tOfficial iPhone news and discussion thread

tuff bob · 06-20-2007, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Why do you say that about the service? You think that the antenna on the phone will suck?

its not going to have EVDO, only EDGE which is much slower. My Treo on Sprint can download over 300kbit - the AT&T EDGE network only offers around 80kbit. Surely you've seen the Sprint data ads

tuff bob · 06-20-2007, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor Barnes

Actually, it's sounding very likely that there won't be any "unlocked" versions and AT&T will be exclusive for a while. We'll see...

Can Apple Find a European iPhone Partner?

Posted by kdawson on Saturday June 16, @07:50PM
from the step-away-from-the-deal dept.

pete314 writes "A Vnunet.com article claims that European mobile operators are unwilling to concede to Apple iPhone partnership demands. Several operators went as far as to say they 'will never offer the iPhone.' In the US, Verizon reportedly passed on the device, and AT&T is rumored to have engaged in a revenue-sharing deal that includes monthly payments to Cupertino." In Europe, unlike in the US, Apple has the option of selling the iPhone through its own dealer network without a simlock.

Fighting With A Vim · 06-21-2007, 12:19 AM

I have decided to get an iPhone on launch day (purchased in-store or online)

Trevor Barnes · 06-21-2007, 10:34 AM

Some more rumored iPhone service plan rumors...

Quote:

- You must buy a data plan with the iPhone.
- Data plan package is $40. This includes Unlimited Internet surfing and 1500 text, SMS or photo messages.
- You may increase your text, SMS or photo messages for a higher price
- You may choose your voice plan among the various ones they have available currently.
- Most likely 2 year contract will be required.
- No info on pricing for current subscribers with AT&T / Cingular but you will have to be qualified for an upgrade to purchase one.
- They had no details as to how many they were going to get in stock.
- They will close at 4:30pm and reopen at 6pm to sell the iPhone
- No waiting list. First come, first served.

Details of what AT&T reps tell us on iPhone's contract, more of the same | iPhone Alley

GameDay Bunny · 06-21-2007, 10:38 AM

Is $40 for a dataplan a good price?

Sorry, I am new at Blackberry/SmartPhone, but the $40 would be on top of what I choose for a voice plan?

Trevor Barnes · 06-21-2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imacericg

Is $40 for a dataplan a good price?

Sorry, I am new at Blackberry/SmartPhone, but the $40 would be on top of what I choose for a voice plan?

Yes, that's on top of the voiceplan. With AT&T's cheapest (non-family plan) voice plan, the total monthly is around $80.

Kenny Powers · 06-21-2007, 10:40 AM

Daily News: PM

Gartner to IT: Avoid Apple's iPhone
The analyst firm Gartner will tell IT executives to keep Apple’s iPhone away from their networks, in a research report to be released within a week.
Gartner to IT: Avoid Apple's iPhone

IPhone's phone and music player lacks the features business users need, says Gartner.

By Jon Brodkin, NetworkWorld.com, 06/19/07
The analyst firm Gartner will tell IT executives to keep Apple’s iPhone away from their networks, in a research report to be released within a week.
“We’re telling IT executives to not support it because Apple has no intentions of supporting (iPhone use in) the enterprise,” Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney says. “This is basically a cellular iPod with some other capabilities and it’s important that it be recognized as such.”
The iPhone, scheduled to ship in the United States on June 29, appears to be a great consumer device but has no redeeming qualities from the perspective of a business user, Dulaney says. Besides lacking security features like a firewall, the product does not support Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes, so corporate users would have to forward e-mail to an Internet service provider, he says. Gartner’s research note warning against business usage of the iPhone will likely be issued Monday, according to Dulaney.
“You’ll have e-mail in a place that’s unsecured. There are no firewalls on the device. There’s no ability to wipe (data from) the device if it’s lost,” Dulaney says.
Businesses have little, if any interest in the iPhone and Apple isn’t marketing it to the business sector anyway, says Randy Giusto, who leads IDC’s analysis of mobile devices, computing and computer markets.
“The iPhone is not positioned at all for the IT world,” he say. “It’s a very personal device. Most corporations are probably not going to support the iPhone on their networks.”
Apple may not be making a direct appeal to enterprises, but AT&T is betting that business users will want the iPhone, the IDG News Service reported in April. AT&T plans to market the iPhone to business users and is making sure its backend enterprise billing and support systems will accommodate the device, the report stated.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Apple does plan to go after the business market with the iPhone, but must come up with a strategy for integrating with business software systems that will be acceptable to IT executives.
Apple’s spokeswoman for the iPhone could not be reached for comment.
Businesses tempted by the iPhone should resist for a number of reasons, Dulaney argues. The high price tag – up to $599 – is exorbitant for most enterprises, he says. Even if the iPhone met the security requirements of an IT executive, there’s no real reason for employees to have one. To make it worthwhile, an enterprise would expect firewalls to prevent unauthorized access, long-term maintenance and support commitments, support for an e-mail client like Microsoft Outlook, and PBX integration.
“Enterprises are not going to buy this so employees can buy music and watch movies,” Dulaney says. “Business has a very narrow purview of what they want to get done. … From the consumer perspective, Gartner is really positive about this device and it really changes the game.”
A 451 Group analyst agrees the iPhone has no place in a business, and thinks the new product won’t even live up to its hype as a consumer device. Tony Rizzo, director of mobile technology research at the analyst firm, doubts Apple’s assurance that the iPhone’s battery will provide up to eight hours of talk time, six hours of Internet use, seven hours of video, and 24 hours of music playback.
“If a user were to click on the Wi-Fi radio inside an iPhone, the battery life would probably significantly drain. Using a large touch screen to do anything is going to eat up a lot of battery life,” Rizzo says.
The touch screen will disappoint both business users and consumers, such as young people who do lots of instant messaging and text messaging, he says.
“It doesn’t have any features that would make it successful as a business tool.
The other question, is it even going to be successful as a consumer device?” Rizzo says. “I’m not giving up my BlackBerry. I like the keyboard, I like the trackball and I like the service.”

Trevor Barnes · 06-21-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzo75

The analyst firm Gartner will tell IT executives to keep Apple’s iPhone away from their networks, in a research report to be released within a week.
“We’re telling IT executives to not support it because Apple has no intentions of supporting (iPhone use in) the enterprise,

Well duh. It's not being marketed to businesses. In fact, AT&T business customers can't
even purchase an iPhone. They can only be purchased through their consumer sales.

bulldogg · 06-21-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuff bob

its not going to have EVDO, only EDGE which is much slower. My Treo on Sprint can download over 300kbit - the AT&T EDGE network only offers around 80kbit. Surely you've seen the Sprint data ads

Sure, but that isn't AT&T/Cingular's fault. Why didn't Apple build it to support AT&T's 3G network?

Kinda like building a sweet new TV that is only black-and-white, then blaming ABC.

bulldogg · 06-21-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imacericg

Is $40 for a dataplan a good price?

Sorry, I am new at Blackberry/SmartPhone, but the $40 would be on top of what I choose for a voice plan?

$40 is about the norm for unlimited data with all providers. Unless it is classified as a Smartphone like the 2125 or 3125 (which all indications are that it would be), then Cingular has an option that is only $20.

Trevor Barnes · 06-21-2007, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Sure, but that isn't AT&T/Cingular's fault. Why didn't Apple build it to support AT&T's 3G network?

Kinda like building a sweet new TV that is only black-and-white, then blaming ABC.

Being in Lansing, I could honestly care less about 3G. By the time my contract is up, Lansing may finally have 3G coverage. Till then I can handle EDGE for the rare times I'm away from WiFi.

H-to-the-Izzo · 06-21-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bighc2000

Trevor Barnes · 06-21-2007, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bighc2000

So has anyone seen photos of the hats? Can you get them if you order the iPhone online or are they only in Apple and AT&T stores?

mrob · 06-21-2007, 01:55 PM

I swear that some of you people wouldn't be impressed with a bag full of $1000 bills.

It must be great to be so jaded and smug that nothing excites you.

bulldogg · 06-21-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor Barnes

Being in Lansing, I could honestly care less about 3G. By the time my contract is up, Lansing may finally have 3G coverage. Till then I can handle EDGE for the rare times I'm away from WiFi.

Much of the Detroit area already has it. Grand Rapids is due for 3G soon (Cingular rep would not commit to the exact date, because he said that they almost always miss them. He did say that it would be here by the end of the year).

Too bad Apple didn't build a phone to handle it.

Trevor Barnes · 06-21-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Much of the Detroit area already has it. Grand Rapids is due for 3G soon (Cingular rep would not commit to the exact date, because he said that they almost always miss them. He did say that it would be here by the end of the year).

Too bad Apple didn't build a phone to handle it.

It really won't matter for me. By the time it's more widespread, they'll have an iPhone that does support it. I'd feel differently if I was in a city that has 3G now.

TurboSpartan · 06-21-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldogg

$40 is about the norm for unlimited data with all providers. Unless it is classified as a Smartphone like the 2125 or 3125 (which all indications are that it would be), then Cingular has an option that is only $20.

I pay $15 for it with Sprint.

TurboSpartan · 06-21-2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor Barnes

It really won't matter for me. By the time it's more widespread, they'll have an iPhone that does support it. I'd feel differently if I was in a city that has 3G now.

You're in a city that has Sprint and Verizon coverage which even w/o 3G will get you 5x the data transfer rate of EDGE.

I've still got my old 6700 (which has been out since fall '05 and sells for about half as much) and I can use the internet 5x faster than an iphone. And a 2gb miniSD card for your MP3s costs $20 (I've still got the 1gb which'll run you $10). The only significant advantage of the iPhone is the better screen for video... and it's rare to want to watch video on a 3" screen, not worth the sacrifice of way slower internet speed. Also, no exchange sync is a deal breaker where I work.

Go Canes · 06-21-2007, 08:17 PM

Does anybody know if it will be available to existing customers who are not up for renewal? I have seen people say it will be and others say it will not

bulldogg · 06-21-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboSpartan

I pay $15 for it with Sprint.

With what phone?

bulldogg · 06-21-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboSpartan

You're in a city that has Sprint and Verizon coverage which even w/o 3G will get you 5x the data transfer rate of EDGE.

I've still got my old 6700 (which has been out since fall '05 and sells for about half as much) and I can use the internet 5x faster than an iphone. And a 2gb miniSD card for your MP3s costs $20 (I've still got the 1gb which'll run you $10). The only significant advantage of the iPhone is the better screen for video... and it's rare to want to watch video on a 3" screen, not worth the sacrifice of way slower internet speed. Also, no exchange sync is a deal breaker where I work.

Yep, very un-Apple like not to go with the 3G.

BTW, does VZW have EVDO RevA in Lansing? I'm not sure about GR right now, but it was only about 4 months ago that Sprint was the only one in GR with it.

TurboSpartan · 06-21-2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldogg

With what phone?

6700

bulldogg · 06-21-2007, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboSpartan

6700

According to buy.com (I can't find anything on Sprint's site) there are three plans available for the 6700 ($15, $25, and $40) - depends on what you want.