[moose_n_squirrel]

Does anyone know exactly what the "no contract" iPhone 3G entails? Do you have to use an AT&T pay-as-you-go plan, or what? (I don't have an iPhone yet) Has any cost analysis been done as to the break even point between the AT&T standard plans and some other way?

[blogmerit]

Gee, do you think? These comments are ridiculous at best. this is business, boys and girls and AT&T is in business to make a profit, not give away the store.

You can always use a crappy windows mobile smart (dumb) phone that you can buy at Wal-Mart for two dollars, and that's still two dollars too much. STOP WHINING.

[anil_robo]

Total minimum cost of ownership is $1151.30 yearly - a poor student like me would rather pay the bills and buy some books rather than flaunting an iPhone.
sob.

[mrturtle]

From the article:
Need more than one line? No problem: you can snag an AT&T FamilyTalk plan, which includes two lines, starting at 700 Shared Anytime minutes for $130/month and going up to 6000 shared Anytime minutes for $360/month?and you can get up to 3 additional iPhone lines for $40 per line.

That means two lines with 700 anytime minutes is $130/mo. The $40 is for each line after that (up to 5).

[mrturtle]

Same data rates that Blackberry users have been paying for 3G for years I believe. Nothing special here...

[rburtt]

"Now you know: and knowing is half the battle."

YO Joe!

Seriously, how did no one catch the last line of the article? Am I really that old?

[techno2007]

I think it just allows you to terminate at any time with no fee.

Also, for what it's worth, I have a first-gen iPhone that I bought in September. I checked my ATT account today and it says I'm eligible for an equipment upgrade; last week it said I wouldn't be eligible until September.

[adobephile]

Good one, man!

[quote name='bynkii']
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?

[scotts13]

For me, the monthly bill is everything - I don't care what the phone costs. I already didn't buy an iPhone because it would double my monthly bill; so now I guess I "extra don't buy" one.

[Mrvee]

Yes. I expect them to eat the costs. All they did was an improvement on what is already there and give it a stupid name.

Before a year is out, they will be talking about 4G, then we get to be reconditioned on just how limited and crippled 3G is and that it NEVER lived up to it's promise but with 4G, hey, you get all the promise of 3G and more. Only thing missing is that guy in the blue shirt, Billy Mays yelling at us about how important it is and how to order it.

I'm all for innovation but this is a money grab. Not a lot different than what is happening with the oil giants. They tell us, if we allow them to trash the cost line and wilderness regions our gas prises "wil be eased". The heck does eased mean?

But like you the need isn't there so I don't have to suffer the early adopter costs. ATT can go kick rocks.

-Mrvee

[flybynight]

rybreadhybrid said:

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

Actually, SMS was INCLUDED in YOUR plan if you had an iPhone. The original iPhone plans included 200 SMS messages per month. Do some research before you start posting with a sticky CAPS LOCK key, OK?

[OleJim]

I thought the high bills from AT&T might signal a short (2 years more) exclusive and then the iPhone would be available with CDMA to others, like Verizon and Sprint.

But if the Blackberry rates have been there for a long time, then this idea doesn't hold water.

[bynkii]

Mrvee said:

Yes. I expect them to eat the costs. All they did was an improvement on what is already there and give it a stupid name.

You have a very...odd...idea of how business and technology work. By "odd", I mean "mostly incorrect".

Quote

Before a year is out, they will be talking about 4G, then we get to be reconditioned on just how limited and crippled 3G is and that it NEVER lived up to it's promise but with 4G, hey, you get all the promise of 3G and more. Only thing missing is that guy in the blue shirt, Billy Mays yelling at us about how important it is and how to order it.

Welcome to the world of technology. Congratulations, you've just described all of it from the very first mainframe upgrade.

[bynkii]

OleJim said:

I thought the high bills from AT&T might signal a short (2 years more) exclusive and then the iPhone would be available with CDMA to others, like Verizon and Sprint.

If you thought that, you weren't paying attention to the original announcement. It's a 4-year deal with AT&T.

Quote

But if the Blackberry rates have been there for a long time, then this idea doesn't hold water.

You want more, you pay more.