iPod Forget the Cingular iPhone crap...

[Vinnie_vw]

I think Cingular must have done more than just Pay Steve for this chance- Maybe (probably not happening, but wishful thinking never hurts) Cingular will be giving us a very nice contract for that 2 year contract- something with excellent data and call rates.

I'm thinking along similar lines also.

I mean, aren't regular smartphones subsidised by Cingular et al, which is then calculated into the monthly costs? A price for other smartphones was quoted at $ 299 + 2 years right? And if the iPhone isn't subsidised, shouldn't this translate into reduced monthly costs?

Something to think about maybe...

In any case it's very hard to do anything but speculate about something that will only really come out in 6 months.

 

[Toe]

How many people had the same looks on their faces reading the live transcript:

a: Widescreen iPod ->

b: iPhone ->

c: must get b to get a ->

Different market. Look at Steve's numbers on how many people own iPods and how many own phones. This is a much broader audience than the iPod crowd.

I personally have had at least seven Macs and zero iPods... I have no use or desire for a very expensive music (or video) player. But I have been dying to get my hands on a handheld internet device (and I don't want to carry anything more than my phone, and all the smartphones I have looked at have been horribly ungainly... and often more expensive than the iPhone).

This is exactly what I want. Well, to be honest... I'd be even happier if it had NO iPod functionality if that meant I could save $100.

 

[Toe]

I mean, aren't regular smartphones subsidised by Cingular et al, which is then calculated into the monthly costs? A price for other smartphones was quoted at $ 299 + 2 years right? And if the iPhone isn't subsidised, shouldn't this translate into reduced monthly costs?

Makes sense, but I doubt it will happen. Cingular is very greedy, and the way they see it, you're going to be using a ton of internet bandwidth, so they deserve your money.

And by the way, note that Cingular charges a hefty extra for internet connectivity. Your massive payment every month for phone service doesn't get you squat for data. Last I looked, they wanted an extra $25 per month for unlimited data (or less for a uselessly small amount of data).

I'm dying to have an iPhone in my pocket, but I dunno if I can deal with Cingular. If I'm looking at it correctly, it could be something like $60-70 per month minimum to use an iPhone.

 

[wordmunger]

Makes sense, but I doubt it will happen. Cingular is very greedy, and the way they see it, you're going to be using a ton of internet bandwidth, so they deserve your money.

And by the way, note that Cingular charges a hefty extra for internet connectivity. Your massive payment every month for phone service doesn't get you squat for data. Last I looked, they wanted an extra $25 per month for unlimited data (or less for a uselessly small amount of data).

I'm dying to have an iPhone in my pocket, but I dunno if I can deal with Cingular. If I'm looking at it correctly, it could be something like $60-70 per month minimum to use an iPhone.

It's $19 for unlimited data with smartphones. But who knows -- they may completely revise their plans by the time the iPhone comes out.

 

[aristobrat]

How many people had the same looks on their faces reading the live transcript:

a: Widescreen iPod ->

b: iPhone ->

c: must get b to get a ->

Hopefully less people than the amount of people that thought "oh, cool, I bet when it's the time of the year when Apple typically refreshes its iPods, they'll probably have a wide-screen, larger capacity model".

I am sad that the phone is Cingular in the US, but you can always get one unlocked/imported, if you don't like Cingular.

And hopefully the only feature that won't work will be just visual voicemail.

And by the way, note that Cingular charges a hefty extra for internet connectivity. Your massive payment every month for phone service doesn't get you squat for data. Last I looked, they wanted an extra $25 per month for unlimited data (or less for a uselessly small amount of data).

Unlimited PDA data on Verizon is $40/month, so it could be a lot worse. I'd be surprised if Cingular doesn't do a special bundle rate plan for the iPhone.

 

[SpankyPenzaanz]

If your account is in good standing and have had a contract through cingular uninterrupted for 90 days they unlock it

 

[SpankyPenzaanz]

Unlimited PDA data on Verizon is $40/month, so it could be a lot worse.

bunch of pinko commie jackasses (verizon that is)

my cingular data plan is unlimited for $29.99/month

 

[feelthefire]

No carrier is allowed to sell the iPhone except Cingular until 2009. Granted there will be unlocked iPhones for a premium but dang, I agree with you. Screw the iPhone. I'm sticking with RIM.

Actually, there won't be. In order to purchase the phone, you MUST purchase two years of cingular service. You will not be able to buy it without service.

 

[matticus008]

A locked phone? I wanted to buy one and slip my T-Mobile SIM card in...

No video iPod, you mean I have to buy a Cingular phone and service to get a video iPod with a larger widescreen?

Apple's lost it...

its locked? well, not really surprising, but .....

until reading this post i wasnt aware it would be available unlocked at all, but hey thats just one more bonus.

There is no evidence--none, whatsoever, that the iPhone is locked. Cingular has exclusive distribution and service agreements, but that absolutely does not mean that it is automatically locked to them. It would make much more sense for Apple not to bother with a SIM lock at all, since it is no longer legal to enforce them.

Actually, there won't be. In order to purchase the phone, you MUST purchase two years of cingular service. You will not be able to buy it without service.

You can buy it and then cancel your Cingular contract for $200. Buying out the contract is actually cheaper than paying the $300+ premium to get an unlocked handset.

 

[killmoms]

A widescreen video iPod with the interface shown in the iPhone will come eventually, but probably not before the iPhone comes out. I'd imagine we'll see it in the fall, after the iPhone's been out for 3 or 4 months. You don't kill the anticipation for a new interface by releasing something with the same interface - phone functionality first.

Also, I will be paying to get out of my Verizon contract to get the iPhone.

 

[killr_b]

1. It's Cingular only because of the Random Access Voicemail feature.

2. He said $499 or $599 with a 2 year contract. I bet you could pay $699 and $799 and not sign a contract, but their "pay as you go" crap is weak.

I'm sure other carrier's will follow soon. As well as new features.

The lack of widescreen iPod as a separate device is kinda lame and I bet they know that already.

 

[macOSX-tastic]

ive never been a fan on multi devices....although it looks really nice and the interface is amazing, i cant justify the purchase. i want a phone for a phone, an ipod for an ipod....they are both great at what they do i beleive they work best on their own. hence, no iphone for me! K800 all the way baby!

S

 

[yg17]

Have fun playing with your iPhone while I have fun with life.

It's more like...have fun playing with your iPhone while we happily yak away on our non-iPhones on cellular networks that work

 

[drmike]

It's not coming out until June. Maybe we'll get an iPod-only device with widescreen by then too.

I hope so. I think it's great that the phone also works as a widescreen iPod, but I'd hate to think that consumers would have to buy the phone to get that feature -- because, in addition to the price of the phone (which is high), one has to figure in all the extra costs of service (which will be high). Plus, I'd rather have the option of not using Cingular but still be able to purchase a widescreen iPod.

So, just as long as Apple doesn't pull a Must-Buy-This-Phone-To-Get-Widscreen forever, I'll be happy.

 

[QuarterSwede]

K800 all the way baby!

S

See, the thing is, some of the best phones out there to date are from Sony Ericsson so you wouldn't be taking a huge leap up. I've been making phone calls without dialing for years now thanks to SE's great phonebook system.

Although, I have to say, they "had me at scrolling." I just wish my wife would let me buy one let alone pay for a data plan on top of our monthly bill. The iPhone does seem to be the perfect all-in-one device for me. I absolutely love it.

It's more like...have fun playing with your iPhone while we happily yak away on our non-iPhones on cellular networks that work

There are people who hate every network. Cingular has worked perfectly fine for me where ever I've been (US East & West Coast and Central and Canada), it's been cheaper for me and I can use any SIM accepting phone I want, whenever I want.

 

[zap2]

It's more like...have fun playing with your iPhone while we happily yak away on our non-iPhones on cellular networks that work

Like verizon, T moblie and Sprint....oh wait thats a list of phones providers that DON'T work at my house....Cingular on the other hand does.



All networks has holes in it.

 

[aristobrat]

ii beleive they work best on their own. hence, no iphone for me! K800 all the way baby!

K800? The one Nokia themselves describes as "a quality camera that’s also a phone"? I guess you don't really believe that all devices should work on their own.

 

[thugpoet22]

If it was unlocked it wouldn't really make a difference

What if apple made it the iphone unlocked that means it could use other carriers. But Apple is making the hardware or i should say designed the hardware and the carrier provides the service. Now with this new phone, apple isn't asking for a typical service. It needs specific things. I dont know if it might have been possible to strike a deal with multiple carriers for the iphone but im sure deals like that are hard to come by and thats probably why we wont see official unlocked phones until later on. Most carriers wont want to be with the iphone until they see it makeing money. Remember this is a $500 item, who can actually afford it. Also remember Remember that this is something new with apple. Does it really makes sense to jump into a new pool without knowing how deep it is. I think apple is making a great move and all those that don't agree simply wont buy the phone.

 

[MattyMac]

I think Cingular must have done more than just Pay Steve for this chance- Maybe (probably not happening, but wishful thinking never hurts) Cingular will be giving us a very nice contract for that 2 year contract- something with excellent data and call rates.

Yes exactly what I am thinking...a special plan just for the iPhone!

 

[Toe]

See, the thing is, some of the best phones out there to date are from Sony Ericsson so you wouldn't be taking a huge leap up. I've been making phone calls without dialing for years now thanks to SE's great phonebook system.

I had a relatively high-end Sony Ericsson (S710), and it was awful. It did indeed hae all kinds of cool features, but it was very, very poorly thought out and very difficult to use. And it had a very high learning curve, meaning that when someone wanted to borrow my phone to make a call, I had to walk them through it. I gladly paid hefty fees to cancel my contract and get a much simpler (but pretty robustly-featured) Motorola.

A "smart phone" is an awful thing unless it is incredibly well-designed... like the iPhone seems to be.

 

[hoggdogg]

Makes sense, but I doubt it will happen. Cingular is very greedy, and the way they see it, you're going to be using a ton of internet bandwidth, so they deserve your money.

And by the way, note that Cingular charges a hefty extra for internet connectivity. Your massive payment every month for phone service doesn't get you squat for data. Last I looked, they wanted an extra $25 per month for unlimited data (or less for a uselessly small amount of data).

I'm dying to have an iPhone in my pocket, but I dunno if I can deal with Cingular. If I'm looking at it correctly, it could be something like $60-70 per month minimum to use an iPhone.

I put together some similar info on the potential monthly charges for iPhone service based on current Cingular plans here...

http://www.myilife.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=63

 

[dextertangocci]

I'm surprised the USA doesn't have the same freedom with mobile phone networks that South Africa has. We can buy an unlocked phone, and then take out a 1 or 2 year contract with a carrier of our choice, using that phone, and if we take out a contract with one network, and we decide to move to another, we can keep our phone and our number and just move. It's a lot better, IMO.

 

[net26]

I don't really understand why you're all going crazy over the data plans and stuff... let's face it - when you're at work, you probably have wireless internet access, and if you own a mac you almost definitely have it at home and THAT is what you will be using for data connections 80% of the time. in the end it will often not matter what kind of cellular coverage you have (voice calls need far lesser bandwidth and signal quality) if you are near a wireless access point (all airports worldwide, almost every university in the developed world, tons of shopping malls, cafes, theaters, ...) and this i think is a major + for the iphone, as it is for every other wifi enabled phone. lets just hope steve lets them make skype for the iphone, that way it won't matter if you have cell coverage, as long as you have a wireless broadband connection available.

everybody just chill..

n

 

[aristobrat]

I'm surprised the USA doesn't have the same freedom with mobile phone networks that South Africa has. We can buy an unlocked phone, and then take out a 1 or 2 year contract with a carrier of our choice, using that phone, and if we take out a contract with one network, and we decide to move to another, we can keep our phone and our number and just move. It's a lot better, IMO.

In the US, you can also buy an unlocked phone, take out a contract with a carrier, use the phone, then move your phone and network to another carrier at the end of your contract.

The issue is that US carriers don't sell unlocked phones, so you'll have to find your unlocked phone elsewhere, or hope that your carrier will unlock your phone after you've been a customer for 90 days. T-Mobile and Cingular (the largest GSM carriers here) both used to do that, but not sure if they still do.

 

[andiwm2003]

I'm surprised the USA doesn't have the same freedom with mobile phone networks that South Africa has. We can buy an unlocked phone, and then take out a 1 or 2 year contract with a carrier of our choice, using that phone, and if we take out a contract with one network, and we decide to move to another, we can keep our phone and our number and just move. It's a lot better, IMO.

it's no only south africa. it's almost everywhere on this planet. in the us it just sucks. that will slow down iphone sales a lot because some people don't like cingular, other people will be fine with cingular but are afraid to put down 600 bucks without a chance to switch carriers if they like. but that's not a apple specific problem. it's just that other phones go for only 50-300 bucks.