Comments on: The new iPhone: I'm waiting until Christmas

By: Mark - Tallahassee, FL

Mark - Tallahassee, FL — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:14:43 +0000

I'm surprised by everyone's knocking the ATT network. Maybe I'm lucky, but I have an ancient RAZR (says Cingular on the back) personal phone, and a work mobile on Verizon. Although I have 4 bars on both phones, nome and at work, ATT sounds like a landline and Verizon's like a tin can and string!

I COMPLETELY agree with everyone's comments on their (ATT) customer dis-service. Oh well, they haven't pi$$ed me off too much, I need a new phone and I'm eligible for the $99 model. Can't wait to get my iPhone!!!

By: Tom, Boston, MA

Tom, Boston, MA — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:12:20 +0000

I do not have an Iphone.. I've always wanted one, but I'm currently on Verizon, and won't switch to AT&T just to get an Iphone.. Ever since the early cell phone days, the best advice has always been, "Choose your network first, and then choose a phone that will work on your network." I'd rather be on a good network than have a great phone on a lousy network, and where I am, Verizon offers the best coverage.

As for those whiners complaining about not being eligible for a discounted upgrade, GROW UP! You signed a contract, so quit complaining. Did anyone really think Apple wouldn't come out with a better phone before their 2-year contract was over? If so, then they are an idiot. And for those complaining about AT&T, I can tell you that Verizon would never allow its customers to upgrade at a discount before their contract is up, so this is not limited to AT&T, it is just the reality of business and technology.

By: Kevin, SF, CA

Kevin, SF, CA — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:41:36 +0000

This is all getting a little old. People buy something knowing exactly what they're getting, then still complain because technology improves. I also never hear anyone giving props to AT&T (which I do have, and which does have much worse call quality than Verizon in the SF Bay Area). Verizon admitted they turned Apple down. AT&T took a huge risk in giving Apple this much control and completely changing their network. This is improving things for all cell users. The Storm, Pre, Android would not exist if not for both the iPhone and AT&T's leap of faith.

They are trying to see how little they can provide to each iPhone user in terms of service but, guess what, you didn't have MMS when you got that 2-year contract.

So quit complaining, and thank both Apple and AT&T for starting the revolution.

Naturally, I would jump at a Verizon iPhone (once they have a network which works with the rest of the world), but still I give AT&T props.

By: cynik, switzerland

cynik, switzerland — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:44:11 +0000

DM Chicago wrote:

"From a brand standpoint, AT+T is poisoning the Apple."

Sure. And Apple knows that.

That is why they made sure that everyone at the WWDC understood that AT&T were refusing to play ball with the newest technologies on offer with iPhone 3.0 OS.

Did you notice that everyone laughed when AT&T were absent from the list of telco's who were supporting MMS and tethering? That means Apple has decided to go ahead with the technology and leave AT&T behind. I'm in Switzerland, and I have two companies who are willing to offer me tethering and MMS on the new iphone.

Given that we had to wait a full year after the US for the original iphone to be released, all I can say is HA!

AT&T is raping you folks. RAPING.

That is what you get for giving all your tax money to bankers and auto makers.

HA!

By: monkeyboy, redmond, WAH

monkeyboy, redmond, WAH — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:11:20 +0000

wah, wah, wah... To anyone who wants to get rid of their iphones, I'll help you out of you misery, sell your iphone at ebay for $888. With that much cash and profit, you can get any phone you want. I suggest a nokia n97, just came out for a super bloated price of $700. No thanks needed, getting rid of you is a blessing.

By: Brian, Houston Texas

Brian, Houston Texas — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:07:04 +0000

I got my phone in July of last year. So I'm still in my 2 yr. contract. Next years phone will be even cooler. Oh well looks like I wont be getting THIS one. I'll get the next model that will let me see thru peoples clothes. LOL

By: DM Chicago

DM Chicago — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:12:16 +0000

The entire cellphone industry in North America is absurd, and Apple is heading into absurdity with it. Imagine buying a refrigerator that would only run on power provided by an overpriced utility. The totally misleading $99.00 price for the existing 3G iPhone listed on Apple's site now has the ubiquitous asterisk / footnote / disclaimer attached. Tried to buy one today for my son, but was told my price would actually be $299. I have 5 family phones with AT+T, three of which are iPhones, but somehow I am not a "valued customer" and must pay the highest price? From a brand standpoint, AT+T is poisoning the Apple.

By: akimball, Salt Lake City, UT

akimball, Salt Lake City, UT — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:53:48 +0000

Reasons to wait til June 2010 before buying:

1) If you buy December 12th, then when the next iPhone comes out in June 2010 you'll be locked into a contract… for a long long time… with AT&T… who has a pussy 3G network.

2) 4G may come out in next year, June 2010'ish, except that AT&T's network is likely to not be ready.

3) AT&T may not be the sole iPhone provider by 2010 or 2011… we can only hope.

4) AT&T is tyranical; no SlingBox support (because they have a pussy network), and they have crushed tethering support (because they're greedy, and also because they have a pussy network).

Bottom Line: Give yourself every opportunity to escape AT&T's grip! Don't reward their mediocrity.

By: Constable Odo, Queens, New York

Constable Odo, Queens, New York — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:21:38 +0000

Do upgraders feel that they are being cheated in some way. When you sign the two year contract for an iPhone, doesn't that mean you are obligated in some way to stay pat for two years even though you know the iPhone is going to be upgraded every year.

I'm not sure of why there is griping on this part. Isn't it like if you take out a CD from a bank for two years and you want to withdraw money in one year, they give you a penalty. They tell you up front about that. Yet some of you would complain to the bank that they're being unfair? On what basis?

So is this complaint about paying more money for a newer iPhone while the contract is still in effect about the penalty amount being too high? The whole idea is for AT&T to lock you in so that they can make back the money because they paid Apple the whole cost of the iPhone up front. How is AT&T being unfair?

If you get a newer iPhone, then you're making them pay for another iPhone up front. I think the best option would be to wait until the contract expires. Or if you need the new iPhone so badly then just pay what they ask. You're not gonna beat them, so why get in a stew.

By: Mike, Washington D.C.

Mike, Washington D.C. — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:15:32 +0000

FWIW, I think the author’s premise – buying a 3GS in Dec – is equally silly. At that point, it would be much better to wait another 6 months and get the next generation in June 2010.

ex ped: The author is buying it in December because they’re offering it to him for $199.

That was my point earlier, too. The author will still get a new one six months later for $199 and it will probably be the 3GSS (hopefully with a better name) boasting even greater speed, longer battery life, and other new features… But he will have to wait longer for that next upgrade instead!