iPhone 3G Hands On, Notes, and Questions

[diamond.g]

How many here would still be mad about the plan price if they were able to get say 10-15% off the plan?

I suggest everyone go to AT&T's Premier site and see if they qualify for a discount.

If the AT&T internal email is to believed the 3G iPhone will be eligible for discounts, taking much of the sting out of the non-specialness of the "3G iPhone plan". They even state that some discounts are able to stack .

 

[TheFatWookie]

SMS Included

This article is missing the fact that the $20 2G data plan came with 200 SMS.

The new $30 3G data plan comes with NO SMS. So it's $30 PLUS an SMS package.

The new pricing is absolutely insane and completely kills any lower price the iPhone itself may have. People should be flooding Steve and AT&T executive's E-Mail's saying that the price cut is obviously PR BS, and that this is ridiculous.

I was going to switch from Verizon at $199, but not with an extra $15 (with SMS) per month, and remember, that $15 is subject to high wireless taxes as well.

Long time lurker, had to join just to reply to this.

Incorrect. The 3G and Text plans you see on ATT are NOT the iPhone data plans. The old $20 iPhone data plan, which now will cost $30 for 3G, will continue to include 200 SMS text messages. The old $30 iPhone plan that had 1500 SMS, will now cost $40, and $50 buys unlimited SMS along with unlimited data. See 3rd paragraph of this article on AppleInsider: http://www.appleinsider.com/article..._3g_data_plan_at_30_nixes_rev_share_deal.html

 

[Tosser]

yes

Oh well …

well is suppose you could look at that way.

or you could say that they were completely separate models. the first one, the rationale was that iphone would bring customers to a network because it was supposed to be so good. operators were finding, certainly in the uk, that there were more mobiles than people so the only ways to maintain or increase profitability are to take customers from other network or to convert your own customers from ,ow paying pay and go people to high paying monthly users preferably paying for data. iphone appeared set to deliver both these things are so the idea was that if the device were responsible for the revenue it ought to share that revenue. whereas the traditional model is that it's deals and subsidised handset that entice customers.

The "rationale"? Are you saying that it's not how they paid for the phone? It IS how they paid for the old phone. Now, instead of having to pay Apple a part of their revenue, they now have to pay to the cigar box that "invested" in customers.

i would characterise it as a shift in models rather than different ways of subsidising the handset.

Again, fair enough. The point is, though, that they're spending some of the revenue to cover what they "owe". Be it to the investment in the customer or to Apple. With regards to how much they "get to "spend" as they please, one have (and had) to deduct these things from the revenue. Next is taxes of course.

sorry, but i find your methods of interacting with people pretty tosserish. i linked to another post because in thought you might find it interesting and you try to score points. and you appear to be laughing at and talking down to lordgaino.

Ah, yes. Poor lad. Of course I should have just taken his word for it, when he introduces some lame made-up statistics as if they were the truth and further uses that made-up statistic to make wild assumptions.

 

[Lock51]

What if I loose the iPhone

What happens if I loose my iPhone within 30 days and don't wish to buy another one and just want to cancel the plan with AT&T?

Or may be I will want to replace my lost precious iPhone, what should I do? Do I have to pay 199$ for the new one or I will have to pay more?

And if I do get a new iPhone instead of the lost one and than loose the new one again what happens? How many iPhones I can legally loose?

Is there a law about allowable number of lost iPhones per person in US? What is the punishment?

And a message to Apple - be a man and just sell unlocked iPhone for whatever price you think it's worth.

 

[Tosser]

Is there a law about allowable number of lost iPhones per person in US? What is the punishment?

Well, it's fraud of some sort if you're not actually losing them, but selling them instead or continue using it after you "lost" it. I have no idea how much of a punishment you'll get. I'm certain, though, that it's scaleable.

 

[egor]

Do we know whether photo messaging (MMS) is in yet? I'm seriously considering getting one but I already have a 32GB touch. It would need to provide standard phone functions for me to consider it in favour of phones which have decent cameras and are cheaper.

 

[sixth]

How is corporate activation going work?? Does everyone have to go to the store to activate??

 

[ZacUSNYR]

Never jumped onto the original iPhone due to the cost vs. lack of features I wanted. (3G and GPS). I use 3G on my Razr a lot of web browsing. I'll be getting a new iPhone on the 11th hopefully

 

[Espo]

is there any news on AOLs AIM? If sidekicks have it on their horrible edge, then an iPhone can have it. That is one major problem that apple has yet to address, unless they are waiting for the app store. Mobile chat, Apollo and fring suck.

 

[lordgaino]

Ah, yes. Poor lad. Of course I should have just taken his word for it, when he introduces some lame made-up statistics as if they were the truth and further uses that made-up statistic to make wild assumptions.

I made no wild assumptions. It is yourself that seems to be jumping down everyone elses throats. 3G is now rolled out the vast majority of the mature mobile markets globally and the majority of the populated areas of Europe, the Far East, including crucially Japan, Korea and China, the Middle East, also South America and Australia all have substantial 3G infrastructure already.

Most of the other markets such as Eastern Europe and India are on their way.

Tosser - Im not quite sure why you need to be so rude.

 

[sananda]

The "rationale"? Are you saying that it's not how they paid for the phone? It IS how they paid for the old phone. Now, instead of having to pay Apple a part of their revenue, they now have to pay to the cigar box that "invested" in customers.

by rationale i mean the reasoning behind the revenue share. i don't know what you mean by "are you saying that it's not how they paid for the phone"; customers paid for the first iphone.

 

[sterlingindigo]

Capital City Michigan = no 3G yet

Is there a source that describes anticipated dates AT&T plans to have 3G available in currently unsupported areas?

 

[six strings]

just wait

why the fuss over the 18 month extension and 2 years extension to contracts? .... we've got 4 years to go with AT&T!!!!!

and I bet monthly pricing etc and approach to activation is not fixed yet ... Apple is watching these reactions and will "work with AT&T" in the next days/weeks to finalize the details

 

[DaBrain]

I'm hoping nobody around the world will buy those new iPhones until they stop being sold with a 2-year plan and tied to a single carrier.
Apple sucks big time with this policy.

DON'T BUY IT!!!

I don't think your gonna see that!--)))

However, It would be real interesting to see a poll on how many people would by the iPhone if it was unlocked here in the US? Bet there would be a dramatic increase in iPhone sales! But then again all the different methods employed, 3G and all those other specs would mean a new version of the iPhone for the different carriers I think? You can tell IM not up on cell phone tech stuff!

I my self would buy one if I could get it here on Verizon. AT&T is not an option here.

 

[DN7335]

Activation in store + extra 10$ for a 3G service I cant even use + extended 2 year contract.. I WAS considering getting it (despite my other Post on not getting one).. but this is a huge deal-breaker for me..

My Current fee is $60, with only 400 minutes, and I have like 3000 rollover minutes-- I don't use the phone THAT much but I like having it...

Having to active in store will be a pain for everyone, and the fact you can't gift the item for someone not currently on AT&T (but is switching..) is messed up. I was hoping it would be like the last iPhone, you buy it and signup for AT&T in the iTS, but I guess not.

They are expecting people to go through all of this change, for WHAT!? 3G, and GPS.. Maybe if it had an aluminum back, front cam, and at least a 3.5Megapixel cam.. BAH

This is ridiculous Apple .. Its to much trouble, forget the new iPhone.. I'm sticking with my 1st Gen iPhone until you clean this mess up.

PSH

Yay, one more person who won't be in line in front of me on July 11!!!

 

[Rocketman]

In reading the AT&T website yesterday they said something like iPhones in AT&T stores and kiosks. That indicates to me this will not just be available at corporate owned locations but all AT&T stores, even indies?

AT&T stores have an appointment system so you do not have to stand in line to purchase a phone if you don't want to.

Apple also has an appointment system one can use, but I have not heard if they are applying that to iPhone sales and activations in particular.

All the prices you have heard are for 2 year contracts with good credit and/or a large deposit. The Go Phone plans while no qualifying and available on iPhone are more expensive.

Rocketman

 

[KaiMac]

What happens if I loose my iPhone within 30 days and don't wish to buy another one and just want to cancel the plan with AT&T?

Or may be I will want to replace my lost precious iPhone, what should I do? Do I have to pay 199$ for the new one or I will have to pay more?

And if I do get a new iPhone instead of the lost one and than loose the new one again what happens? How many iPhones I can legally loose?

Is there a law about allowable number of lost iPhones per person in US? What is the punishment?

And a message to Apple - be a man and just sell unlocked iPhone for whatever price you think it's worth.

I think this is going to play out like every other phone ATTpple tries to sell you. When you contract for the service at the ATTpple store you will need to decide if you want to buy hardware insurance for an additional fee. If you do they will replace the phone if lost or damage, if you don't buy it then you are out of luck and will have to start from scratch with a new phone/contract.

 

[neonfox]

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

Some dark times are coming up!

Since when has Apple had that mentality? I thought people bought their products knowing they had less choice (iTunes purchases, proprietary OS, etc.), but got a better consumer experience because of it. Only recently has Jobs talked about the failure of DRM...

Their new approach to selling phones is similar to other vendors, i.e. selling heavily subsidised phones with plans. However most of these manufacturers also offer their phones unlocked for a higher price, I believe... I think you can buy Nokia phones directly from their website unlocked, for example. Although I don't agree with their closed approach, it seems good for them from a fiscal point of view. As for me, I'll probably pick one up then pay the cancellation fee after the first 30 days, and resort to jailbreaking/unlocking or what have you.

 

[lamina]

FWIW I just got off the phone with a dude from Rogers. He said the iPhone for $199 and $299 will require a 3 year contract.

He also said the phone without contract renewal will be something close to $600. Sounds about right to me, but take it with a grain of salt, since front line phone support dudes often aren't privy to info on an unreleased product.

 

[nicpec]

Mysterious Boxes

Has anyone been able to figure out what's in those boxes that said do not open until June 10? I went to my local apple store and the had no clue what I was talking about.

 

[DN7335]

is there anyway around this roadblock (return phone if youre canceling, to the activate at store only), so i can get a phone i can use on another network?

Yes, here is what you do:

• Buy Phone
• Sign Contract
• Activate
• Wait 31 days
• Cancel contract
• Pay ETF (early termination fee)
• Keep phone
• Hope the hackers have figured out how to unlock by then
• Use unlocked phone on other network

They are only making you return the phone within the first 30 days if you cancel. If you wait past 30 days, you'll pay the phone charge, first month for voice and data, and also the ETF but then you get to keep the phone. Roughly the same price as an unsubsidized phone when you look at total costs. Its actually not a bad strategy, from their point of view it makes is more difficult for people to buy these phones en masse and resell, but still allows the individual to do this after jumping through a few hoops.

 

[DN7335]

Has anyone been able to figure out what's in those boxes that said do not open until June 10? I went to my local apple store and the had no clue what I was talking about.

I didn't hear about any of those showing up state side, only in Australia and London.

 

[cameronjpu]

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.

It's not advertising, what was said at the WWDC, so it can't be false advertising.

 

[OS X Dude]

I think they had to go to plastic because of the reception for 3G and GPS. I don't think they really had a choice about it.

Go look at the spec of the Sony W890i, look at what it's made from and how thin it is. Then come back and say Apple "had no choice" but to use plastic.

 

[tgildred]

How many here would still be mad about the plan price if they were able to get say 10-15% off the plan?

I suggest everyone go to AT&T's Premier site and see if they qualify for a discount.

If the AT&T internal email is to believed the 3G iPhone will be eligible for discounts, taking much of the sting out of the non-specialness of the "3G iPhone plan". They even state that some discounts are able to stack .

Cool... I didn't even think of that. My company gets an 8% discount on plans, with another discount on hardware. We'll see if it applies to the iPhone, any reason why it shouldn't, you think? I guess the price would go down to $64 and some change, which ain't much... but it's something!