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AT&T Subsidizing Notebooks with 3G Service, In Talks with Apple?
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Only the cheap MVNO's seem to last (or are owned by the big boys). Apple didn't go it on their own because they would have to pay AT&T/Verizon for tower usage. That screws with profits, and they would have to provide technical support for cell service.
Yup
I can see this happening. Steve Jobs doesn't really lie if people read his full statements. Roughly speaking regarding the netbook, he said no, Apple won't release a netbook because at that price point it wouldn't be Apple quality. That doesn't mean that he wont still sell at that price point, just make up the difference with AT&T.
I'd love to see 3G netbooks and even a MacBook Pro. I'm tired of working only where wireless networks are. This would really open things up and if it was fast enough, I'd drop my cable modem and break even.
I don't like AT&T. Their signals are weak and of poor quality. However, they sure do pay well to Apple so I'd imagine they stick together with Apple saying, "Look over here, don't look at the AT&T thingy over there." In AT&T's defense, I do think they are continuing to build on their networks. Maybe they'll improve.
I can see this happening. Steve Jobs doesn't really lie if people read his full statements. Roughly speaking regarding the netbook, he said no, Apple won't release a netbook because at that price point it wouldn't be Apple quality. That doesn't mean that he wont still sell at that price point, just make up the difference with AT&T.
I'd love to see 3G netbooks and even a MacBook Pro. I'm tired of working only where wireless networks are. This would really open things up and if it was fast enough, I'd drop my cable modem and break even.
I don't like AT&T. Their signals are weak and of poor quality. However, they sure do pay well to Apple so I'd imagine they stick together with Apple saying, "Look over here, don't look at the AT&T thingy over there." In AT&T's defense, I do think they are continuing to build on their networks. Maybe they'll improve.
I love how some are immediately discounting this but really this is a pretty innovative strategy. What other netbooks are being sold this way? What better way to spread the costs and risks of a new product than to have ATT take some of it as well? And if history is any guide, Apple is prone to doing what everybody immediately discounts.
ATT Netbooks?
Never let it happen Apple!
I would never want to see OS X on a flimsy plastic piece of cheap hardware...
and ATT (which I've had no problems with since I switched to get the iPhone) should be left a lone, Apple needs to expand it's territory to more providers and the transition will be difficult if they get too close, if at first subsidies for macbooks, what next? NO!
Never let it happen Apple!
I would never want to see OS X on a flimsy plastic piece of cheap hardware...
and ATT (which I've had no problems with since I switched to get the iPhone) should be left a lone, Apple needs to expand it's territory to more providers and the transition will be difficult if they get too close, if at first subsidies for macbooks, what next? NO!
Agreed! Why would one want to tie a cheap laptop to a service connection contract? Insane! Yet another way the greedy turkeys try and get into your pocket book! No thanks!
I think I'll stick with a conventional ISP TYVM!
Anyone wanting a net book this bad needs their head examined!
More and more looks like a hackingtosh is the WTG!
AT&T needs to work on their network
AT&T should spend some money on their network in San Francisco. I tried an AT&T 3G card on my Mac and it was so slow I took it back. Also the USB one I tried was so big it would not let me use either my power cord or lock when plugged in. I now use a Verizon card and it is much better.
I am amazed also how little I can get 3G and therefore are stuck with Edge making my iPhone look really slow compared to my old Sprint Treo.
Please AT&T invest some of my $30/month on a better data service because I only use you because of the iPhone. So if that went so would I.
AT&T should spend some money on their network in San Francisco. I tried an AT&T 3G card on my Mac and it was so slow I took it back. Also the USB one I tried was so big it would not let me use either my power cord or lock when plugged in. I now use a Verizon card and it is much better.
I am amazed also how little I can get 3G and therefore are stuck with Edge making my iPhone look really slow compared to my old Sprint Treo.
Please AT&T invest some of my $30/month on a better data service because I only use you because of the iPhone. So if that went so would I.
I see loads of netbooks and laptops given away free with mobile broadband dongles/packages...
There are many people out there that won't look at the total cost of a contract, get suckered in by a free/subsidized 'freebie' and sign up - selling a device like this (or a phone) with no alternative is just another way to maximise profits and increase saleability by 'hiding' the cost - Average joe consumer is an idiot
Steve Jobs? I thought that he left....
Seriously, we're in the post-Jobs era now. Jobs' statements are not longer the "law" at Apple.
If Apple doesn't work something out with them, i am sure there are plenty of companies that will line up to offer this type of service. Netbooks are tommorrow's ipod nano. They are everywhere and now target sells cute little carrying cases for them. Soon every tween will have one with their custom hannah montana carrying case. There are advantages to them though. THey are cheap, small and have good battery life.
Steve Jobs? I thought that he left....
Seriously, we're in the post-Jobs era now. Jobs' statements are not longer the "law" at Apple.
How the hell do you know that?
As for subsidies, they're the darker side of the "pay me now or pay me later" proposition. "Pay me later" always costs more.
I read that apple is watching netbooks but there not interested at the time. They dont think people will like them, apple said they go for quality.
Netbook with 3G high school/college students would buy these fast!I agree. I was going over the business model for the current iPhone and it scared the crap out of me.
There is so much more money to be made by tying a product to a wireless carrier that is simply disgusting.
Your fears are certainly warranted. Of course no one here will believe you, but incrementally this has the potential to happen its HORRIBLE.
In the short term, however, I see AT&T doing this with other Netbooks, but not Apple. At least not in the short term.
The iPhone essentially IS the Apple netbook, fwiw.
The DI10" would be a great debut product for this. Offer that for $99+30/mon unlimited 3G.
I want unlimited 3G anyway, it would be extra no matter what. Tethering from the iPhone would be less convenient and the same additional $30.
(Unless you hack of course, but I'm not interested for the time being)
The obvious problem here is that $400 netbook will cost you $460 for just the first year. Then an additional $360 a year to continue owning it.
Thats a lot, for a little computer. But I guess not for data service. MEH.
The iPhone essentially IS the Apple netbook, fwiw.
The DI10" would be a great debut product for this. Offer that for $99+30/mon unlimited 3G.
I want unlimited 3G anyway, it would be extra no matter what. Tethering from the iPhone would be less convenient and the same additional $30.
(Unless you hack of course, but I'm not interested for the time being)
The obvious problem here is that $400 netbook will cost you $460 for just the first year. Then an additional $360 a year to continue owning it.
Thats a lot, for a little computer. But I guess not for data service. MEH.