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The Apple iPhone will carry unique voice-and-data plan -- business customers forced to stand in line as well

If you hadn't already suffered sticker-shock from the iPhone's $599 pricetag, thrown a fit about the two-year contract minimum, or raised a fuss about it being AT&T exclusive hardware for anywhere from one to five years - well, brace yourselves, because that's just the beginning of what it will cost.

An anonymous store manager has leaked information regarding the iPhone's connectivity. It's already been well-known that the iPhone would require a two-year contract to purchase, but what's been missing until now were the gory details of that contract.

Evidently AT&T has a very specific plan - and quite possibly only one - that can be used with the iPhone. Kiss your cheap voice-only plan goodbye; AT&T is insisting that the iPhone come with a voice and data package using EDGE -- the iPhone does not include UMTS 3G support. For those of us who spend their days blanketed in the metaphorical fuzzy glow of a WiFi signal, that amounts to a whole lot of wasted money.

Prices for the iPhone plan hasn't been released yet, but as the release date creeps closer and more managers get their hands on the distribution material, expect more and more details to slip through the cracks into the hands of the public.

As if the plan restrictions alone weren't enough to sour your impression, business customers itching to be on the bleeding edge of technology will have to wait in line. Currently, iPhones won't be offered to businesses - only retail consumers. This policy may change in the future, but AT&T has no ETA on when.

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Nice
By kamel5547 on 6/14/2007 8:04:32 PM , Rating: 2
So on top of a $499 price tag AT&T is going to sock you with a forced plan of their conception... I wonder what the minimum is going to run of the voice+data? I'd have to assume $69.99 would be the starting point with 450 minutes and 10 MB of data. Personally if I was vaguely considering this phone if it ended up being any good, but with this plan pricing I have no interest (not the first phone I reject because a carrier ties a data plan to it either...)




RE: Nice
By DotComEddie on 6/14/2007 8:36:53 PM , Rating: 2
Is the price of the iPhone $499 or $599?

DCE


RE: Nice
By peritusONE on 6/14/2007 10:44:08 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Is the price of the iPhone $499 or $599?

$499 for the 4GB version, $599 for the 8GB version. I think it's high time companies to quit trying to charge an extra $100 for 4GB of extra flash in devices. We all know what the prices are now-a-days, and a company like Apple commands a much lower price in the market for the quantity they use.


RE: Nice
By peritusONE on 6/14/2007 10:46:41 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
I wonder what the minimum is going to run of the voice+data?

For future comparison, the Blackberry plans were $29.99 unlimited personal, $39.99 unlimited with the enterprise "package". I'm curious as to if at&t will introduce an Apple-only internet plan, if iPhone owners can choose from the typical plans.


RE: Nice
By sxr7171 on 6/16/2007 1:12:10 PM , Rating: 2
It might be worth paying if it had 3G, but it doesn't even have that. What "top-end" phone in 2007 does not have at least UMTS?


RE: Nice
By softwiz on 6/19/2007 2:05:26 PM , Rating: 3
The iPhone apparently. :)


RE: Nice
By Mithan on 6/19/2007 1:02:38 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
So on top of a $499 price tag AT&T is going to sock you with a forced plan of their conception... I wonder what the minimum is going to run of the voice+data? I'd have to assume $69.99 would be the starting point with 450 minutes and 10 MB of data. Personally if I was vaguely considering this phone if it ended up being any good, but with this plan pricing I have no interest (not the first phone I reject because a carrier ties a data plan to it either...)


It doesn't matter if you or I don't buy it, because a few million people will purchase it for the first year or two do to its novelty and AT&T will milk them for all its worth because they can. Early adopters always get the shaft.

2 or 3 years from now, prices will be reduced.

Perosnally, I like the concept of the phone and would consider getting it if it allowed Wi-Fi for browsing locally, but since they don't, I wont bother until they eventually do.


RE: Nice
By Proteusza on 6/19/2007 9:08:04 AM , Rating: 2
They should make a phone that is primarily designed to use Wifi, and only uses GSM networks when wifi is not available.

And make it a skype phone! of course, that wont happen because it wont benefit companies like AT&T much, but its a nice idea dont you think? maybe something a little smaller than a UMPC with a touchscreen (and arguably more battery friendly), stripped down linux OS, and your choice of a few compatible VOIP networks.


RE: Nice
By masher2 (blog) on 6/19/2007 11:04:57 AM , Rating: 3
> "AT&T is going to sock you with a forced plan of their conception..."

A forced plan of Apple's conception. As I understand it, AT&T had to write custom code to enable all the iPhone's features. Those features require data connectivity, not just a simple voice line.


Hotcakes
By Rocket321 on 6/15/2007 4:12:50 PM , Rating: 1
If these things don't absolutly fly off the shelf, I hope apple knows who to blame.....

AT&T could single handedly kill this device.




RE: Hotcakes
By Griswold on 6/16/2007 10:47:43 AM , Rating: 2
Wrong, blame apple for wanting an exclusive partner.


RE: Hotcakes
By Bioniccrackmonk on 6/18/2007 9:44:22 AM , Rating: 2
Well I blame Apple, if they are planning on getting rid of the 3 million units they will have available on launch date, then we should be able to buy them from whichever carrier we want. Also, for 600 bucks, I can have a HD DVD player, an Xbox 360, a Playstation 3, etc. I think you get my point.


RE: Hotcakes
By Bioniccrackmonk on 6/18/2007 9:45:13 AM , Rating: 2
One of the items of course, not all of them for 600 bucks. Where is that edit button...


RE: Hotcakes
By smut on 6/20/2007 4:21:38 AM , Rating: 2
you can have two of them! get the 360 and the HD-DVD add on player for 600 =)


I wont be buying one
By mdogs444 on 6/15/2007 8:31:26 AM , Rating: 5
So lets get this straight....

1)You must buy from AT&T for $500-$600
2)You must sign at least a 2 year contract
3)AT&T will only offer certain, overpriced plans, that force you to pay for voice & data, regardless of what you really want.
4)You cannot use the phone unless you own a computer (yeah i know, who doesnt lol)
5)You must install iTunes on your PC
6)You must sign up for an iTunes account and hand over your credit card information to Apple - even though you already signed a lucrative AT&T account?

They can keep their iPhones. Im happy with Verizon, paying $30/mo w/ my employer discount, on a $5 Motorola Razr that does everything I need it to do.




RE: I wont be buying one
By Schadenfroh on 6/16/2007 11:20:11 AM , Rating: 3
and the apple faithful will still buy them by the hundreds of thousands......


No love from AT&T!
By DotComEddie on 6/14/2007 7:19:13 PM , Rating: 5
Just another reason why I won't be purchasing an iPhone!

DCE




NextStep?
By MobileZone on 6/14/2007 10:52:25 PM , Rating: 3
What will be the NextStep? Forcing people to buy a MacBook?




RE: NextStep?
By mdogs444 on 6/15/2007 8:27:18 AM , Rating: 2
Ha, no. But It does require you to install iTunes just to use the phone, and thats not all....you also much setup an account w/ iTunes and hand over your credit card informaiton to apple.

And who said you were just signing a contract w/ AT&T? LOL.


I hope it fails.
By corduroygt on 6/15/2007 9:32:07 AM , Rating: 5
Do you know that many european service providers went on as far to say that they would never offer the iphone, and they had spoken to Apple and found the company unbelievably arrogant, making demands that simply cannot be justified no matter how hot the product is. Which is true, the similarly priced (but without a contract) Nokia N95 is a much better phone, from a well known and respected company with a tried and true OS, with hundreds of 3rd party applications already available.

I want SJ to learn that not everything is an ipod, that they won't ever have more than 10% marketshare for their OS, and they can keep their little cult, but they will never be anything but niche if they keep their arrogance. I hope the iphone tanks so much that next to it the PS3 would appear as if it was selling like hotcakes.




No love for Apple
By Webgod on 6/14/2007 5:26:55 PM , Rating: 2
RE: No love for Apple
By inthell on 6/15/2007 1:40:14 PM , Rating: 2
Verdict http://www.trustedreviews.com/mobile-devices/revie...

The Touch is a terribly flawed attempt at a mainstream consumer product from HTC. There’s no denying that the TouchFLO interface works well, but all it does is take you to applications which then require traditional Windows Mobile stylus input. It may be the prettiest device that HTC has brought to market, but that’s really all it has going for it.

HTC may be denying that it’s going after the iPhone market, but it’s too much of a coincidence to ignore. But despite being first out of the gate, Apple has absolutely nothing to worry about from a device that doesn’t even have a headphone socket!


By Griswold on 6/15/2007 3:50:11 AM , Rating: 2
Would be just another reason to not consider this phone and go with one of the many other options that already steal the iphones thunder.




Blackberry Pearl
By psypher on 6/15/2007 10:54:18 AM , Rating: 2
One more iPhone Article, one more Pro-Blackberry comment on it from me.

With how cheap the Pearl has become in the past months, I don't see why anyone would want to pay that ridiculous sum of money for something so huge and clunky. We are at an age where we want that kind of functionality, not only at a much lower price, but at a much smaller size as well... (and for people that say the buttons are too small, I am 6'8"... my fingers are huge, and I type fast as hell on it.)

If the media player in the Pearl were a little better, I think it might be the perfect phone. And just in case anyone misreads that, I am absolutely not saying that iTunes should show up on a Blackberry, because iTunes has no place on my phone. But the beautiful thing about a Blackberry is that some skilled coder could just whip up a java based media player... (any of you skilled coders out there listening?? i would love you forever if you made me a new player for my Pearl!)

So, in conclusion, down with overpriced clunky hardware and bullshit required plans, up with sensibly priced small flexible platform phones!




Who Wants this Crap?
By techhappy on 6/15/2007 12:38:27 PM , Rating: 2
Honestly, who would actually want this phone aside from Mac Fanatics? The initial cost is ridiculous and what do you get, aside from a few fancy widgets on your phone?

Plus now you have to choose their expensive data plan. After you get shafted by Apple, then AT&T, who's actually willing to commit to a 2 year contract? I mean, you're not even really getting the phone on discount with the $599 price tag.

Am I the only one who thinks this phone is going to completely bomb? I think Apple hatched a stinker with this one. No thanks, I think I'll stick to my Moto Razr for the time being.




The real question here is ...
By puddnhead on 6/16/2007 7:40:15 AM , Rating: 2
... why did Apple agree to let AT&T have the exclusive contract, and let them set these kind of terms? It seems like they are letting AT&T kill the goose that could lay more golden apples if this is all true. That is the reason I doubt the veracity of these "rumours," because I can't believe that Apple would allow AT&T to strangle the positive buzz of their product.




phone with no buttons
By jmunjr on 6/18/2007 10:36:53 PM , Rating: 2
Well, I can't really justify any purchase of a phone with no buttons...




not worried
By omnicronx on 6/14/2007 11:26:03 PM , Rating: 1
im not worried about the data plan, im worried about my fat stubby fingers and that touchpad




0wn4ge
By RyanM on 6/16/07, Rating: 0
Sexy
By HardwareD00d on 6/19/07, Rating: 0
Who's your market
By mbarry1961 on 6/15/07, Rating: -1
RE: Who's your market
By techhappy on 6/15/07, Rating: 0
RE: Who's your market
By mbarry1961 on 6/15/2007 12:59:11 PM , Rating: 2
Well thank you for proving my point. In point of fact, I own not a single Apple product but I also harbor no innate hatred for the company or brand. Unlike you, whose irrational hatred for the company bends you to witlessly branding those with differing opinions as Fanboys and the lot.

Since you seem to be the sole bearer of the “truth” perhaps you could muster the talent to invent something more substantive that “it stinks” as the basis for your disdain. Or are you just mad because the parents won’t let you buy a phone?


RE: Who's your market
By Chris Peredun on 6/15/2007 1:23:51 PM , Rating: 5
1. Regarding this bandwagon Apple-hating, I don't recall having posted anything to that effect. I can't speak for others that think that way, but there's those who swear by Coke vs Pepsi, GM vs Ford, and Bud vs Coors. "Fanboys is as fanboys does."

2&3. When you buy the Ferrari, you're getting a lot of car. The issue at hand is that the iPhone isn't offering good value for your dollar. No 3G, no IM, no MMS, poor third-party support. Continuing the car analogy, that would be like buying a Ferrari and finding a 1.0L inline-three from a Geo under the glass, and the other nine cylinders being "just for show."

4. Well, if you're happy locking yourself into an unbreakable (barring exorbant cancellation fees) contract for two years, go right ahead. Why not pick up a timeshare and some rent-to-own furniture at 29% interest too? Just because one person wants to be complacent about the various financial boondoggles awaiting the unwary purchaser doesn't mean the rest of us should be.


RE: Who's your market
By mdogs444 on 6/15/2007 2:36:34 PM , Rating: 2
I love the word "Boondoggles".

"Steve Jobs and AT&T are trying to boondoggle us with the iPhone"


RE: Who's your market
By mbarry1961 on 6/15/2007 3:56:14 PM , Rating: 3
Please forgive me for being vague. When I used the word posters I was referring to responses and not article authors. For the most part, original authors on this site do a very good job imparting information and tend not to blanketly object to a particular company or brand. Certainly you are quite accurate that you did not do so yourself.

I doubt very seriously that prospective iPhone customers are value shoppers. Neither, for that matter are Ferrari buyers as there are a range of lower priced alternatives that provide comparable features for far less money. Neither is it seriously to the product’s detriment that it doesn’t contain all of the features of others on the market. Certainly one may question whether it performs the functions that it does well enough to merit the premium price, however.

Equating a cell phone contract, no matter how onerous, to a timeshare or blatant usury is hardly a fair analogy. No one likely to be burdened by the terms of the proposed contract is going to have to deed back the phone in lieu of foreclosure to prevent bankruptcy. Furthermore, no one need be complacent or unwary to realize that a cell phone, even a $600 cell phone, should be a trivial financial commitment in ones life or it should be discounted entirely from consideration.

As for wanton boondoggles, perhaps we should reserve our righteous indignation for the bewildering fact that Vertu apparently has a viable market.


RE: Who's your market
By techhappy on 6/16/2007 2:48:14 PM , Rating: 1
Way overthinking things Mbarry, and sadly it doesn't help you save face, rather it looks like more a of last ditch attempt to look coherent when everyone is pointing out all your hypocritical remarks.

I am not knocking on the Apple brand, hell I own an Ipod and a Macbook. However, I am recognizing that this particular product doesn't merit my support, based on it's excessive price, lack of features, and deadlocked 2 year contract.

It comes across as more of an greedy-ego tactic by Apple than a genuine attempt to make a consumer product with real innovation, which is what they do best.

But please, let us know when you buy an Iphone, you know you want one.


RE: Who's your market
By mbarry1961 on 6/18/2007 10:47:45 AM , Rating: 2
Why thank you for saving the world from my ignominy especially in light of your pantomime efforts to expose the mountain of my supposed hypocrisy. I shall now requisitely kowtow before your superior insights into the meritorious nature of product markets because you have an iPod and a MacBook. For certainly it must be the case that for-profit corporations routinely engage in “greedy-ego tactics” eschewing market research and profit margins in pursuit of intangible gratification. Let the stock market be warned and the Apple board of directors beware the omniscient insights of the techhappy sage whose grasp of technology fails to include proper capitalization of products in his possession. Woe be it unto that poor, profitable, corporation to have their upcoming product deemed a “piece of crap” buy such an oracle. Wall Street must be anxiously awaiting your next prophetic utterance with unrelenting ennui.


RE: Who's your market
By ObscureCaucasian on 6/16/2007 4:50:19 PM , Rating: 2
"Equating a cell phone contract, no matter how onerous, to a timeshare or blatant usury is hardly a fair analogy."

This comes from the guy who compares a Cell Phone to a Ferrari.


RE: Who's your market
By techhappy on 6/16/2007 2:53:38 PM , Rating: 2
Thank you Chris for pointing out the issues at hand. Bravo! And boo on those who enjoy financial boondoggles!


RE: Who's your market
By puddnhead on 6/16/2007 7:34:28 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
Hey, $175,000 is ridiculously expensive for a car but nobody is whining to Ferrari because they can’t afford it.
Of course you are right. There is no doubt that a lot of people would buy this even if it were $999, just like a lot of the Ferrari buyers might pay $250k.

But the difference here is that Ferrari is not boasting that it will take 1% of the world car market selling at that price point. So your analogy is rather pointless.

quote:
If you can’t cover the ante you’re not in the game. Go to the $5.00 table and pony up but drop the bitching because you don’t have the cash. If you can’t afford it, you can’t afford it…nuff said.
Just thought I'd point out for you that you pretty much shot yourself in the foot with that comment. This discussion is about how many people in aggregate would pay these prices and accept these terms. Making it personal and suggest that it all comes down to superiority, who's "bigger," richer, whatever is just ... silly. You make yourself look petty and ridiculous, to be blunt. I bet you just about anyone here COULD buy the iPhone, they have the means. It just comes down to why WOULD they. The question isn't much different than why would more than a handful of people $12 organic milk gallons when they can buy others for $3. All CAN, but few WILL.


RE: Who's your market
By mbarry1961 on 6/18/2007 9:59:13 AM , Rating: 2
Ok, I’ll try to condense the primary point of my posts in a manner that might make more sense to those rather ardent critics. Here it is:

The iPhone is not being marketed as a commodity technology item judged upon its relative merits but rather it is a piece of technology fashion. It is akin to a Luis Vitton handbag, Prada shoes or a Dolce & Gabbana suit. Nobody needs these clothing fashion items and, yet, they do have an astonishingly profitable market. I think that I’m safe in assuming that no one needs an iPhone either but that doesn’t preclude the possibility of a very profitable market regardless of what the “aggregate” may prefer. After all, matters of fashion are not about those who WOULD but rather about those who CAN and DO.

I agree completely that those seeking the” bigger, richer” ticket may seem vacuous or even…silly, but it is not an invalid point to note that many a profitable enterprise is based upon catering to that portion of the human nature.

Still, where is the comparative outrage over Vertu?


RE: Who's your market
By raptor666 on 6/19/2007 6:03:04 AM , Rating: 2
Erm...

Why does the iPhone need 3g when it is connected to iTunes at home on your pc with a broadband conneciton?

Would iTunes not automatically download all of the news / movie clips/ sites you regulary visit and have them set up so you can read the news on the way to work offline?

Since you probably have to charge it every day i don;t see why they can't auto sync, new songs to peruse, film clips of upcoming releases, local time tables, etc. So you don't really need to download data when out and about, maybe just send the odd e-mail.

Then when you have made your choices, plug back in and resync, and it will buy the songs / download the movies you like.


I feel great that ...
By chick0n on 6/15/07, Rating: -1
"Paying an extra $500 for a computer in this environment -- same piece of hardware -- paying $500 more to get a logo on it? I think that's a more challenging proposition for the average person than it used to be." -- Steve Ballmer













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