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Does anyone know, will it be possible to buy an iPhone for my dad and one for me? Can I buy an iPhone on behalf of someone else?
 
Free data in the UK?

I'm not sure why people keep talking about free data on an O2 PAYG phone. Is it true?

Surely you'd have to pay. Only free wifi hot spots would be free?
 
Not quite true. T Mobile is unraveling 3G as we speak. I wouldn't be unlocking for T Mobile, though.
True, but that shouldn't be a factor when considering an unlocked iPhone 3G.

Unfortunately for T-Mobile US and their up-coming 3G network, they're stuck using a frequency that's not commonly used (1700 MHz).

Most 3G phones (like the iPhone 3G and the HTC Touch Diamond) are tri-band UMTS (850/1900/2100 MHz) and don't support the 1700 MHz band that T-Mobile US uses for their 3G network.
 
I'm not sure why people keep talking about free data on an O2 PAYG phone. Is it true?

Surely you'd have to pay. Only free wifi hot spots would be free?

I get unlimited O2-to-O2 texts and minutes on PAYG for a £15 a month top-up. They take £7.50 for my O2WEB bolt-on, which gives me unlimited data.
 
Great, first i drop my iPod touch for the first time today, and now i find out that in the UK, we might have to activate "in store" as well. That scuppers my unlocking + reselling plans.

Soon ill see flames licking out of my Macs grille.
 
One of the big reasons I am staying away from buying the 3G phone on the first day

I can just see nightmare scenarios for some with the activation process and long delays

I can also see some going to the store not knowing they need to select a plan and taking awhile to choose one....not sure whether that would hold up any line or not.
 
They have really ruined this launch already. I'm not even slightly interested anymore.

I'm plenty happy with my current iPhone that will have 2.0 software soon and not cost me an arm an leg and a ton of hassle to upgrade from.
 
I think that's the point...:rolleyes:

haha, yes. :p

But there was previously rumblings that The UK was retaining its "activate at home" system, so its still bad news. Oh yeah, i made a cup of tea and realised the milk had turned this evening, so that completes my trilogy of error.
 
Expectations but will they be met...

For £350 I expect the phone to be unlocked - wishful thinking I know BUT at that price it's the least they can do. In the UK when you the buy the phone unsubsidized it usually comes unlocked.

Unlocked because I don't want a contract and I don't want to pay roaming charges of $2 per minute!!

Time will tell - roll on July 11th. :)
 
What if someone bought the phone (with contract), but lost the phone. Can he buy a replacement one at the subsidized cost?
 
MobileToday notes that Apple's retail staff is unfamiliar with the process of signing up customers onto subscription contracts and also have no means to run credit checks.
So you can't buy Macs on financing at the Apple Store like you can the website? That would require a credit check right there.
 
So you can't buy Macs on financing at the Apple Store like you can the website? That would require a credit check right there.
If you want to use the Juniper VISA at the store, the Apple store employees have you fill out the online Juniper application. If approved, it will generate a bar code that the Apple employees can use to ring up your purchase.
 
Can someone explain to me why Apple/AT&T can't just sell them in their stores but give you the option that if you are already with AT&T you can just start up a new two-year agreement (like the first iPhone) Why do we all of a sudden have to meet the normal requirements. Clearly the iPhone is beyond any other phone, so why should it be treated like one?
 
What if someone bought the phone (with contract), but lost the phone. Can he buy a replacement one at the subsidized cost?

No - you're screwed basically.

Insurance claim (on the phone policy if you took one out or your home policy) or you have to pay the full whack for a new one.
 
Can someone explain to me why Apple/AT&T can't just sell them in their stores but give you the option that if you are already with AT&T you can just start up a new two-year agreement (like the first iPhone) Why do we all of a sudden have to meet the normal requirements. Clearly the iPhone is beyond any other phone, so why should it be treated like one?

Because they are selling it to you at an up front subsidized cost.
 
Can someone explain to me why Apple/AT&T can't just sell them in their stores but give you the option that if you are already with AT&T you can just start up a new two-year agreement (like the first iPhone) Why do we all of a sudden have to meet the normal requirements. Clearly the iPhone is beyond any other phone, so why should it be treated like one?

The answer is obvious if you think about it.

If there were no restrictions, someone could sign up for a subsidized phone ($200 phone for free), then immediately sign up for a iPhone 3G, and get a free $200 phone out of it at AT&T's expense.

arn
 
Okay, here's what I understand from past cellphone practice.

There are good credit plans typically for 2 years with a subsidy
There are no credit required GO plans with a higher month to month rate
There are unsubsidized phones you can do a variety of things with.
There are BAD credit CONTRACTS where you pay a deposit in addition to all fees and discounts which you get back at the end if you honor the contract.

Why is there no, NO DEPOSIT, FULL DISCOUNT, 2 YEAR CONTRACT, SUBSIDIZED plan, where you simply pay the entire 24 months in advance in full with no credit check or deposit? Even if it was offered ONLY on the unlimited voice, unlimited data plan that would help.

About $1800, less than a Mac+.

Rocketman
 
Okay, here's what I understand from past cellphone practice.

There are good credit plans typically for 2 years with a subsidy
There are no credit required GO plans with a higher month to month rate
There are unsubsidized phones you can do a variety of things with.
There are BAD credit CONTRACTS where you pay a deposit in addition to all fees and discounts which you get back at the end if you honor the contract.

Why is there no, NO DEPOSIT, FULL DISCOUNT, 2 YEAR CONTRACT, SUBSIDIZED plan, where you simply pay the entire 24 months in advance in full with no credit check or deposit? Even if it was offered ONLY on the unlimited voice, unlimited data plan that would help.

About $1800, less than a Mac+.

Rocketman

Write a letter. $1800 would be like almost 50% off. You can certainly get a phone without a contract. It would be unsubsidized, and you pay the same rates. I think its a great idea, but just how many people would do that? This is America. Land of buy now pay later. I see it every day, you offer a customer a phone at the no commitment cost, and then the 2yr contract cost, and they always pick the 2yr contract. The only people who do the no commitment are the ones who bring their own phones into the store. They still have to do credit checks because of security reasons. The same reason you have to do a credit check for cable.
 
I predict that this in-store signup will turn into a fiasco. This is completely the opposite experience people have come to expect with Apple Stores (short lines / no lines / easy check out). This is going to be hours of waiting, angry people when their credit is denied, system overruns with too many credit checks.

You're looking at the makings of a real meltdown here. But, it will still be a success, and they'll sell 10's of millions of them, because people will just suffer through it, and Apple (and AT&T) knows it. Mark my words through, opening day, and the following days, you may want to hang back till the fires and rioting cease.
July 11, 2008 is gonna be a sad day for Apple Retail, especially for the employees. They're moving away from what made the stores special & into a generic Radio Shack-like territory. Ah well. Steve's gotta sell those iPhones I suppose.
 
I predict that this in-store signup will turn into a fiasco. This is completely the opposite experience people have come to expect with Apple Stores (short lines / no lines / easy check out). This is going to be hours of waiting, angry people when their credit is denied, system overruns with too many credit checks.

You're looking at the makings of a real meltdown here. But, it will still be a success, and they'll sell 10's of millions of them, because people will just suffer through it, and Apple (and AT&T) knows it. Mark my words through, opening day, and the following days, you may want to hang back till the fires and rioting cease.

I could well be like you are describing.
My hope is that Apple and AT&T are figuring out a way to speed up the process. Seriously, Apple is smart enough to know that slow lines and angry people means Apple losing money big time.
The last thing they need is a huge negative response on the media and people pissed off at them. Let's see.

One thing is certain, I am not going to be in line. So I will wait maybe 3 to 5 days after July 11.
 
I predict that this in-store signup will turn into a fiasco. This is completely the opposite experience people have come to expect with Apple Stores (short lines / no lines / easy check out). This is going to be hours of waiting, angry people when their credit is denied, system overruns with too many credit checks.

You're looking at the makings of a real meltdown here. But, it will still be a success, and they'll sell 10's of millions of them, because people will just suffer through it, and Apple (and AT&T) knows it. Mark my words through, opening day, and the following days, you may want to hang back till the fires and rioting cease.

Couldn't have said it better myself... so I'll just quote and agree.
 
£350! :eek:

Pay as you go phones are subsidized a little but, look at SIM free phone prices and look at pay as you phone prices, saying that the price will be the same as a completely unsubsidized iPhone is not true, and honestly, who will buy a phone for that much anyway? If the price is like that I will go and get myself a PlayStation 3.
 
But there was previously rumblings that The UK was retaining its "activate at home" system, so its still bad news. Oh yeah, i made a cup of tea and realised the milk had turned this evening, so that completes my trilogy of error.

As far as their website says, you do.

there are also details about the credit check too. I'm not sure if this is related to the 1st Gen iPhone, but.. it isnt clear.

For your misfortune... Epic Fail


For £350 I expect the phone to be unlocked - wishful thinking I know BUT at that price it's the least they can do. In the UK when you the buy the phone unsubsidized it usually comes unlocked.

Unlocked because I don't want a contract and I don't want to pay roaming charges of $2 per minute!!

Time will tell - roll on July 11th. :)

I bought a Nokia 82 someting and that was locked. Even though I bought it as PAYG. So, it depends. 02 usually have all contract phones unlocked, however, the iPhone was the exception.
 
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