Is a new iPhone coming before Christmas?

[d21mike]

Then apparently, you haven't been reading my posts.

If that's true, I'm impressed that you've been able to float along for so long, when you seem to actively ignore information.

Clearly, you're incapable of it. If I don't agree with your conjecture, you're taking your ball and going home. Fair enough.

Of course I read your replies. I was talking about this:
I'm willing to bet one of us works in the industry, and one of us does not.

And now this:
If that's true, I'm impressed that you've been able to float along for so long, when you seem to actively ignore information.

I will try again. I have read your post carefully and understand what you are saying. Of course I know that "There is no difference between the iPhone Data Plan and MediaMAX". I also know that the iPhone suffers when compared to Blackberry and WM when it comes to EMAIL (I actually said this in one of my prior posts if you read mine). I did not say but I also agree that the Calendar and Contacts also suffer because the only way to Sync is to use iTunes. I understand all of that and I agree. I have said so myself in a number of my other almost 200 posts on other threads. I have also said that a SIMPLE SOFTWARE UPDATE could easily bring parity between the three platforms. I am not sure you agree with this last point.

The problem would then be that the iPhone is charging $20 per month and the other PDA phones are charging $40 per month and that would be a problem for ATT. That is my whole point. If ATT decided to charge $20 per month for all unlimited data plans then there would be no problem to solve. However, if they don't they will need to try and figure out how to charge $20 for the iPhone (with Active Sync or similiar) and still get away with charging $40 for the Blackberry and other PDA Phones.

If you could concede this as a problem you could see why Apple and ATT would be trying to figure out how they can charge $40 per month for an iPhone data plan when they come out with a software update for the iPhone. If not, I think there would be nobody willing to pay $40 per month for the other phones. You are a Blackberry user, would you continue to pay $40 per month and continue to use your Blackberry if you the iPhone had Active Sync Support and was $20 per month.

In addition, 3G really does not matter since a lot of Blackberry users are still on EDGE. The real problem is EMAIL and CALENDAR support for Business Users.

 

[CD3660]

Ok you two, step away from those keyboards!

 

[Twinkie]

I will try again. I have read your post carefully and understand what you are saying. Of course I know that "There is no difference between the iPhone Data Plan and MediaMAX". I also know that the iPhone suffers when compared to Blackberry and WM when it comes to EMAIL (I actually said this in one of my prior posts if you read mine). I did not say but I also agree that the Calendar and Contacts also suffer because the only way to Sync is to use iTunes. I understand all of that and I agree. I have said so myself in a number of my other almost 200 posts on other threads. I have also said that a SIMPLE SOFTWARE UPDATE could easily bring parity between the three platforms. I am not sure you agree with this last point.

Great, so we agree up until your last line.

If I didn't think a software update would bridge the gap, I wouldn't have said "And yes, Apple could very easily license Mobile ActiveSync. But the point is that they haven't yet. If (or when) they do, the iPhone will almost certainly be offered on business plans."

The problem would then be that the iPhone is charging $20 per month and the other PDA phones are charging $40 per month and that would be a problem for ATT. That is my whole point. If ATT decided to charge $20 per month for all unlimited data plans then there would be no problem to solve.

There are Windows Mobile devices that live on the $20 plan. From a pure functionality standpoint of "Has a keyboard, does wireless push syncing of mail, calendars, and contacts", the BlackJack is no different from a BlackBerry or Treo.

I don't disagree that it's illogical for the BlackJack to have a $20 plan, and the Treo to have a $40 plan. My point is that the functionality is available at the $20 price point.

However, if they don't they will need to try and figure out how to charge $20 for the iPhone (with Active Sync or similiar) and still get away with charging $40 for the Blackberry and other PDA Phones.

The BlackBerry charge is simple: the service is actually provided by RIM. It isn't dissimilar to paying for an MMORPG subscription.

The distinction between a BlackJack and a Treo 750 is another animal entirely, and AT&T reps have a difficult time explaining why one data plan costs twice as much as another. At least, beyond "...'cuz the Treo has a stylus."

If you could concede this as a problem you could see why Apple and ATT would be trying to figure out how they can charge $40 per month for an iPhone data plan when they come out with a software update for the iPhone. If not, I think there would be nobody willing to pay $40 per month for the other phones.

I think where our disconnect is, is that I don't see ActiveSync as a viable justification on AT&T's side, and they know it.

I don't think anyone could seriously suggest that Apple would release a business-only update to the iPhone. And short of doing that, there's no way to stop people from using their personal iPhones to sync to their business Exchange accounts.

AT&T, Apple, and Accounts Payable departments aren't inherently dumb. And unless AT&T decides to do a complete 180 from their Foundation Account program, they typically charge business customers less than someone off the street.

In a nutshell: AT&T / Apple would have to provide some sort of service to justify rate-jacking. Since Mobile ActiveSync connects over standard ports, there's no practical way for AT&T to make it a business-only service.

You are a Blackberry user, would you continue to pay $40 per month and continue to use your Blackberry if you the iPhone had Active Sync Support and was $20 per month.

I'm not a BlackBerry user anymore. And the only reason I paid $45 a month, was because I was being reimbursed for it.

But to reiterate my point, if the iPhone did not exist, and this was coming out of my pocket, I would get a BlackJack which would be $20/month and has ActiveSync sypport.

In addition, 3G really does not matter since a lot of Blackberry users are still on EDGE. The real problem is EMAIL and CALENDAR support for Business Users.

I don't disagree. It's just a common misperception that the PDA Connect plan costs more because it offers 3G access, so I was pointing out that it's also included in MediaMAX.

 

[d21mike]

I don't think anyone could seriously suggest that Apple would release a business-only update to the iPhone........
I don't disagree. It's just a common misperception that the PDA Connect plan costs more because it offers 3G access, so I was pointing out that it's also included in MediaMAX.

Not sure why we had a problem before because I think we are in pretty much agreement. May have to re-read my prior post later.

As far as your comments above. I agree. My thinking is that they charge more for PDA Connect because they can. I think the iPhone can create a problem with that. This is why I think they position the iPhone as a consumer device and not a business device.

I know the problems with Email, Calendar and Contacts is what allows them to position it that way. However, once they put out the "software update" that removes that and then they will have a the problem with the monthly data plan charges. No longer will they be able to get away with the PDA Connect Charges. At that point I think they would have to drop them and only have a $20 per month data plan. Unless they can figure out a way to charge $40 (or $45) for "some" iPhone data plans and only $20 for others "with less capability". The only think I can think of is Exchange Support or maybe software support for the Blackberry Server.

Your point about the BlackJack, I agree, however the problem with getting the BlackJack is if I was to go WM (before the iPhone that was my choice) then I would want the 8525 and then I am back to the PDA Connect Pricing. And, without hesitation I prefer the iPhone over the 8525 and the data plan is 1/2 the cost. Of course I want them to provide the "software update" to make it more competitive in regards to Email, Calendar and Contacts.