The iPhone 3G on AT&T: we ask the burning questions
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Jun 10th 2008 5:00AM
posted Jun 10th 2008 5:00AM
So wait just a second here -- you say you have to activate the iPhone 3G in-store, and unlimited data is going to run another $10 a month? With the new model comes an entirely new way of doing business, it seems, and that brings on a whole slew of new questions for the good folks at AT&T. Here are a few we've managed to ask so far, the official answers, and in some cases, information we've managed to gather on the side. Will it be available as a Gophone (prepaid service)?
"No, only available with a two-year contract." Pretty cut and dried there. We're also told that there will be no contract-free price on postpaid service; the one and only way to get in on this action will be to re-up your commitment to AT&T. Unofficially, we've been slipped information that AT&T's typical upgrade eligibility rules apply when signing the new contract, and there will be a separate (read: higher) pricing scheme for "non-qualified upgrades." These prices have not yet been set.
How does contract sign-up work when a customer is in an Apple store?
"You will need to speak with Apple for more details on their retail operations, but the activation process will take place in the store." That's the official line, but we're also hearing that customers in Apple stores may take their purchase home with them without being physically activated, in which case the activation process is completed later through iTunes. Either way, though, they're not letting you out the door without signing on the dotted line.
In AT&T stores, the process should be pretty similar, except that customers will be obligated to physically activate before they leave. The stores will be receiving "tether cords" to make that happen. Just a warning, AT&T: whatever software you're activating these puppies with is going to be reverse-engineered in no time, we'd wager.
What will the per-customer purchase limit be?
Official: "We haven't discussed this yet." Unofficial: at AT&T stores, we hear that the limit will remain three. Difference is they've now all got to be activated in-store, so that would be one heck of a commitment if you somehow felt compelled to buy more than that in one helping.
Will FAN (corporate) discounts apply?
Another "We haven't discussed this yet" for this one. Since the iPhone will continue to have its own set of plans, it's entirely possible AT&T could make them ineligible for discounting. The counterargument, though, is that the iPhone is now being offered like any other phone -- deeply subsidized by the carrier, that is -- and details of the device's service should fall in line with that as well. We'll see.
Please let me know if the 3G iPhone 2.0 firmware supports subfolders for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync. I need to know if I can use subfolders as they are critical for my business. Thank you.
will original iphone user see their monthly rate go up 10 bucks as well? if so thats not very nice of mr. jobs, making us pay for the new pops and clicks that wont be noticed on our machines or just making us think that we have to get the new one.
What about if i use my fake id? How does the id process work in an Apple store? I'm not kidding.
More importantly, will the iPhone ever support Windows Media and Flash content? I read a patent page somewhere that shows the WM logo and Flash logo on the iPhone screen.
http://i25.tinypic.com/331dgk1.jpg
http://aiw2.uspto.gov/.aiw?docid=us20080122796ki&SectionNum=1&IDKey=AC43D9E7B6BF&HomeUrl=http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2%2526Sect2=HITOFF%2526p=1%2526u=%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsearch-bool.html%2526r=50%2526f=G%2526l=50%2526co1=AND%2526d=PG01%2526s1=google%2526OS=google%2526RS=google
In the official post of the 3G iphone, it says there'll be a 30 dollars unlimited data plan. Will that include voice?
Brando, if you don't already have an AT&T account - opening a new one will require a credit check. So unless you can hack into all 3 credit reporting agencies - it's not going to work.
Oh, and offering a fake social security # for the credit check is a federal crime and the store is required to detain you until police arrive.
So, I would advise against it.
The 2.0 software does indeed support sub folders. However like with active sync on other phones it does not automaticly update them until you open the folder.
I think that Apple will really lose money from this.
If we cant have it contract free then lots wont buy it.
Especially when 250000 people bought it and unlocked it
Bad Move Apple, Bad Move
@MadMike -
Lol @ "the store is required to detain you until police arrives"!
They are neither required nor legally authorized to do so. Sorry to burst your bubble but the AT&T store employees are not law enforcement.
@JJV:
While Apple may lose a small amount on each iPhone sold, it will be well worth it if it helps them hit their 10 million mark. Their stock price will soar if they can announce next January that they made their mark. If/when that happens, the few bucks they lost on each 3G iPhone will have paved the way for a vault full of Benjamin's.
Also remember, the iPhone is the main catalyst right now for converting people to Mac's. Apple is the first to promote that people are more prone to switch after using the iPhone. Would you take a $100 hit now if it meant making $1500 in a month? Everyone would.
@MBS
Have you ever heard of something called as "Citizen's Arrest". Yes they can definately detain you if they find out you have broken the law.
Also, Apple Stores have Security Guards who ARE authorized to perform such detentions.
Hey! I'm a citizen; I ought to go around arresting people for parking violations!
Citizen's arrest laws vary state-to-state and (country-to-country) but they're generally limited.
In the United States (except NC), you (or Apple employees) can arrest someone whom you see committing a felony. Depending on the state, you may be able to arrest for misdemeanors or felonies you don't see.
Keep in mind that you are not the police; you are still legally responsible for violations of the rights of others.
@Indiatech
(i am not a lawyer, yet.)
Citizens arrest, in a lot of places, only applies if a citizen sees a person committing a FELONY, otherwise the "arrest" would be false imprisonment.
Shopkeeper's privilege, on the other hand, is the term you should be referring to. Even then, an Apple rent-a-cop can only detain the suspected thief for investigation only. If it turns out the suspected thief didn't do anything, Apple could be sued for false imprisonment
@Phred / Mr. Brown
So isn't the using false / somebody else's SSN considered ID Theft, which, I think, is a serious crime in most of the states.
And the fact that this person is trying to commit fraud worth couple of hundreds of dollars.
I guess, in such a case Citizen's Arrest is OK.
Are you guys on Apple's payroll?
I mean seriously, this is just downright excessive and ridiculous -- all of this hoopla over a phone that's easily outclassed by the likes of HTC's Diamond and Raphael models as well as the Xperia, to name a few, and yet receives this much undeserved attention.
If you guys want to report on a phone, let me help you out:
http://www.phonemag.com/samsung-omnia-phone-063100.php#comment-6936
The Samsung Omnia.
It’s a shame that a device as limiting as the iPhone gets more attention than devices such as the aforementioned which truly deserves it.
Notwithstanding the fact engadget reported on the Omnia a while back, take a look at the UI screen shot for the omnia in the link you gave.
It. Looks. Like. Ass.
Seriously, about 12 different clocks, boxes and dialogs everywhere.
I'm no mac/apple fanboy, but it pisses me off when people talk about the iPhones "technical deficiencies". Nobody thinks it's the most technically advanced phone, with the most features ever made, they think (and I agree, having owned one) it is the most easy to use, slickest phone ever made.
The omnia may have all kinds of technical wizzbangs in it, but until someone wraps it up in a package as slick and easy to use as the iPhone, I would take the iPhone over it every time. I hate to say this, but it really does "Just Work"
Notwithstanding that the Omnia received all of about oooooh, 1 post on the entire site, then yeah, sure, Engadget covered that device about as well as they have covered the iPhone.
Give me a break.
Also, usability is a highly subjective quality.
I have used an iPhone before, and granted for what it does, it does it well enough, but so does any capricious $0 Free phone that you can get for signing a contract with your carrier of choice.
However, you couldn't pay me enough to use it as my daily phone.
My current phone (an HTC Titan) is used for so much more than simply listening to music and making phone calls that the typical iPhone user who looks at its features and capabilities is simply left dumbfounded.
In other words, the iPhone is simply a HUGE DOWNGRADEfor people such as myself who use our phones as PPC's to carry out a multitude of tasks.
You wouldn't believe the things my phone is capable of, let alone the apps that I run on it that would never see the light of day on an iPhone.
Furthermore, with apps such as SPB Mobile Shell (which shames the iPhone interface), arguing in favor of the iPhone in terms of usability is not only a moot point, but an inane one at that.
How is the iPhone a limited device, have you not seen the AppStore
Ye. +1.
On your front page, there are 5 articles on the same thing. The iPhone!
I agree, it is a very nice cool phone but it is still a phone. That top article on the voodoo PC appeals to me more than any of the articles about the iPhone.
I am personally considering a iPhone but i would rather not be bombarded with info on it when i want to check up on the latest tech news.
Then start your own technology blog and cover any device you want, as much as you want. This site exists to do one thing: MAKE MONEY. They cover the iPhone so much because they have the numbers to show those stories receive the most hits. More hits equal more money you can demand from advertisers. Can you please stop with your annoying posts now?
True, up until the Appstore the iPhone was really limiting. But it seems like the Appstore and the development program will soon surpass the 3rd party support that winmo has (which btw is of mediocre quality, i mean seriously I have a HTC Touch and the software I find for it arent of the best quality).
Martin,
How is it not limiting?
Apple pretty much dictates what is allowed or not allowed on the phone.
It's anything but open.
For example, while you are waiting for TomTom still, I have been using it on my phone for over a year now.
While you are waiting on GPS functionality on your new 3G iphone, I've had it for over a year now.
While you are waiting for official IM clients or hacked ones, I've had them for over a year now.
While you are tied to a contract that will cost you over $2000 over the course of the next 2 years, I will be paying HALF that for more features & better features on a Sprint SERO plan.
Im also in the business of business, as well as a doctoral student.
I cant leave the house without my phone, but sometimes do without my laptop.
I need PDF, Excel, PPT, Word, etc comaptibility with me at all times.
I need my apps.
I couldnt go a day without apps such as Pocket Chemisty, Space Time, VTi Emu, Outlook, and Live Search for that matter, to name a few.
In 9 out of 10 cases, the apps I need for business/school are simply never going to be made available on the iPhone, and that is simply not acceptable.
Furthermore, just for kicks, I have a full-fledged HTML browser with FLV support for sites such as YT and Google Video via cooked ROMS.
You guys are talking about "jail breaking" your devices to allow for a few measley apps that should have been standard, whereas we on the WM side of things are creating our own ROMS via "kitchens" to allow for unprecedented app support.
Oh, and just for the hell of it, my phone doubles as a Universal Remote.
Yes, that's right.
I can control any IR device with my phone, up to a 6m range.
And, when Im bored, I just watch TV on it through Pocket TV, Sprint TV, Mobi TV, the choice is mine.
Apple doesn't give you a choice however when it comes to most things, the iPhone being no exception of course.
Nomi,
That's a downright blatant lie.
The 3rd party selection for apps on WM simply dwarfs anything Apple has available, and they do not require a WiFi/net connection to connect to some proprietary service such as Appstore to download them.
For example, head over to Handago:
http://www.handango.com/deviceWidget.jsp?siteId=1&jid=1F921AX8CDD848588757XD76444B6AFB&platformOs=2&addDevices=add&choice=topN
Take a look at their WM selection of Apps and compare it to any other platform.
WM - 18,460 titles
Palm - 10,606 titles
Symbian - 9,931 titles
Blackberry - 3,723 titles
Linux - 356 titles
Pocket Gear will turn up another ~ 20,000 or so titles for WM
http://www.pocketgear.com/en_US/html/index.jsp
If anything, there is no shortage of quantity for WM titles, and the aggregate sum of all of the mobile platforms combined only slightly outweighs the number of titles available for WM.
You would have to be absolutely delusional to believe that Apple's platform will come anywhere near to the 20,000+ titles that exist for WM, and the countless others that are not listed on sites such as Handango or PocketGear because they are free 3rd party apps created by folks such as those over at XDA-developers.
Also, there are numerous quality titles available for just about any mobile application one could need/require.
You name it, chances are someone has made it, and sufficed to say, I have "sampled" a great many of them, something that would not be possible on an iPhone by the way due to the nature of the Appstore.
You sir, are a shiny knight of the Windows Mobile table. I salute you!
I prefer Windows Mobile phone as I can play SimCity 2000 on the go :3
The HTC Diamond Touch has been proven to be quite glitchy during presentations. The screen is not as a big and the price is significantly higher than $300. The Omnia is for Asian and European markets. So no U.S. releases for either phones. However, the iphone gets heavy attention because it has heavy advertising and rightfully so. Now it has a cheaper price rate. It's the phone that revolutionized all other phone and set the new standard for others to make clones. Point blank, Apple makes products and everyone else follows.
don't back up your argument with a hyperlink from a crappy phone. That screen res is even worst than the iphone. You need to send them to xperia. But I rather not hype it up too much. I don't want it to be sold out, so I can't get it. Let the noobs stick with the iphone, kid's toy.
As soon as xperia comes out, here I come
Robotchan,
Why thank you my good sir.
Technutt,
The HTC Diamond and Touch Pro (Raphael) are both slated for US release this year, and Sprint for one will be carrying them with others following suit.
Also, as for the Omnia, who cares if its not coming to the US officially.
Being that it is a GSM device, you can simply import one from overseas.
Furthermore, since when was the US the paragon of mobile-technology?
We are on some accounts years behind in terms of Mobile tech and we are not the world's largest mobile phone market either for that matter, so it's rather disingenuous of you to use that as some sort of criteria for advocating Engadget's news reporting.
@TechNutt
the amount of advertising does not indicate the quality of the product. It SHOULD be the quality of the product that makes it get all the attention not HYSTERIA nor ADVERTISING. Sorry, but you just proved your comment wrong. Next.
p.s. cheaper handset? yeah, ripoff network package deal? YEAH
loujob,
Screen res aside, the Omnia walks all over the iPhone, spec for spec.
There is no comparison.
@Hamidxa
Read my comment again. Sheer quantity doesn't translate to quality. And stop comparing a 5 year old platform to a much newer one (how bout 0 yrs old) that hasn't had the time to mature. Saying things like, oh I have had GPS for a year, doesn't justify winmo as a better platform.
Lets have this discussion in 6 months and see where the developers have gone. Also, I dont remember the last time MS pushed developers to make stuff for winMo. Must stuff on winMo come from individuals that decided to make software out of need.
And I agree the Appstore is not 'open' per say, but you will see it get more and more open within the year. The OSXmobile platform just looks more promising now than windows mobile ever did. I would rather have quality apps from good developers than millions of shitty apps from peoples garages.
Hey hey hey, cool it.
Sure it may not be a product for you Hamidxa, however, there are very many others who are interested. Furthermore, just because most consumers are too dumb to realise that they are getting shafted by AT&T or have become such fanbois that they don't care, your incessant ranting of your opinion to the contrary does nothing but make you look like an arrogant ass. It is no different to individuals who buy a Gucci handbag for $2k, where a plastic bag from the supermarket would perform the same function for free (or possibly better as it can be stuffed in a pocket when not needed), or do you fly off the handle on blogs for 'bling bling' stuff?
If you don't like seeing the constant Apple related posts, unlike many others who visit Engadget, then either use the 'Apple free Engadget' setting, or shut up and fuck off (I mean that in the politest sense of the term).
@Nomi
but isn't 'garage' app developing the essence of smartphone market and customers?
I really like google's android because of this.
I rather have something that an enthusiast made than an app a developer made which costs extreme amounts even if its a bit glitchy.
I am not looking to jump into the middle of the debate, but I do agree that Engadget's coverage of the iPhone 3G is foolish. I have had the iPhone since day one of it's original release - it's been really good. The "however" is that Apple has not really improved much with this rev. Sure, they added 3G, but that should have been standard on the first model anyway. Where's A2DP? Why are they _still_ shipping a multimedia phone that does not allow for bluetooth stereo?
Engadget, enough is enough with the iPhone stories. There's nothing more to report - really.
I'd think the iPhone gets attention 'cos it caters to a certain market. We have those basic phones that are very easy to use, but don't do very much, and we have smartphones that people visiting this blog (engadget) would be very happy to use, but for the average joe they won't know how to use it. Apple makes a phone that is a bit like a smartphone but is also easy to use and that is possibly why so many people are buying it (not forgetting Apple's advertising...). For many of us, another smartphone (possible WinMo) may be better for the apps available, etc. etc.
I wonder, if a train ran over your face, would you notice? You oblivious idiot.
Anyone with their eyes open can see that the iPhone is quickly becoming the mobile computing platform of the future.
Microsoft, Palm and others blew their chance, game over for them.
The most talked about (by all media, not just engadget), fan favorite device is going to get more coverage than yet another POS winmo wannabe.
You might as well get used to it.
Watch out for that train!
Is the screen resolution on the Samsung Omnia BETTER than the iPhone?
Also when I read that link it says that the Omnia does NOT have capacitive features on the touch screen. What exactly does "capacitive" mean and does the iPhone have it?
@Jon,
If your lemming status was not obvious from your comments, that Yankees avatar cemented it.
@Hamidxa: My current phone (an HTC Titan) is used for so much more than simply listening to music and making phone calls that the typical iPhone user who looks at its features and capabilities is simply left dumbfounded.?
Really? I've had all sorts of Windows Mobile Phones, most of them HTC. I wasn't dumbfounded at all. I was getting a little annoyed with how many times my phone would freeze and I would have to reset. I was also a little annoyed at all the apps that would run in the background. And how it was a multiple step process to actually get the processes to stop running. And how I can't view full webpages and how I have to carry a little memory card for more memory. And the whole I have to have my phone or I'll just die bits, really bud? Now that's depedence. I'm not a apple fanboy (I work for a PC company) just don't insult the rest of us.
What the heck kinda phone has a start menu and a main menu?? oh ya, a piece of crap.
Truth is... until Apple's deal with AT&T runs out... there is no way the iPhone will ever be the "mobile platform of the future."
It will always be relegated to a nitche market of AT&T customers (and hackers).
I, for one, will not pay $300+ for a phone that I have to hack in order to make it work on my network (T-Mobile), and I certainly won't be moving over to AT&T any time soon...
I love apple, and own an iPod and a MacBook... but Apple needs to open this thing up a bit for me to even care.
@Hamidxa
Here's the summary of all Hamidxa's posts for those who couldn't be bothered reading all of them.
"Engadget is bias! Blah blah blah WM is amazing, I can't go a day without it or I wither and die like a leaf in the fall."
"Furthermore, blah blah something about having the world's most advanced phone none of your plebs would understand blah blah blah."
I love WWDC, it brings out the looniest Engadget posters ever. Keep up the good work, everyone!
Windows Mobile in any form sucks!
The iPhone took 20%+ of the market in months ... MONTHS!
90% Customer satisfaction.
Every company is still scrambling with their "iPhone Killer".
If it is inferior, why are all the other companies cloning it?
Even Apple's genius marketing can't make 90% of it's iPhone customers say they are satisfied. That's a solid product.
The iphone IS limited, it still can't record video, no MMS, no picture/video mail, no voice commands (speech to action), most folks who fall for apples marketing gimmick won't have access to 3G until 2009 because ATT doesn't have 3G in most of the country.
Look, we get it, you don't like the iphone. Don't buy it then. Tons of people do like the iphone and most people don't need or won't use half of the things your phone can do, most people who need that stuff usually have a blackberry from their employers anyway. But stop all the damn bitching, no one is telling you to buy an iphone, but the rest of us might want it so just stop it. And if you really hate the iphone then why are you posting on an iphone entry, post on your HTC entries instead.
@ Coy
Smartskey is your friend. It's free and easy to install. It closes your apps with a touch of the "x" button. Also activates your hard keys so that you can use one hand to navigate any menu on your WinMob device. Takes about 2 minutes to download and install.
@ rpflo
Check your numbers again. The iPhone controls about 1% of the cellular market, not 20%. Also, Q1 shipments were down around 20%.
@ technutt
Early betas of the Diamond were slow and glitchy. I know it's hard to stay up to date (with all the iPhone stuff that is posted here) but all the latest reviews have commented that the issues are in the past. The Diamond and Touch Pro can do more and have a similar, easy to use flow. And they won't cost more. On a SERO plan you will save over $1000 during the course of a 2 year contract (vs ATT and the iPhone).
Oh great! Thank the hackers, jail breakers and that little schmuck Geohotz for ruining a good thing. Now everyone is “jammed” on iPhone 3G. The price is certainly attractive but the in-store experience will be draconian to say the least (i.e. “sign here or you aint going nowhere!”). Thanks...
@ bjsguess
I have used used devices Windows Mobile going back to the earliest versions of Pocket PC, most recently on an AT&T Tilt so I'm fairly familiar with its capabilities and limitations. After 2 different Tilts failed over the coarse of three months, I took a chance on an 8 GB iPhone refurb unit and will never look back to WinMo. While it clearly cannot match other smartphones on the spec sheet, the user interface alone is lightyears ahead.
The fact that you have to use a third party solution just to have applications close perfectly explifies why WinMo is consistently criticized across forum boards/blogs.
Re: rpflo's numbers--I'm sure he meant 20% of the SMARTPHONE market.
And I may certainly be wrong on this but I thought I recall see something stating that Sprint was going to be phasing out the SERO plans--thought I read that when they announced their $99 unlimited voice/data plans.
I think most people forget that the vast majority of phone users have little need for anything beyond phone/email/text msg/music/Internet and have no use for all of the niche features everyone on a technology message board is complaining are missing. Apple us trying to appeal to the masses and invest in features the masses want/will use. I guarantee that quite a few people who bought an iPhone this past year would never have originally considered a smartphone.
I compare a WinMo phone to a Swiss army knife and the iPhone to a high quality chef's knife. The Swiss army knife is certainly capable of doing many more things but I certainly wouldn't want to have to use it to prepare a meal. The iPhone may offer less functionality but the few things it does, it does them well.
Dude it's an iPhone copy.
What part of "Windows Mobile sucks" don't you understand?
Holy shit, this dude's Tytn just hijacked his owner's engadget account and is now using this page to brag about itself.
Creeeeeepyyyy.
It seems you DO NOT understand Apple iPhone. My friend, talk about iphone, you are talking about QUALITY other then quantity. That Samsung thing minght have "everything" but does it perform like iPhone? Does it Sounds like an iPod? How about the FREAKING WEB BROWSER? Apple respect the high end custumers samsung, insult us. You are talking about a device that is the same core speed from the beginning of operation to battery's end. Unlike Pocket PC which we have to keep restoring. Anyway, bottom line for you: QUALITY OVER QUANTITY!
Limiting? Did you see the video or just read about the iPhone 3G's release? Looks to me like with SDK that there will soon be a flood of apps including MS exchange, games, business models, wireless syncing with your computer (photos, contacts, locations), finding who else is near your location, etc... and yes, even play musical instrument emulation on the thing. Limited, after watching the video yesterday, it looks to me like the functions on this device are soon to be "unlimited."
...just order it from Belgium where 3G iPhone also launches 11th of July and there it's illegal to bundle operator deal and a phone. Unlocked iPhones for all =)
****
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock
Belgium is the only European country that outright forbids simlocking and contract/phone bundling.
I somehow doubt it will be available for just 199€ there.
I sure hope so though.
But Mobistar has already issued an official press release stating that they will not be ready for an 11 july release. They even stated that the entire summer was a bad moment so for all we know we'll have to wait another 3 months. (I've already got an iPhone so I don't really care though)
The above press statement and the information on the site stating that Mobistar has an exclusive sales contract for the iPhone strikes me as odd, seeing as how it is illegal in our country to sell sim-locked phones without an alternative.
There's a new iPhone out? Who knew!
New one? You mean there was an earlier model?!?
ok engadget, that was arbitrary and almost no help...get some facts together next time before posting :-P
Where can I find the keynote ? I want to see it.
go to http://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/wwdc08/
http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/0806wdt546x/event/index.html
It seem's like the UK get a better deal, at least contrary to what you've written, it works out cheaper for UK customers, who still only pay £100 ($200), and from only £30($60) over 18 months only.
only £640 ($1280) in the UK comparitively, still costs more over the life of the phone, but really thats how ALL phone contracts work for newer phones.
The UK also has the option to get the phone on pay-as-you-go (prepaid) and purchase only. AT&T kinda suck...
I'm surprised to see the UK will have 1UP over the US this time around!
The UK will always have 1UP on the US
Where did you get the info that the UK is offering a pre-paid version? That would be great news, I have sort of almost lost my faith in Apple producing an iPhone sans tie-in.
But if it's limited to the U.S. where people apparently go for such a thing, or maybe have no choice, then I can live with it :)
PS: I have to say this, I wish the whole subsidy/contract thing would just be made illegal. The only reason that operators push this over pay-as-you-go is that they make more money on it, and the only reason they make more money is that they dupe people into thinking that they pay less. It's a total scam.
Nikster, it's on the O2 website, but the prices for prepaid haven't been annouced yet. I'd expect them to be considerably more.
Given the 2.0 megapixel camera, lack of memory card expansion and no video recording or radio, it should be in the region of £20.
I joke. £200 on pay as you go and free on contract for the 8gb model would be the norm for something like this. Not that that will ever happen, but I can be the blind optimist untill the price is anounced at over £600.
i like apple, i abuse one daily, but this whole iPhone thing is just out of control. I didn't know AOL was in bed with Apple (we already know they are hooked to ATT) to result in so much coverage of a totally proprietary 3g phone that came out AFTER a bunch of others. Why don't we just talk about Vista instead it would be as interesting. (rolls eyes)
It's just sad really. I wish we could get the same coverage of the unlocked 3g phones which are really a better thing for the consumer than hooked to att and apple.
Due to contractual obligations to Apple, Engadget is not allowed to post about other superior devices as frequently.
@Hamidxa
Apple and Engadget have a contract? Absurd. What tipped you off. The 500 blogs about the iphone? The apple registered trademark at the end of engadget?
Hamidxa scares me with his fanboy vs fanboy war. engadget posts about iphone because it gets hits. If their users didn't read it or want it, it wouldn't be a story. If you even look at the comments, iphone stories consistently get more comments than most other stories. we know you like windows mobile better, we also know that you won't touch an iphone. we get it. personally they are both great solutions to the mobile OS world. I cant wait for Android!
know what?
Apple.
Stop dicking about, start selling the bloody thing to the fanbois, then perhaps we can all get a rest from this BLOODY HYSTERIA!!!
Fanbois
Apple are taking you for a ride, just like the last time. stop being such a sad bunch of fashionistas.
(Flame away, saddos)
Well it was a pretty good ride the first time around, so I won't mind going again.
Do you really think Apple will sell it for the USD199 equivalent in the UK? No way. Take a look at every other desirable gadget, iPods, Wiis, PS3s, Zune etc they all (and especially Apple) like to leave the UK to the latest launch date and do a direct USD to GBP conversion - USD199 for UK Apple customers will likely be GBP199 - nearly USD400. We get shafted EVERY time.
I can't get it how Orange will be able to distribute this in Belgium? It's forbidden to couple a phone to a contract. So the contract thing just won't work.
Looks like they changed their minds in belgium.
http://66.102.9.104/translate_c?hl=en&sl=nl&tl=en&u=http://www.zdnet.be/news.cfm%3Fid%3D86475
Maybe it's due the fact that selling it with a contract is illegal! It'll be intresting to see how they're going to loophole that law.
What the heck? I thought a new day would bring an end to the insane hoopla over the iPhone but guess I was wrong.
What's the next post gonna be, Engadget? iPhone 3G on AT&T: we get the flaming answers?
uhm.... AT&T doesnt exist in germany
so that means i will have to activate it at T-mobile?
and in England Orange?
hmm?
We here at engadget have decided that you, our readers, have not yet received enough news today on the newest iphone. We have had only 16 articles so far describing the 2 new features(well, new for the iphone anyway) and the new price plan, and think that you deserve so much more. Therefore, we have elected to simply repeat our old articles describing it ad infinitum but will slightly change the wording to make sure you don't get bored.
*Disclaimer: I do not represent engadget in any way*
I do have a question is the AT&T deal as last minute put together as it seems? Just seems to not be that detailed of information with the release a month off. Seems like pricing schemes for contracts would been figured out by now. I didnt hate the 5 year exclusive agreement for the first phone. This time seems like AT&T has to much freedom. I think they should realy do $199 or at most $249 for people needing to upgrade there account. I mean at the least they are getting $69.99 from the people who sign up and everyone is locked in for 2 years. But who fucking cares about the consumer.
Only news value of this item is that what has been speculated has been confirmed by AT&T. Couldn't Engadget just update the main article. Seriously, _21_ items on the Engadget RSS feed are currently related to the iPhone. We already know all this shit.
Who has time to go look at old post or who at engadget has time to update old posts? :) I like good coverage and new details just realy nothing new hear except a bit more officaly confirmed.
Are 200 text messages included in the $30 data plan? There seems to be some confusion on this.
That's what I would like to know. There is no mention of the 200 text messages anywhere...
Hi Engadget,
I was hoping you guys could help me out.
I hear the new iPhone 3G is announced by Apple and was hoping you guys could maybe do an informational post about it, just like you did on the new HTC Diamond?...
...
...
I really think you (Engadget crew) really need to start balancing the news coverage of new products (or just admit you guys are sponsored by Apple, because this is downright Apple sales promoting).
What has this 3G device brought to the table that it deserves somuch attention? HSDPA? (running at slower speeds compared to latest WM devices?)
I agree the first iPhone deserved the buzz, the design, interface, new hardware solutions are all nice and even copied by others, but this is just an upgrade.
When you thought it was over...
Seriously, didn't Ryan Block do the whole WWDC roundup cover, including the many articles he did himself? I'd think it would be over now, wouldn't it? You don't need so many separate articles to make a statement you know.
it will be launched on Pay as you go Service here in U.K for those who do not want a contract.
but on a 18 month contract customers will be charged £159 for a 16gb iphone and £99 for a 8gb iphones and users who choose a tarrif of £45 or £75 will get it free.
but the big question is how much its going to be on pay as you go and the price seems like that the iphone has to be activated in the store.
seriously engadget, i liked you more when your were not uploading one-dimensional and biased articles. This is taking it too far.
One more post like this, i'm seriously gonna take engadget off my bookmarks/favourites.
Ditto
Same here.
Ciao!
You see, the very fact that you posted here shows Engadget that you care enough about seeing iPhone articles to at least view the page. Now, you may not care about the iPhone itself, but you care that the article is here. They get money for you caring.
Frustration =\= caring or interest.
How about this:
Engadget disables comments for iPhone related posts. It's always one of 3 things:
1) People hating on the iPhone, saying how other phones are cheaper and better
2) Obsessed fanboys talking about how the iPhone is the second coming of Christ
3) People whining about how often Engadget posts about the iPhone.
Seriously, we're all better off not reading through these sorts of comments.
How bout you don't read the comments then? Make too much sense for you?
A blog without comments......
yeah....that makes sense.
Does it still have visual voicemail?
Yes, it will still have visual voicemail.
The very best part of this is how Hamixda's panties are in SUCH a tight bunch about himself and his hatred of the thing. Great reading!
Just when you thought it would end.
Seriously, this didn't get covered before already? Why couldn't you just drop this on Engadget Mobile?
It's almost like Engadget is trying their hardest to sell us a 3G iPhone with all these posts.