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Are 3G users screwed come June by AT&T?

v3.0

If a new phone is released i would assume it will keep the current iPhone3g users happy because of v3.0. Keeping them happy enough till their contract runs out and they can get the newer version of the phone along with another fresh contract.
 
How in the world is someone getting screwed when they buy a subsidized product, months later a new update comes out that doesnt keep their purchase from functioning, and they dont qualify for a new subsidy?
 
NT1440 said:
How in the world is someone getting screwed when they buy a subsidized product, months later a new update comes out that doesnt keep their purchase from functioning, and they dont qualify for a new subsidy?
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I agree. Screwed is the first ten iphone owners who won't be able to use MMS on 3.0, or iPhod touch owners who always have to pay for upgrades.
 
aok1975 said:
I agree. Screwed is the first ten iphone owners who won't be able to use MMS on 3.0, or iPhod touch owners who always have to pay for upgrades.
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How is that screwed? Is your device any less capable then when it was bought?
 
The more I think about it, the more livid I become. How dare AT&T not offer the new iPhone to us, iPhone 3G owners, at subsidized prices?!!!!!!!!!! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Off-topic: is anyone watching Eurovision Song Contest this year? Who are you voting for? Cheers.
 
davelanger said:
What can they really add to the phone that we wont get in the free 3.0 upgrade? More Gigs? So what, that is way too much IMO unless you are using it as an ipod too but most people are not.

The only thing I can think of they could add is video, and who cares about that? Video on phone are always terrible quality. Just buy your phone now and be happy with it. You get a free 3.0 upgrade.
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The new iPhone will likely be a lot faster than the current one, thus more capable than the current, somewhat crippled ( http://www.iphonehacks.com/2008/11/iphone-slower.html ) one. Ram upgrades and CPU upgrades could open up a lot of doors relating to just how much the iPhone can do.

As far as video goes, you're right. Video on cellphones usually is pointless due to how choppy, pixelated, and out of focus it is. That being said, most phones don't have the still mediocre, but capable camera lense/processor that the iPhone has. That being said, can't you do video now on the iPhone? I know Apple doesn't support it but i'm pretty sure it's just a quick jailbreak away.
 
So would it be possible to take the 3G iphone off of my line (upgraded about 5 months ago to the iphone so I am under contract) and use my old razr and tell them to cancel the data plan. And then use one of the lines that is eligible for an upgrade and get the iphone on that. Once again, use another old razr we have and cancel teh data plan.

Then finally, put the newest iphone back onto my account and add a data plan again. And of course, sell the 3g iphone.
 
let me say this, ATT will do everything in their power to lock in revenue streams. i can all but guarantee that existing iphone customers will get a subsidized price for a new iphone it makes good economic sense, they can lock in a customer for an additional year. which makes the accounting look good because this is money that they can put into the bottom line as a sale. and in this economy anything you can put in the plus column is a good thing.

as a matter of fact, i wouldn't be surprised if the subsidy was extended further beyond just iphone customers but to the rest of their customer base
 
tritonj said:
let me say this, ATT will do everything in their power to lock in revenue streams. i can all but guarantee that existing iphone customers will get a subsidized price for a new iphone it makes good economic sense, they can lock in a customer for an additional year. which makes the accounting look good because this is money that they can put into the bottom line as a sale. and in this economy anything you can put in the plus column is a good thing.

as a matter of fact, i wouldn't be surprised if the subsidy was extended further beyond just iphone customers but to the rest of their customer base
Click to expand...
:)
 
tritonj said:
...which makes the accounting look good because this is money that they can put into the bottom line as a sale. and in this economy anything you can put in the plus column is a good thing.
Click to expand...

...and a subsidy puts "money in the minus column" immediately. The subsidy they paid for all the 3G contracts cut into their profits for the second half of the year. So if you are saying that money in the "plus column" in this economy is a good thing, that is equivalent to saying putting money in the "minus column" is a bad thing, which gives them good reason not to allow an upgrade.

Honestly though, I'm still just flabbergasted that people think there is going to an exception. AT&T has shown when you can upgrade the day you signed the contract. Whatever fantasy world one must live in to mistrust this kind of fact when it is right in front of their face is beyond me.
 
Apple (and AT&T) will allow all existing iPhone users to upgrade at the subsidized price to a new generation iPhone. The same that they did with the 3G release.
 
MattyMac said:
Apple (and AT&T) will allow all existing iPhone users to upgrade at the subsidized price to a new generation iPhone. The same that they did with the 3G release.
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You see, it's misinformation like this that perpetuates this silly notion.

The original iPhone wasn't subsidized, therefore, these accounts were upgrade eligible from day 1. What you fail to realize is

CURRENT AT&T CUSTOMERS WHO WERE NOT UPGRADE ELIGIBLE WHEN THE 3G WAS RELEASED WERE NOT OFFERED THE SUBSIDIZED PRICE!

The log out button is that way. arrow-up-right.gif
 
aok1975 said:
I meant first gen owners who wont be getting mms.
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I meant exactly what I said. Boo hoo you dont get new functionality on the outdated hardware, what did you expect, this is what apple does.
 
NT1440 said:
I meant exactly what I said. Boo hoo you dont get new functionality on the outdated hardware, what did you expect, this is what apple does.
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Are like 10yrs old? I dont even have the original iphone, i have the 3g, so it doesnt even apply to me.
 
I have been worried about my AT&T contract as well, since I am a little crazy and will want a new iPhone when it comes out. I have a g3 iPhone, and I got it on the release day at an AT&T store. When I checked my upgrade availability online, the website said I am eligible on 07/11/09! SOOO... They are doing something for at least some of the g3 buyers, because I will have had my phone for exactly one year on that date. I think that means I will be eligible to get a new phone for the subsidized price in July, which hopefully is when the new phone comes out. (If there is going to be one soon...)
 
NT1440 said:
How is that screwed? Is your device any less capable then when it was bought?
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With regular products, I'd say not. Tech is a different story, however.

We buy tech to enjoy the updated software. If a device is capable of running said software but is disabled/prevented by the OEM, than people are getting screwed.

If the original iPhone is capable of handling MMS and Apple is keeping it out of their hands to force an upgrade, then they are getting screwed.

Think of the late 2008 MacBook Pro. I bought this specific model because I thought it would be able to enjoy advancements in multi-touch technology for years to come. It is perfectly capable of running it (I do in the form of a hack) but Apple did not include it in OS updates. I did feel screwed. It's not what I signed on for and was upset.

I can understand where the original iPhone owners are coming from. I can even understand where the 3g owners are coming from. They didn't buy it at that moment for what it was, but rather what it could be. I'm sure plenty of people bought that 3g thinking that Apple would eventually enable MMS via a software update.

**I'm not looking for a flame war, but I am putting this idea out there.**
 
fleshman03 said:
If the original iPhone is capable of handling MMS and Apple is keeping it out of their hands to force an upgrade, then they are getting screwed.
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Thank you, that was my point. We all know the original iphone can handle MMS, non smartphones released 5yrs ago can also handle MMS.
 
Its simple and it has been like this since forever with cell companys and phone upgrades.
You cant upgrade your device whenever you feel like it and expect the provider to pay for most of it. You either pay full price if you want a new phone earlier or wait till your time comes.
Even that early upgrade at $399/$499 is cool. Cause if you want to turn around and sell your Iphone or Iphone 3G on ebay or CG you'll definetelly get more than $200 to make up the difference.
All that 3G users getting screwed is nonsense. Next time when you sign a contract make sure you understand it and dont expect another subsidy if a new and better phone comes out months later.
 
I don't think AT&T or Apple is "screwing" those who have an iPhone 3G. I just hope there is a way that I can upgrade. If you recall, when the iPhone 3G was released, there was no way to obtain a "contract-free" iPhone 3G. I just hope this time there is.

Yes, I am willing to pay full price for the phone, just give me the option. It's all I ask.

w00master
 
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