As the dust settles on the
iPhone 3G / WWDC blowout, we've sifted through the debris and discovered a few eyebrow-raising tidbits you might be interested to know. The first of which is news that the next firmware update (2.0) could be headed to devices as early as June 27th, at least according to Apple's Australian iPod touch features page, which touts the arrival of the app store later this month. Meanwhile, Apple's cash cow won't get those
OTA iTunes music downloads that were being heavily speculated on in May. Word on the street is that record labels are -- wait for it -- still holding out for those upped premiums, or that AT&T wants a cut of the action, which Apple is reluctant to hand over. Of course, AT&T wanting their share of that revenue makes good sense when you realize that the telco is taking a
major hit on the sale of these devices -- a hit which will stall profits until 2010. Perhaps that explains the new rules about
activation; according to a report from Reuters, the company will penalize customers who buy a phone but don't activate within 30 days, which falls in line with their aggressive new push to lock users into a contract... which looks exactly like the old cellphone business model. On a lighter note, iLounge has some real-world spy shots of the device's shell, which they claim smudges like it's going out of style, though it may be joined by a Product (RED) variation later this year. Enjoy!
Update: Apparently Apple reps have
confirmed that there won't be any early firmware updates for the masses, and that they're still on schedule for July 11th. The Australian site has since updated its info -- so put the champagne back on ice.
[Thanks, Dan and Danny]
Read - Australian iPod touch features page
Read - No Over-The-Air 3G Music Downloads For New iPhone; Labels Holding Out For Higher Price Per Track?
Read - iPhone to cut into AT&T earnings until 2010
Read - Real World Photos: Inside + Outside iPhone 3G's New Shell
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
CB17 @ Jun 11th 2008 9:40AM
If it's AT&T I can understand (bandwidth aint free), but if it's the record labels doing this then I'll REFUSE to buy a single song OTA from those greedy bastards.
DSeaver @ Jun 11th 2008 10:05AM
Sorry to hijack with this reply, but I wanted this to be near the top.
According to 2 different Apple sales people on 2 different days (I checked this myself), to get the new price, you will not need to be eligible for an Equipment upgrade from AT&T if you are a current customer and don't have a 2G iPhone. When you get the iPhone, it will just reup your contract. That's what I've heard from Apple
LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Jun 11th 2008 10:15AM
Anyone else happy to see that the iPod Touch will *finally* get some new apps? Granted you could jail break it, but I've been waiting an unnecessarily long time to download games and other applications since its inception. And no, I couldn't care less about a $20 Jan. upgrade that includes features which should have been included in the iPod Touch in the first place. Why did it take this long anyway? Apple could have threw us a bone at the very least. Thankfully they are starting now.
OneLove @ Jun 11th 2008 10:29AM
Why all these rules?...whats going on apple?...You're not making this fun. Everytime I hear about another sales policy, restriction, etc it makes me cringe..."You will get nothing and like it!"
Kelmon @ Jun 11th 2008 10:41AM
Too bloody right. I don't see where the record companies get off expecting more money for the same song delivered over someone else's network just because the network is for cellular telephones rather than computers. Greedy bastards.
MValpreda @ Jun 11th 2008 1:03PM
Bandwidth ain't free? Did you forget they make you pay for it with special iPhone plans?
Matthew @ Jun 11th 2008 2:20PM
Has anyone heard what ATT will charge for the iphone if you have a contract with them that isnt eligible for an upgrade yet? I'm only 7 months into my current contract.
CB17 @ Jun 11th 2008 1:59PM
@MValpreda
-The "special iPhone plans" aren't really special. They're the same price as all other smartphones/PDAs
-iPhone users ALREADY use consistently way more data than other smartphones. Can you imagine how much extra bandwidth would be needed for millions of iPhone users to OTA download music of the most popular music online music store?
You do realize that cell phone towers have nothing more than lowly T1s running to them, right? I can already hear them screaming for mercy now.
Chirag @ Jun 11th 2008 9:53PM
Is it legal to fine somebody for buying a product and then not signing up for wireless service. I mean if you buy the phone and don't sign a contract, then where does the contract exist that allows them to fine you?
CB17 @ Jun 11th 2008 5:17PM
@Chirag
1) Start your own thread
2) You have to sign a contract before you get the phone and they can put whatever they want in that contract. They can tell you that in order for you to get a new phone, you have to run around the store naked for 5 hours straight.
loosely_coupled @ Jun 11th 2008 11:24PM
"Why all the rules"
All the restrictions really have nothing to do with Apple, just as they have nothing to do with HTC, Samsung, LG, SE, etc. It's the greedy telco's that pull all the BS.
jay @ Jun 11th 2008 9:41AM
AT&T to fine... others? say, o2 or Australian networks....
kjb434 @ Jun 11th 2008 9:49AM
It seems that they will make it harder jailbreak this edition. I understand ATT's issue here.
No one in the US is paying anything near the real price of these phone.
If you are stupid enough to believe these phones only cost about $200-300, then you might complain about ATT wanting to fine non-activators.
The reality, these phone would cost nearly $800 or $1000 like other popular PDA/Smartphones and media centric phones.
This is the whole point of forcing you into a contract. ATT will then actually be able to make a profit.
FrankTheCrank @ Jun 11th 2008 9:50AM
What's the termination fee?
Is it pro-rated yet?
I'm thinking of buying one and canceling the service as I did with my 4GB iPhone. Now that I sold it, phew, I want teh new one.
bohsocks @ Jun 11th 2008 9:54AM
1. It's so AT&T actually makes money from people using their service..... since they get shafted when people buy the phone, jailbreak it, and run off......
2. They'll have it jailbroken.... I know some of the HW is different.... but didn't Engadget post a story a bazillion years ago (scientifically speaking) about how they had already cracked the 2.0 Firmware? In either case, it'll get jailbroken... but it may not help people who want to jump carriers unless they want to pay AT&T and their real carrier....
3. So yeah if only AT&T is fining for this... can we import one? Because I don't want AT&T, I want to hang out with Chad and the DYHMN guy, so I can lord it over them how much cooler I am than them. (Marginally cooler)
Randy @ Jun 11th 2008 10:05AM
@Kjb434
That's fine If the real cost of the device is 800-1000. Sell me the device (unlocked, of course) and I'll be on my way. As it is now, they don't give you the option.
FrankTheCrank @ Jun 11th 2008 10:08AM
I found my answer:
"Starting on May 25, AT&T (NYSE:T) said it will begin pro-rating early termination fees for customers with one- or two-year contracts. Under that plan, AT&T has said that $5 will be taken off of the termination fee for each month the contract was active before it is severed."
Source:
http://www.crn.com/networking/208200031
vb @ Jun 11th 2008 1:56PM
@kjb - the iPhone is nowhere near the $800-$1000 range. Apple sells the iPod touch for $299, and it's basically the same thing without the GSM antenna (and without a GPS chip), and Apple must be making a profit on those, since they're not getting anything out of it after they sell it to you.
So you're saying that a GSM antenna and GPS chip costs $500?
Unknown @ Jun 11th 2008 9:42AM
Oh boy, more absurdly overpriced applications from Apple. Does anyone really care?
prime @ Jun 11th 2008 9:47AM
Some of the apps will be free...
FrankTheCrank @ Jun 11th 2008 10:01AM
Debbie Downer is now known as Unknown.
Matt Merritt @ Jun 11th 2008 10:10AM
Um yeah...
In case you hadn't noticed, the developers of the applications set the price of their application - not Apple.
Meaning that if I make an iPhone app and decide it should cost $10 dollars, I get $7 from every copy sold (which is 70% of 10 because 10*.7 = 7 - you don't know how to read so I'm assuming you can't do simple math either).
However, if I should decide that my application is free - care to take a guess at how much money I make? Or how much money Apple will make from it?
I suppose it's a bit snotty of me to accuse you of not being able to read, because chances are that you just might not care about the iPhone. Of course, you did take the time out to read an iPhone post (which, I hasten to add, no one was forcing you to read) and make a relatively uninformed and frankly FUD post in response - which also takes quite a bit of snot.
Matt @ Jun 11th 2008 10:27AM
@Matt Merritt: "Meaning that if I make an iPhone app and decide it should cost $10 dollars, I get $7 from every copy sold (which is 70% of 10 because 10*.7 = 7 - you don't know how to read so I'm assuming you can't do simple math either)."
That was classic, definitely one of the best put downs I've seen here. Kudos!
Kelmon @ Jun 11th 2008 10:32AM
OK, we're all pretty used to the "Apple sells overpriced hardware" statement, but "Apple sells overpriced software" is a new one. I don't recall complaints in the past about software prices, with the exception of Aperture 1.
ThePerfectCompanion @ Jun 11th 2008 9:43AM
Question is the iPhone's screen resolution better than the HTC Touch Pro or the new Samsung touchscreen phone the Omnia I believe?
As for the iPhone 3G...I'm honestly not as excited about it as I used to be. All these rules and barriers that AT&T and Apple are surrounding it with are really putting me off. I'm not one of those "omg open source I need it!" type of guy. I don't really need much in a phone but I hate the feeling of being FORCED to do something that a company wants.
Plus I hate the way the back is shaped now. I hate the replacement of the metal with the plastic. Yeah I know its for the signal to be stronger but it looks cheap IMO and I doubt it will feel as good or cool as the first model.
Anyways thats my thoughts. Again I'd like to know if the screen resolution for the Samsung or the HTC Touch Pro is better than the iPhone's.
In the end I may just end up sticking with Sprint or joining Verizon. Depends on which one has the best phone.
twoboxen @ Jun 11th 2008 9:53AM
Xperia X1: 800x480
HTC Touch Diamond/Pro: 640x480
iPhone (v1 and v2): 480x320
X1 FTW!
Side note: hopefully the additional resolution doesn't affect battery life too much... though it does have a 1500mAh battery!
d0nkss @ Jun 11th 2008 9:55AM
Here are what the displays look like for the 3 phones you mentioned. Also I added another one that is gonna be right there with them.
Apple iPhone 3G
Type: Touchscreen, 16M colors
Size 320 x 480 pixels, 3.5 inches
Samsung i900 Omnia
Type: TFT touchscreen, 65K colors
Size: 240 x 400 pixels, 3.2 inches
HTC Touch Pro
Type: TFT touchscreen, 65K colors
Size: 480 x 640 pixels, 2.8 inches
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1
Type TFT touchscreen, 65K colors
Size 800 x 480 pixels, 3 inches
Paul @ Jun 11th 2008 9:56AM
Not sure about the samsung but the htc is VGA 640x480. The iPhone is HVGA (half) at 480x320.
Kris @ Jun 11th 2008 10:05AM
The iPhone is 320X480 where as the HTC Diamond / Touch Pro is 640X480.
Brad @ Jun 11th 2008 10:50AM
whats the PPI on each of these phones though? Yeah, the iPhone's resolution is semi-low, but man they're soo easy on the eyes to read. My BB Curve kills me trying to read the news on it.
Zeek @ Jun 11th 2008 11:06AM
Of course the comparison spec that everyone is missing:
iPhone: Has Apple logo on back
Every other phone: does not
And of course, all that implies.
ThePerfectCompanion @ Jun 11th 2008 12:57PM
Thanks for all the info guys! I really appreciate it.
And to the creators of Engadget despite some of your Apple loving I do love this site and I come to it everyday. Such a great source of information!
nxtiak @ Jun 11th 2008 9:44AM
So you CAN buy it without activation on the spot, but they look up your account info or something? So you have to be an current AT&T customer? What if you're not and you buy it, how would they know if you activated it within 30 days?
JamesR @ Jun 11th 2008 9:47AM
You have to sign a contract before leaving the store. You can then go home and activate the phone. Or not, and face the wrath of AT&T.
mrhahn @ Jun 11th 2008 9:48AM
Could be they take your credit card details at the time of purchase, and then check if 30 days later the IMEI has still not been registered. If it hasn't, then they take the fine.
Pure speculation on my part though...
kjb434 @ Jun 11th 2008 9:52AM
You probably have it correct.
You'll have to sign onto a contract and use a credit card initially.
People need to realize that in the US you can't just buy and Iphone. You have to buy the phone is part of a service.
Anthony @ Jun 11th 2008 9:52AM
Is that allowed?
I assume that is what they mean as well but if you buy the phone, do not enter a contract, how can they charge you more 30 days later? Is the fact your buying the product automatically binding you to a contract to activate within 30 days? Do they make you sign something?
It just seems very gray to me.
Jesse David Hollington @ Jun 11th 2008 10:05AM
I think the problem here is that people are misunderstanding the distinction between signing the contract and actually "activating" the phone.
When you buy a normal cell phone and sign up for a service plan, it is generally "activated" over-the-air as soon as you turn it on. The phone registers with the cellular network and downloads whatever account-specific information it needs onto the SIM card.
With the iPhone, "activation" will likely still take place via iTunes. You'll probably pick your contract and sign up in the store, the clerk will barcode scan the IMEI into the computer, and then when you plug your shiny new iPhone into iTunes, it will be "activated" in much the same way it is now, except that you won't be taken through the whole sign-up-for-an-account process.
"Fine" is a misnomer in this case.... If you read the fine print on most/i> cell phone contracts, there's a clause that says if you don't actually activate/use the phone within a certain time period (ie, 30 days), then the contract can be considered terminated. In this case, you would logically be charged the early-termination-fee in the same way as if you had called AT&T up and asked to have the contract terminated.
The best analogy I can think of to illustrate the difference is marriage.... You sign the contract at the altar, but you don't "activate" it until later that night.... :) (and by extension, you can have a marriage annulled if the "activation" never takes place ;) ).
Anthony @ Jun 11th 2008 11:01AM
THAT makes sense, thanks Jesse. I knew I had to be missing something there.
Darnell @ Jun 11th 2008 1:03PM
Anybody else see a lawsuit coming? This phone is being regulated very strictly. But the real question is that now that it falls under the subsidized guidelines, how long before you can purchased an unlocked version to be used as wished?
Paul @ Jun 11th 2008 9:48AM
I was so excited by the 3G version since I held off on getting an iPhone until the 3G version came out. I'm so disappointed with the utter lack of progress. It is almost Windows Mobile like. So many simple things that could have been done to really destroy the competition (like OTA downloads, stereo bluetooth, etc.) and instead they focused mostly on making it cheaper. This is fine and all, but I wanted killer, not cheaper. Since the SDK is so closed and boxed in you can't really add much to the core to fix the deficiencies. Uugh! Now I don't know what I'm waiting for...
kjb434 @ Jun 11th 2008 9:53AM
Yes,
I'm wanting the HTC Touch Pro or Diamond......
twoboxen @ Jun 11th 2008 9:57AM
Me, I'm waiting on the X1 (MAYBE the touch pro, depending on pricing). I hate WinMo, but i'll use it until Android becomes stable and has enough apps to serve my purposes (I am willing to write one or two, but outside of that I will rely on the community).
When android becomes stable, I'll install it on the X1(touch pro). My brother has a Tilt and it already can "run" android in addition to WinMo. Already it's impressive--nice and quick especially compared to WinMo.
THJ @ Jun 11th 2008 11:06AM
I hate to break it to you, but stereo bluetooth, cut/paste, tethering, file exchange through bluetooth, etc are things that 98% of phone buyers would never even know they didn't have. MMS is the only thing that I have heard 'real life' (ie friends and family) complain about the lack of.
All of those features combined would make a few geeks happy, but as we all lament, constantly, in every single iphone/apple post on every web site in the world, apple doesn't cater to the geeks. That's why there are 2 dozen other smart phones out there that can do all that and more.
Brandon Bradley @ Jun 11th 2008 11:37AM
You could try the Nokia N96, or one of their next line of phones which supposedly will support touch.
drjay868 @ Jun 12th 2008 7:11AM
Will I be able to put android on any phone, whether its CDMA, TDMA, or GSM? Also, will the X1 and Touch be able to be used on VZW network?
Shan @ Jun 11th 2008 2:07PM
The way I see it is that the phone is really v1.5 and not v2.0 even though that is what they are trying to give the impression of with regards to the new firmware.
The addition of the GPS and GSM chips are all well and good, but to not improve on other areas is a really poor. I was really hoping to see that the camera would finally get an overhaul to say 5 megapixels and at least a flash if nothing else. Also no video recording is a disappointment. Also in keeping with the way storage is going, I expected the 16GB to be the minimum and at least a 32GB version to be the upper end model.
It is just Apple doing what they do best - not really advancing on a per model basis. They do this with their iPods all the time - they have it down for usability and style, but Creative and certainly Archos have the upper end in terms of more features.
I think Apple will always be behind in the phone game in terms of hardware, in the same way their iPods are. Most of us wishing for MMS support, better camera features and larger hard drive capacity will not realistically see any of this until the 2009 model or later.
jay @ Jun 11th 2008 9:49AM
175 early cancellation? not bad.... or get insurance and conveniently "lose" it within the first 30 days....lol so bad...
but how does the aussie store differ?
Twitchy @ Jun 11th 2008 5:13PM
So far no word on how we (New Zealand and Australia) will be treated. But I will submit to Engadget as soon as something tangible is released.
Andrew @ Jun 11th 2008 9:50AM
that is the Australian iPod touch features page meaning it may be a different release date for the US and Canada.