3G iPhone - Available July 11th at 8am

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FP

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
4,568
0
0
Does the $30 unlimited data plan include unlimited text messaging?

I currently have their "Media Unlimited" feature ($29.99) and it includes unlimited data and text messaging.

It would really suck to lose the unlimited text messaging and still be paying the same amount especially considering they don't support MMS or video mail.
 

JAH

Member
Mar 4, 2005
165
0
0
Originally posted by: binister
Does the $30 unlimited data plan include unlimited text messaging?

I currently have their "Media Unlimited" feature ($29.99) and it includes unlimited data and text messaging.

It would really suck to lose the unlimited text messaging and still be paying the same amount especially considering they don't support MMS or video mail.

IGN said the new plan for won't have any free text messages at all (200 free texts before).

http://gear.ign.com/articles/880/880364p1.html

I love the new hardware and was really looking forward to getting this, but AT&T plans just killed it for me.
 

Kmax82

Diamond Member
Feb 23, 2002
3,008
0
0
www.kennonbickhart.com
Originally posted by: JAH
Originally posted by: binister
Does the $30 unlimited data plan include unlimited text messaging?

I currently have their "Media Unlimited" feature ($29.99) and it includes unlimited data and text messaging.

It would really suck to lose the unlimited text messaging and still be paying the same amount especially considering they don't support MMS or video mail.

IGN said the new plan for won't have any free text messages at all (200 free texts before).

http://gear.ign.com/articles/880/880364p1.html

I love the new hardware and was really looking forward to getting this, but AT&T plans just killed it for me.

Ugh.. this is just getting worse and worse.. c'mon AT&T. I've been waiting for this for forever, and the more I price it out, there's no way for me to afford the monthly payments now that I can afford the phone.. :|

I'm seriously thinking about waiting for Android now.
 

Kmax82

Diamond Member
Feb 23, 2002
3,008
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www.kennonbickhart.com
Originally posted by: loup garou
Mostly, I want to know how AT&T is going to justify charging $30 (or $45) to customers who don't have 3g coverage in their home calling area.

That's a good question... I don't have full 3G service in my area, but I do have it about 20 miles over, so I'm sure they won't budge there.

I'm just super irritated now that I'm finding this higher "enterprise" cost and now no txt msgs are included. I really want to switch, but AT&T is bungling the whole thing up. I know most people will just switch just to get the new phone, but I'm feeling like I'm going to have to wait, yet again. Bogus.
 

Kmax82

Diamond Member
Feb 23, 2002
3,008
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www.kennonbickhart.com
Originally posted by: TheStu

Last I heard, ole Jobso has said that Flash would be too sluggish on the iPhone, which I am inclined to agree. Flash is already poorly implemented enough on OS X, and I am using a 1.83 Core Duo, I wouldn't want to run flash on the iPhone's constrained hardware.

An honestly, I have used my buddy's iPhone on a regular basis, I don't really miss the Flash.

Yea.. I remember reading that. And while Flash is more sluggish in OS X than Windows, it's still not unusable. I would at least like the option. There are some sites that I can't visit because of the fact that they are Flash driven, and while in this day and age it's a bad design move for frequent news driven sites... some still use it.

AS3.0, though, on a side note, is pretty snappy in OS X. It's so smooth that I finally understand the transition from AS2.0 to 3.0, even though I don't like having to learn the newer language.
 

Kmax82

Diamond Member
Feb 23, 2002
3,008
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www.kennonbickhart.com
I did think about this as well.. during all my posts.. BTW, aphex if you wouldn't mind merging them, unless you just don't care? heh.. :) Sorry..

Anyway, I was thinking maybe it's similar to how they do business plans with corporations. For instance, I went to the AT&T online store to buy a Blackberry and they had Unlimited Data for $30, and no Enterprise data plan (this was only available if I acted like I was purchasing as a Business). So I'm thinking that you will get Exchange support on the $30 plan, but if you are signed up as a business then you will have to pay the $45 for Unlimited Data. This makes sense to me (doesn't mean I think it's right).. but we'll see... I really would like to see MMS support, though. And if no MMS support, then super cheap txt msg'ing.
 

derdrache

Member
May 15, 2007
106
0
0
Family talk plans, even with unlimited text (ie media unlimited bundles) are the way to go for iphone plans if you have the family memebers to warrant it.

Here is the breakdown of my iPhone att plan. (why text messages aren't considered data/unlimited is beyond me)

I rounded up from .99 to .00 for the sake of sanity.

Family talk plan 60.00
Media unlimited 30.00 (infinite texts, mms, video messages, and im's)
Add a line 10.00
Add another line 10.00
Add iphone line 10.00
Add iphone data 20.00

so your total for 4 phones comes to 140.00 or 35.00 per phone.

I'm the only one with an iPhone though. Still, price isnt bad considering every other phone gets unlimited texts, picture, video, and im's)

If one person were to upgrade to iphone v1 it would just change the total bill by 20.00.

People should start making friends, seems to save you a ton of money this way since ive heard single iphone plans can easily hit the 100.00 mark.
 

FP

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
4,568
0
0
Originally posted by: derdrache
Family talk plans, even with unlimited text (ie media unlimited bundles) are the way to go for iphone plans if you have the family memebers to warrant it.

Here is the breakdown of my iPhone att plan. (why text messages aren't considered data/unlimited is beyond me)

I rounded up from .99 to .00 for the sake of sanity.

Family talk plan 60.00
Media unlimited 30.00 (infinite texts, mms, video messages, and im's)
Add a line 10.00
Add another line 10.00
Add iphone line 10.00
Add iphone data 20.00

so your total for 4 phones comes to 140.00 or 35.00 per phone.

I'm the only one with an iPhone though. Still, price isnt bad considering every other phone gets unlimited texts, picture, video, and im's)

If one person were to upgrade to iphone v1 it would just change the total bill by 20.00.

People should start making friends, seems to save you a ton of money this way since ive heard single iphone plans can easily hit the 100.00 mark.

Yeah but this is all changing...

You will likely now have to pay $30 for iPhone data... $20 for unlimited texts and another $30 to cover unlimited data for the non-iPhone folks. So your costs just went up by $30.
 

derdrache

Member
May 15, 2007
106
0
0
No it wont, unless I buy a new iPhone and sign a new contract.

AT&T doesn't change plans on you for the contract people. Its part of the contract. I found this out the hard way once when they starting discounting some things that I was paying more for. I had to sign another 2 year contract to get the discounts since my old rate plan was locked in. That is about the only good part of the contract, if their prices go up, yours stays the same until you either renew or quit.
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
Originally posted by: TheStu
Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
$20 for data was pushing their luck in my book, $30 is out of the question

$20/month for unlimited data was too much money?
$30/month for unlimited faster data is too much money?

Out of genuine curiosity, what would have been reasonable to you, and why?
$20/month is my personal upper limit... to be honest, not sure if I care for 3G because the coverage isn't amazing. If they give an option to save $10/month by not allowing 3G, I'd take that.
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: RichieZ
disappointing. more of an evolution than a revolution

Uh...what else would they add?

The rumors about video chat don't make sense for two reasons:

1. 3G isn't fast enough yet to support it. They'll be there soon apparently, but not yet. Heck, you can't even get a webcam on a broadband connection to not skip at least once per session.

2. I'd imagine they wouldn't add video chat without some kind of auto-stabilization software, and the CPU inside the iPhone probably isn't powerful enough for that. Using stabilization software in Final Cut Pro takes forever on a quad-core machine with oodles of ram, so they'd need some kind of special chip in there combined with a high-res camcorder to cut it down so your face isn't shaky.

I can't really think of anything else. They added 3G. They added GPS. They're not going to upgrade the memory to 32gb until the iTouch gets 64gb (or whatever the next step in Flash memory is, be it 48gb or 64gb). The screen and multi-touch input is already perfect. They made the headphone jack flush-mounted. They changed the back to plastic to get better reception. I think it's all up to the software now.

I'm curious as to what, exactly, you are disappointed by?
I think the iPhone will be more of a software challenge now than hardware, there isn't a whole lot of room for improvement on hardware other than power consumption and the size of the physical unit.
 

Kmax82

Diamond Member
Feb 23, 2002
3,008
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www.kennonbickhart.com
Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Originally posted by: TheStu
Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
$20 for data was pushing their luck in my book, $30 is out of the question

$20/month for unlimited data was too much money?
$30/month for unlimited faster data is too much money?

Out of genuine curiosity, what would have been reasonable to you, and why?
$20/month is my personal upper limit... to be honest, not sure if I care for 3G because the coverage isn't amazing. If they give an option to save $10/month by not allowing 3G, I'd take that.

Ditto. I think I'd take that as well, and then upgrade to 3G once the service is better in my area.
 

scootermaster

Platinum Member
Nov 29, 2005
2,411
0
0
Lord...I was SO in for one of these...but then I saw the $30 a month thing, and that DOESN'T include texts?

Ugh.

But my mom has AT&T, so maybe that'll help. If I can get this, somehow, in the $65-89 range, I'll consider it, but not for $90.

Is that even possible?
 

KeithP

Diamond Member
Jun 15, 2000
5,661
199
106
Originally posted by: JAH
Originally posted by: binister
Does the $30 unlimited data plan include unlimited text messaging?

I currently have their "Media Unlimited" feature ($29.99) and it includes unlimited data and text messaging.

It would really suck to lose the unlimited text messaging and still be paying the same amount especially considering they don't support MMS or video mail.

IGN said the new plan for won't have any free text messages at all (200 free texts before).

http://gear.ign.com/articles/880/880364p1.html

I love the new hardware and was really looking forward to getting this, but AT&T plans just killed it for me.

IGN is wrong, you still get the same 200 free text messages as the previous iPhone.

-KeithP
 

FP

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
4,568
0
0
Originally posted by: derdrache
No it wont, unless I buy a new iPhone and sign a new contract.

AT&T doesn't change plans on you for the contract people. Its part of the contract. I found this out the hard way once when they starting discounting some things that I was paying more for. I had to sign another 2 year contract to get the discounts since my old rate plan was locked in. That is about the only good part of the contract, if their prices go up, yours stays the same until you either renew or quit.

Maybe I am missing something but if you plan on buying a new iPhone (3G) you will have to sign up for their new data plan. I don't think your old plan will be grandfathered.

That was my point, the new plan structure for 3G phones screws existing customers. We have to pay (significantly) more for the same service.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
48,688
5,443
136
Originally posted by: RichieZ
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: RichieZ
disappointing. more of an evolution than a revolution

Uh...what else would they add?

The rumors about video chat don't make sense for two reasons:

1. 3G isn't fast enough yet to support it. They'll be there soon apparently, but not yet. Heck, you can't even get a webcam on a broadband connection to not skip at least once per session.

2. I'd imagine they wouldn't add video chat without some kind of auto-stabilization software, and the CPU inside the iPhone probably isn't powerful enough for that. Using stabilization software in Final Cut Pro takes forever on a quad-core machine with oodles of ram, so they'd need some kind of special chip in there combined with a high-res camcorder to cut it down so your face isn't shaky.

I can't really think of anything else. They added 3G. They added GPS. They're not going to upgrade the memory to 32gb until the iTouch gets 64gb (or whatever the next step in Flash memory is, be it 48gb or 64gb). The screen and multi-touch input is already perfect. They made the headphone jack flush-mounted. They changed the back to plastic to get better reception. I think it's all up to the software now.

I'm curious as to what, exactly, you are disappointed by?

basically its what the iphone should have been when it first came out, i'll admit i've never been a fan. bought it the first week it came out and returned it later. i wanted to see a new form factor and a snazzier design

what that design would have been who knows? but expectations are high

I dunno, having used it for a year I have a hard time seeing where else it would go design-wise. Design is difficult when your primary input is a touchscreen. If you've been reading Engadget or Gizmodo, you'll have noticed that all of the new touchscreen phones like from Samsung look almost EXACTLY like the iPhone...there's just not much you can really do with the design. You have a big freaking 3.5" screen and a couple required hardware buttons and that's it. Make it any bigger and it won't fit in your hand, any smaller and multi-touch would be kind of useless since your fingers wouldn't fit on the screen very well.

I do think Flash and Cut & Paste would help sell it more to the geek community. I've found I don't necessarily require Flash on the go, so it's not a biggie, but it'd sure be nice! I do still kind of miss my Motorola Q's physical keyboard, but it's not like I write lengthy emails or forum posts on my phone, so it's not a biggie either. I mean, as far as the features it has now vs. when it came out, they had to do the iPhone 1st gen as it was from a business standpoint. Otherwise they would have only had larger capacities to announce, instead of 3G + GPS. They are playing the market right (unfortunately for the rest of us, haha).
 

SnipeMasterJ13

Golden Member
Oct 20, 2004
1,005
0
71
Originally posted by: KeithP
Originally posted by: JAH
Originally posted by: binister
Does the $30 unlimited data plan include unlimited text messaging?

I currently have their "Media Unlimited" feature ($29.99) and it includes unlimited data and text messaging.

It would really suck to lose the unlimited text messaging and still be paying the same amount especially considering they don't support MMS or video mail.

IGN said the new plan for won't have any free text messages at all (200 free texts before).

http://gear.ign.com/articles/880/880364p1.html

I love the new hardware and was really looking forward to getting this, but AT&T plans just killed it for me.

IGN is wrong, you still get the same 200 free text messages as the previous iPhone.

-KeithP

But the thing is that they charge you for sent AND received messages. So if you receive a text message and then answer it, that counts as TWO messages total. So your friends that have unlimited texts could just pound you with messages and you could easily go over your 200 limit without actually sending one back.

Trust me, I know from experience. Those bastard messages are not cheap when you go over your limit.
 

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
Moderator
Jul 19, 2001
38,572
2
91
But the thing is that they charge you for sent AND received messages. So if you receive a text message and then answer it, that counts as TWO messages total. So your friends that have unlimited texts could just pound you with messages and you could easily go over your 200 limit without actually sending one back.

Trust me, I know from experience. Those bastard messages are not cheap when you go over your limit.

Hasn't it always been this way?
 

SnipeMasterJ13

Golden Member
Oct 20, 2004
1,005
0
71
Originally posted by: aphex
But the thing is that they charge you for sent AND received messages. So if you receive a text message and then answer it, that counts as TWO messages total. So your friends that have unlimited texts could just pound you with messages and you could easily go over your 200 limit without actually sending one back.

Trust me, I know from experience. Those bastard messages are not cheap when you go over your limit.

Hasn't it always been this way?

For quite awhile, yes. Back before it even went to Cingular and was the original AT&T wireless, they only charged you for messages being sent.

I wanted to test out a new GSM phone, and needed a new plan to test it. I asked THREE separate times before walking out of the store if I could go back to my old plan if I didn't like it. They said, "Yes, you sure can!" Two weeks later I wanted my old phone back, and guess what, no dice. They told me I could cancel the new GSM plan and go to TMobile, but there was no way of getting my old plan back.

They've screwed me more than once, but they are the only carrier I get reception with.
 

SnipeMasterJ13

Golden Member
Oct 20, 2004
1,005
0
71
They actually just started the messaging plans not much more than a year ago. It was deal with your 200 texts included, or pay $20 for 1000 messages (no data included). I finally got the $15 - 1500 texts/5MB data plan added. Even that is a little steep I think. Once texts got popular they just started putting the screws to people. Such is life I suppose...
 

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
Moderator
Jul 19, 2001
38,572
2
91
Originally posted by: SnipeMasterJ13
Originally posted by: aphex
But the thing is that they charge you for sent AND received messages. So if you receive a text message and then answer it, that counts as TWO messages total. So your friends that have unlimited texts could just pound you with messages and you could easily go over your 200 limit without actually sending one back.

Trust me, I know from experience. Those bastard messages are not cheap when you go over your limit.

Hasn't it always been this way?

For quite awhile, yes. Back before it even went to Cingular and was the original AT&T wireless, they only charged you for messages being sent.

Believe me, I dislike what AT&T has done with the new iPhone plans as much as everyone else, but all US carriers charge for incoming & outgoing (unless you have unlimited texting) so its really not fair to single them out in this regard.
 

Reckoner

Lifer
Jun 11, 2004
10,851
1
81
Originally posted by: KeithP
Originally posted by: JAH
Originally posted by: binister
Does the $30 unlimited data plan include unlimited text messaging?

I currently have their "Media Unlimited" feature ($29.99) and it includes unlimited data and text messaging.

It would really suck to lose the unlimited text messaging and still be paying the same amount especially considering they don't support MMS or video mail.

IGN said the new plan for won't have any free text messages at all (200 free texts before).

http://gear.ign.com/articles/880/880364p1.html

I love the new hardware and was really looking forward to getting this, but AT&T plans just killed it for me.

IGN is wrong, you still get the same 200 free text messages as the previous iPhone.

-KeithP

Uhhh no, you are wrong. NO text messages are included with the $30 data plan for 3G Iphone.
 

SnipeMasterJ13

Golden Member
Oct 20, 2004
1,005
0
71
Originally posted by: aphex
Originally posted by: SnipeMasterJ13
Originally posted by: aphex
But the thing is that they charge you for sent AND received messages. So if you receive a text message and then answer it, that counts as TWO messages total. So your friends that have unlimited texts could just pound you with messages and you could easily go over your 200 limit without actually sending one back.

Trust me, I know from experience. Those bastard messages are not cheap when you go over your limit.

Hasn't it always been this way?

For quite awhile, yes. Back before it even went to Cingular and was the original AT&T wireless, they only charged you for messages being sent.

Believe me, I dislike what AT&T has done with the new iPhone plans as much as everyone else, but all US carriers charge for incoming & outgoing (unless you have unlimited texting) so its really not fair to single them out in this regard.

True, I know. They charged more for sending, but free receiving, so at least you could control it. I wasn't singling AT&T out because they charge you for sending and receiving - just stating that 200 really isn't as much as it seems and can disappear quickly.
 

MmmSkyscraper

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2004
9,472
1
76
Originally posted by: aphex
But the thing is that they charge you for sent AND received messages. So if you receive a text message and then answer it, that counts as TWO messages total. So your friends that have unlimited texts could just pound you with messages and you could easily go over your 200 limit without actually sending one back.

Trust me, I know from experience. Those bastard messages are not cheap when you go over your limit.

Hasn't it always been this way?

I still can't believe you guys get charged for receiving a text message, that takes the piss.
 

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
Moderator
Jul 19, 2001
38,572
2
91
Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper
Originally posted by: aphex
But the thing is that they charge you for sent AND received messages. So if you receive a text message and then answer it, that counts as TWO messages total. So your friends that have unlimited texts could just pound you with messages and you could easily go over your 200 limit without actually sending one back.

Trust me, I know from experience. Those bastard messages are not cheap when you go over your limit.

Hasn't it always been this way?

I still can't believe you guys get charged for receiving a text message, that takes the piss.

Yah, pretty crappy :( I miss the days of living in Holland, all incoming calls were free as were outgoing to toll free (could call home from my prepaid cell for pennies/min).