iTunes account required for iPhone setup
By Paul Miller 
posted Jun 13th 2007 10:40AM
posted Jun 13th 2007 10:40AM
In AT&T's latest missive on the iPhone, they rehashed a bunch of well-known information about the device, just to make sure those who signed up for the "notify me" emails are well prepared for the June 29th launch -- though, of course, actual launch day info is nowhere to be found. At the bottom of the email, it's casually mentioned that you'll need an iTunes account to set up your iPhone. This should come as no surprise to those familiar with the practices of Apple, who regularly confines its users to fairly enclosed systems out of "ease of use" or "privacy" concerns, but anyone who was hoping to manage the iPhone and its contents with open and free (as in speech) software should probably give up hope now. Or make friends with a really good group of hackers.[Warning: subscription required]
HA HA!
(points)
I don't see what the big deal is? It's their product, their software, how else would you expect to use it? As far as needed an account, I think it's most likely going to be for billing purpose and account management.
Relax everyone iKid, iKid.
Please, put away your long knives.
It's not even nighttime yet!
@Matt
What if you are using the iPhone for things other than music or movies? What if you are using the phone to *gasp* make phone calls or use the internet? Why should I be forced to sign up for this? Also what would billing have to do with anything? Billing will be through at&t
Engadget is going to make me get an account with WSJ just to read the article too.
You mean Apple puts my name in any unprotected song I get from iTunes. That means if I decide to put it on BitTorrent, I will get caught doing something illegal (WHINE).
Oh and, they are going to make me get an iTunes account (most likely so that they will be able to push software updates to the thing) I sure as heck hope that AT&T doesn't ask for my name, address and billing information.
The big deal is that once more Apple iCuffs and iHandicaps you. They are fast becoming the Big Bro MSFT they so like to mock! Suppose i dont want, like or even use buggy iTunes? Not an option, sorry!
Looks like Apple has you by your balls.. and you're paying for it too!
can someone explain why this is bad?
Because it hurts?
How did anyone think you could use this WITHOUT an 'Apple ID'/iTunes?
Ummm... because it's a phone?
It should not be assumed I want to buy music because I buy a phone that can play music.
It's like Comcast making me sign up because I buy a TV
This is directed at Michael. Even though it's a phone, it is also an ipod and video ipod. That means it needs to snyc with iTunes no matter what. So in order to use these functions, you need iTunes, and for billing purposes I think the easiest solution would be to go through an AppleID. Why is this such a big deal? Does it bother people that you need iTunes in order to use an iPod? Because if that's the case, learn how business works.
No, it's like Comcast making you sign up for because you bought a Comcast TV (doesn't actually exist, just making a point).
Kyle, you can sync an iPod with iTunes without an iTunes ID. All the content in iTunes can come from sources other than Apple. There appears to be no justification for this requirement at all.
I seem to recall a lot of complaints with MS requiring similar accounts with the Zune. Now the shoe's on another foot.
awesome picture...
aural erotic asphyxiation
I don't see how that's an awesome picture, the arms are all wrong, I'd like to see if you bend like that ;)
Her (his + mullet) arm is obviously broken... which just goes to show you how maniacal and ruthless Apple truly is
"free speech"??? What are you smoking? Go take a civics class for christ's sake.
correct me if I'm wrong but what does "free speech" have to do with using an electronic device?
Um, so yeah, what did you think was going to happen? That's like saying you need a gmail account to use gmail, seems pretty obvious to me. You're not going to go out, and drop 600 clams, and not have itunes already. It's not about being "confined" to anything. Why is that the chant of Mac haters everywhere? If you don't like that system don't particiapte! It seems REALLY simple to me. I use iTunes, on my Mac, with my iPod. I like that system, I don't feel constrained by it. It doesn't limit my options, or keep me "enslaved". Just because I'm not playing OGG files on my home made Altoids tin MP3 player doesn't mean that I'm one of the sheep, ok?
I figured you'd have to use itunes to synch the iphone, but I think it's silly to require setting up an account. (I'm not a fan of submitting credit card information frivolously.) itunes works fine with my ipod, and I never set up an account. Why require it for the iphone?
I also think it's absurd to require credit card info in order to obtain album art through itunes. WMP or Media Monkey does it out of the box without all the hassle. If I could synch my ipod with WMP, I uninstall itunes and never look back.
Yes, you're not one of the sheep. You use an iPod, the most underground mp3 player in the world. Such a rebel!
fred, you can have iTunes without having an iTunes store account. Until now, you've been able to sync everything the iPhone can without having any Apple accounts.
I'm not trying to be a rebel, smartass. I'm using something that works. A sheep would be someone who only does something because it's what everyone else is doing. Again, just because I don't go for the most obscure thing out there, it doesn't make me a sheep. 100% of people breathe air, so just to be different, I'm gonna start breathing gespacho. It's edgy, and alternative. Uh huh.
I was also shocked, shocked to find that you must have iTunes to use an iPod!
I don't use iTunes, but want an iPhone. Would it be possible to establish an account, set the phone up, then obliterate the iTunes account? Can you even close an iTunes account?
Also, this "requirement" doesn't line up with the promise that one can get an iPhone on a pre-pay GoPhone account. Pay-As-You-Go accounts do not require any valid personal information to establish and maintain.
'"free speech"??? What are you smoking? Go take a civics class for christ's sake.'
Common nomenclature, dude.
There's free (as in speech) and free (as in beer).
The distinction being one is free legally, the other free monetarily. Otherwise nobody would know what you meant if you just said "free".
Learn something new every day, eh?
Yes, today I learned that you are an idiot. That's the second stupidist thing I've heard today.
So wait, you're likening freedom of choosing which software program to use with freedom of speech? ... Regardless, I don't think this comes as any surprise.
The big deal is the fact that you NEED A CREDIT CARD tied to your iTunes account... that could be a problem for younger people or kids (you know... the MAJOR market for the product).
Its one thing to require the use of iTunes software but requiring an account is a BIG issue for me.
the $600 iPhone is not aimed at kids. It is aimed at their parents.
And perhaps at the kids of parents who buy their kids expensive trinkets.
I didn't know you needed a credit card for an iTunes account.. I have one on mine but I don't remember adding it until I wanted to purchase a song. Regardless, do you not need a credit card to sign up for cell phone contracts? It's been a while since I've done that as well... Finally, it's way too easy to get a credit card these days anyways and I see more and more young kids with them every day (which really sucks)
"that's the second stupidist thing I've heard today."
^^^^^^^^^
IRONY ALERT!
Well Jason, here's a question do you have an Xbox live account? I realize you may not, but here's the point: There are plenty of things that are tied to credit cards that people are not railing against.
There is a BIG difference there Fred.
When you buy an XBox you are buying it for games... almost exclusively. And given that one of the XBox's main selling points is Live, it is not a far cry to tie Live to the XBox.... BUT EVEN STILL You DON'T HAVE TO BE CONNECTED to Live to enjoy your XBox.
Live is not a requirement for the XBox (just a "your experience would probably be a lot better if you had it" sort of thing). Apparently iTunes is a REQUIREMENT for the iPhone.
Big difference there.
wait, hold on...someone is buying a $500 phone, and they don't have a CREDIT CARD? oh, come on.
Fred, you don't have to have a credit card to sign up for Xbox Live. You can buy a card from Target/Walmart/Best Buy and put in the code. That's what I did. I didn't have a credit card on mine for nearly a year until the Halo 2 maps came out. I even bought the Gears of War map pack using a points card.
And besides, it's like me putting in my card info so that I can go through the basic setup on my 360. It should work like that. it should be you set it up through iTunes, that way you can put on any non-DRMed music on it, without feeling pressured into using iTunes. No doubt they locked it to iTunes only.
One of the major reasons I hate Apple. They think about their wallets, not their customers.
Who cares how much the phone costs... lots of younger (18 year olds) don't have CCs... you can have $500 to drop on a phone without having a CC. Sure you can get a Visa check card from your bank but if you put something like that into iTunes your just stupid... And parents are not going to want to drop their CCs into iTunes for there kids.
The "major market" for a $600 phone is kids? You've got to be kidding me. Try not smoking whatever you're on before you make a fool of yourself on the intertubes.
could this be a way to stop people buying iphones to use just as touch ipods outside the US. i have $600, i have a credit card, i want an iPhone, even without phoneability. BUT i dont live in the US, dont have a US credit card, cant get a US itunes account, cant use an iphone?
Don't understand the logic here, it's the same credit rationale you have to go thru to get a phone in the first place. Unless your part of the pay as you go crowd. Than stick with you go phone.
I think what people are saying is not that it sucks that you have to have an Itunes Account, but rather that if Microsoft had done this same thing, Apple fans would be laughing saying the same thing. I am a Mac User, and I love my Mac. But Mac users have this insecurity thing to try to convince the world that they are better. (which they are). But in the end, they are doing the same thing as Microsoft. I am glad that less people use Macs. Because if more did, we would surely have viruses. Lets keep it that way. But again, if Microsoft had done this, everyone would be bashing them.
You gotta laugh at ow when other companies attempt stuff like this, there is a mass outcry of "foul!!!" But when Apple does it, it is all good.
So lame.
I hate putting any credit card numbers into applications... there is always a change one of my kids is going to buy something without me knowing... it I am spending money on something I want to have to put my CC info every time I am going to use it... I don't want a CC tied to my account.... just let me buy stuff when I want to...
Do you need an URGE account to sync your Pocket PC phone with your computer???? NOOOOOOOOOOO Why in the hell do you need an iTunes account to sync your phone with your computer??? What does it have to do with a store??? Your syncing your data!!!! NO NEED FOR STORE ACCOUNT!!!!
There is also another potential problem with this - there are still many countries in which you cannot create an iTunes account. I happen to live in one of them and right now I'm very dissapointed.
That means you also cannot get the iPhone. It's for U.S. Cingular (now the new AT&T) customers only.
"I don't see what the big deal is? It's their product, their software, how else would you expect to use it? As far as needed an account, I think it's most likely going to be for billing purpose and account management."
No, having an account through AT&T is what handles billing and account management. Requiring this is for a *phone* is restrictive. Not everyone who has a phone wants to use it as a music player, even if they have one that can be used as a music player. My current phone does music and video, has a camera, etc - I don't use those features at all or very often though. Likewise, it runs Windows Mobile, but I'm not required to have a PC, run Windows on that PC, or setup any sort of account to buy or use that phone.
"Requiring this is for a *phone* is restrictive."
I think this comes from a misunderstanding of the iPhone. I think someone willing to put down $600 for a "phone" that does music, video, etc. but who seldom uses those features is wasting their money. Most people I see interested in the iPhone are ones who are excited for *all* of the media features, not just people who want a phone with a touch interface. There are more economical options out there for that.
What the heck are you going to do with 8 gigs of space if your not going to use it as a music player?
99% of people buying this thing probably all ready have an account.
Big Deal. A total non-issue.
I understand the above points that the phone will be used by most people s a music player or video player but what have an account? I understand having the software but many people don't buy music online and have no need for an account they rip their CDs or like I do take my video content from my TiVo and convert it so mpeg-4 or H.264 and sync it. I have never bought anything from iTunes and don't plan on it. So why should I be required to sign up for an account?
It's not a big deal. There are tons of phones to choose from. If you don't want to download music and movied from itunes, then get another phone. It's really pretty simple.
For me, it gets worse and worse. The initial cost, the lengthy contract, and this. I was kinda sorta wanting an iPhone. It would have been kinda neat, but I'm still apathetic towards it. Now, if the same restrictions were placed on something like the iMate Ultimate 7150 (and if it were more than vaporware) then I'd be dropping my pants.
OK, let's make this really simple. DON"T BUY THE PHONE IF YOU"RE NOT HAPPY WITH THE SERVICE! How stupid do you have to be? One of the main selling points of the phone is that it's an iPod!!!! Use an iPod? You more than likely have an iTunes account. OMG you guys are infuriating, why is this so hard for you to understand?!?!? As far as "if MS did this" like I said, THEY DO!!!! It's called Xbox Live!!!! And what about the plans to make Windows a subscription based OS? The reason that people like me are cool with this is because it only makes sense that you would want to sync your iTunes with you iPhone. Good god! Pull your heads out, guys!
Really? It is the same as Xbox live? You mean I can't go to the store and buy an Xbox 360 and just plug it in and play a game? Oh wait... I can...
First of all: You don't need a credit card for Xbox Live, only if you want to purchase downloadable content, which isn't required. You can even get demos and the free downloads from a silver account, without even touching the credit card. If you want Xbox Live, buy a 12+1 Month card from Best Buy, no credit card and an extra 1 month.
And with the Zune, you make an account it asks if you would like to tie a Credit Card to it, but you can answer "no" and just use the Zune/Xbox Live point cards.
"Use an iPod? You more than likely have an iTunes account. OMG you guys are infuriating, why is this so hard for you to understand?!?!?"
Yes, but *why* do I have an iTunes account? Because it's better, or because Apple makes me? Therein lies the difference. I have an XBox, but no Live account, because I'd rather play single-player that put up with the sort of people who think referring to software as "free as in speech" is a reference to the First Amendment. I have a Blackjack, which I can sync music to via WMP, but I don't have to - I can just drag and drop MP3s onto the device like any other file. For this I can use ActiveSync, but I don't have to - I can use a 3rd party program for that. It's not hard for me to understand - Apple wants to keep me in their walled garden, restricting Apple software to Apple hardware (and vice-versa). That I understand it doesn't mean I can't say that it's stupid. That I think it's stupid doesn't mean I have to keep my mouth shut and Just Not Buy It. When's the last time an Apple fanboy kept his anti-MS thoughts to himself?
With all that said, I might actually buy an iPhone if it (a) was cheaper and (b) synced properly with an Exchange server.
fred, turn your fanboyism down a notch. It's pathetic.
Geoff, Dragod and Fred: Itunes on the pc is like xbox live. Yes you can simply buy games and play 1player w/o going online w/ live. Yes you can play mp3 files through itunes without setting up an apple account to buy them from the apple store. Yes you can buy point cards for both xbox live and itunes.
Now itunes requiring an apple account probably has to do with how apple handles registration for the phone in case of theft and so that it is easier for people to buy stuff from them. Nothing more and nothing less. Any information you have to give them the phone company already has and as stated elsewhere you don't need a CC linked to your apple account unless you WANT to buy something.
iPods + iTunes + Bittorrent + Podcasts = FTW
Um, I'm on my fourth iPod, but I've never opened an iTunes account. I prefer to buy music from other sources (like CDs from LaLa.com) so I can play it on multiple devices.
That being said, nobody is forcing anybody to buy an iPhone. If you don't like the terms, don't buy one.
If Apple wanted a DNA sample in order to buy an IPhone, I'm sure there are still people who would comply.
Ummm, you don't actually need a credit card to open an itunes account:
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/musicstore/creditcard/
And this complaining is really silly. How much personal information does your mobile phone company ALREADY have on you. Unless you have a prepaid account, they probably have your social security number and credit information already!!
The iphone is going to be as closed as any mobile phone out there. They are using iTunes as a matter to manage the whole phone experience, not only for music. Apparently they are going to also activate your iphone through itunes!
Too damn right. Everyone was jumping on the same complaining bandwagon without stopping to think. How many sub-18 iPod users are there? Millions. How many have iTunes accounts? Millions. How many have credit cards? Well, none. It will be the same with this deal.
And who's to say that the iTunes registration won't also be your AT&T registration/account set-up?
Of course, they could just want you to have an account for downloading songs to your phone, you know, wirelessly. Maybe they see it as a hassle free way to do that and setting up an account before hand just makes it simpler for you in the end. Maybe that's it? Maybe it's not Big Brother. It also helps separate Apple revenue from AT&T revenue (the charges don't show up on your phone bill for downloaded media, the come out of your iTunes account). Seems like less accounting to me for both sides. Not to rain on the paranoia parade here but really, Big Brother?
What phones are NOT closed systems? Show of hands: how many of you are running open source on your cellphone?
Privacy concerns? Show of hands: how many of you did *not* have to create an account/give your credit card number when you got your cellphone? No matter who you use: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint...they ALL have your personal information. It's pretty much how it works...
People need to relax, breathe, and use a bit of common sense.
How do you run "open source" on a phone? You can't run an idea. And idea is not a piece of software.
Besides, iPhone, Windows Mobile, etc ... those are all open platforms. The platform doesn't have to be open source for it to be an open platform.
I meant to say "open source software", in response to the article itself which mentioned running open source software.
From the article: "anyone who was hoping to manage the iPhone and its contents with open and free (as in free speech) software should probably give up hope now and just bow to Big Brother."
So, I'll say again, what phone can you "manage the [phone] and its contents with open and free (as in free speech) software"? None. You get whatever OS the phone is designed to use, be it Windows Mobile, Palm, Symbian, etc.
Anyone who was hoping to manage the iPhone and its contents with open and free software is living in a fantasy world.
FRIST!
Tim let's be honest here. Many, in fact a large portion of the people who want an iPhone will be getting one because it's the next cool thing. If they wanted a phone that would play music and video and do all the things the iPhone does, there are still MUCH better phones out there that are far cheaper and do more. There are already touchscreen phones, which can do music, video, and have true 3G, rather than using what is rapidly becoming outdated EDGE technology. HTC is an awesome phone hardware manufacturer in this respect. I think it should be "someone willing to pay $600 for a phone and enter a 2 year contract, should be able to without even more prerequisites" rather than pigeon holing someone who just wants the next gadget that will make their friends and strangers ooh and ahh over it.
I don't know what the big deal is. This is the easiest way for apple to update the iPhone on both platforms. Software updates are good. Plus I wonder how much this might help if you get your phone stolen.
As far as the credit card is concerned, If you're worried about privacy just buy a prepaid credit card. it doesn't have to even have anything on it.
Ah-h-h-h-h -- let's see you want music, you want iTunes capability? Guess you'll hafta get an iTunes account. Just like anyone and everyone who wants iTunes on their Mac. PC and/or iPod! WTF is the big friggin' negative deal? Spreading a little FUD are we, hmmmm?
I stand corrected on something. Apparently the Xbox live thing will allow you to do things without a credit card. So I apologize for that. I was wrong.
Neal, nobody knows how awesome, or "unawesome" (my word) the iPhone is going to be yet. You can't say there's a better alternative to a product that isn't even out yet, but yes, the HTC Touch is coming, and apparently will have much of the same functionality. For my part, I'm buying an iPhone for large part because it's an iPhone. I like Apple products, and I believe that it will be an awesome product. Of course, it could also be the next Newton (which was awesome too) and just fade away, but I seriously doubt it.
I am going to wear my conspiricy theorists hat...
With that said, I am less worried about having to use a CC for an Itunes account (which you don't, as I have an account and never used a CC for it, I never buy anything from it though).
My issue, I trust most corps about as far as I can spit.. and I dribble. Apple is included in this statement. What does apple get from having every iphone user requiring an account.. marketing data, information about the iphone demographic that they can use to generate even more money.
I will now remove said hat...
Will they actually do this, I do not know, but I imagine it is not to far fetched.
As for playing music, there is no need to purchase the music from itunes, you can just as easily convert your own CD collection using the itunes application, and I suspect you can probably convert your existing mp3 collection as well to play on teh phone.
Ok ive been on this site for a loong time and ive read all the ramblings by FANBOYS on both MS and Apples side. I am neither..I like and HATE both for diff reasons nothing wrong with that. But in the last couple weeks ive been more and more turned off by the IPHONE. Now that its wrapped around iTUNES is smart on APPLES part and totally unfair to the comsumer. OK LISTEN APPLE FANBOYS...Not every person who has an ipod or wants an iphone USES ITUNES.. Ive bought 1 song from itunes since it came out and i have thousands of songs.. I have an ipod and i use XPLAY to put music on my ipod when i use it. this has all to do with APPLE keeping all their products as a CLOSED SYSTEM...And i hate when a company tries to tie ur credit card to a program to signup. and the XBOX360 live debate is u dont need a credit card to do anything on XBOXLIVE u can go to a store with CASH and buy MS points...
1) If the account does not include any kind of credit card info, it's not a problem.
2) If it does, then it is a problem. It's not an issue of having one or not - it's a question of requiring a person to provide billing information for a service they don't want.
3) The primary purpose of a phone is to be a phone. It's reasonable to require billing info for that. It's not reasonable to *require* billing info for other services if you're not planning on using them.
4) The XBox Live comparisons are lame - XBox Live users can also us 'pay as you go' card they can buy locally.
5) One big concern is the idea of an ongoing service and having your credit card tied to it. A lot of people find this worrisome (with reason).
6) The argument that you already have a credit card if you bought the phone, and so signing up for the service isn't difficult is irrelevent. Ignoring the fact that you can get these billed to you and pay in cash at your T-Mobile office, this is more an issue of having an unrelated service tied to your phone purchase. If Microsoft did it, they'd be in court and you'd be cheering.
Finally, the reason people are upset is because as the launch date looms, people who originally were all excited about the iPhone are seeing more and more reasons not to get the phone they want. They're pissed about it.
That's what happens when you get hung up on one phone made by one manufacturer sold by one company and then overvalue it.
Best post I've read in a while, I agree 100%.
Ha ha ha ha ha!
I wonder when the Anti-Trust Lawsuit is comming for Apple and it's iTunes crap.
One more reason to NOT get the iPhone!
I'll stick to a Razor or other simular phone.
There are MANY other phones that can play MP3's/Music. I currently have a 4gig SD Card on my Treo, I can easily add and play music!
I do not see why the iPhone is such an "Amazing" phone. My Treo 600 showed pictures, played MP3's, and other stuff. My Treo650 does all that also.
Many other phones can play MP3's and display pictures.
""Dragod
One of the major reasons I hate Apple. They think about their wallets, not their customers.""
It's called making money.
How true. Find me a company that doesn't think with its wallet.
^^
The Make a Wish Foundation
Boy, it's a good thing there are tons of other phones that "do everything the iPhone does". That way, you guys can just get one of those other ones and not have to install iTunes. Right, guys?
I'm not sure why anyone who wasn't a) an Itunes/Ipod user AND a b) Cingular/new AT&T customer would want an Iphone. I'm both, and so I'm game for this. Still, if it was on another carrier, I wouldn't switch companies for it. Cingular works well in my area. Additionally, if I didn't like the Itunes/Ipod model, the Iphone is half useless (or maybe 1/3 useless). I saw this information and thought... "duh," not "OMG!"
Dudes, chill. Seriously, just wait until the damn thing comes out...and if you don't like it, don't buy it. No one's going to know the reality of the situation until launch.
Please, God, don't turn this into another MS/Zune vs Apple/iPod/iPhone debate (which happens about every single time anything about MS or Apple is blogged about).
ok, first of all, you DO NOT have to input a credit card for ITUNES. You can by pre-paid cards to purchase any music you desire. Second of all,since the Iphone will use the Itunes software to update YOUR music, including the mp3's you download, however you download them, you need it to manage your music. It's just like having to use Outlook if you want to sync your contacts and schedule with any other pda phone that uses window's mobile or similar software. when you download Itunes, you give an email address for the purpose of recieving updates when they come out so your system will run smoother, or take advantage of any updates that come out to enable your phone/ipod/pc/mac to better perform it's desired function. get over it and just accept the fact that this is the way it is. all the whining, from both camps is starting to get on rational people's nerves.
If all were all y'all getting your frilly little panties up in a bunch, I would WAIT until it's formal.
Next... is it an iTunes account or an Apple ID? The Apple ID is used as your iTunes account, but not vice versa. There is a difference.
Lastly: If you think the iPhone is a phone then, frankly, I do not think you're thinking. It's a WiFi, widescreen, video iPod nano with a phone built-in. It's not a phone. A SLVR or a RAZR - those are phones. The iPhone isn't (no matter what Apple calls it).
So, please, quit yer bitchin' till it's all known.
i freakin lov all the apple post.
1.) Also, while a Razr would suit anyone just fine as a phone, I'm pretty sure that I can objectively say the iPhone will be better...even if it costs about 12000x as much. It's going to be a pretty cool phone, even if the keyboard isn't that great. The question is, is the iPhone $600 cool?
2.) While I sense that some of you may disagree, I suspect that the majority of people who want to get the iPhone already have iTunes installed. The fact that iTunes is now supporting DRM free music should add incentive for people who are on the fence about using it. It's a pretty solid piece of software.
does anyone have the phone yet? no. so you dont know whats going to happen, or how its going to work. its just a bunch of lame internet matlocks looking to jump on apple AGAIN for something else.
cool your jets, and wait for the facts.
I don't think someone should be *required* to have an iTunes account in order to setup and use an iPhone for the first time; particularly to make and receive calls. (Are we sure that's actually the case?)
On the other hand, most phones don't have a dedicated host application to help them download software updates, install new applications, manage premium content on the device, etc.
OTA music downloads are a possibility, but I'd be more interested in a iTunes store for premium iPhone apps, or hosted services to help my iPhone and home machines play nice together when I'm on the road.
If none of that happens, though, the account requirement is bullshit.
Of course you'll be able to get around this.
I have an iPod but don't need an iTunes account. I'll be damned if I'm going to use that awful lump of a program. It's bloated and not a fraction as customizable as other media player alternatives, not to mention mp3s seem to sound worse in it.
So I use alternate means of managing my iPod. Apple doesn't like it, but it's my computer, it's my iPod, once I purchase it it's out of their hands and I will go through whatever means I can to use it as I wish. Otherwise I'd have gone with an alternate player.
I'm very down on the iPhone. I think it will be a horrible smartphone relative to a Blackberry. Touch screens would drive me insane for those features. However, when it is finally stripped of its internet and phone functionality, given a larger HDD and released as a PMP I'll eagerly jump on it.
A few people are commenting about how there are other alternatives out there, but my question is. Why aren't any of them popular? I know alot of people that have cell phones that can play MP3, but not alot of those people actually use those features. The Iphone will suceed where other phones have failed, they will make music playback seemless and intutive.
But they have and are wildly popular. Blackjack, Moto Q, Doubletake, etc. All those can either download music and video from the cellular provider, or through a computer by just drag and drop, no need for any other software, and certainly no requirement for other software. The iPhone in this current hardware rev, will not ever be able to stream music or video from the cell provider's tower due to being stuck on EDGE technology. You need EVDO or UMTS to get the speeds needed for this. It has Wi-Fi? Ok, so does my current phone, but if you want it to die in 2 hours or less, you best not use it much.
Something tells me that if this were a MS product and you absolutely had to have something like an MSN account or some crap all you Apple psychos would be "LOLing" over the whole fiasco (as you all hypocritically do when you jeer MS and then cheer Apple for doing something similar). I liked the iPhone, it's the sleekest thing to be coming out there, but now I won't be buying it because I won't have anything to do with itunes.
P.S. And yes I understand Apple doesn't need my $600, so I'm not expecting them to go bankrupt, the Apple faithful would buy the next OS if alls it contained was a box that Steve Jobs crapped in.
Microsoft did this with Internet Explorer bundled with Windows and everyone screamed bloody murder. Now Apple does the exact same thing and all the poor victims are fine with it?!?!
Not that I am a Apple-fan or a MS-hater, but here's my view on this - How is this any different than all Windows Mobile phones requiring ActiveSync to manage the phone and sync all its data (including contacts and calendar information)??? Yes, you can say that it's not mandatory to use ActiveSync to use the phone, but then you are loosing on a lot of functionality that Windows Mobile-ActiveSync integration provides!!! Who wants to punch in all the contact/calendar data manually on the phone!!
I have been using a WM5 phone for 2 years and I know how glitchy ActiveSync could sometimes be!! If the iTunes-to-iPod experience is any indicator, iTunes-to-iPhone should be the same. And that seamless experience is what differentiates Apple's products from others, not just their beautiful industrial designs.
Let's not forget that an iPhone is also an iPod at heart and most of the ppl buying it would be buying it for its music and video playing capabilities. And correct me if I am wrong but the only way you would be able to put any content on an iPhone would be thru iTunes, since it doesn't have any external memory card support in it!! For ppl wanting to buy it to use as just a phone, IMHO you have other better alternatives to spend your hard-earned money on :-)
About requiring a credit card for a iTunes account, here's a quote from Apple's site:
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Do I need a credit card to use the iTunes Store?
No, you do not need a credit card to purchase music on the iTunes Store. You can purchase music using an iTunes Music Card.
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So it's the same as having a XB Live account without needing a credit card.
For ppl paranoid about giving their personal information to iTunes - think for a minute, how much of your personal data is already with companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, eBay and so many others. Thats the bitter reality of the world we live in today :-)
"I have been using a WM5 phone for 2 years and I know how glitchy ActiveSync could sometimes be!! If the iTunes-to-iPod experience is any indicator, iTunes-to-iPhone should be the same. And that seamless experience is what differentiates Apple's products from others, not just their beautiful industrial designs."
You are still on XP obviously, there is no more ActiveSync - it's dead with Vista. Vista has native support for synching all Windows Mobile phones, no need for any special software that is not included with the O/S.
"You are still on XP obviously, there is no more ActiveSync - it's dead with Vista. Vista has native support for synching all Windows Mobile phones, no need for any special software that is not included with the O/S."
Not everyone uses Vista (or wants to use it!!) my friend :-)
Besides, the so called native-syncing support in Vista doesn't support resolving conflicts - the biggest glitch of them all !!
Too funny... they should also make people who buy one wear a "I {heart] Apple" turtleneck.
Rule number one of business: make the consumer buy/use your products the way YOU want, not they way THEY want...
But I blame the consumers for actually accepting this philosophy...
my .02
People posting on here don't hate Apple... They hate Apple Fanboys that think a company like Apple can do no wrong.
The iPhone is WAYYYY too big for it to be a hit... I would bet Nano's and Shuffles make up about 80-90% of the iPod install base... try selling this HUGE ipod to those girls out there with their tiny iPods... I'm sure this HUGE phone will look GREAT shoved into the pocket of their skin tight pants... Oh and that touch screen should be easy to use with those big nails!!!
Sorry but iPods are "Sexy" products and a huge amount of their users are woman... The iPhone is sexy to dorks... not women...
I kinda agree with the previous post about the IPHONE being sexy for geeks. Anything thats this thin and made mastly of a screen will break easy. UNLESS apple has come up with some new materials to make the IPHONE this will not be as big a hit as they expect. Id love to see a demographic about how many people will actually drop ther carrier and switch to crappy Cingular/ATT whatever. they may have the largest network but its also the slowest and prob oldest of the major 4.. The only hope for the iphone is buying a STRONG case for it which will somewhat take away form the size. plus the screen will be impossible to type with if u have nails... ok bring it APPLE FANBOYS IVE INSULTED UR MASTER lets the APPLE CULT MOD BEGIN.... OH AND I LIVE THE "IT JUST WORKS" CRAP i get from all the apple lovers..
I'm not going to get an iphone at this time. I just wanted an phone that works like a usb drive. I don't even like itunes, I wanted to use MP3s but that probably won't work either. This is why people want a psp phone from sony, or a psp that can better compete with ipods, so that apple can't pull crap like this.