T-Mobile Announces 'Test Drive', A One Week Network Trial With a Free iPhone 5s

[Medic311]

Find my iPhone prevents the phone from being restored (ie Activation Lock). If you don't disable it before you return the phone, it is useless to them.

yeah there are tons of iCloud locked/Find-My-iPhone locked iPhones and iPads on ebay

i'm guessing there must be some way to hack it, either through a jailbreak or something. they are selling quite well and at a deep discount but still for a decent amount

 

[Fofer]

I don't think anyone's mentioned this, but "Find My iPhone" being left on would prevent T-Mobile from passing along the device and activating it with a different number for the next tester.



Anyway, that's why T-Mobile says they will charge you if you leave it on when you return it. So just turn it off before you return it, that's all. Since you have to bring it into an actual T-Mobile storefront, I'm sure they would check/do this with you, as part of the return procedure. It's just a few taps.


On the other hand, this seems like good news as a result of this Activation Lock restriction, too.
NYTimes: Antitheft Technology Led to a Dip in iPhone Thefts in Some Cities, Police Say

 

[cowbellallen]

They wouldn't have to go through your app usage, they'd just tag the servers that feed Pandora, iTunes Radio, etc... And if your data feed for your MAC address comes from that server then the data wouldn't go against your monthly usage.

Got it. Thanks!

 

[31 Flavas]

Huh? You "don't think so?" I don't think you read my posts closely, or I'm misunderstanding your point.

You know what, good question. Because we are agreeing with each other. Clearly I intended my response to another poster, yet I used your post for the response. Only god knows why.

 

[GoCubsGo]

In fairness, I know at least with AT&T, you can port out your number and come back within a month and still get your original plan back.

Current policy to date? If so, can you reference it on their site? I didn't see it.

 

[FieldingMellish]

This program could backfire, if any testers came to my house and saw two bars, then head into the bathroom, where the phone is searching for service. Just like my T-Mobile 5S.

 

[CPx]

I am totally going to do this.

 

[Medic311]

This program could backfire, if any testers came to my house and saw two bars, then head into the bathroom, where the phone is searching for service. Just like my T-Mobile 5S.

iOS 8 will have wifi calling/text

but even now with iOS 7, they could at least use your router for data

 

[DavidG328]

Let's not overlook this detail. Wow!

Um what? I need to look in to this, I've been downloading all of my Spotify music to play it offline, worrying about data usage.

 

[usersince86]

Great stuff! Hope AT&T takes notice of this like they have of other T-Mobile innovations.

If we could ever get all our phone contracts on the same time frame, I'd be willing to look at T-mobile.

 

[johnnyturbouk]

I wish porsche did a free 'test drive' for a week.

I'd certainly be a happy boy

- till i had to hand it back!

 

[Fofer]

Let's not overlook this detail. Wow!

Indeed, a friend of mine on T-Mobile just got the email. This is kinda huge, if you ask me. No more anxiety when streaming music over cellular/LTE.

Starting now, your Simple Choice™ Plan automatically lets you stream all the music you want from some of the Internet's top music services to your smartphone—without using any of your monthly high-speed data on our network.

If you already have an app for Pandora, iHeartRadio, iTunes Radio, Rhapsody, Spotify, or Slacker® on your phone, you're ready to stream. If not, download an app from Google Play™ or the iTunes App Store and start streaming today.

If you have a favorite streaming music service that's not on our list, let us know. We'll be adding more all the time.

 

[unplugme71]

ATT just raised activation and upgrade fees with 2 year contracts ...

I never pay those fees. I just call ahead before I buy the phone and they note my account. Perks of being a loyal customer for years.

If you get an unhelpful representative, call back or ask to speak to their supervisor.

 

[Fofer]

I never pay those fees. I just call ahead before I buy the phone and they note my account. Perks of being a loyal customer for years.

If you get an unhelpful representative, call back or ask to speak to their supervisor.

One of the perks of NOT being a loyal customer (and ditching that *****ty company) is not having to deal with that crap in the first place.

 

[Seramir]

Only seven days? That's not enough, it should be a month!

 

[MacAddict1978]

This isn't a good thing. Carriers should not be in charge of what gets to be "free" because those services get a tremendous advantage.

RIP net neutrality.

someones jealous and pissed they have one of the evil carriers... verzion? att?

 

[Tech198]

free iPhones ?

(Wow, that should get any one interested)

 

[Fofer]

someones jealous and pissed they have one of the evil carriers... verzion? att?

No, that misses the point. As much as this particular deal seems good for customers right now, it very well could be a harbinger of bad things to come, too. It flies squarely in the face of Net Neutrality. Why isn't a smaller player like Songza included?

----------

free iPhones ?

(Wow, that should get any one interested)

For 7 days. After that they are far from free.

 

[ellsworth]

Would be nice if you could test drive and simply drop it off at a near by t-mobil shop.

 

[Fofer]

Would be nice if you could test drive and simply drop it off at a near by t-mobil shop.

Huh? That's exactly what "Test Drive" is. In fact, you're required to drop if off at a T-Mobile store, in order to avoid being charged.

 

[macconservative]

1. Not sure you can be mad at any carrier for not working after a hurricane.

2. Did you tell them you were going to be late? I'm sure they will work with you if they're notified. Otherwise, you just look like somebody who wasn't going to pay.

About the lateness, yes T-Mobile is very flexible on payment terms as long as you talk to them. You can even go through your account online and establish a payment plan that will allow you to pay late and not be suspended. More than likely this person did not pay, did not call and had no intention of paying and was surprised that a phone company would turn off his phone

 

[JodyK]

Been a day 1 Tmobile customer (was with previous company they bought when they entered the US market) for years. Had 1 of the very first unlocked original iPhones in the summer of 2007 on Tmobile and every other model after that.

Their network data wise has came a long long way! If anyone is thinking of switching or on the fence ... Do it!


Also ... Where can I get that "UNRADIO" with unlimited skips? Didn't see it in the App Store.

 

[Fofer]

Also ... Where can I get that "UNRADIO" with unlimited skips? Didn't see it in the App Store.

It's the Rhapsody app and service. I'm not sure about this, but I think you login to that app using your T-Mobile username and password...?

 

[mrbrown]

Also ... Where can I get that "UNRADIO" with unlimited skips? Didn't see it in the App Store.

The app will not be available until Monday, June 23rd.

 

[Vanilla Ice]

I hate to say this, but I hope tmobile fails miserably at this. I hope more than 75% of "Test Drive" users return the phone and don't make the switch. Maybe it will open John's eyes even more and he will need to start dumping more money into building NEW towers across the country. I was at Disneyland and couldn't get great LTE for god sakes. If you went inside a building, forget about it.