For all us on UK Networks... Help and Advice

[dalvin200]

Or another way to look at it I guess (Can you tell I'm trying to justify buying one on eBay v.soon) is that you get one, unlock it and don't update it until the hackers get there way around any difficulties 1.1.1 throws up (If there are any)

I've done this with XBOX's, PSP's and many other toys, if you want yer hacks you've got to be patient with manufacturer upgrades.

Off to see whats on offer at ebay....

forget ebay - hotukdeals.com has a guide on how to get your US iphone imported

 

[DJS1234]

Hi Ascender, as I said there's no danger at all of the lock breaking if you don't update the software in the iphone.... (Just be careful skipping through prompts when you plug it into itunes!)

I don't buy music from the iTunes store anyway as I'd much rather pay the same or less for a CD that I can rip to Apple Lossless as many times as I need to not a low bitrate MP3 that if I lose it's gone forever so the wireless store is of no interest to me.

 

[DJS1234]

forget ebay - hotukdeals.com has a guide on how to get your US iphone imported

Looks interesting with getting the US2EU people to buy it and ship it on. I have friends in Florida and California who I could wire the money to and get them to buy it for me also, then just risk the VAT on arrival in the UK. I just like the idea of getting one in London as I can just hop on the bike and go and pick it up (The impatience thing again! lol)

 

[ascender]

Hi Ascender, as I said there's no danger at all of the lock breaking if you don't update the software in the iphone.... (Just be careful skipping through prompts when you plug it into itunes!)

I don't buy music from the iTunes store anyway as I'd much rather pay the same or less for a CD that I can rip to Apple Lossless as many times as I need to not a low bitrate MP3 that if I lose it's gone forever so the wireless store is of no interest to me.

I think that's my worry, that I'll update it by mistake and then its bricked until the next update.

 

[Manic Mouse]

I asked O2 today, the iPhone will have the ability to be unlocked in the UK, as with any other mobile phone (that's if it's not currently being subsidised by a contract, which the iPhone is not).

Really, Apple shot themselves in the foot with this one. It has to be unlocked as you pay full whack for the phone price.

Are you serious? We can just buy an iPhone and have it unlocked? What if you're already an O2 user?

 

[DJS1234]

I can't see how they could legally uphold the simlock after all you own the phone ENTIRELY no subsidy at all. Under EU law you can do whatever you want with it as long as the network doesn't still own a stake (ie. a subsidized contract period where your effectively paying for the phone on a hire-purchase agreement of sorts)

This will be very interesting to watch in November when the UK model lands as I can see certain people making it a very public issue - good luck to them too!

 

[mari0]

so hang on what are we saying here? O2 have to unlock the iphone if you ask them to?? Without subscribing to their contracts?

This sounds like madness to me.... bloody sweet but madness all the same... will things like visual voicemail work if they do it for you?

Can anyone confirm that?!

 

[Manic Mouse]

I can't see how they could legally uphold the simlock after all you own the phone ENTIRELY no subsidy at all. Under EU law you can do whatever you want with it as long as the network doesn't still own a stake (ie. a subsidized contract period where your effectively paying for the phone on a hire-purchase agreement of sorts)

This will be very interesting to watch in November when the UK model lands as I can see certain people making it a very public issue - good luck to them too!

Especially since O2 have said that all contract users will be able to get unlimited data from Oct 1st.

If you can simply buy one, kick up a fuss and get it unlocked, and pop your old SIM (with a decent tariff) in then we're laughing.

 

[Project]

I think its an interesting case.

Because when it launches here, you will be able to pick up an iPhone in an Apple store for £270, and at that point it is a brick. I have to believe that EU laws would come down hard on this kind of thing, if O2/Apple refuse to co-operate by unlocking it at your request for a reasonable fee....

I can definitely see it appearing on Watchdog.

 

[Project]

"At £900 the starter package - including the £269 device and a minimum 18-month contract at £35 a month - is no snip."

"Apple unveils £900 UK iPhone"


Wow. Staggeringly poor, sensationalist journalism.

 

[DJS1234]

Of course whether it's legal or not it could take years for a court be it EU or UK to do anything about it!

Don't expect unlocks to be dished out on November 9th!

o2 legal will of thought of this one and I'm sure have a plan...

 

[ascender]

eBay isn't looking particularly cheap for iPhones just now, I might have to do some shopping around, but having re-read the whole thread, importing is starting to look like an attractive option.

 

[DJS1234]

I'm sending an email around work at the moment, one of the advantages of working in the film industry is there's usually a constant stream of people in or going to L.A. or NYC for something or other - now who wants to be my personal shopper!

 

[Manic Mouse]

"At £900 the starter package - including the £269 device and a minimum 18-month contract at £35 a month - is no snip."

"Apple unveils £900 UK iPhone"


Wow. Staggeringly poor, sensationalist journalism.

I don't think so. In fact most on this forum are of the same opinion that the iPhone (with contract) is a pretty bad deal. Just look at the votes on the story, around 80% negative. And we're all Apple fanboys.

For your average Joe those contracts are out of the question, the newspapers et al are just highlighting that.

 

[Project]

I don't think so. In fact most on this forum are of the same opinion that the iPhone (with contract) is a pretty bad deal. Just look at the votes on the story, around 80% negative. And we're all Apple fanboys.

You are missing my point. NOBODY adds up the total cost of the contract to the price of the phone and calls that the price of the phone. Thats just sensationalist and if I was glancing the headlines it would appear that the iPhone costs £900 to buy. It neglects the fact that you get 18 months of unlimited data and 18 months of 200/200 talk/text.

I have no problems with people saying the contract is too expensive. I have a huge problem with the press not being fair about it.

For instance, the Nokia N95 on O2 right now costs £200 with a £30 a month, 18 month contract. Do you see scare mongering headlines of the N95 costing £800?

Also, look at the opening paragraph:

"The basic handset will cost £269 – £69 more than in the US. But Britons must also sign up to a contract costing £35 to £55 a month with O2 , Apple’s chosen network partner, for a minimum of 18 months. That puts the cost of the handset and contract at between £899 and £1,259 over 18 months."

This makes it seem like the US does not have to pay for a contract, fuelling the rip-off Britain stuff. Yet the US are locked down for 24 months, even longer than us at $60 a month.



Anyhows, T-Mobile do a pay as you go SIM card which has data with a £1 a day cap. I'm interested.

 

[npdale]

I think O2 will be reduce the tariff values as the backlash will be HUGE even if they are the exclusive carrier, they are quite clearly giving nothing for the money ("UNLIMITED" data my arse - who cares!)...

I think the importing option is the best way myself.. only things to look at are:

• Does T-Mobile work? and is EDGE supported?
• Can I re-register an unlocked iPhone after Nov if I decide to migrate to O2's "Official" tariffs?
• I WANT VISUAL VOICEMAIL! BOO HOO!
  

I'm serious... the loss of visual voicemail is the only thing tempting me to pay O2's ridiculous prices! Why can't we get it on unlocked phones? it makes no sense...

Any comments or answers ??

 

[npdale]

You are missing my point. NOBODY adds up the total cost of the contract to the price of the phone and calls that the price of the phone. Thats just sensationalist and if I was glancing the headlines it would appear that the iPhone costs £900 to buy. It neglects the fact that you get 18 months of unlimited data and 18 months of 200/200 talk/text.

I have no problems with people saying the contract is too expensive. I have a huge problem with the press not being fair about it.

For instance, the Nokia N95 on O2 right now costs £200 with a £30 a month, 18 month contract. Do you see scare mongering headlines of the N95 costing £800?

Also, look at the opening paragraph:

"The basic handset will cost £269 – £69 more than in the US. But Britons must also sign up to a contract costing £35 to £55 a month with O2 , Apple’s chosen network partner, for a minimum of 18 months. That puts the cost of the handset and contract at between £899 and £1,259 over 18 months."

This makes it seem like the US does not have to pay for a contract, fuelling the rip-off Britain stuff. Yet the US are locked down for 24 months, even longer than us at $60 a month.



Anyhows, T-Mobile do a pay as you go SIM card which has data with a £1 a day cap. I'm interested.

I agree... the british press are sensationalist, scare mongering morons, if there is an English qualification amongst them I'll die of shock.... yes the price plans are expensive, but you can't go adding things up like that - it's total nonsense... It's like saying the new renault megane is £11,999 but BRITON ALSO HAVE TO FUEL THE CAR THEMSELVES AND TAX IT AND INSURE IT!!! This brings the total cost to £50,000!

Such things are rubbish and I'll be writing to the papers involved to villify the moron reporter..

What press article was it again?? The Telegraph?

 

[Project]

I agree... the british press are sensationalist, scare mongering morons, if there is an English qualification amongst them I'll die of shock.... yes the price plans are expensive, but you can't go adding things up like that - it's total nonsense... It's like saying the new renault megane is £11,999 but BRITON ALSO HAVE TO FUEL THE CAR THEMSELVES AND TAX IT AND INSURE IT!!! This brings the total cost to £50,000!

Such things are rubbish and I'll be writing to the papers involved to villify the moron reporter..

What press article was it again?? The Telegraph?

Haha... great analogy and exactly why the author needs shooting.

It was the Times.
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk...rsonal_tech/article2481583.ece?Submitted=true

 

[dalvin200]

eBay isn't looking particularly cheap for iPhones just now, I might have to do some shopping around, but having re-read the whole thread, importing is starting to look like an attractive option.

yeah..i might ask my friend in NJ to pick one up for me and mail is over USPS and pray i dont get hit by customs

 

[Mattydj]

_

 

[Project]

It should be fine, but we don't know what Apple will do to prevent it.

Im of the belief that if you paid your £269, you should be entitled to all updates Apple pushes for the iPhone and full service, because unlocking is perfectly legal here. I hope they wont pull a stunt and say that unlocking invalidates the warranty, forgoes support and what not.

 

[Sobe]

I don't think so. In fact most on this forum are of the same opinion that the iPhone (with contract) is a pretty bad deal. Just look at the votes on the story, around 80% negative. And we're all Apple fanboys.

For your average Joe those contracts are out of the question, the newspapers et al are just highlighting that.

I appreciate the newsworthiness of covering the launch, but where is it carved in stone that the average Joe needs any luxury device?

And let's face it, that's what this is.

It's £900 over 18 months with that plan, or roughly £50 per month total cost of ownership per month.

If £50 a month is going to put you in the poor house, then yes, it's not a very sound financial choice to buy this phone. For people with a bit of disposable income, it's not a bad price point at all once you actually use the phone and see how much fun it is.

If you factor in total ownership costs per month (plan + phone over 2 years divided by months) I am paying roughly
$95 USD per month (I paid $599 for my iPhone).

That's roughly £47.5 per month over 2 years total cost of ownership.

If I only had an 18 month plan, it would rise to £51 per month total cost of ownership.

If I had purchased the iPhone at the now cheaper rate of $399, it would drop to $92 a month or roughly £46 per month total cost of ownership.

I don't see the big deal.

 

[Project]

I appreciate the newsworthiness of covering the launch, but where is it carved in stone that the average Joe needs any luxury device?

And let's face it, that's what this is.

It's £900 over 18 months with that plan, or roughly £50 per month total cost of ownership per month.

If £50 a month is going to put you in the poor house, then yes, it's not a very sound financial choice to buy this phone. For people with a bit of disposable income, it's not a bad price point at all once you actually use the phone and see how much fun it is.

If you factor in total ownership costs per month (plan + phone over 2 years divided by months) I am paying roughly
$95 USD per month (I paid $599 for my iPhone).

That's roughly £47.5 per month over 2 years total cost of ownership.

If I only had an 18 month plan, it would rise to £51 per month total cost of ownership.

If I had purchased the iPhone at the now cheaper rate of $399, it would drop to $92 a month or roughly £46 per month total cost of ownership.

I don't see the big deal.

Manics point is that you are perhaps paying a premium for not only the phone, but the contract too. We don't know that for sure though until the price of the O2 unlimited data plans become known... if they are £15 or higher, Apple probably has a reasonably priced package. If they are £10 or lower, then you are paying a premium over what you could get normally on O2.

But your argument does hold true. The iPhone at present is not for Joe Average. Its for early adopters, geeks, fashion conscious etc (not all, I add) Basically, all of those who are prepared to pay more than your average phone because it appeals to them more than your average phone.

If it was for Joe Average too, it would be priced accordingly and the market share target would be a lot higher than 1%.

 

[Sobe]

*snip*
But your argument does hold true. The iPhone at present is not for Joe Average. Its for early adopters, geeks, fashion conscious etc (not all, I add) Basically, all of those who are prepared to pay more than your average phone because it appeals to them more than your average phone.

If it was for Joe Average too, it would be priced accordingly and the market share target would be a lot higher than 1%.

Keep in mind that while the iPhone may have shortcomings in terms of more industry standard features like MMS, it does have some pretty nice functionality aside from being a fashion statement...such as being a touch iPod and phone in one.

For people who carry around an ipod + phone, just combining those into 1 device may be worth a premium.

 

[Project]

Keep in mind that while the iPhone may have shortcomings in terms of more industry standard features like MMS, it does have some pretty nice functionality aside from being a fashion statement...such as being a touch iPod and phone in one.

For people who carry around an ipod + phone, just combining those into 1 device may be worth a premium.

Oh, for sure. The OSX integration for me personally is worth double the price.

Im saying that it will appeal to the fashion heads as a fashion statement too. Im not implying that everybody who buys one is making a fashion statement...i'm certainly not.