tOfficial iPhone news and discussion thread

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by hexydes

EDGE is worthless, sorry. I was sitting at lunch with someone the other day, and we were trying to pull up msuspartans.com to find tip-off time for the MSU game, and it was taking around 45-60 seconds per page to load on his iPhone.

I just tried it and it took 26 seconds. Definitely not fast (again, I'll be interested to see what it is with 3G next week), but msuspartans.com has a lot of pics and also "requires flash", which my phone or the iPhone doesn't have - not sure if that slows it down or actually speeds it up.

[EMSP]

Originally Posted by PortlandSpartan

edge is just fine. I'm on the mobile version of the rcmb now.

The Edge network and AT&T cell service is the worst out of the major 3 providers. I also have AT&T right now and I can say that.

Verizon has the best service, but worst phones.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by spartyguy

Verizon has the best service, but worst phones.

[PortlandSpartan]

Originally Posted by spartyguy

The Edge network and AT&T cell service is the worst out of the major 3 providers. I also have AT&T right now and I can say that.

Verizon has the best service, but worst phones.

there is no definitive answer. I've had sprint, verizon, and now att. Att is just as good as those others for voice in my experience.

As for data, edge is fine for my use. The iphone has been amazing. I love it.

[PortlandSpartan]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

I just tried it and it took 26 seconds. Definitely not fast (again, I'll be interested to see what it is with 3G next week), but msuspartans.com has a lot of pics and also "requires flash", which my phone or the iPhone doesn't have - not sure if that slows it down or actually speeds it up.

18 seconds.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by PortlandSpartan

there is no definitive answer. I've had sprint, verizon, and now att. Att is just as good as those others for voice in my experience.

As for data, edge is fine for my use. The iphone has been amazing. I love it.

Bingo. No carrier is better than the others in all areas. Personally, I have had the best luck with AT&T on the west-side of Michigan. But even AT&T has a couple of holes in its coverage too.

I'm sure that coverage may be better at spartyguy's house with Verizon or Sprint (both CDMA providers), but they all have their problem areas.

[St8 Steve]

Enter your location

[hexydes]

Originally Posted by PortlandSpartan

there is no definitive answer. I've had sprint, verizon, and now att. Att is just as good as those others for voice in my experience.

This I agree with completely. When you get right down to it, no service is better or worse; they all basically suck, and we pay because...well, your other option is to not have a phone.

There is one reason and one reason alone I am with AT&T: their service is set up such that it is the easiest to manipulate in the way I see fit. I don't want to have to go to Verizon's store to change what phone I use (I just pop the SIM card out). I can not talk at all my first month, and accrue enough minutes such that I never have to worry about going over, while still staying on a lower-minute plan. Things like that.

The service is all basically comparable (depending on your region sometimes), and usually it comes down to the radio in your phone. You take one of the free phones, and you pay for it sometimes by having a very un-appealing experience on the network.

As for data, edge is fine for my use. The iphone has been amazing. I love it.

I won't argue against the iPhone being a great phone, because it is. The interface on it is very intuitive and approachable, and the form factor (assuming you don't want a physical keyboard) is very svelte. However, it just doesn't fit my needs, due to Apple completely walling in the user to how they see them using the device. If that changes in February, if they release the SDK to the public (not just licensed 3rd-parties), and it is capable enough that applications begin to appear in both the breadth and depth that they are available for the Windows Mobile platform, I will be happy to re-evaluate my opinion. Until then, I like the fact that I can play NES, SNES, and GBA games at 100% speed, watch DivX movies (not needing to re-endcode them to watch on the phone), add additional storage space, replace the battery if I need to...etc.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by hexydes

The service is all basically comparable (depending on your region sometimes), and usually it comes down to the radio in your phone. You take one of the free phones, and you pay for it sometimes by having a very un-appealing experience on the network.

That is also another great point. Only the Nextel network is fairly consistent across all phones (because they are all made by Motorola)

There are phones that have good radio, and phones that have bad radio for every provider.

[hexydes]

Originally Posted by PortlandSpartan

18 seconds.

That's still pathetic. Honestly, for 3G speeds, I *might* pay $20 a month to have unlimited data on all four of my lines (that is, $20 total, not per line). For EDGE speeds, I would probably pay $10 a month extra for ALL my lines. For EDGE speeds on just one line...I dunno...$2.50 a month? Maybe. That service is worth about two cans of pop for me; but then again, we get pop free at work, so...

I have wi-fi everywhere I go basically. I have ubiquitous coverage at work. I have it such that it hits every point of my house as well. Many restaurants I go to have it for free. The only time I really don't have it is when I'm driving, in which case, I don't want to be messing with my phone anyway.

More than anything, it comes down to principles for me. I don't think that consumers should have to pay $20 per month, per line, for a ****ty service that probably costs AT&T about six cents per user to support per month. The wireless telcos abuse their customers, all of them. I despise them all. I have to have a cell phone because I am on the road so much, and I do love cell phones (I just hate the service providers). I did my research, found the one I could best leverage against my needs, and went from there.

Most of you probably aren't like that, and that's fine. I'll fight the battle for you.

[haseebo]

Originally Posted by hexydes

That's still pathetic. Honestly, for 3G speeds, I *might* pay $20 a month to have unlimited data on all four of my lines (that is, $20 total, not per line). For EDGE speeds, I would probably pay $10 a month extra for ALL my lines. For EDGE speeds on just one line...I dunno...$2.50 a month? Maybe. That service is worth about two cans of pop for me; but then again, we get pop free at work, so...

I have wi-fi everywhere I go basically. I have ubiquitous coverage at work. I have it such that it hits every point of my house as well. Many restaurants I go to have it for free. The only time I really don't have it is when I'm driving, in which case, I don't want to be messing with my phone anyway.

More than anything, it comes down to principles for me. I don't think that consumers should have to pay $20 per month, per line, for a ****ty service that probably costs AT&T about six cents per user to support per month. The wireless telcos abuse their customers, all of them. I despise them all. I have to have a cell phone because I am on the road so much, and I do love cell phones (I just hate the service providers). I did my research, found the one I could best leverage against my needs, and went from there.

Most of you probably aren't like that, and that's fine. I'll fight the battle for you.

You say you have WiFi everywhere... AT&T will give you an iPhone plan without data, for $20 less each month. That would work for you, no? Accessing the web on that browser over WiFi is pretty nice.

[hexydes]

Originally Posted by haseebo

You say you have WiFi everywhere... AT&T will give you an iPhone plan without data, for $20 less each month. That would work for you, no? Accessing the web on that browser over WiFi is pretty nice.

Yeah, no, that argument is just about the EDGE network itself; I'm aware that as of a few days ago, AT&T was GRACIOUS enough to not force you to enter into a contract for their ****ty data service.

Despite the form factor and interface on the iPhone, it still isn't capable enough for my personal needs; again, if the release of the SDK changes that, then I'll be happy to re-evaluate that opinion. Additionally, through various events, my 8525 cost me $80, which is a much better deal than $399, in my opinion.

[Sir Denis Eton-Hogg]

Whatever, I love my SE phones on the Tmob networks. Waiting to get the iPhone unlocked and use that as well. Anything is better than actually talking to **** csrs for any phone service. Verizon is

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by hexydes

Yeah, no, that argument is just about the EDGE network itself; I'm aware that as of a few days ago, AT&T was GRACIOUS enough to not force you to enter into a contract for their ****ty data service.

Despite the form factor and interface on the iPhone, it still isn't capable enough for my personal needs; again, if the release of the SDK changes that, then I'll be happy to re-evaluate that opinion. Additionally, through various events, my 8525 cost me $80, which is a much better deal than $399, in my opinion.

You keep making it sound like the EDGE network is a big problem for AT&T - "their ****ty data service". I know that you know that AT&T has 3G data services which MUCH MUCH better than EDGE. It was Apple that couldn't ... errrr .... chose not to engineer the phone with 3G in it. Apple's problem, not AT&Ts.

I know that this isn't as fast as wifi - but most people don't have wifi where ever they go.

[Jim in Atl]

Originally Posted by Sir Denis Eton-Hogg

tRicker?

Orange to sell unlocked iPhones in France - Engadget

Anyway, the grey market unlocked iphones are coming back to the USA via ebay.
Cannot wait.

Can someone please explain "unlock to me?" Can I get and iPhone and use it with Verizon???? When? How?

[Trevor Barnes]

Originally Posted by Jim in Atl

Can someone please explain "unlock to me?" Can I get and iPhone and use it with Verizon???? When? How?

No. It's a GSM phone. Most of Europe and Asia are on GSM, but as usual, the U.S. is a little backward. Only AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM in the U.S. as far as I know. So iPhones will never work on Verizon, even if unlocked.

Unlocking would allow you to use the iPhone on any GSM network, so T-Mobile instead of AT&T in the U.S. Wouldn't make sense in my area.

As for EDGE, I was pretty wary about how it would be before I got it. We don't have 3G in our area so I didn't really care about it. To be honest, EDGE has far exceeded my expectations. It's about 3x faster than a 56k modem was and for the amount of email/surfing I need to do on a mobile device, EDGE has been more than adequate. It's also amazing how many free Wifi hotspots are out there too.

[hexydes]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

You keep making it sound like the EDGE network is a big problem for AT&T - "their ****ty data service". I know that you know that AT&T has 3G data services which MUCH MUCH better than EDGE. It was Apple that couldn't ... errrr .... chose not to engineer the phone with 3G in it. Apple's problem, not AT&Ts.

I know that this isn't as fast as wifi - but most people don't have wifi where ever they go.

Yes, but EDGE is *THEIR* network. I know that Apple chose not to include 3G support (supposedly due to battery consumption...). What I take offense with is AT&T charging exorbitant amounts for the crappy version of their data network, and also, until a week ago, FORCING iPhone users to add this crappy plan.

Also, I don't like that AT&T's (and everyone else's) pricing infrastructure is set up such that you pay through the ass for your service, and get a discount on the phone, but don't get a discount on the iPhone. If I'm paying $399 for the iPhone, then I want to pay 25% less for my phone service.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by hexydes

Yes, but EDGE is *THEIR* network. I know that Apple chose not to include 3G support (supposedly due to battery consumption...). What I take offense with is AT&T charging exorbitant amounts for the crappy version of their data network, and also, until a week ago, FORCING iPhone users to add this crappy plan.

Also, I don't like that AT&T's (and everyone else's) pricing infrastructure is set up such that you pay through the ass for your service, and get a discount on the phone, but don't get a discount on the iPhone. If I'm paying $399 for the iPhone, then I want to pay 25% less for my phone service.

How is EDGE *THEIR* network? It was the 2nd generation data service for GSM phones. The 3rd generation has been rolled out in most metro areas.

Your argument is like complaining that ABC's shows aren't in color when you only have a black and white TV. Not ABCs problem.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Trevor Barnes

No. It's a GSM phone. Most of Europe and Asia are on GSM, but as usual, the U.S. is a little backward. Only AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM in the U.S. as far as I know.

There are many other smaller cell providers that use GSM (like Centennial). Even Verizon and Sprint now have a couple of phones that use GSM - because more and more business people want phones that will work international. Verizon/Sprint with their CDMA are VERY limited outside the US.

Quick cell phone cheat sheet: Of the major carriers, Verizon and Sprint are CDMA (well Nextel is iDen), and AT&T and TMobile are GSM.

Of the smaller carriers, Alltel is CDMA, as mentioned Centennial is GSM.

[mrob]

Originally Posted by hexydes

To get wireless data via the EDGE network, you will need to pay $20 extra, per phone, per month...

It's a total ripoff. AT&T finally is allowing people to cancel their data plan with the iPhone (prior to that, it was required). I would highly suggest doing so, as the EDGE network is basically worthless.

Also, if you're not 100% sold on the iPhone, check out a refurb 8525 as an alternative. It is a bit thicker, but comes with a keyboard. I just picked one up, and it is awesome. Also, $150 is much more palatable than $400 (unless you're getting the phones for a status symbol reason, in which case, by all means get them).

As a challenge to yourself, try a post where you don't take a cheap shot at Apple. I doubt you can do it, but g'head and challenge yourself.

Or, just try another post in which you claim that you aren't an Apple hater, and you even use a Mac on your job. As if.

[mrob]

Originally Posted by hexydes

EDGE is worthless, sorry. I was sitting at lunch with someone the other day, and we were trying to pull up msuspartans.com to find tip-off time for the MSU game, and it was taking around 45-60 seconds per page to load on his iPhone.

Yes, the wireless data plan for the 8525 is $40 a month, just another example of AT&T absolutely bleeding their customers dry (no better than Verizon or anyone else). Our telcos should be ashamed of themselves, and I can't wait until they are supplanted by someone who is willing to do a flat rate for unlimited voice and data on a new network (Google, please?!)

I don't pay for a data plan though, they are of no use to me, at least not at $40, or even $20, per month, per line. That is absolute robbery. I bought the 8525 because it is one of about three phones (including iPhone) that supports wi-fi, and lets me circumvent AT&T *********gery with their data plan.

If paying $240 a year for less than dial-up Internet speeds seems like a fair deal to you, then by all means, don't let me stop you. I just know that there are many other things I would rather buy with that money.

So the ATT data plan for your phone is twice what is charged by Apple for the iPhone, but Apple is gouging?

And you think Apple is "tightly controlling" the iPhone, when every telcom cripples every other cell phone on the market?

Your "credibility" is shot.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by mrob

As a challenge to yourself, try a post where you don't take a cheap shot at Apple. I doubt you can do it, but g'head and challenge yourself.

Or, just try another post in which you claim that you aren't an Apple hater, and you even use a Mac on your job. As if.

Not sure where he took a "cheap shot" at Apple in that post. His shots are directed toward AT&T.

[haseebo]

Originally Posted by hexydes

The EDGE network sucks, it is really, really slow. It's not terrible for e-mail, but unless you absolutely have to have access to the Internet, and you don't have wi-fi access, it's really not worth it. If that is the case, you should just get the 8525 because it has 3G support, which is fast enough for Internet access.

You are 100% wrong about EDGE. It's not broadband-fast, but it's a lot faster than the old dialup connection I used to use back in the day. I use the iPhone and its EDGE connection every single day to browse the web for hours on end when things are slow at work, and it is PLENTY fast enough to do any basic web browsing.

Message boards? CNN.com or nytimes.com? Actually, pretty much anything (since you can't browse flash-sites anyway) loads up just fine.

[hexydes]

Originally Posted by mrob

So the ATT data plan for your phone is twice what is charged by Apple for the iPhone, but Apple is gouging?

And you think Apple is "tightly controlling" the iPhone, when every telcom cripples every other cell phone on the market?

Your "credibility" is shot.

What are you even talking about? Other than saying Apple really limited the possibilities of the iPhone by locking down the experience, as Bulldogg said, the point of my post was to complain about AT&T, not Apple...

Perhaps you should stop trying to paint me as an Apple hater, because it's clearly starting to cloud your ability to have a meaningful discussion...

[hexydes]

Originally Posted by haseebo

You are 100% wrong about EDGE. It's not broadband-fast, but it's a lot faster than the old dialup connection I used to use back in the day. I use the iPhone and its EDGE connection every single day to browse the web for hours on end when things are slow at work, and it is PLENTY fast enough to do any basic web browsing.

Message boards? CNN.com or nytimes.com? Actually, pretty much anything (since you can't browse flash-sites anyway) loads up just fine.

I don't know what to say. The maximum speed for EDGE is around 30k/s, though the latency is really high due to the relative slow speed of the phones and the inherent nature of the medium. At the end of the day, "fast" and "slow" is subjective, and up to the person interacting with it to apply the terms they see fit. From my use of EDGE on the iPhone, I would call it extremely slow; that may very well be different for you, and if that is the case, well then neither of use is right or wrong.