricy to use. Will be lots of at&t Monkey Business in billing.
Going back to RIM on Verizon in Aug.
Going back to RIM on Verizon in Aug.
I am waiting another year and see you then.
Yes, this is what I thought too.
There have to be something very new then.For UK people:
I just called Orange to cancel my contract, they asked why and I explained I wanted an iPhone. They told me they are getting the iPhone in Q4 this year, along with all UK phone providers as they exclusive deal with 02 is ending. He couldn't give me anymore info as "It's all going through marketing at the moment".
I cancelled anyway as I want the phone now, but its interesting to know.
I just called Orange to cancel my contract, they asked why and I explained I wanted an iPhone. They told me they are getting the iPhone in Q4 this year, along with all UK phone providers as they exclusive deal with 02 is ending. He couldn't give me anymore info as "It's all going through marketing at the moment".
I cancelled anyway as I want the phone now, but its interesting to know.
Which part of the GS is lame? The new 3mp camera w/ autofocus (& macro!)? The video w/ editing? The voice control or maybe the compass or new search feature? Maybe some of the MobileMe enhancements like "Find my iPhone," or remote wiping? Or file sharing?
Seems to me the GS is a nice improvement over the G3 and a huge improvement over the 2G, which is what I have (until the 19th). And seeing how it does a lot more than a Bold or a Storm, not to mention a Curve please expand on why it's "lame."
As for the plans, it's not any more than Verizon, and it's the same as the 3G and $5/mo more than the 2G IF you use texting. So how it is going to be any more "pricy" to use than previous versions or other cellcos?
The BBs are superior email and texting devices to the iPhone but they pale in comparison as a smartphone. The screen is too small (except for the Storm) and the interface can be non-intuitive at times. Like Windows BBs are popular mostly because they are entrenched in business.
In regards to the £499 for the nokia, I've already found contracts/pay-plans where you can get the N97 FREE, and for much less than the £75/month O2 want.
Indeed this is pretty standard procedure for contracts for new phone models...apart from iPhones and their bum-chums O2 who haven't quite grasped it.
when i preordered last night i had both options and chose the Deliver By 19th option via Fed Ex. I never had a problem logging onto the site and paid with the CC without a hitch.
I am assuming that you don't have that option because they have run out of phones in their stock?
anyone else chime in?
Wow that IS good to know. Should i reconsider how im gonna change over now to the new iphone, should i go for a pay as you go phone 3gs but put my contract im in it so that im free for next summers new iphone???
I would like to see what tariffs will be available etc, O2 are good but network can be patchy but i have read that can be more down to the iphone rather than O2! The best tariffs i ever had was with Tmobile!
this is the problem with carriers slowly killing off 12 month contracts over the last few years. it's their fault, not Apples.
tbh though, the iphone is probably the only phone out there were people want to upgrade the minute a new version comes out. if you had bought some SE walkman phone you wouldn't give a rats ass that a new one comes out a year later but you cant upgrade for another 6-12 months.
but, to those complaining, you should already have known that you wouldn't be able to upgrade early without a fee. you are basically paying for the phone in the plan, like a loan. they are hardly going to say "oh yeah, you still have a years contract and owe us £/$xxx amount for the phone that we gave you for a reduced price the day you bought it, but we'll just wipe that debt and let you have a new one now", or did you honestly expect that? i don't see them handing customers with other phones cheques for £/$xxx so why should they (and that's pretty much what they would be doing) do this for you?
oh, and to the people saying "they told me months ago that if a new one comes out i could upgrade"; i'm sorry, but i call bullsh*t. that or you are really really gullible. some guy/gal on the end of the phone has no idea if a new phone is coming out and what the upgrade options will be. they are either telling what you want to hear (and its not a verbal agreement, so they can do that and get away with it) or you are just making it up and trying to convince yourself that it will help you avoid the upgrade costs when it is never going to happen.
tbh though, the iphone is probably the only phone out there were people want to upgrade the minute a new version comes out. if you had bought some SE walkman phone you wouldn't give a rats ass that a new one comes out a year later but you cant upgrade for another 6-12 months.
but, to those complaining, you should already have known that you wouldn't be able to upgrade early without a fee. you are basically paying for the phone in the plan, like a loan. they are hardly going to say "oh yeah, you still have a years contract and owe us £/$xxx amount for the phone that we gave you for a reduced price the day you bought it, but we'll just wipe that debt and let you have a new one now", or did you honestly expect that? i don't see them handing customers with other phones cheques for £/$xxx so why should they (and that's pretty much what they would be doing) do this for you?
oh, and to the people saying "they told me months ago that if a new one comes out i could upgrade"; i'm sorry, but i call bullsh*t. that or you are really really gullible. some guy/gal on the end of the phone has no idea if a new phone is coming out and what the upgrade options will be. they are either telling what you want to hear (and its not a verbal agreement, so they can do that and get away with it) or you are just making it up and trying to convince yourself that it will help you avoid the upgrade costs when it is never going to happen.
Fellow 8GB 2Ger here. I didn't upgrade last year b/c the only true difference was a slight bump in network speed and I would have lost my free SMS. A 32GB 3GS will be mine next week though. A decent 3mp camera + video and voice control was the deal sealer for me. Having real GPS when walking around and decent search will be a bonus. I can finally treat my phone like a true portable storage unit for all my work.
Of course if none of that appeals to you then you are right to keep your 2G. It's a workhorse, and I think has a better build quality than the 3G or GS.