AT&T's iPhone 3G Data Plan and No Longer Revenue Sharing

[Lancetx]

This is hilarious. All of this complaining matters not. Apple will still move this thing like gangbusters. All of you scamps can keep scraping at the bottom of the barrel for a reason to complain, but in the end, YOU DON'T MATTER TO APPLE. Depressing I know, but get over it.

I happen to agree with you totally. I'm going to stick with my first gen 8GB iPhone and save $10-15 a month on the data and text plan though in the meantime until a larger capacity iPhone comes along. Once they have a 32GB model available, I'll look to upgrade then. Besides, I'll still get the new v2.0 software to play with on my current iPhone anyway.

If I'm going to have to pay more every month for the new 3G data/text messages plan compared to the $20 it costs now, it simply makes a lot more sense for me to wait and get an iPhone with more capacity than just 8 or 16GB. Having said that though, if I didn't have an iPhone currently, I'd jump all over the new white 16GB 3G model on July 11th.

 

[D4F]

You don't get the dock that you got with the first iPhone. You want a dock, $30.

So they take the same approach as with the remote now i see.
That sucks a bit I must say.

 

[computermilk]

I agree


the only thing thatll stop me is, do i want to wait for 32GB? I was really surprised the size wasnt bumped, but maybe for xmas? who knows.

I guess they cant cannibalize the touch lineup yet, seeing as how the only thing its got is more memory and a higher price (over the iphone)

16GB is enough for me, but its nice to have some more space than you need. I keep about 10-12 gigs of music i listen to all the time on my phone, all my pictures 1gb), that leaves me with very little to have movies via handbrake or other stuff.

Well i predict they are just holding off on size and video camera more things of that nature for just a third model, 4th model... etc etc.

They are trying to set themselves up for upgrades everyyear you know.
We will be going through this kinda stuff every single year, new iPhone release.
To me that's kinda cool, i love geeking out about new stuff =)

 

[averyash]

This is hilarious. All of this complaining matters not. Apple will still move this thing like gangbusters. All of you scamps can keep scraping at the bottom of the barrel for a reason to complain, but in the end, YOU DON'T MATTER TO APPLE. Depressing I know, but get over it.

(no doubt, SOMEONE will comment on my grammar. That does not give any validity to your argument I'm afraid, so save your breath.)

Apple has relied on an extremely strong, loyal, and knowledgable user base to drive product adoption and build Apple's reputation as a "different" kind of company. Apple has worked diligently through developer programs and user outreach to prove that they value this community very much. This is the same community that frequents sites like this--sites that Apple, and major news outlets, monitor very closely.

Apple is where it is because of its users, and most notably this core group. To say that several hundred thousand customers that actively follow and distribute Apple information to other customers including potential switchers "don't matter to Apple" is shortsighted at best.

While these posts, and this thread in general, have gotten increasingly heated, it is because many in this community are questioning whether Apple is straying from this commitment to developers and core users.

No one cares about your grammar, it's your shoddy argument that stands out from your post. Depressing I know, but get over it.

 

[jflash07]

I don't know

I talked to an At&t representative today, he gave me the following info (not sure if this is news to anyone or not):

To get the new price on the iPhone 3G you have to extend your contract by two years from the day of purchase (no surprise there)

As of this morning, he has been told there would be not increase in the data package. I took his name and id number so if it does go up, I'm busting them for giving me false info.

Just thought I'd share.

 

[Intarweb]

I talked to an At&t representative today, he gave me the following info (not sure if this is news to anyone or not):

To get the new price on the iPhone 3G you have to extend your contract by two years from the day of purchase (no surprise there)

As of this morning, he has been told there would be not increase in the data package. I took his name and id number so if it does go up, I'm busting them for giving me false info.

Just thought I'd share.

I talked to them today and they said all 3g phones have the same $30 data package.

 

[jflash07]

I talked to them today and they said all 3g phones have the same $30 data package.

Hmm interesting, maybe they are going to be charging new iphone customers that much and just requiring the two year extension for existing customers?

Only time will tell.

 

[Dorfdad]

Quick Math=

2 year contract 3G will cost me = $720.00 Iphone 199.99 (210) taxes. Docking station (does not come with one) 45.00 so for 2 years service im at staring at $1000.00 bucks for 2 years of Phone Service $500.00 a year pro-rated.

2 year Contract Edge will cost me = $480.00 Iphone $249.99 (265 Refurbed) Came with a docking station. so total cost for 2 years = $745.00 or 372.50 per year

So overall I would be paying $255.00 more for the new Iphone..

Now this would not be such a bad idea as Im paying About the same for the total package I just hope AT&T's 3G coverage is better than the EDGE plan here as I would be paying more and getting edge speeds which as a customer is unfair... If I can not get it all the time I should not pay for it..

AT&T will not have good coverage for alot of the US markets so unless your in a city be prepared to pay for something you cant use often!

 

[JW008]

As I said before, $35/month (3G + 200 texts) crossed the threshold of what I'm willing to pay. That's fine. My 1G works perfectly well.

I think even those of us who don't feel the new plan is worth it understood that the price would have to increase with the 3G networks. The real problem here is the amount the price jumped and not necessarily the $35/month. If AT&T had raised the price $5/month now and then $5/month next summer when the next iPhone will (probably) come out--there would be some grumbling, but not mass people talking about not buying.

I know the lines will be out the door for this thing on July 11, but I can't help but feel that AT&T really missed a big opportunity to sell millions more (or at the very least--the one I was going to buy!).

 

[computermilk]

Quick Math=

2 year contract 3G will cost me = $720.00 Iphone 199.99 (210) taxes. Docking station (does not come with one) 45.00 so for 2 years service im at staring at $1000.00 bucks for 2 years of Phone Service $500.00 a year pro-rated.

2 year Contract Edge will cost me = $480.00 Iphone $249.99 (265 Refurbed) Came with a docking station. so total cost for 2 years = $745.00 or 372.50 per year

So overall I would be paying $255.00 more for the new Iphone..

Now this would not be such a bad idea as Im paying About the same for the total package I just hope AT&T's 3G coverage is better than the EDGE plan here as I would be paying more and getting edge speeds which as a customer is unfair... If I can not get it all the time I should not pay for it..

AT&T will not have good coverage for alot of the US markets so unless your in a city be prepared to pay for something you cant use often!

Why are you including the math of a docking station into the overall package of the iPhone?

Mine as well throw in there extra headsets and screen protectors, and cases while your at it, it's all the same logic.

the iPhone does come with a USB sync cable does it not?

docking station is just an added tool.

 

[slffl]

OH MY GOD! Does this mean if I want to connect to my works' Exchange server, I have to pay the $45 Enterprise Data Plan????????????????? Holy #^$&#!!!!

 

[jflash07]

The only way I can justify the move from iPhone edge to iPhone 3G is that my friend wants to buy my 16gig for 100, and I plan to sell my TomTom GPS for $75, that brings my cost for the iPhone 3G to $125 range. But I will really have to see what the plan price difference will be.

Where I live there isn't 3G coverage, however where I go to school there is.

Does anyone predict a new iphone in the somewhat near future?

I'm still completely shocked that we can not still send picture messages via text. The only reasoning I can think of is because blackberrys can't either, at least my friend's new bb pearl on alltell can't, she's stuck doing the same thing we do, emailing it.

 

[autrefois]

Will I be able to get an iPhone 3g without a data plan?

There doesn't appear to be a clear answer to this for the moment. In the past, according to cWeems, you used to be able to buy the data plan but cancel it later. But with a lot changing, I don't know if we can say anything's certain until it's on AT&T's website.

 

[computermilk]

The only way I can justify the move from iPhone edge to iPhone 3G is that my friend wants to buy my 16gig for 100, and I plan to sell my TomTom GPS for $75, that brings my cost for the iPhone 3G to $125 range. But I will really have to see what the plan price difference will be.

Where I live there isn't 3G coverage, however where I go to school there is.

Does anyone predict a new iphone in the somewhat near future?

I'm still completely shocked that we can not still send picture messages via text. The only reasoning I can think of is because blackberrys can't either, at least my friend's new bb pearl on alltell can't, she's stuck doing the same thing we do, emailing it.

there will always be new iphones everyyear I predict.

The SMS text thing is just a software issue, that will be fixed soon, Heck I even see someone doing it via the SDK and App Store, if apple doesn't do it themselves, someone else will. =)

 

[brn2ski00]

There doesn't appear to be a clear answer to this for the moment. In the past, according to cWeems, you used to be able to buy the data plan but cancel it later. But with a lot changing, I don't know if we can say anything's certain until it's on AT&T's website.

Agreed. We need to wait and hear from the Horse's mouth (At&t in this case). My best guess is that yes, we will pay more per month and the unlocking of this one in the US will be tough (for a moment anyway )

 

[abijnk]

This really doesn't seem that bad to me...

Right now I have my voice plan, plus my unlimited txt and pay $30 for unlimited data on my Blackjack II, so nothing will change for me, no complaints here, just can't wait to actually have an iPhone again...

 

[compuguy1088]

http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/06/09/att.iphone.3g.plans/

Both home and business users will require a phone plan that starts at $40 per month but which will share the same terms as for the 2G model, which includes at least 450 minutes of calling time, 5,000 evening and weekend minutes, 200 SMS text messages, and Visual Voicemail. All iPhone 2G users will be grandfathered and won't be required to pay more per month for as long as they choose to use the service, including past the end of their contract.

We really need a definitive source of information of how the transition from the 2G to 3G model will be. Though what electronista is saying sounds nice (still having the 200 text messages that is).

 

[jflash07]

there will always be new iphones everyyear I predict.

The SMS text thing is just a software issue, that will be fixed soon, Heck I even see someone doing it via the SDK and App Store, if apple doesn't do it themselves, someone else will. =)

My thoughts exactly. My predictions (hopes) are that Apple is leaving the picture messaging up to a third party developer. I think copy and paste will be in the 2.0 but wasn't mentioned out of pride (maybe apple is embarassed that they didn't have it already).

Video feature: Curious, could this be an application? Could the camera currently in the iphone be used for video if it had the right software? Curious.

 

[extraextra]

Well it's that and then there's the flat out lie about it being thinner and stuff. Whit it isn't and thusly it's a flat out lie.

He clearly said, "thinner at the edges" during the keynote, which is true.

Video feature: Curious, could this be an application? Could the camera currently in the iphone be used for video if it had the right software? Curious.

Yes. There are already applications for jailbroken iPhones that allow you to record video, but it tends to be without sound, or only 15 seconds of video, stuff like that. I don't know if the limitations are from the phone or from the developers.

 

[slffl]

My thoughts exactly. My predictions (hopes) are that Apple is leaving the picture messaging up to a third party developer. I think copy and paste will be in the 2.0 but wasn't mentioned out of pride (maybe apple is embarassed that they didn't have it already).

Video feature: Curious, could this be an application? Could the camera currently in the iphone be used for video if it had the right software? Curious.

I don't know about a 3rd party writing an MMS application since it uses the cell network like SMS does.

Also, yes there is already a video app out, but I would rather it be integrated than a separate app.

 

[nemaslov]

If you are worried about the usage costs, this is not for you. You may want a smart phone, probably an iPhone, now the best one out there, but you may not need it. Do you have to surf the web anytime, everywhere?

 

[computermilk]

My thoughts exactly. My predictions (hopes) are that Apple is leaving the picture messaging up to a third party developer. I think copy and paste will be in the 2.0 but wasn't mentioned out of pride (maybe apple is embarassed that they didn't have it already).

Video feature: Curious, could this be an application? Could the camera currently in the iphone be used for video if it had the right software? Curious.

Right,

Also i think there are video apps out there right now, but i'm not stupid enough to brick or hack my iPhone, i want a legit device with software =)

I don't know if the current camera is capable or not, obviously it is, since there are some 3rd party stuff, but can someone create a better program for it? =D

The SMS MMS thing, i'm sure it has to do with the quality of the pics converting to other phones etc etc. I think ATT would have to play a role in making this officially available to us. I hope they do =)

But even if they don't i've gotten so used to just emailing them... i love doing it.

When mobile ME comes out, i probably wont ever think about texting a pic anyway, i will be constantly uploading them to my web album.

 

[macman03]

If you are worried about the usage costs, this is not for you. You may want a smart phone, probably an iPhone, now the best one out there, but you may not need it. Do you have to surf the web anytime, everywhere?

You got it right. The iPhone is a smartphone. What I am starting to see is that the people who can not justify spending the normal smartphone data rate of $30 are second guessing the value of the internet on the phone. At $20 bucks for data and 200 SMS, it was a deal, but now the price is what everyone (BJ, Q, palm, etc) has and there is no special iPhone treatment. Internet is a luxury, not a neccessity.

It would be interesting to see if you can buy the iPhone at the higher price (eg $399), but not sign on to 2 years of internet and only add it if you feel it neccessary. So if you don't use internet for more than 17 months, the $399 deal would actually be cheaper during a 2 year agreement assuming you could cancel it.

 

[odog402]

Have they confirmed the 200 text messages aren't included?

 

[computermilk]

I happen to agree with you totally. I'm going to stick with my first gen 8GB iPhone and save $10-15 a month on the data and text plan though in the meantime until a larger capacity iPhone comes along. Once they have a 32GB model available, I'll look to upgrade then. Besides, I'll still get the new v2.0 software to play with on my current iPhone anyway.

If I'm going to have to pay more every month for the new 3G data/text messages plan compared to the $20 it costs now, it simply makes a lot more sense for me to wait and get an iPhone with more capacity than just 8 or 16GB. Having said that though, if I didn't have an iPhone currently, I'd jump all over the new white 16GB 3G model on July 11th.

The white one looks so Sexy... i can't wait.

Actually i can't hardly BREATHE!

Someone please send medical help!