iPhone & Internet subscriptions Vs. iPod.

[Coldkilla]

Just a quick question: The Ipod has an internet browser, allowing users to access the internet via Wifi. I'm not a tech-junkie, but as I understand it, as long as those Wifi networks are open/non-passworded, they are free to use without purchasing any service plan through Apple/AT&T. This would include free use of the internet in my home via wireless router correct?

So what about the iPhone? Same case? If you don't have the internet service, can you still access Wifi spots for free and have the internet? I only ask because some young worker at Best Buy said: "No you cannot do this on the iPhone but you can on the Ipod"... I rolled my eyes and left the store. Is it true?

We're getting a 2-iPhone small family plan that'll only cost us about $70 a month ($35 each), and we don't see ourselves roaming around town looking for internet access on our phones. If we can sync our PC data up to the phones from home so we're ready on the go, thats good enough for us - we don't need any internet service plans. So can we use our at-home free wifi with our IPhones without paying for the internet service? (Its one of the options when purchasing the plans).

On a side note, the kid took out his personal iPhone, it had a shattered screen (he said he dropped it on the cement by accident)... are those "invisible sheilds" really that great? And do they compromise the quality? I was just planning to get a thickened case so I could just slide the phone in my pocket to keep it safe rather than encase the whole thing in plastic..

 

[aatf510]

The iPhone can access any private/public Wi-Fi point like any other Wi-Fi capable devices. The Best Buy kid you spoke to definitely did not know what he was talking about.

If you are getting an iPhone in the US from AT&T, I am not sure how you can get away from having a $30 data plan with them. The data plan is mandatory when you sign up for iPhone service and buy an iPhone from them because that's how AT&T make money off you! That's a price to pay for buying a highly subsidized iPhone 3G 8GB for $200 because the original cost of an iPhone is actually closer to $600.

Invisible shield is a great product for protecting the iPhone from scratches and dents, but I seriously don't see how it can protect the screen from cracking if you drop the iPhone from a distance. If you are really worried dropping it and breaking the screen, you'd probably better of getting some sort of iPhone skin that's made of soft rubber. That way it will serve as a cushion when you drop the phone.

 

[MotionMan]

You cannot get an iPhone from AT&T (or BB) without paying for the monthly data plan, too.

The "invisible shield" (screen cover?) are a must for me in order to avoid even a small scratch on the screen. However, I think the BB guy drop kicked his iPhone to crack his screen like that.

MotionMan

 

[pm]

Originally posted by: Coldkilla
Just a quick question: The Ipod has an internet browser, allowing users to access the internet via Wifi. I'm not a tech-junkie, but as I understand it, as long as those Wifi networks are open/non-passworded, they are free to use without purchasing any service plan through Apple/AT&T. This would include free use of the internet in my home via wireless router correct?

Yes, you can access any open WiFi network - or any other WiFi network that you know the password to. You don't need to subscribe to anything to use them.

So what about the iPhone? Same case? If you don't have the internet service, can you still access Wifi spots for free and have the internet? I only ask because some young worker at Best Buy said: "No you cannot do this on the iPhone but you can on the Ipod"... I rolled my eyes and left the store. Is it true?

It's the same on the iPhone - the iPod Touch and the iPhone act exactly the same in this respect. The salesperson was mistaken.

We're getting a 2-iPhone small family plan that'll only cost us about $70 a month ($35 each), and we don't see ourselves roaming around town looking for internet access on our phones. If we can sync our PC data up to the phones from home so we're ready on the go, thats good enough for us - we don't need any internet service plans. So can we use our at-home free wifi with our IPhones without paying for the internet service? (Its one of the options when purchasing the plans).

Similar to toattett and MotionMan, I don't see how you can get an iPhone plan for $70/month for two people - that's the usual price for one person. AT&T requires a data plan for the iPhone - so you have to pay $30 for data and there are no ways to get around this (except to buy an unlocked iPhone 2G on Ebay). But hypothetically if you could do what you are proposing, then yes, it would work.

On a side note, the kid took out his personal iPhone, it had a shattered screen (he said he dropped it on the cement by accident)... are those "invisible sheilds" really that great? And do they compromise the quality? I was just planning to get a thickened case so I could just slide the phone in my pocket to keep it safe rather than encase the whole thing in plastic..

The invisible shields are really only good at keeping fingerprints off the screen and making you feel good that your screen on your expensive phone has a cover. They could prevent scratches - but the iPhone/iPod Touch uses a glass screen and so there aren't many things that can scratch the screen, so this isn't a major concern. They certainly aren't going to prevent the screen from breaking if you drop it on concrete. I use a thicker rubber case on my iPhone which makes the phone more "sticky" and harder to drop. It's this one: http://goincase.com/products/d...otective-cover-cl59038

It's only ~3mm neoprene, so I'm not fooling myself that it will be a huge help, but it should help a bit... and it makes the phone a LOT less slippery. While running through an airport without my new protective cover, my iPhone fell out of my pocket, landed on a tile floor and skidded about 20 feet. There was no damage at all - not even a scratch.

If you want to avoid monthly fees and plan on using the WiFi for internet access, I would recommend you get iPod Touches and avoid the iPhone and it's mandatory data plan.