Isn't another HUGE unknown the $$$ Cingular is going to charge us on a monthly basis? I forecast 2 years of a VERY high monthly rate.
I want to justify this phone but it's just too hard.
For me, it's a free highend BB from work and all the phone time and msgs I care to use vs this thing. I'm supposed to trade that for a $600 phone and I'm guessing at least $100 a month bill for use. Plus I get that added pleasure of no Outlook sync which is what I live on at work.
I wished they had made the thing a 100 gig video iPod with a few new features. I'm sick of the small video iPod screen during air travel.
Umm, it is almost definite that the next normal iPod will have this same interface.
You can't be serious though that you think it would have been good for Apple if all they did was release another slightly updated iPod in the same old form factor with just more storage and a few features. Apple has to keep pushing things forward, and that's what the iPhone does. And it is a sign of what we'll see in the next normal iPod as well.
No reason the bill would be $100 a month. Cingular's typical data plan for smartphones is $39.99, and the cheapest voice plan is $39.99, so it's closer to $80 (this is the same lowest rate you'd have to pay for any of the other smartphones, etc. that Cingular offers).
And there is some speculation that Cingular will offer some special service plan for the iPhone which might be cheaper, so we'll just have to see.
I also have to think Cingular might change the data plan rate for the EDGE network, since it doesn't make much sense to me that the unlimited smartphone data plan costs the same regardless of whether you have an EDGE smartphone or a UTMS smartphone.
There are hints of special rates here. More like Apple pricing. A few plans in a tier arrangment. My hope, and this is a big one.
Unlimited Texting and Data for all plans.
With minutes for each varying.
Starting at $49.99
Apple would effectively price themselves out of the market with plans starting at more then $60. I don't think they will do that.
I don't think you will be able to build your own plan. We will see though. I understand everyone wants to speculate. But getting upset and ranting about a product where only about 30% of the details are known is rather silly. I know there are things to hope for. Until more is known lets try not to jump to conclusions and except hearsay as fact. I see it all the time here, even in thread that are clearly rumors.
"I can't believe Apple, they are so stupid!"
Things like this. Based on nothing but rumors. Seriously reserve your final judgement til the product is shipping and 100% details known.
That would be tough to get $60, but I think you might be right. Not sure though. Personally I pay Cingular $60 a month for my treo, but that is only because for some reason Cingular doesn't seem to know my phone is a Treo (even though I bought it from them), and thus let me add the regular unlimited data plan for $20 that is meant for normal phones, not smartphones. It would cost me $40 + $40 if the system recognized I was on a Treo.
