[webraider]

Dare I say..The for some of us, the idea isn't web browsing. It's the act of having our contact info, planner, and music on the SAME device. This just makes sense. The iPhone does this beautifully, although a 32 gig would be nice. I haven't bought one BECAUSE I have to get a data plan. I'm still using my treo and iPod because what I would be paying monthly would almost double. Verizon has a package where you pay as you go with the data so.. I just don't use mine and I save a lot money. I can quite frankly check my internet when I get home. Call me old fashioned. Don't get me wrong, the internet is good for those who NEED it, but the idea of having one device instead of two or three should not be easily dismissed.

[pantheon]

I certainly would never purchase a data plan. My iTouch is perfect, along with my prepaid mintues from T-Mobile. And, if Comcasts comes through with their wi-fi hotzones for subscribers, I'll be set. I would definitely purchase an iPhone sans data plan, and use the wi-fi.

[dfs]

I've made too many postings on this thread already (because I've personally had my nose rubbed in this subject lately and have brooded about it a lot), but let me sum up my thinking and then I'll shut up. We are in bad times and it looks like we're going to continue this way for a number of years. In order to adapt and survive, every corporation needs to reconfigure its production and marketing strategies to reflect this brutally simple fact, and Apple is not exempt (nor is AT&T, for that matter) Products and strategies that may have been profitable and viable a year ago now need careful reassessment. Apple needs to consider a some new options, and one of these is bringing out an iPod Touch that would provide basic-plan telephony (I bet this could be added for, say, a hundred bucks a unit, so that Jason Snell's estimated price of $500 for an 8 GB model may be excessive--probably more like $350). It needs to rethink the importance of the Mini in its product line, and it needs to reassess the viability of a netbook. Since people and organizations are going to be replacing computers on a 5 or 6 year cycle rather than a 3-year one, it ought to consider building considerably more upgradable models, with socketed and replaceable processors and maybe even replaceable motherboards (and, since we've been hearing so much about this lately, it is worth mentioning that the computer that doesn't have to be replaced so often is the "greenest" kind), and either market its own upgraded components or be supportive of third-party mfrs. And of course AT&T needs to make its own reassessments about pricing. By the way, in saying these things I'm speaking as an Apple stockholder as well as a Mac user.

[bigcloits]

Er, I actually have a (legit, not jailbroken) iPhone without a data plan.
And I love it. Sans data.
Here in Canada, all you have to do is ask Rogers, and they will happily sell you an iPhone with a voice plan only. Which I did. No, they don't advertise it. But they do it.
I work at home. I have my own wifi access 95% of the time. In my situation — shared by many, many others — being able to occasionally check email while I'm out getting groceries and demo-ing Google earth at dinner parties is not worth, repeat not worth an extra $30/month!
Just sayin'.

[tjv88]

The only reason I don't have an iphone right now is the required data plan. But good analysis.....

[Frost7]

If I could get an iPhone with a $30/month data plan and have the phone/SMS run off my GoPhone account I'd seriously consider it. Give me a $20/month data plan with phone/SMS running off my GoPhone account and I would buy it yesterday.

[spinoza2]

If you can ?check your Internet when you get home?, then you're not really understanding what the iPhone is all about. The iPhone is an all-purpose information appliance, its essence is having the Internet with you all the time. I always have my iPhone with me in my pocket, and I can't count how many times a day I use it for checking things (Wikipedia, amazon, addresses, maps, craigslist, weather, movies, ordering pizza, traffic, location-finding, NY Times, CNN, etc etc etc), for email, and for making calls. We're not aware of it, but our day is filled with questions, questions that can be answered with information. We half consciously ignore these questions most of the time, because we don't have the means to answer them quickly. The iPhone radically changes all this, it allows us to answer those questions immediately, and having these answers definitely influences the course of our day and what we do.

The very essence of the iPhone is ubiquitous availability of the Internet, it simply isn't an iPhone if it isn't connected. Oh, and 3G reception in the greater Boston area is excellent, so I can rely on it just about everywhere I go (even underground in the subway).

I'm unemployed and can't afford the data plan right now either, but it's important enough for me that I skip out on other things to be able to maintain it. It's as important as having a car in terms of personal priorities.

[orgopete]

dfs said:

? We are in bad times and it looks like we're going to continue this way for a number of years. In order to adapt and survive, every corporation needs to reconfigure its production and marketing strategies to reflect this brutally simple fact, and Apple is not exempt (nor is AT&T, for that matter) Products and strategies that may have been profitable and viable a year ago now need careful reassessment. Apple needs to consider a some new options, and one of these is bringing out an iPod Touch that would provide basic-plan telephony (I bet this could be added for, say, a hundred bucks a unit, so that Jason Snell's estimated price of $500 for an 8 GB model may be excessive--probably more like $350). It needs to rethink the importance of the Mini in its product line, and it needs to reassess the viability of a netbook. Since people and organizations are going to be replacing computers on a 5 or 6 year cycle rather than a 3-year one, it ought to consider building considerably more upgradable models, with socketed and replaceable processors and maybe even replaceable motherboards (and, since we've been hearing so much about this lately, it is worth mentioning that the computer that doesn't have to be replaced so often is the "greenest" kind), and either market its own upgraded components or be supportive of third-party mfrs. And of course AT&T needs to make its own reassessments about pricing. By the way, in saying these things I'm speaking as an Apple stockholder as well as a Mac user.

Why would you be a stockholder? Have you not seen the analysis by "dfs"? He seems pretty certain that Apple's profitability will suffer from their poor market analysis. I too own Apple stock, but I am assuming that based upon past performance, Apple seems to have done a pretty good job of envisioning a market they could make a profit in. I really cannot predict the future, but I like the idea that Apple is run by what I perceive as pretty intelligent people that will do their best to create and market good products. Furthermore, the opinions being expressed here are merely part of the entire range of opinions that they must be considering. I don't know whether selling for more or less, beefed up or stripped down, data plan or no data plan is the best. I'll have to wait until tomorrow or maybe the next day to find out.

[fletc3her]

Ahh, the iPhone shuffle. It can only call numbers from your address book and you don't get to pick which one. You just call and if it's not the right person you hang up and call again.

[kevininma]

To all those who comment that they don't want the data plan, I ask this simple question: Are you still using dial-up to access the Internet? How much are you actually paying today to access the Internet? Why?
Apple believes that someday the ability to access the Internet from anywhere at anytime will be seen as normal because it's become so valuable. In just the same way that cable companies thought way back when that someday most people would pay extra to access the web over faster cable instead of slower phone lines. And that's what happened.
Remember, Apple skates to where the puck is going to go and that's where it's going. If you don't want it today, that's fine, buy someone else's phone.
The iPod was originally defined and branded as a music player, and every model has been at least that. The iPhone was originally defined and branded as a voice cell phone, iPod, and 24/7 Internet communicator (more than wifi). That's what it is, to which I would now add AppStore apps. If a new 2009 iPhone has 16GB minimum, GPS and longer battery life for $199, then it is possible that Apple might introduce a smaller/thinner iPod (but still 480x320) with 8GB, less battery life, and no GPS, but still charge $149 (a premium) for it. That would be the example of the iPod and the mini/nano/shuffle.

[webraider]

kevininma said:

To all those who comment that they don't want the data plan, I ask this simple question: Are you still using dial-up to access the Internet? How much are you actually paying today to access the Internet? Why?

What does this have to do with dial up? I'm using high speed cable at home and I need the internet there. I do NOT need the internet on my phone, that is a LUXURY. I venture to say that for more people than not, this is true. I only have cell phone service, I don't have Land line service because why should I pay twice for the same thing. The same is true for the internet. I shouldn't have to pay TWICE for a service but quite frankly, I need at home but don't when I'm on the move. I'm saving $40 a month by NOT having an iPhone phone plan which is about what I pay for internet connection at home. I would buy an iPhone if I could get a "PAY AS YOU GO" plan instead of a "FLAT RATE" plan, or even opt out of the data plan altogether BECAUSE, a good feature of the iPhone is everything is in one device. Whether it surfs the internet or not is NOT and issue TO ME. I don't care where everyone else is headed. Until I can mix down my music in Logic on it and email it from there, or Edit serious Microsoft Office Documents from it and send it, the internet is a LUXURY.

For those who depend on the internet for living I first of all offer my condolences, because that's like always having to be on call. I also understand for them why it makes a difference but more than not, I believe it's a LUXURY.

[webraider]

spinoza2 said:

If you can ?check your Internet when you get home?, then you're not really understanding what the iPhone is all about. The iPhone is an all-purpose information appliance, its essence is having the Internet with you all the time. I always have my iPhone with me in my pocket, and I can't count how many times a day I use it for checking things (Wikipedia, amazon, addresses, maps, craigslist, weather, movies, ordering pizza, traffic, location-finding, NY Times, CNN, etc etc etc), for email, and for making calls. We're not aware of it, but our day is filled with questions, questions that can be answered with information. We half consciously ignore these questions most of the time, because we don't have the means to answer them quickly. The iPhone radically changes all this, it allows us to answer those questions immediately, and having these answers definitely influences the course of our day and what we do.

Yes but this doesn't discount that it can be a useful all-in-one device without a Data plan does it? I mean.. the ability to have my address book also be my phone dialer is a VERY good feature and is the reason that PDA's started merging with cell phones in the first place. The internet with you all the time is still a LUXURY and not a NECESSITY. If you have questions about things.. put it on a notepad and surf the net when you get home. Why should I have to and extra $40 a MONTH for something that I don't NEED. Having my address book combined with my phone and not having to carry around a seperate music player for me is REALLY point hence the name "iPHONE"! It's not called "iSurf". It's a PDA all in one iPod Phone that just happens to surf the internet to me and the last thing again is a luxury.

[kevininma]

That's exactly the point. Just like broadband at one time was definitely a luxury at twice the price of dial-up, it certainly isn't thought of that way today. So just like Internet data access over cell is a luxury, it won't be thought of that way two years from now.

[kevininma]

One more point: Verizon is already able today to offer a single plan for Internet access when you are at home via broadband and when you are away via cell. That's a partial reason why it's making such a huge investment in FIOS. It's only a matter of time before the market leads it to happen. Maybe it'll still be too expensive when it debuts but as the Internet becomes more and more valuable when you're on the move, people will reconsider.