iPhone 3G Hands On, Notes, and Questions

[sam-i-am]

It is also worth noting that there is an additional fee if you cancel your contract before 6 months (so between 30 and 180 days). This usually only applied if you buy your phone from a reseller instead of an actual Cingular store and is their way of protecting themselves against losing money on subsidizing a phone. This amounts to somewhere around $200 as well, bringing the total closer to $400 to cancel.

Also worth noting is the fact that most stores that look like Cingular stores are not actually corporate locations. At least around here, their all owned by Spring Communications except for one.

I don't know if this will apply to the iPhone or what, but it's something to watch out for.

 

[thecheda]

link.

Doesn't cancellation of the contract after 30 days void your warranty on the phone? I recall that Apple wouldn't service your phone, unless you had a valid contract. Ridiculous, but true?

maybe this link?

 

[ruinfx]

I believe that's incorrect - the iPhone supports the 2100mhz band which t-mobile uses

no, its correct. here i will copy my post from the other thread:

1. t-mobile only uses 2100mhz for uplink. without 1700mhz you would have no downlink.
2. the 2100mhz used in europe and on the iphone is not the same as the 2100mhz that t-mobile is using here in the states and is incompatible.

 

[tk421]

Whatever happened to Apple's "We believe in choice" attitude...

Are you thinking about the same Apple I am?

I love 'em, but there's plenty of proprietary/locked technology in their history.

 

[alfaphlex]

Doesn't cancellation of the contract after 30 days void your warranty on the phone? I recall that Apple wouldn't service your phone, unless you had a valid contract. Ridiculous, but true?

I was thinking the same thing. Not only that, but after 30days, won't you get billed for that first month too?

Get iPhone for $200, cancel before 30 days, and you have to return the phone + restocking fee so not even full refund.

Get iPhone for $200, cancel after 30 days, pay $200 cancellation fee (= full price for phone), lose warranty and possibly get billed for first month? On top of that, you end up with a lower quality built phone that wont work with other 3g services.

Screw that. I loved my iPhone to death, stupid me for selling it. If I can find another 1st gen, I'll get it, otherwise no. It sucks because we can't all just cancel our current contracts with other providers. Well, we can, but then it'd be:

Billed final month + cancellation fee + $200 for iPhone3g = more than full price anyway; only to be billed $10 extra every month for a service that might not be available in your area.

very disappointed to say the least. skipping this one.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

So while being thinner at the edges, it's thicker in the middle than the old iPhone? So lying side by side with the old, it's actually thicker?

Technically, yes. But the old iPhone was listed as 0.47" thick, the new one is 0.48" thick. Putting that in the "easier to work with" mm system, that's a mere 1/4mm thicker. Are you honestly going to notice that? No way...

 

[swagi]

Other questions

1) Will it finally allow me to use any audio on the phone and attach it to a contact (like any other mobile in the world)?

2) Will I be able to change the alarm clock to use music? (laomitw)

I hate Apple's greedy approach to ringtones!

 

[Tosser]

Technically, yes. But the old iPhone was listed as 0.47" thick, the new one is 0.48" thick. Putting that in the "easier to work with" mm system, that's a mere 1/4mm thicker. Are you honestly going to notice that? No way...

Nope, not in the least. I merely read the article.

 

[djcraze]

1) Will it finally allow me to use any audio on the phone and attach it to a contact (like any other mobile in the world)?

2) Will I be able to change the alarm clock to use music? (laomitw)

I hate Apple's greedy approach to ringtones!

um dude, your a tad bit late.. the iPhone has allowed you to do this since like.. Firmware 1.1.2..

Google some apps for Windows if thats what your using.. (i assume).. but if your on a mac, just make your song in garageband (or drag one of your fav songs in garageband), cut it down to less than 40 seconds.. and hit Export as Ringtone O_O..

 

[koobcamuk]

Yep, Apple and AT&T changed the deal to suit the multitude of users who were complaining that the iPhone cost too much. Of course, these people didn't realize that part of this price was some freedom, including relatively easy unlocking for use with other carriers and iTunes activation. With the subsidy model, the iPhone is similar to other phones.
You can't have cake and ice cream.

What happens if you would like fruit for dessert? i.e. I want a SIM free iPhone - not tied to a contract.

One benefit to signing up in store is that there will be far less scalped iPhones on eBay.

How is that good? Does it affect you?

 

[koobcamuk]

Technically, yes. But the old iPhone was listed as 0.47" thick, the new one is 0.48" thick. Putting that in the "easier to work with" mm system, that's a mere 1/4mm thicker. Are you honestly going to notice that? No way...

I could have sworn Steve said it was thinner

Stupid me... he means thinner at the edges. Just like how a Rugby Ball is thinner than a Football.

 

[Groznoy]

multiple iphones

Do you think apple/att will allow people to buy more than one iphone w/o requiring to activate each one of them? What if I wanted to have a backup iphone...I obviously don't want to pay for another contract.

So, if they do allow this, I would assume that they'd have to sell the second iphone at the full/unsubsidized rate. Once the extra phones are in people's hands, they can sell them (after people figure out how to unlock it) on the unlocked black market.

 

[Tosser]

I could have sworn Steve said it was thinner

Stupid me... he means thinner at the edges. Just like how a Rugby Ball is thinner than a Football.

LOL, yes, and that the Airbook is the thinnest and lightest notebook yet.

 

[phantomsd]

Actually, difficulty to unlock/process of canceling the new model might keep the value of iPhone 1.0 pretty high.

Yep. I wish I would have kept my 4GB iPhone months ago if I had knew iPhone 3G would turn out like this! I agree with kskill, the value of the first-generation iPhone just went up... just do a quick search on craigslist and you will see lots of "WTB: iphone" posts and many more posts selling them for 400-500+.

There are some going for cheap... but those sellers (most likely current AT&T customers) are just looking to get rid of their iPhones quick to upgrade to 3G meanwhile the "informed bunch" who caught on have hiked up the price since their phones could possibly be the only TRUE unlocked iPhones IF Apple/AT&T's efforts prevail. A lot of people (mainly unlocked/hacked community) dislike AT&T and aren't looking to sign a two-year contract with a 70~90 monthly bill.

But we'll see after July 11th... when the smoke clears and this in-store activation situation fiasco is solved. There seems to be a lot of unanswered questions... lots of YES and NO and MAYBEs.

Don't count the first generation iPhone out just yet... especially since the 2.0 firmware is to be had by all present and future iPhones. Honestly, what's a few more seconds of waiting on EDGE and do I really need GPS tracking?

 

[Steoke]

...and in Belgium?

I'm very curious to see what's going to happen here in Belgium.

Apple chose Mobistar (from the Orange-group) as the carrier, but it's illegal here to sell a phone with the obligation to sign up with a specific carrier.

Belgian laws specifically states that the consumer HAS to have the free choice of carrier. So... how will they deal with this? Shall we have unlocked iPhones?

No information can be found on Apple's site nor on Mobistar's site!

 

[ref26]

I'm very curious to see what's going to happen here in Belgium.

Apple chose Mobistar (from the Orange-group) as the carrier, but it's illegal here to sell a phone with the obligation to sign up with a specific carrier.

Belgian laws specifically states that the consumer HAS to have the free choice of carrier. So... how will they deal with this? Shall we have unlocked iPhones?

No information can be found on Apple's site nor on Mobistar's site!

Man I wish we had laws like that in the States, it would make this all so much more simple.

 

[j518bear]

paradox

There's an interesting pricing paradox here.

On the one hand, Apple has advertised that the (8GB) 3G iPhone will have a maximum price of $199, worldwide, implying that under no condition will it be more expensive than that.

On the other hand, AT&T has claimed (in the legal memo) that "Customers must be upgrade eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing" and further that "AT&T has not determined the price of the 3G device for non-qualified upgrades." As I understand, this might include someone who, for example, joined AT&T four months ago, used the signing discount provided at the time to buy a Blackberry, and now wants to buy the 3G iPhone. There may be a lot of people in that boat.

Thus, the two companies are in contradiction. Apple says the phone can't be more than $199, and AT&T says that, under certain circumstances it will be. That's a big problem for both companies, let alone the poor consumer! Either Apple gets hit with false advertising, or AT&T finds some loophole specific to tie-ins (which this technically is: phone + contract) so as to redirect the extra cost into contract fees, i.e. not technically for the phone. Either way, someone will have to budge.

I'm pumped about the 3G speeds, and fine with the extra $10/mo, because it's what I would pay for any other 3G phone with AT&T. But both companies should have been more clear and more coordinated about how pricing will work. Now it's a mess.

 

[PabloGS]

And the iPhone is still crap...

Why is there no camera for video conferency like on other 3G phones?

Why is the camera on the back still only 2mp and has no flash?

Why can't the iPhone be used as a UMTS modem for a PC or Mac?

Why can't the battery be user replaceable?

Why do I need connectivity to use GPS?


Try to take a decent picture with any iPhone indoors. That's sorta impossible!

And I'm on the road a lot and need access to the internet for certain apps on my mac. Those apps do not exist for the iPhone and it is unlikely they ever will...

Did I mention: On my current MacBook I had to replace the battery 3 times already within 2 years. I'm on my fourth... I don't trust Apple's batteries anymore. Same thing with my iBooks... On my last iBook I had to replace my battery 2 times and I on my third till it died due to the infamous Video/Logic Board issue.

Now what is GPS worth if it only works while you have internet accessibility?

I like to travel a lot and go to Natl. parks like Joshua Tree, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon and stuff... Just imagine traveling through the California/Nevada/Arizona dessert or the Australian outback having to rely on Phone reception for Navigation? Wow... Now that's just... Great... NOT!

think different! uhhhmmm.... no... start thinking!

I think my next phone will be the N95 by Nokia as featured on the WWDC

Now Apple... When are the new MacBookPros comming? I want one of those!

 

[swagi]

um dude, your a tad bit late.. the iPhone has allowed you to do this since like.. Firmware 1.1.2..

Google some apps for Windows if thats what your using.. (i assume).. but if your on a mac, just make your song in garageband (or drag one of your fav songs in garageband), cut it down to less than 40 seconds.. and hit Export as Ringtone O_O..

Thx for the answer, but...

why do I have to cut the file with Garage Band? I know, filesize is a non-issue with 8GB, but...I don't need seperate copies of specified music just so it pleases some strange company (assuming it was not Apple's idea).

Basic example: I have an mp3-sample of Homer Simpson singing the Spiderpig song. I love it, when my mobile does this, when I receive a text message.

So while me and my friends share those samples via Bluetooth, you poor little boy have to go home, fire up Garage Band and export it as Ringtone there?

I don't really have hands on experience with the phone. But AFAIK it won't use mp3 as Ringtone. So the Ringtone-sharing fun is completely left out...(off topic: It's real fun to use the famous '***** speech' from 'From Dusk til Dawn' as ringtone for annoying women )

 

[kskill]

How is that good? Does it affect you?

It's great and it affects me. If I choose to buy an iPhone, it will be easier to purchase because less people will be buying it with the intent to resell.

 

[King Mook Mook]

I'm very curious to see what's going to happen here in Belgium.

Apple chose Mobistar (from the Orange-group) as the carrier, but it's illegal here to sell a phone with the obligation to sign up with a specific carrier.

Belgian laws specifically states that the consumer HAS to have the free choice of carrier. So... how will they deal with this? Shall we have unlocked iPhones?

No information can be found on Apple's site nor on Mobistar's site!

That's the same here in Australia! So all you have to do is go to a Optus (the people selling iPhone here in Australia) say unlock this phone and then use it with what ever carrier you like. And still get updates! Hi-Five!

King Mook Mook

 

[King Mook Mook]

Thx for the answer, but...

why do I have to cut the file with Garage Band? I know, filesize is a non-issue with 8GB, but...I don't need seperate copies of specified music just so it pleases some strange company (assuming it was not Apple's idea).

Basic example: I have an mp3-sample of Homer Simpson singing the Spiderpig song. I love it, when my mobile does this, when I receive a text message.

So while me and my friends share those samples via Bluetooth, you poor little boy have to go home, fire up Garage Band and export it as Ringtone there?

I don't really have hands on experience with the phone. But AFAIK it won't use mp3 as Ringtone. So the Ringtone-sharing fun is completely left out...(off topic: It's real fun to use the famous '***** speech' from 'From Dusk til Dawn' as ringtone for annoying women )

You don't use Garageband. You just use iTunes to cut the song to Ringtone size and then put it on your iPhone and then you are done.

King Mook Mook

 

[jmadlena]

Why can't the iPhone be used as a UMTS modem for a PC or Mac?

Possibly that AT&T would like you to buy a 3G card for your notebook? Could it be that they don't wont people abusing (in there eyes) the unlimited data plan?

Why can't the battery be user replaceable?

Maybe because that would result in it being thicker, and Apple likes things thin. Also, most people probably don't ever use backup batteries. If it is absolutely required for you, go for the N95. It's a good phone.

Why do I need connectivity to use GPS?

To download the maps, perhaps? If you want to take up a GB with maps, I'm sure the TomTom software that was just announced will be great for you. Or if you want serious GPS, get a Garmin or something. The iPhone can't be all things to all people.

Try to take a decent picture with any iPhone indoors. That's sorta impossible!

I agree that it could be better, but it is a phone. Bring a camera if you need it.

And I'm on the road a lot and need access to the internet for certain apps on my mac. Those apps do not exist for the iPhone and it is unlikely they ever will...

And there are apps that are on Windows that probably never will be on Mac OS X. Learn Objective-C if it is that important.

Did I mention: On my current MacBook I had to replace the battery 3 times already within 2 years. I'm on my fourth... I don't trust Apple's batteries anymore. Same thing with my iBooks... On my last iBook I had to replace my battery 2 times and I on my third till it died due to the infamous Video/Logic Board issue.

That does suck. I hope Apple (actually Sony) would figure out the issues they've had for the past couple of years.

I like to travel a lot and go to Natl. parks like Joshua Tree, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon and stuff... Just imagine traveling through the California/Nevada/Arizona dessert or the Australian outback having to rely on Phone reception for Navigation? Wow... Now that's just... Great... NOT!

Again, get a Garmin or TomTom if you need maps absolutely everywhere.

think different! uhhhmmm.... no... start thinking!

I bet they'll get right on that.

I think my next phone will be the N95 by Nokia as featured on the WWDC

I'm sure that fits you best.

Now Apple... When are the new MacBookPros comming? I want one of those!

That, we can agree on.

 

[puercaeli]

HSDPA speed?

Although, iPhone's baseband chipset appears to be capable of 3.6Mbps or 7.2Mbps, from the claim that it is only 3x(about 1.4Mbps which is the AT&T 3G speed) it seems like the speed is limited to 1.4Mbps.

Does this mean even the other 3G carriers capable of 3.6Mbps(say Optus Aus) will limit iPhone 3G speed to 1.4Mbps only?

 

[queshy]

Feel sorry to say but the new iPhone 3G plastic back feels like the macbook and blackbook.
My current iPhone perfectly match my macbook Pro

utterly wrong approach Apple....

Agreed, metal is way cooler. but on the flip side, we get better reception and probably a lower cost.