Apple Announces iPhone 3G S, Launching June 19th

[zacheryjensen]

not to interrupt this lively , useless discussion. But did anyone figure out what this means.

I take it it doesn't guarantee you a phone, just maybe less hassle at point of sale. still need to stand in long lines.

I ran across some fine print that says that as always, iPhone availability is first come first serve. They're reserving your phone but only until the unreserved pile is sold, so you'll still need to be in line (that is, unless there is no big rush for the new model like last year.)

Supposedly the real reason for your reservation is having your credit checked and whatnot before ever getting to the store... though I imagine they do all that again anyway, just to be sure.

 

[Marvin1379]

Just found this on another of apple's pages. i suppose the first were a mistake.

So here are the cell frequencies and battery life of the 3G and 3GS from apple's site. How is it that the 3G model got less hours of talk time on 3G service than 2G service and now the 3GS says it gets more talk time on 3G service than 2G service. I think it's a mistake on the 3GS specs.

Also, very pissed that there seems to be no bump to 7.2 cell frequency on the 3GS.

 

[achegedus]

Apple's all about user experience. Something you might have noticed with the existing hardware is that, if you wait a long time while the phone's inactive then try to use the remote... nothing. The reason is that the circuit that monitors the inline remote signal is disabled after a delay (surely for battery life.)

My guess here (and yes I'm just guessing at this point) is that the 3G S handles this scenario differently, providing a "complete" experience of this feature and apple doesn't want confused people calling about how their voice control is broken because it doesn't respond after the phone is sitting in their pocket for 5 minutes unused.

Considering Apple's similar motivation for things like no background apps, etc. I'm sticking with this theory for now.

This is a valid point, however the voice commands require user interaction. From what I understand, you have to hold down the home button to put it into voice command 'mode'.

 

[Marvin1379]

There is no "7.2 cell frequency." That is just nonsense. Now if you mean 7.2Mbps HSDPA? That is a feature of the 3G S. Arguably, that's one of its main features in fact. Did you bother watching the keynote or even reading one of the 10 billion live blogs of it?

Wow thanks for the info Zach. I didn't know the real name for it and didn't want to go sifting through the posts. I guess i'm just not that well versed as you are.

 

[macrobat]

if you add a extra line and then drop it do you still have to pay the $175 if its with in a month?

 

[julianna1973]

I just read on O2 Twitter page that Pre Orders wont be available!!

WHYYYYYY

 

[Marvin1379]

if you add a extra line and then drop it do you still have to pay the $175 if its with in a month?

Maybe not, but u prb have to return the phone like 3G buyers did last year who cancelled within a month

 

[zacheryjensen]

This is a valid point, however the voice commands require user interaction. From what I understand, you have to hold down the home button to put it into voice command 'mode'.

If you can't put it into voice command mode from the inline remote (or for that matter, from a bluetooth headset) then it completely loses its value in my opinion.

If I'm already holding and operating the device... I'm not going to waste my time arguing with the thing

In every other phone I've owned with voice control you could initiate it with the headset, so I'll be surprised if this isn't an option with the 3G S (only a little surprised.)

We shall see!

 

[Eriden]

We are totally spoiled in the US. We want free phones and "new customer" pricing. Well, when we got involved with the cell company, we bound ourselves to another, very American ideal, a CONTRACT.

Ideally, in the law of contracts, the parties have a meeting of the minds and are able to negotiate for favorable terms. In modern contracts between large corporations and consumers, the corporations dictate terms and dictate how much the consumer will pay. Real negotiation in the 21st century only takes place company <--> company. The American ideal you refer to was lost at some point during the Industrial Revolution.

 

[Dakotafan]

Just sold my iphone 3G for $350.00 on eBay and purchased an iphone 3gs for $399.00. I almost broke even, but I'm a lot happier now, earlier yesterday I learned about my upgrade date 12/12/09!!!! You would think that Apple and AT&T would handle their the release a lot better, I had to go and change my text messaging plan all around in order to order two iphone's last night... I have no received my confirmation email regarding my two purchases but I took down the order numbers and the delivery date is set for June, 19!!!!

I find it hard to believe someone paid $350 for a used 3G

 

[Mike Teezie]

I actually just ordered my 32 gig 3GS (6/9/09, 11am). We'll see if I actually get it on the 19th. I'm thinking no, but I'd love o be surprised.

I just used the "replace iPhone" option - I assume that means I'll stick with my current voice plan. That first bill is going to be sweet with the $36 dollar charge.

Anybody want to buy a 2G with a broken glass screen?

 

[FastLaneJB]

On a Network which can hardly support any of the features. My entire train ride to work is filled with 2 bars here, no edge there, No signal here, blah blah. But my buddy next to me... his Storm always has full bars. So its either the network or the phone. I guess when the iPhone is finally available on other networks we'll find out.

No such network problems in the UK with the iPhone 3G. The 2G also worked fine though it had noticably less bars than the 3G gets due to it's metal back blocking the signal. I've also a business Nokia phone on O2 and when I get to some where that the iPhone loses signal, the Nokia will have lost it as well.

So I'm pretty sure you'll find the problems you have with bars are down to the network. I think unfortantely Americans suffer here due to the size of your country and the populatation is more spread out. Hence why your monthly bills are more because they need to look after an awful lot more cell towers to get your coverage and even then the country is still too large to cover most of it.

Even in most of the middle of no where places in the UK (Yes there is the odd one in this highly populated country) you generally still get a signal. The big providers can claim to cover 99%+ of the population. Of course they only need about 3 cell towers to achieve that

 

[equiprimordial]

Ideally, in the law of contracts, the parties have a meeting of the minds and are able to negotiate for favorable terms. In modern contracts between large corporations and consumers, the corporations dictate terms and dictate how much the consumer will pay. Real negotiation in the 21st century only takes place company <--> company. The American ideal you refer to was lost at some point during the Industrial Revolution.

Excellent point. And all the so-called whining is our only means of negotiating. At least the Internet has tipped the balance such that companies are forced to respond to an uproar breaking out across Digg, Twitter, forums, etc. Why are people so quick to shill for AT&T and repeatedly and condescendingly berate those who are complaining about AT&T's business practices? Did AT&T send an army of reps as riot control?

 

[libertyforall]

No 802.11n!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am VERY disappointed there is NO 802.11N on the new iPhone...

 

[caligurl]

You shouldve gotten the 32gb. 16 gigs fills up quickly. I have the 16gig 3G and it's full all the time with apps and such.

hmmmmmm i was just looking up info, reading, taking this all in.... and considering calling (if i could get through) and changing my order from the 32 down to the 16.... since it will save us over $200 (tax and 2 phones)

do the apps really take up that much room???? i won't be carrying a lot of music (heck.... i don't carry any of my ipods with me now except in the car... and i'm sure i'll continue to use that one there for podcasts, etc anyways)..... so do i really need the 32? (cuz i'm sure i'll be quite the apps ho! )

 

[dashiel]

certainly a cautionary tale for those with first generation phones - skipping this upgrade seems like a good idea. the 3gs appears to be the culmination of first generation iphone technology. we finally have mms (well sort of), video, a decent camera and voice control - all features that can be found on phones that are given away for free. those were added to the 3g and gps upgrades of last year.

but we haven't seen an all new industrial design, nor the home grown chipset that apple must be brewing with all of their recent acquisitions. i suspect both of those will happen next year with a true second generation iphone and i don't want to get stuck paying $400 to upgrade.

having said that, carriers are going to need to adjust their expectations. yearly upgrades are likely going to become the norm not the exception they need to figure out a way to monetize that upgrade cycle without pissing people off. i could see with apple and certain other device manufacturers offering customers a 3 year contract with built in yearly upgrades at no extra charge.

 

[caligurl]

I actually just ordered my 32 gig 3GS (6/9/09, 11am). We'll see if I actually get it on the 19th. I'm thinking no, but I'd love o be surprised.

I just used the "replace iPhone" option - I assume that means I'll stick with my current voice plan. That first bill is going to be sweet with the $36 dollar charge.

Anybody want to buy a 2G with a broken glass screen?

why do you think they won't show up on the 19th???? that's the ONLY reason i ordered online instead of waiting to go to a store! heck.... as it is i'll be waiting for fedex to show up around lunchtime instead of having the phone in my hands at 7 a.m. (but i'd have to come up with an excuse to not be at work and possible stand in lines, if there are any this time around!)

 

[Goona]

certainly a cautionary tale for those with first generation phones - skipping this upgrade seems like a good idea. the 3gs appears to be the culmination of first generation iphone technology. we finally have mms (well sort of), video, a decent camera and voice control - all features that can be found on phones that are given away for free. those were added to the 3g and gps upgrades of last year.

but we haven't seen an all new industrial design, nor the home grown chipset that apple must be brewing with all of their recent acquisitions. i suspect both of those will happen next year with a true second generation iphone and i don't want to get stuck paying $400 to upgrade.

having said that, carriers are going to need to adjust their expectations. yearly upgrades are likely going to become the norm not the exception they need to figure out a way to monetize that upgrade cycle without pissing people off. i could see with apple and certain other device manufacturers offering customers a 3 year contract with built in yearly upgrades at no extra charge.

I don't get this sort of reasoning, so they shouldn't add those features because other phones don't have them. Who cares if other phones have it, if you don't want to upgrade, don't upgrade, its that simple. You can keep on waiting for you so called perfect phone meanwhile we will keep enjoying ours.

 

[iCHIO]

ditto

I actually just ordered my 32 gig 3GS (6/9/09, 11am). We'll see if I actually get it on the 19th. I'm thinking no, but I'd love o be surprised.

I just used the "replace iPhone" option - I assume that means I'll stick with my current voice plan. That first bill is going to be sweet with the $36 dollar charge.

Anybody want to buy a 2G with a broken glass screen?

Same here I ordered mine around 11:15AM 6/9/09. "Ships: Delivers by June 19th" Friday. If overnight free shipping is true, we'll get it on the 19th. Does anyone know if USPS will be use for Saturday?

 

[macrobat]

Maybe not, but u prb have to return the phone like 3G buyers did last year who cancelled within a month

does anyone know if this is the case it kinda throws a monkey wrench in my whole idea.

 

[macrumorsun]

At the risk of sounding redundant, can someone please explain this subsidy upgrade thing to me?

I understand that once you get a subsidy, you don't get another one until 18 months later. Agreed.

But, my friend stood in line with me in June. She paid $299 for her 16gb 3G last year (qualified for upgrade).
I paid $499 (didn't qualify for upgrade then either, but was okay with the little subsidy I got).

Now it says she can upgrade in December 2009 while I can upgrade in March 2010. I got less of a subsidy than her. Shouldn't I be qualified to upgrade first? The only difference I can think of is that I am on family plan and she isn't? But that means my monthly bill is more than hers.

Anyway, I won't be upgrading in March when most likely a new IPhone will be out in June. This is so confusing...

 

[Jamie 360]

Light-up Logo

So does the on the back light up?? I'm new here, but surely there has to be an award for the best rumor>

 

[jayenh]

how often do the people complaining about about no N spec wifi do file transfers to/from their phone from/to an N specced desktop/laptop/phone? other than range, this would be the only other benifit of having N.

considering "air sharing" doesn't seem capable of transfering at G's max throughput i dont see why it would need N.

 

[oakiegu007]

Wow....

Why are people so furious about not being able to upgrade like they want?

A year later and people are desperate for a somewhat minor upgrade. There are no massive changes for the most part. Are folks that upset over video? I know how much video editing and youtube postings people do on their home computers...let alone their cell phones.

So many people sound so spoiled. I have a 2g and could upgrade if need be. The 3G would be great, but the network is spotty and my 2 year old phone has held up amazingly.

I'm sure there's a small percentage that may need (or really, really want) the upgrade, but if Apple releases another upgrade in 3 months (hypothetically), it would be deja vu all over again for the people that need every single upgrade of every device whether or not it offers substantial upgrades.

In no way am I taking a holier than thou position. But people that need the upgrade THAT much, in this economy, from a one year old phone with similar technology, I would ASSUME are very comfortable financially and could probably just drop the money and get the upgrade or .... oh gosh... have to show patience? Or is that a lost art?

I absolutely love my 2 year old 2G and will continue to enjoy it until the iPhone goes to another carrier or I'm in a convenient situation to buy. Otherwise, I suggest some of you relax and "deal" with your $600 MSRP luxury item and wait a few months for your necessary upgrade.

I work in mental health advocacy and I WISH I had some of you guys advocating for my clients. Certainly not short on passion

 

[butterfly0fdoom]

Hey don't get so much worked up about it. Are you an ATT executive or what? jeeezzzz

I don't work for AT&T. I'm just severely more grounded in reality than the vast majority of you. I mean, come on. You guys whine about price cuts that happen to all phones on the market (I have yet to hear of owners of any other phone on the market complaining when the carrier reduces the price of the phone) and now you guys whine about the upgrade policies that are the same regardless of carrier. I mean, it's nice that Apple can highlight the flaws of the American cellphone industry. But complaining here won't do anything about it. Calling AT&T is unlikely to change anything. E-mailing them will just fill their spam filter. You wanna do something about it? Vote with your money.

A lot of "backlash" pertaining to the iPhone is just plain stupidity.