At that point, I would hope Apple would never cave in.
Verizon hopefully has learned it's lesson. When Appple knocks, open the F*#@ing door, poor drinks and turn on the soft soothing music while providing back rub to Steve Jobs.
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AT&T Exclusivity Expires in 2010, AT&T Asking for Extension?
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At that point, I would hope Apple would never cave in.
Verizon hopefully has learned it's lesson. When Appple knocks, open the F*#@ing door, poor drinks and turn on the soft soothing music while providing back rub to Steve Jobs.
I don't get why so many people have a problem with AT&T.
I've been with them for about 4 years now and have never had a single problem when calling them. I don't really have any network problems unless I travel to Detroitmad
I called about a week ago because my bill was about $30 higher for some international calls that I did not make and they took that off right away and for my trouble they gave me a $25 credit.
I agree with you 100%. I've NEVER had an issue with AT&T or it's service. I'm actually quite happy with AT&T. I had Verizon before and to be honest, really never had that big of an issue with them either, but I can't say I miss them.
Most people who complain about AT&T have never had it, they just hear someone else complain (who probably never had it either) and they figure they'd jump on the bandwagon. But, I'm naturally an easy going guy that doesn't act like every other customer on the face of the planet that complains about wanting everything, but not wanting to pay for it. The iPhone is a PREMIUM phone, not an entry level phone......so we all can't expect to pay entry level prices for it.
Same here
I'd be all over a T-Mobile pre-pay plan. However I think there is only about a 1% chance of it happening. I won't do business with AT&T's cell phone division.
Apple could care less about what AT&T get's out of the deal. They want to sell a bunch of phones where they can sell a bunch of apps. While I think they will renew it a year, after that I highly doubt iPhones will be exclusive to AT&T.
To the poster above I HAVE had AT&T through work and personally had Cingular, it was a disaster. If you don't mind simply paying them tons of money I guess it is a fine option for you.
I'd be all over a T-Mobile pre-pay plan. However I think there is only about a 1% chance of it happening. I won't do business with AT&T's cell phone division.
Apple could care less about what AT&T get's out of the deal. They want to sell a bunch of phones where they can sell a bunch of apps. While I think they will renew it a year, after that I highly doubt iPhones will be exclusive to AT&T.
To the poster above I HAVE had AT&T through work and personally had Cingular, it was a disaster. If you don't mind simply paying them tons of money I guess it is a fine option for you.
I agree, but sometimes the complaints are legit.
And for some it's more about the missing features and services. For me, it's insurance. For others, it's tethering. Then someone may have some other features as well.
I honestly don't think it will matter by that time. Apple won't be inundating the cell market with iPhone's like they did with the iPod at all this time.
And to be honest, without derailing the thread into an "X" phone vs. iPhone thread, the competitors caught up pretty quick with the "Same functionality in different package phones." Since not everyone is a Mobile Me or Mac user, some people will find the other options "OKAY" enough to forget about owning the iPhone.
Before my iPhone I had a Razr that I could shop around and get what was best for me in my part of the country: why can't I do the same with the new iPhone??? Also, the new iPhone will have possible options like tethering or VOIP over 3G that the prices would come down if there were competition or something like VOIP over 3G/Edge could be allowed. Some people want subsidies some want lower monthly bills - let the loyal Apple customer decide. Oh, and by the way, ATT is the devil.
The Facts
1. The quality of your Wireless Service is dependant on local factors. All carriers have good and bad coverage areas. Hence, for every person complaining about AT&T, there is another person complaining about Verizon.
2. All carriers have exclusive contracts with cell phone manufacturers. This benefits both parties. Carriers can attract new customers (who may want to switch) and the manufacturers can achieve a larger "kickback" from a sole provider. If every carrier sold the same phone, the "kickback" would be far less.
3. Please remember, the higher the "kickback", the more the customer will pay (in monthly service fees).....he $s have to come from somewhere. So, in the end, the customer will pay more...which is why Fact 2 (above) exists.
4. Supply/demand impacts exclusive carrier contracts. If Apple can only make a certain amount of phones each year (a factory can only make so many) and if all of them can be sold via a single carrier (within a specific country), then why would Apple open up to more carriers (and end up with a smaller "kickback")?
5. Someone at Verizon committed the Business Blunder of the Decade by rejecting the iPhone offer from Apple. Apple approached Verizon first. Verizon said no.
1. The quality of your Wireless Service is dependant on local factors. All carriers have good and bad coverage areas. Hence, for every person complaining about AT&T, there is another person complaining about Verizon.
2. All carriers have exclusive contracts with cell phone manufacturers. This benefits both parties. Carriers can attract new customers (who may want to switch) and the manufacturers can achieve a larger "kickback" from a sole provider. If every carrier sold the same phone, the "kickback" would be far less.
3. Please remember, the higher the "kickback", the more the customer will pay (in monthly service fees).....he $s have to come from somewhere. So, in the end, the customer will pay more...which is why Fact 2 (above) exists.
4. Supply/demand impacts exclusive carrier contracts. If Apple can only make a certain amount of phones each year (a factory can only make so many) and if all of them can be sold via a single carrier (within a specific country), then why would Apple open up to more carriers (and end up with a smaller "kickback")?
5. Someone at Verizon committed the Business Blunder of the Decade by rejecting the iPhone offer from Apple. Apple approached Verizon first. Verizon said no.
I totally agree that they were right to get in trouble for leaving it out and not adjusting their specs accordingly.
But it has nothing to do with Verizon and smartphones, which is the topic. To discuss it, we need pertinent facts and history about smartphones, not dumphones.
Verizon doesn't radically modify WM or RIM smartphone UIs. They don't remove WiFi. (Although the casual viewer can make that mistake because of GSM versions of a phone that have it, whereas CDMA versions might not.) They don't cripple Bluetooth, unlike Apple which left out stereo, keyboard/mouse, serial, data exchange and other BT profiles.
Verizon HAS often crippled smartphone GPS (a policy they claim to be reversing). They've been known to lower the amount of RAM/ROM. And they take darned near forever to certify new models. These are valid concerns.
Sprint would probably be a better choice for a first CDMA iPhone. They're desperate and they like to pile on features.
Again, another personal experience, with global implications. "I had this, and it was horrible, so it has to be horrible for everyone else too, right?"
At a previous employer, part of my IT responsibilities included supporting BlackBerry's. We had all the carriers, because of a large sales force that traveled all over, and were located across the U.S. Of all those, AT&T and T-Mo were the easiest to work with. They never had an issue with returns, licensing [BB], etc. Yet every time someone walked in with a Verizon or Sprint BB, and said they had a problem, we all cringed. Returns were difficult, customer service was abysmal, and created frustration for all involved.
My point? Others will have the exact opposite experience. Again, if it works for you, good. If not, find another product that will better suit your needs...
I'd love to see the iPhone on T-Mobile. For me, I have never had a single issue with T-Mobile. It has always worked fine here in L.A. for me. Probably some of the best customer service of any company I have ever had. Reasonable plans too. The main reason I do NOT have an iPhone - AT&T. I really do NOT want to ditch T-Mobile.
Sorry, but this thread is not about smartphones only, the issue is mobile service providers. As the topic is discussing AT&T's exclusivity with regards to the iPhone, the topic of Verizon, T-Mobile and/or Sprint providing mobile service for the iPhone is being discussed. Additionally, when does any topic have to be dictated to personal wants?
I did not realize that AT&T removed the iPhone's WiFi, or crippled the GPS. The reason Apple does not allow Bluetooth ObEx is that Apple wants to use iTunes for exchanging music, ringtones, photographs, etc. in order to provide a uniform and stable data exchange experience with their users. Allowing Bluetooth ObEx would require reliance of Bluetooth connectivity with various hardware profiles, while USB support would almost be universal through OS's, etc. Apple is not charging for this service as Verizon had with "Get it Now".
As for A2DP, I whole heartedly agree. I do not know why Apple has crippled that and I am pissed about it. It irritates me to no end when I am at the gym and am fumbling with the wires of my headset. Wireless stereo bluetooth connectivity is absolutely needed and unless I misunderstand can be activated with the current iPhone (unless A2DP requires different hardware).
But an understandable one. It might be hard to remember now, but almost every predicted form of the iPhone was that of a phone with a clickwheel. Like in this old MacRumor article. Plus...
* Verizon never got to see an iPhone.
* Apple's previous phone-iPod combo collaboration, the ROKR, was a failure at the time.
* Apple wanted to control distribution and warranties, which Verizon felt would compromise their sales partners and compromise customer satisfaction. (Later, Apple opened up to other stores once sales dropped off, anyway.)
* Apple and Verizon probably couldn't come to terms on app, ringtone, music sales.
These are all good reasons to turn down something sight unseen.
According to the original WSJ history, this is not quite correct.
Apple approached Cingular (ATT) first, and then shortly afterwards reached out to Verizon. It seems possible that Apple wanted to be on both networks.
After a year of negotiation, Apple gave up and agreed to an ATT exclusive. (An exclusive is not something a maker would want on their own. )
I agree with you, right now I am reaching the end of my contract with Alltel, I want an iPhone some kind of bad. BUT! I am not going to sacrifice loosing my great cell service for it. I have a few friends with AT&T and they are always out of service range when I'm not.
Out of curiosity, do you work for Verizon cause you're awfully quick in coming to its defense?
I hope Apple realizes that there are a lot of us who would like to have an iPhone but find the monthly data plan prohibitive. I really hope they negotiate some plan flexibility so that I can finally carry one item instead of an iPod Touch and a crappy AT&T phone.
I know I am dreaming, so please no responses to that effect...
Having a phone like the iphone and not having unlimited data, text is just a waste. You don't need the iphone.
Here in Houston, AT&T has decent service, albeit not always consistent in it's 3g connectivity. Funny how I drive one simple road (Briarforest) all the way home (6 miles) and drop from 3g to Edge and then back to 3g. It's a simple straight shot home. Granted Briarforest has a lot of trees, but still. I also average about 5 dropped calls a month. Overall, AT&T is good enough, but if Verizon ever gets an iPhone in a couple of years, I will be moving over.
Or, Apple just wanted to up the ante and play them off each other, a sort of auction of Apple's iPhone exclusive rights.
True. I do agree that some of the complaints are legit, BUT all the complaint's I've heard from people here in my office are "Oh, AT&T sucks", and when I ask why and they usually reply "Well, I've never had them, but someone told me."
Yeah because apple would approve an app like sling player to attack one of their profitable business models. THE ITUNES STORE.
If you have sling why even bother buying tv shows from the itunes store.
Tell Apple!
There are many options if the exclusive contract ends, including buying a phone and using it on a "pay as you go" plan with numerous, good service providers. (PagePlus is excellent & uses the Verizon network).
If you want Apple to end the exclusive agreement with ATT, tell them. They need to hear how many of us would buy the iPhone if we weren't locked into ATT with it's crappy customer service and absurd surcharges.
Give Apple feedback at: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html
There are many options if the exclusive contract ends, including buying a phone and using it on a "pay as you go" plan with numerous, good service providers. (PagePlus is excellent & uses the Verizon network).
If you want Apple to end the exclusive agreement with ATT, tell them. They need to hear how many of us would buy the iPhone if we weren't locked into ATT with it's crappy customer service and absurd surcharges.
Give Apple feedback at: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html
I'm kinda ok with AT&T. I think it's a bit pricey for data and text, but I came from Sprint, so it's a big jump. The downside is that the AT&T provider for my region, Comporium Communications, does not currently have 3G towers. They're in the process of getting them up and should have them up by the end of the summer. At that point, I think I'll be much happier.
Having said that, if I could get one on Sprint and use my SERO plan ($30/mo for 500 minutes, unlimited data and unlimited text), I would switch back as quickly as I could, even paying the AT&T ETF if I had to. Especially if the Sprint version had WiMax.
Having said that, if I could get one on Sprint and use my SERO plan ($30/mo for 500 minutes, unlimited data and unlimited text), I would switch back as quickly as I could, even paying the AT&T ETF if I had to. Especially if the Sprint version had WiMax.
Apple - Please drop AT&T!
AT&T's coverage sucks, sucks, sucks in California compared to Verizon.
I've had more dropped calls, more places where my signal swings wildly from 5 bars to zero to 5 without moving, more headache with AT&T in 8 months than I had in 5 years with Verizon, by an order of magnitude.
For christ's sake, there are substantial coverage holes on I-5 between the Bay Area and L.A. - if you can't cover the major freeways, what in the hell can you cover? If Apple is listening, I strongly suggest that you not renew AT&T's exclusivity. I am going to give my iPhone 3G to the wife soon as her phone is in need of replacement, and I will not be buying another Apple phone because of AT&T's poor coverage.
AT&T's coverage sucks, sucks, sucks in California compared to Verizon.
I've had more dropped calls, more places where my signal swings wildly from 5 bars to zero to 5 without moving, more headache with AT&T in 8 months than I had in 5 years with Verizon, by an order of magnitude.
For christ's sake, there are substantial coverage holes on I-5 between the Bay Area and L.A. - if you can't cover the major freeways, what in the hell can you cover? If Apple is listening, I strongly suggest that you not renew AT&T's exclusivity. I am going to give my iPhone 3G to the wife soon as her phone is in need of replacement, and I will not be buying another Apple phone because of AT&T's poor coverage.
Yeah, I can say first hand that nothing, and I mean NOTHING Verizon offers will be able to rival the iPhone. I mean, just try getting one of these phones to play music. They offer clumsy interfaces, high prices on the store, and horrible experiences. Now a phone combined with an iPod...that's the land of milk and honey for the cell industry.
Seriously. The Storm. While I use it, it's more of a tolerating. I enjoy it, love some of the features. But it's just not the iPhone. Never will be. In fact, from what I hear, they're already prepping a Storm II. Storm I was a failure, in my eyes. Now we have Palm trying to enter the scene with the Pre. It's like good Lord! Apple took years, from what I understand, developing the iPhone. And it appears lightyears ahead of any other American phone.
All these people trying to rush out their phones. At least RIM made an honest effort. But Verizon is getting suckered into all these random devices that now are disproved iphone "killers." Hah! That term gets me every time.
With each contract signed between these 2 companies, the bond grows and these companies become richer and attract more customers. I enjoy watching them prosper, as it's good to see some quality products and service in these times.