[Macworld]

Post your comments for AT&T dishes on iPhone rate plans here

[amadeopuzzo]

What's with all the "snagging"??? Is that a euphemism for getting f&%? Because it looks like ATT is doing a lot of that, from here.

[bynkii]

Funny how the increased cost of the iPhone 3G plans neatly remove the benefit of that hardware subsidy, isn't it.
Almost as if AT&T planned it that way.

[macFanDave]

The SMS thing is a deal-breaker.
I use SMS infrequently, but not absolutely zero. I'm not paying $240 over a two-year contract for my wife and I to use SMS at the minimal level that we use it, especially since we get it for free with our contract that still has about 14 months left.
I'll pay a nickel a message on a pay-per-use basis, but not 20 cents.
If my wife wants one for the GPS, I'll just tell her to "Get lost."
The funny thing is that I love my first-gen iPhone so much, I'm not really in a hurry that I kick it to the curb (throw it under the bus). I understand the technical reasons why they had to change the metal back to a plastic one, but I still think the brushed aluminum surface on the original iPhone is about the best artificial surface I have ever felt.

[Blake_L]

yeah! i'd have to agree, theses plans seem a little outrageous, especially for the family plans. So it's 130 a month for 700 min AND 40 per line?!?!? I don't have any smart phone but that seems really high for a family plan.

[adobephile]

I think the new iPhone 3G features and access speed will be worth it. Tampa Bay and central Florida seem to have good 3G coverage per the map, so we'll be set for service for the new system.
This new system, along with all the new software from developers, is going to make yet another set of significant improvements in our lives and business. We've been AT&T cellular customers for almost two decades, and I remember that huge aluminum "brick" and its corded handset which clipped on the top and its canvas pack with shoulder strap I used to lug around.
These phones are meant for people who see their value, who actually need the features and functionality, and therefore consider the price well worth it.

[TxTom]

Too much $$$. Period. I was interested in upgrading, now I'm not.

[Frumius]

I'll wait until they lower those rates. Dang thing'll cost more than gasoline to operate!

[bynkii]

adobephile said:

I think the new iPhone 3G features and access speed will be worth it. Tampa Bay and central Florida seem to have good 3G coverage per the map, so we'll be set for service for the new system.

This new system, along with all the new software from developers, is going to make yet another set of significant improvements in our lives and business. We've been AT&T cellular customers for almost two decades, and I remember that huge aluminum "brick" and its corded handset which clipped on the top and its canvas pack with shoulder strap I used to lug around.

These phones are meant for people who see their value, who actually need the features and functionality, and therefore consider the price well worth it.

Oh now you're just being reasonable, and using logic and sense to control your decision as to getting a new phone. What kind of Mac user ARE you with THAT attitude?

[Mrvee]

IPhone continues it's quest to stay out of the hands of us commoners

I can't pay and won't pay these development costs from ATT. I said I would wait about a year or so before getting an iPhone when it first hit the door.. Now the new scam is 3G.

Yes it's faster according the press they generate but isn't that just part of the service? Shouldn't they just want to be better and faster as a part of doing good business? Why should ATT charge me a preminum for something that is faster and I'msure cheaper for them to manage??

My question is, do we have a choice other than to use 3G and pay the current costs or is this 3G crap forced on everybody?

-Mrvee

[Whit_G]

TxTom said:

Too much $$$. Period. I was interested in upgrading, now I'm not.

Agreed. I was seriously considering it, but with the minimum talk/data plans minimum SMS plans the typical "extra" fees (state regulated, et al.) would probably double my current monthly mobile bill. The iPhone is an amazing device, but I just can't justify that added cost.

[rybreadhybrid]

well first of all, SMS was never INCLUDED in your plan you always payed for it, 5 for 200, 15 for 1500 and 20 for unlimited...just like my nokia phone...and all of these prices are EXACTLY the same as other smart phones from ATT that are not used for businesses and all that crap
(which I don't know about but they probably are the same)...and last time I checked ATT only charges you for THEIR GPS service...The iPhone's GPS is Apple's GPS service that they get from google and a regular GPS unit thing like from Garmin but w/o the software for free (and on Garmin its also free per month) (which is more that you can say for other phones...voyager) (peice of crap that they glues together)(and also any other phone)...google earth...duh...if you download google earth it is almost the same thing but Apple's made it better for a phone...the $40 for extra line is also the same as a regular rate...$10 for the line $30 for internet...and I don't know what Frumius Drives but i want what you drive it if you spend less than $130 a month on gas at $4 a gallon

[bynkii]

Mrvee said:

IPhone continues it's quest to stay out of the hands of us commoners


I can't pay and won't pay these development costs from ATT. I said I would wait about a year or so before getting an iPhone when it first hit the door.. Now the new scam is 3G.

What, you thought that AT&T would just eat the costs of a major nationwide hardware upgrade and not pass those costs to the consumer?

Quote

Yes it's faster according the press they generate but isn't that just part of the service? Shouldn't they just want to be better and faster as a part of doing good business? Why should ATT charge me a preminum for something that is faster and I'msure cheaper for them to manage??

3G is faster than 2/2.5G according to the engineering, not the press. However, installing 3G nationwide isn't free. AT&T wants to make up those costs ASAP. Welcome to the world of the early adopter tax.

Quote

My question is, do we have a choice other than to use 3G and pay the current costs or is this 3G crap forced on everybody?

If you get a 3G iPhone, at least for now, you pay the 3G prices. In six months or a year, who knows. I'm probably not going to get one on my own, the need isn't there. Should that change, I will, but I'm quite happy with my existing iPhone.

[blogmerit]

Maybe your wife should get the new phone on her own, and tell you to GET LOST. Why whine about a feature you, yourself admit to not using very often, then pony up the extra 15 cents and stop whining. get a life.