tOfficial iPhone news and discussion thread

[imacericg]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

AT&T has a 3G network (available in Michigan now in the Detroit area and in GR by the end of the year). Apple chose not to support it. Big mistake in my book.

Gotcha. I agree. If their network was in my area (Petoskey, MI) I would be all over it. I have been contemplating on moving for some time now, but by the time I move and get a iPhone, iPhone 2 will come out in a few months.

[Spartytruth]

Originally Posted by PortlandSpartan

If true, the only real criticism left I could see is the crappy network.

true but they gave Apple free reign to do as they please. I expect the network to expand rapidly.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by imacericg

Gotcha. I agree. If their network was in my area (Petoskey, MI) I would be all over it. I have been contemplating on moving for some time now, but by the time I move and get a iPhone, iPhone 2 will come out in a few months.

There is.

AT&T Coverage Viewer

It's partner coverage, but roaming is free - so that doesn't matter. Data rates vary, but the same goes with Verizon/Sprint/Alltel when they roam on other networks.

[imacericg]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

There is.

AT&T Coverage Viewer

It's partner coverage, but roaming is free - so that doesn't matter. Data rates vary, but the same goes with Verizon/Sprint/Alltel when they roam on other networks.

I think you replied the same message earlier (which I didn't respond) - Sorry.

The only way I can get a phone up here is to signup using a address that has coverage (thus I would have that city's phone), THEN switch the billing address to my address in Petoskey. This would work except 40% of your calling must be done in that home area (original address). Thus, its not going to work for me, unless I move.

[Trevor Barnes]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Other misses on Apple's part:

No songs as ringtones?

From what I've read, there's already a likely way to turn a song into a ringtone if you reeally want to. I can't stand those ringtones myself, but there looks like there will be a method...it just won't be built into the iPhone. For the teenagers that really want this, it should be pretty easy. I'd bet there will even be shareware available.

Originally Posted by bulldogg

No A2DP?

The biggest misses IMO though are the Exchange sync, 3G, and GPS (the last two being very un-Apple like misses).

The only one of those I would have liked to see is GPS. It looks like full Exchange sync is on the way in a future software update.

I still have no use for 3G and likely won't for a couple more years. 95% of the time I'm around an open WiFi access point anyway and that will be faster than 3G or any other cell phone carrier's network speed. For the 5% of the time I have to use EDGE, it will be just fine. It sounds like they're going to improve the speed of EDGE as well so that should help.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by imacericg

I think you replied the same message earlier (which I didn't respond) - Sorry.

The only way I can get a phone up here is to signup using a address that has coverage (thus I would have that city's phone), THEN switch the billing address to my address in Petoskey.

That would most likely be correct.

Originally Posted by imacericg

This would work except 40% of your calling must be done in that home area (original address). Thus, its not going to work for me, unless I move.

That is not true that I am aware of. Alltel has provisions like that, but Cingular/AT&T does not (hence the reason that Alltel is not a national provider). I work in a town where we roam on Centennial's towers. I would say that at least 80% of my calls are on a roaming network.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Trevor Barnes

From what I've read, there's already a likely way to turn a song into a ringtone if you reeally want to. I can't stand those ringtones myself, but there looks like there will be a method...it just won't be built into the iPhone. For the teenagers that really want this, it should be pretty easy. I'd bet there will even be shareware available.

You shouldn't have to hack it ... and I agree - I don't like music as my ringtone either, but many do.

Originally Posted by Trevor Barnes

The only one of those I would have liked to see is GPS. It looks like full Exchange sync is on the way in a future software update.

I still have no use for 3G and likely won't for a couple more years.

I thought the A2DP was a big miss too. My understanding is that if you use bluetooth headphones, you won't get in stereo - only mono.

I'll believe the Exchange sync when I see it - and if I do see it, I'll probably try the iphone then.

[Trevor Barnes]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

I thought the A2DP was a big miss too. My understanding is that if you use bluetooth headphones, you won't get in stereo - only mono.

Ah, now I see what you're saying. I guess I wouldn't miss that too much because I don't own any bluetooth headphones. If it's in your pocket, isn't that a little silly? Course I've never had the need for a bluetooth ear thing either but I know lots of people like them.

Originally Posted by bulldogg

I'll believe the Exchange sync when I see it - and if I do see it, I'll probably try the iphone then.

I guess there's at least hope for you guys that need it. Apple has licensed the software from Microsoft, that's gotta be a little pricey. The nice part is that the solution is totally a software solution.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Trevor Barnes

Ah, now I see what you're saying. I guess I wouldn't miss that too much because I don't own any bluetooth headphones. If it's in your pocket, isn't that a little silly? Course I've never had the need for a bluetooth ear thing either but I know lots of people like them.

Not necessarily that bluetooth thing in your ear - but more music headphones like
(First image that I found)

Why have wires these days? Also more and more stereos are coming out for cars that support bluetooth. Think about just getting in your car, pulling out our iphone, hitting play, and having it come out of your car speakers.

The Windows Mobile phones have supported in for a year or two now ... I don't believe that the Blackberry Pearl does though.

[imacericg]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

No songs as ringtones?

Mac Rumors: iTunes 7.3 with Custom Ringtones?

[LoneWolfSparty®]

Everyone knows I am a Windows junkie. The question I have is this, why would anyone drop $600 on that abortion of a device?

[groen]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfSparty®

Everyone knows I am a Windows junkie. The question I have is this, why would anyone drop $600 on that abortion of a device?

It's a really cool piece of "look at me." It has great easy-to-use features. It has wifi. It has a fully functional web browser. It has a gigantic screen. It's thin as hell and looks super chic.

The only thing I can't figure out is why apple signed up exclusively with AT&T, the ****tiest company out there. I seriously think they are hindering the success of the device by attaching it to such a garbage network. I think the iPhone looks great but I'll eat my own arm before I sign a contract with AT&T.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by groen

It's a really cool piece of "look at me." It has great easy-to-use features. It has wifi. It has a fully functional web browser. It has a gigantic screen. It's thin as hell and looks super chic.

The only thing I can't figure out is why apple signed up exclusively with AT&T, the ****tiest company out there. I seriously think they are hindering the success of the device by attaching it to such a garbage network. I think the iPhone looks great but I'll eat my own arm before I sign a contract with AT&T.

Why do you have such hard feelings for AT&T? My experience has been MUCH different. To me Verizon is the absolute worst, followed by Sprint, then Nextel (they are different still), then Cingular/AT&T.

And why are we starting another iPhone thread?

To answer your question - it looks cool. Why wouldn't you? Well ...



Quote:

Finally Confirmed: What the iPhone Doesn't Have

• Songs as Ringtones
• Games
• Any flash support
• Instant Messaging
• Picture messages (MMS)
• Video recording
• Voice recognition or voice dialing
• Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Streaming (A2DP)
• One-size-fits-all headset jack (May have to buy an adapter for certain headphones)

Stuff we already knew it didn't have
• 3G (EV-DO/HSDPA)
• GPS
• A real keyboard
• Removable battery
• Expandable Storage
• Direct iTunes Music Store Access (Over Wi-Fi or EDGE)

[Zombie]

HELL NO! Well at least I wouldnt but I sure a bunch of idiots will

[groen]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Why do you have such hard feelings for AT&T? My experience has been MUCH different. To me Verizon is the absolute worst, followed by Sprint, then Nextel (they are different still), then Cingular/AT&T.

My order, from worst to best, is Cingular/AT&T, T-Mobile, Nextel, Verizon/Sprint tie - pretty much the opposite of yours. I have hard feelings for AT&T (wireless) because they're a ****ty shady company that exists solely by buying and selling other wireless companies and making expensive, pointless, uninformative commercials in the meantime to get everyone excited, and their coverage is terrible.

[msulaker]

Originally Posted by groen

It's a really cool piece of "look at me." It has great easy-to-use features. It has wifi. It has a fully functional web browser. It has a gigantic screen. It's thin as hell and looks super chic.

The only thing I can't figure out is why apple signed up exclusively with AT&T, the ****tiest company out there. I seriously think they are hindering the success of the device by attaching it to such a garbage network. I think the iPhone looks great but I'll eat my own arm before I sign a contract with AT&T.

Total agreement--just that fact they signed on with one exclusive carrier is going to hurt sales----AT&T must have given some cheddar to them to get that done to make up for apples loss of sales on the device---it looks cool but I'm not going to pay a cancellation fee to get one....dumb

[#5]

I encourage everyone to purchase this phone and when surveyed state that the primary driver in your decision to purchase the phone is the interface. be sure to yell this out loud: "I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PHONE UNTIL SOMEONE ELSE COMES OUT WITH A JUST AS GOOD INTERFACE. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE BETTER, BUT IT HAS TO BE VERY CLOSE TO BEING AS GOOD."

That way, all of us who don't buy this phone will benefit from the competition that results in an interface revolution in the cell phone handset market.

[Trevor Barnes]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfSparty®

Everyone knows I am a Windows junkie.

I find it hard to believe that anyone is an actual "Windows junkie." I can see people tolerating Windows, or Windows meeting their usage needs....but to actually really enjoy Windows enough to be a "Windows junkie"...

[#5]

Originally Posted by groen

It's a really cool piece of "look at me." It has great easy-to-use features. It has wifi. It has a fully functional web browser. It has a gigantic screen. It's thin as hell and looks super chic.

The only thing I can't figure out is why apple signed up exclusively with AT&T, the ****tiest company out there. I seriously think they are hindering the success of the device by attaching it to such a garbage network. I think the iPhone looks great but I'll eat my own arm before I sign a contract with AT&T.

ATT was the only carrier that allowed apple control over the phone. Verizon and Sprint take control of the phone to ensure that it meets the highest technological standards. Apple isn't interested in competing technologically with their market entry device. They want to create a niche segment that is ipod 1st and low-technology voice only cell phone 2nd.

Nothing wrong with that idea...

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by groen

My order, from worst to best, is Cingular/AT&T, T-Mobile, Nextel, Verizon/Sprint tie - pretty much the opposite of yours. I have hard feelings for AT&T (wireless) because they're a ****ty shady company that exists solely by buying and selling other wireless companies and making expensive, pointless, uninformative commercials in the meantime to get everyone excited, and their coverage is terrible.

Yeah, Sprint doesn't buy other wireless companies ... They are probably the worst. Who has ATT Wireless bought by the way? (Except AT&T Wireless ... when they were Cingular ... then changed their name to AT&T Wireless)

The question was why do you think they are the worst? Just because they buy companies to expand their network ... how does that impact you?

Regarding the coverage - in Michigan EVERY provider has issues. Also, it really depends on what phone you are using (certain phones have better reception than others ... not always the network). ATT still has the others beat in Mid and West Michigan. Going up north Alltel wins (but Alltel is known for