Countdown to the iPhone 3G launch

Apple iPhone Haters are like Sony Betamax Haters, and anyone in Electronics or Broadcasting knows which format was superior…that's why TV Stations used the pro version of Beta and not VHS. Now everyone is whining about this and that with the iPhone. Where were the whiners when Motorola was selling Micro-Tac Elite dual-mode analog phones For $1,500 unbundled in California? And YES THEY WERE $1,500, I worked for the Good Guys! back then.

Those were the Ataris & Amigas of cell phones, you are being offered the SuperComputer of Cell phones for a couple hundred.

OK, it's July 11 and iTunes is still telling me that version 1.1.4 of the iPhone software is the current one.

What is going on here?

Here is a tidbit. I have no contract, but have been told that I am not eligible for an upgrade until February. In order to get the 199.99 price tomorrow I have to cancel my service and then sign up for a new plan. I am still buying the iphone, but I am disappointed with the mess I will have to go through tomorrow morning when I get my iPhone.

One of my issues with the pricing on uneligible accounts is that many users were required by AT&T to upgrade, due to the termination of their CDMA network. I upgraded last October, as I had the option of upgrading, transferring to another carrier, or losing my cellular service. This wasn't an upgrade of my choosing, but one instigated by AT&T.

It would have been nice if there had been an exception for people who had to upgrade due to the termination of CDMA.

Without really knowing anything about the iPhone or that it was coming out I upgraded to a BlackBerry Curve. I liked the phone, but then found out what I know now about the iPhone and decided I wanted one. Instead of crying that I can't upgrade again (suprise suprise) I sold my BlackBerry on eBay and got 240.00 for it. That will go towards my purchasing the phone myself, and I'll save 30 a month on data plan between the two phones, so whatever I do have to pay over the top of what I sold it for will pay for itself over time. I guess the point of all this is to stop crying because you can't ditch the contract you signed and own up to it. Either wait it out or find another way like I have.

Whiners, Whiners, Whiners!

I'm buying two iPhones tomorrow and called AT&T this afternoon. I was professional and polite but firm.

Told customer services that that I would like the ability upgrade at the new contract price even though I am not technically eligible for an upgrade. Shared that I am a good customer and intend to keep it that way. A few minutes of further polite convo and wham, account noted and I'm good to go.

By the way, this isn't the first time I have done this with AT&T.

When considering buying a phone with the functions that an iphone has one must expect to pay high monthly fees. In fact the $10 hike might be tolerable if it translates into better and/or extra features. However when Jobs gave the WWDC keynote he was very clear that the price would not be more then $199 and $299. I am a huge fan of Apple and there products, why did it have to come down to deceptive marketing?

Not sure about these complaints. For one, a lot of this is not AT&T's decision. If you are not eligible for an upgrade, there is no override to make it early (not when it comes to the iphone). the $30 is more inline with the normal pda's (blackberry, windows mobile, etc), I always thought it was weird that it was less originally. It's your choice to spend $200, $300, $400 and $500 for a phone.

Half the price… WRONG.

They are NOT telling the full truth.

The plan require's a data plan that is $10 more expensive than for the previous iPhone.

24 Months X $10 = $240… so… about it is actually about $40 more expensive in the long run.

* Another corporation that is not telling the FULL TRUTH… they are just misleading.

* Bad Cingular-AT&T… Bad Apple… BAD!

It gets a little ridiculous in every thread seeing the number of "I have __ days left in my contract and AT&T won't waive it for me" threads. You signed a contract. I'm sure it didn't say anything about unless a cell phone you really want comes along. Everyone thinks an exception should be made just for them.

Side note…I'm under contract until the 18th and I'm happy about it. I can see what the first week of use looks like without buying and signing a 2 year contract. Works for me.

OK I'm not a huge ATT fan but let's be real they are not charging more of existing customers vs New customers. If you are eligible for an upgrade or you have an Iphone plan you get the discount when you sign up for 2 years. The contract in essence pays for the phone so we don't have to pay $599 plus tax or $646 as I did for the first Iphone. Now if you have a current contract with 30 or 60 or more days left and you are complaining stop because you already go subsidized for your current phone when you signed that contract. I agree there should be some sort of prorated amount if you towards the end but can you imagine how complicated that would be. The line would move one person every 2 hours.

Please stop whining. Adding cost to the phone is standard if you are still under contract.

The only difference here is that people with the original iPhone did not get a subsidy so they don't need to wait 2 years to replace the device. But for everyone else it is exactly the same as any other phone.

I have 21 Days left in my "eligible contract" date and ATT said that I will have to pay the $499 for the 16GB. Isnt that retarded? Why penalize your "loyal" customers? They have no consideration for the people that make them who they are. Show some compassion for your customers.

I've been with AT&T (or their predecessors) since 1992 and they won't waive the last 31 days of my eligibility date. Store personnel are blaming Apple but it's AT&T being creeps!

I think this is going to be an important issue not only for me but for a lot of other people. I have unlimited texting right now but I can't justify continuing to pay the extra $20 on top of an iPhone plan.

SO, does anyone know if there are going to be other options for instant "texting" or "messaging" on the iPhone that will be free. Maybe AIM or something similar?

But if you're an existing iPhone user/owner, you're still discounted…so I'm good.

Apple & AT&T just added the fine print on July 1st. Until 7/1, they advertised $199/$299 as wide spread as possible. Contract or not, adding the fine print so close to the launch is wrong.

For those complaining that AT&T has raised the price of the new iPhone for current customers, this isn't entirely true. AT&T has raised the price for current customers who are subject to a contract. If you are "upgrade eligible" you can pay the $199/$299 pricing (AT&T website).

This is no different than every cell phone contract in the US. You are subject to the contract which you are currently in. Giving you a price break over a contract-free iPhone is actually a gift. (You won't get a deal like that from Verizon!)

They jacked the price up $200 for current AT&T customers! 16G for $499. The $299 price for the 16G IS NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY.

AT&T is screwing up the best product launch ever!

I understand that the Iphone is a great technology but so is the blackberry Curve etc. I have one. All I had to do is add my micros SD card and I am ready to party. I love the Rogers network and thinks it is the best in Canada but when your phone breaks don't expect it to be fixed for free. Getting an iphone through your business it probably the best way to go. Otherwise you will pay through the roof.

I have $598 ready for two 16gb iPhornes. Friday will be the first day for me in a long time that I'll be up before 8 am so my wife won't have to wait until the end of the day to get this damn phone.

I've been a loyal AT&T customer since 2003 and they won't wave the last 60 days of my contract so I can upgrade. They suck, but unfortnately, I'm stuck.

apple should be proud, US should be: iPhone is the envy of the world.

I think it would be fair to say that this is the most important product launch in history. When else have you seen so much hype and clamoring around the world for one product? The whole world is waiting for July 11.

Take a good look at the pricing plans. Exisiting ATT customers pay $200 more than new customers. The Apple store at this time still claims $299 for the 16G iphone.

ATT still plans on upcharging $200 MORE if you are a faithful ATT customer.