I'm not sure what you mean. My Softbank phone works fine when it's off the network.
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iPhone as a Widescreen iPod + Wifi without Contract?
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I'm not sure what you mean. My Softbank phone works fine when it's off the network.
whooleytoo
macrumors 604
Err.. pardon?
Perhaps if I rephrased it: "If one wanted an iPhone but not the phone functionality, why should one pay for it? One would be silly.." 😉
Avatar74
macrumors 68000
I have a fully-activated iPhone and I agree that this is a silly idea, chiefly because equally-advanced iPods are likely to be on the way in a very short time.
In fact, I think more mobile computers will be on the way from Apple... I use the word "computers" because essentially at their heart there is a computer, but in the contemporary sense "computer" has become an anachronism... So, call it mobile computing, mobile communications, mobile entertainment, whatever... The devices that we're likely to see in the next three to five years will blow you away.
What Apple is doing with the iPhone seems to me to be a "toe in the water" feeler product that they typically start with, and then various offshoots come out of that in both directions from the original offering and price point... i.e. larger, more features, and smaller, fewer features. The thing is, as an ipod and wifi computing device alone, iPhone doesn't really cut it. I don't mean in terms of features... I mean in terms of the overall user experience. As an iPhone/iPod/wifi mobile the whole package is definitely, absolutely worth it. However, there are other UI enhancements that could make for a better standalone iPod or iPod/wifi communicator.
That being said, if people want to tinker... so be it. I don't begrudge them that, and I'm not telling them to do other than they're set on. But for those of you sitting on the fence wondering whether this is the way to go, I will remind you that Apple's product lines always evolve and mushroom and given the general reception to the user interface concept at work (not just the multitouch but the departure from conventional pulldown menus, etc.) has been positive enough that we're likely to see even better-tailored iPod offspring very soon.
In fact, I think more mobile computers will be on the way from Apple... I use the word "computers" because essentially at their heart there is a computer, but in the contemporary sense "computer" has become an anachronism... So, call it mobile computing, mobile communications, mobile entertainment, whatever... The devices that we're likely to see in the next three to five years will blow you away.
What Apple is doing with the iPhone seems to me to be a "toe in the water" feeler product that they typically start with, and then various offshoots come out of that in both directions from the original offering and price point... i.e. larger, more features, and smaller, fewer features. The thing is, as an ipod and wifi computing device alone, iPhone doesn't really cut it. I don't mean in terms of features... I mean in terms of the overall user experience. As an iPhone/iPod/wifi mobile the whole package is definitely, absolutely worth it. However, there are other UI enhancements that could make for a better standalone iPod or iPod/wifi communicator.
That being said, if people want to tinker... so be it. I don't begrudge them that, and I'm not telling them to do other than they're set on. But for those of you sitting on the fence wondering whether this is the way to go, I will remind you that Apple's product lines always evolve and mushroom and given the general reception to the user interface concept at work (not just the multitouch but the departure from conventional pulldown menus, etc.) has been positive enough that we're likely to see even better-tailored iPod offspring very soon.
localoid
macrumors 68020
Apple may or may not want to do this, so it may or may not happen -- regardless, anyone that thinks such a device would sell for much, much less than an iPhone doesn't understand the technology. Just leaving out the phone circuitry is only going to lower Apple's production costs by only a few dollars...
guzhogi
macrumors 68040
While it's nice to have a pay-as-you-go option, but $50+/month?!? That's still a lot. For $10/months and a contract more, you get 250 more minutes/month, 5000 night and weekend minutes and unlimited mobile to mobile. In comparison, my family has a regular pay as you go phone (just a phone, no music, no pda stuff, just a phone) where it's $20 every 3 months or whenever you run out (whichever comes first). That's $6.66/month and something like $0.0025/minute. The iPhone is cool, but way too expensive.
Maccus Aurelius
macrumors 6502a
Wow fake SSN, sounds glorious 😛
Well, it's different strokes for different folks I guess, but I myself see little worth in plunking down $600 for an 8GB device, then cutting off its main reason for existence just to have it become what is, in my opinion, a handheld which is essentially dwarfed by my much cheaper 80GB iPod. While the multitouch and WiFi hardware is nice, it lacks some of the little niceties that my iPod possesses, such as video out, having a drive capable of justifying its video capabilities.
Frankly, I'd much rather have my coverflow on my macbook, then have the ability to store dozens of movies on my current iPod than have these two things converge into a thing which is both half the price of my computer, twice the price of my iPod and then only have 4 to 8 gigabytes to play around with. I'd probably be a little bothered at the fact that there would be phone-centric widgets on the device that are rendered useless.
I'm not so sure about this future WiPod stuff, so I don't really worry if Apple ever really decides to make it a reality.
Well, it's different strokes for different folks I guess, but I myself see little worth in plunking down $600 for an 8GB device, then cutting off its main reason for existence just to have it become what is, in my opinion, a handheld which is essentially dwarfed by my much cheaper 80GB iPod. While the multitouch and WiFi hardware is nice, it lacks some of the little niceties that my iPod possesses, such as video out, having a drive capable of justifying its video capabilities.
Frankly, I'd much rather have my coverflow on my macbook, then have the ability to store dozens of movies on my current iPod than have these two things converge into a thing which is both half the price of my computer, twice the price of my iPod and then only have 4 to 8 gigabytes to play around with. I'd probably be a little bothered at the fact that there would be phone-centric widgets on the device that are rendered useless.
I'm not so sure about this future WiPod stuff, so I don't really worry if Apple ever really decides to make it a reality.
Rocketman
macrumors 603
Here in southern California of all places there are pockets where AT&T service sucks. People in that situation might have a strong incentive to do these tricks to activate the iPhone but cancel service.
I have not yet heard of a specific VoIP thing for iPhone but it cannot be far away.
Rocketman
manhattanboy
macrumors 6502a
TUAW essentially describes how to unlock an iPhone for use as a Widescreen iPod + Wifi -- without a contract, and a $49.98 one time fee.
The first step involves faking bad credit by typing in "999-99-9999" as your Social Security number during activation to trigger the GoPhone/"Pick Your Plan" option which allows for contractless pre-pay plans. The cheapest version of "Pick Your Plan" is $49.98 (rate plans).
Then, according to TUAW simply taking out your SIM card allows you iPhone to continue to function as an iPod + Wifi device without any further hassle.
Presumably, you could then cancel your $49.98 month-to-month and use the iPhone as a Widescreen iPod + Wifi device.
THIS IS A MIRACLE FOR COLLEGE USERS WHERE THE ENTIRE CAMPUS IS WI-FI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😀 😀 😀
Porchland
macrumors 65816
So what do you think Apple is going to do with the 6G iPod -- nothing? No multitouch? No coverflow? No widescreen display?
Admittedly, even without the phone functionality, the iPhone is a big step forward from the 5G iPod. But if some of those new features don't trickle down to the 6G iPod, Apple will have no reason to refresh the iPod at all. I don't see it going in a radically different direction than the iPhone.
xfiftyfour
macrumors 68030
I get it that the iPhone has a lot of features that the iPod doesn't, but it still seems ridiculous to me to pay $650 ($700, really, after taxes and the one month) right now for 8gbs of space when it'll only be a few more months before an actual iPod comes out with a lot of the same features and for cheaper.
I guess if you have money to blow, though...
I guess if you have money to blow, though...
padmasana
macrumors member
it's like a iPhone band-aid
I'm fully intent on switching to AT&T, but dang, I'll have just over two months remaining in my Sprint contract when my iPhone arrives. Besides, I'll actually save some dough switching since my girlfriend is already with AT&T and I can get a cheaper plan.
So it would be very tempting to have a 2/3 working iPhone for a couple months in order to save myself from a $150 Sprint contract penalty. I'm sure this has the same appeal to others near the end of their contracts.
I'm fully intent on switching to AT&T, but dang, I'll have just over two months remaining in my Sprint contract when my iPhone arrives. Besides, I'll actually save some dough switching since my girlfriend is already with AT&T and I can get a cheaper plan.
So it would be very tempting to have a 2/3 working iPhone for a couple months in order to save myself from a $150 Sprint contract penalty. I'm sure this has the same appeal to others near the end of their contracts.
princealfie
macrumors 68030
I expect to see many of the iPhone features on next gen iPods.
It wont need blue tooth or phone capabilities, though wifi for browsing, etc. would be nice.
Cover flow, blah.
Finger flicking interface, eh.
Pinch scaling, hmm.
An Fm tuner, and recording capability would sure be nice though. But we know they've already poo pooed these ideas.
In fact, if they don't do a iPhone form factor iPod with most of the iPhone's features. I probably will look elsewhere for a music player. And it can't cost $500 either. And it better not have a reduced capacity due to using flash drives.
And I better be able to unscrew an access door (with a tiny Torx driver, of course) to replace the battery.
It wont need blue tooth or phone capabilities, though wifi for browsing, etc. would be nice.
Cover flow, blah.
Finger flicking interface, eh.
Pinch scaling, hmm.
An Fm tuner, and recording capability would sure be nice though. But we know they've already poo pooed these ideas.
In fact, if they don't do a iPhone form factor iPod with most of the iPhone's features. I probably will look elsewhere for a music player. And it can't cost $500 either. And it better not have a reduced capacity due to using flash drives.
And I better be able to unscrew an access door (with a tiny Torx driver, of course) to replace the battery.
But how is anyone to know if that iPod will have WiFi and the ability to do email, browse with Safari, etc.?? For everyone ripping on people who want a phone-less iPhone, just calm down. If it doesn't work for you, then don't do it. I for one am definitely interested in a phone-less iPod even if it does cost $600. Hell, I paid $750 for a Clie UX-50 when it came out and that doesn't have a fraction of the functionality of a the iPhone.
I'm looking for a decent PMP that works seemlessly with a Mac that also has decent PDA functionality that syncs seemlessly with a Mac. Guess what, the iPhone is the only device that fits the bill. And even at $600 it's only marginally more expensive than getting an 8GB Nano and a Palm TX... and you don't have to carry 2 devices and it does a heck of a lot more than the TX out of the box (granted there's more SW available for Palm, but I'm sure in time more will be available for the iPhone).
I would definitely recommend to anyone contemplating this to check with Apple Tech Supp and AT&T. Even then, I'd be very concerned about being stuck with a brick should Apple decide to deactivate the features of the iPhone down the road for those w/o a valid SIM. The Apple "Genius" at the local store handed me a load of BS (i.e. can work w/o a contract, no restocking fee, etc)... so I'm not sure I'd take any one person's word for it either.
RichP
macrumors 68000
The Gen 6 iPod will be similar to iPhone in interface. Touchscreen, coverflow, all works out well for music and movies. There *might* be a wifi component for iTunes access and streaming music to/from your other apple "stuff" There will NOT be web browsing, that takes the device too close to the iphone. (The only rational for apple to bring web browsing to the next ipod is support the adoption of Safari by web developers)
CaptainValor
macrumors newbie
I saw one person comment on this briefly but I think it bears more discussion. Now that the firmware image for the iPhone is out there and Apple-savvy developers are undoubtedly experimenting with third-party App creation, I think their first focus should be on porting Skype to and integrating it with the iPhone. One could buy it unactivated, pop the SIM, load Skype and have a (practically) zero-cost phone service in areas with WiFI. Now of course, this wouldn't work particularly well for rural customers like me. But heck, it's better than getting locked into a pricey 2-year agreement or even paying $50/mo for a paltry 200 "minutes."
Bottom line: Skype support could change everything. I believe it should be a priority. 🙂
Bottom line: Skype support could change everything. I believe it should be a priority. 🙂
I agree with you, and I wasn't indicating that the iPod - if it ever happens -- would cost considerably less. Indeed, they wouldn't have to make it cost considerably less. Since it would be something they wouldn't have to count on the phone carriers for, they could release it world-wide. Since people would probably desire an iPod of that nature, given the lack of iPhone availability, it could leave Apple in a position to leave the price close to the iPhone. It seems likely there would be a lot of interest outside the US (maybe even inside?) for something like this.
cheers,
-T
Why would Apple want to disable these phones? Quite frankly, how much money is Apple making from the calling plans anyway?
If I were Apple, I'd let these exploits go on for as long as possible. Apple doesn't lose anything from people performing these tricks. They still made the money selling the phone, and as I mentioned before, how much money are they making from AT&T through the calling plan? Probably not a whole lot.
So all in all, Apple is selling iPhones. So what if there's no calling plan? They're still taking the sales straight to the bank.
If I were Apple, I'd let these exploits go on for as long as possible. Apple doesn't lose anything from people performing these tricks. They still made the money selling the phone, and as I mentioned before, how much money are they making from AT&T through the calling plan? Probably not a whole lot.
So all in all, Apple is selling iPhones. So what if there's no calling plan? They're still taking the sales straight to the bank.
gnasher729
Suspended
Yes. These discussions are usually not silenced, but discussed. What happens is that many people believe it is wrong to run MacOS X on a generic PC, they know that the MacOS X EULA doesn't allow it, and they therefore believe that the MacOS X EULA makes it illegal to run MacOS X on a generic PC. In reality, what _is_ completely illegal is to make a _copy_ of MacOS X and install it anywhere (including a generic PC), and since about the only way to get a _legal_ version of MacOS X for Intel is to buy a Mac, we can assume that 99.9 percent of those who want to install it on a generic PC actually start by making an illegal copy.
kirk26
macrumors 6502a
Might have to try that...😛
TUAW essentially describes how to unlock an iPhone for use as a Widescreen iPod + Wifi -- without a contract, and a $49.98 one time fee.
The first step involves faking bad credit by typing in "999-99-9999" as your Social Security number during activation to trigger the GoPhone/"Pick Your Plan" option which allows for contractless pre-pay plans. The cheapest version of "Pick Your Plan" is $49.98 (rate plans).
Then, according to TUAW simply taking out your SIM card allows you iPhone to continue to function as an iPod + Wifi device without any further hassle.
Presumably, you could then cancel your $49.98 month-to-month and use the iPhone as a Widescreen iPod + Wifi device.
i would like bet my salary for this to actually happen
well you might want to go look for some archos.. cuz aint no way they put a flimsy batter cover in the ipod...
gnasher729
Suspended
The iPhone is sold at full price. In other words, if you go to an AT&T store, buy an iPhone, and then do with it whatever you want (without entering a phone contract with AT&T), AT&T still makes a bit of money from the sale of the iPhone. So why would they stop you from doing this?