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Up to Discussions in iPhone
15 Replies Last post: Jun 27, 2007 12:40 PM by drmbb   1 2 Previous Next
Click to view Nobody's profile New Member
Nobody
58,347 posts since
Oct 18, 2007
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Jun 15, 2007 2:04 AM

Purchase an iPhone or not *DELETED*

Post deleted by Chris Breen
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Click to view giorgio's profile New Member
giorgio
6 posts since
Jun 11, 2007
1. Jun 16, 2007 10:36 AM in response to: Nobody
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
iphone shuffle? great! can you imagine how life will be better? no numbers, no display and a lot of random calls

The price is high, but it is an iphone!!! Another problem could be the plane with AT&T (is it this the provider?) how much per month?
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Click to view radnuf's profile Member
radnuf
231 posts since
Oct 3, 2006
2. Jun 17, 2007 7:11 AM in response to: Nobody
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
What I saw SJ do with the UI was incredible. I won't be an early adopter mostly because it isn't even out yet and we don't know enough about it. I'm trying to see how what we know or hear rumors about can fit what I do. I don't seem to be the kind of person Apple is targeting. However, it does seem that all my iPod accessories can be used with the iPhone. The Micropack external battery probably can provide juice to keep it going at the cost of a big increase in size. I wonder if a microphone or FM transmitter would work on it. A battery charger/speaker dock would keep the iPhone charged while I play the iPod part.

It seems to function like AppleTV and iPod. I would have to connect to a computer with iTunes swapping files in and out due to the small storage. That too would be the only way to back up phone data stored on the iPhone since it does not apparently have any external storage.

The all in one design is a problem for me. The camera is not good enough for me since I prefer more megapixels. That one feature is not strong enough to be included in my all in one. Even so, snapshots are stored internally so a full hookup to the computer is required to use even them unless the iPhone edits too. Sometimes the phone and/or camera feature needs to be shut down at hospitals, on trains, and some locations which probably closes down the iPod/wi-fi use too.

I don't know what Apple is thinking - if you know, speak up - but the implication of the iPhone is that the iPod will not see these features in the near term. We iPod users may need to be integrated with phone, camera and wi-fi whether we want to or not. That's ideal if it's good for you. It would mean buying tunes from ITS and buying phone coverage too. If given the choice of buying a stand alone iPod with the UI I saw or buying an all in one iPhone, I'd pass on the iPhone.

My high level camera and iPod use overshadows my mediocre phone use. I would love to have it as an iPod only device.
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Click to view TurboMike's profile New Member
TurboMike
7 posts since
Jun 6, 2007
3. Jun 21, 2007 12:52 PM in response to: Nobody
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
I agree....I would love to get a new Iphone, but I feel they have out priced the market a little too much. Once the intial fanfare dies down, and price comes down I will jump onboard!

TurboMike
www.Geeks.com
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Click to view ClarkQ's profile New Member
ClarkQ
2 posts since
Jun 23, 2007
4. Jun 23, 2007 10:47 AM in response to: Nobody
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
There's still information missing before I can decide:

* will there be DUN (Dial Up Networking)? There're a lot of attachments the iPhone can't deal with (e.g. PowerPoint), so sometimes when I have my laptop with me (traveling and at airport) I'd like to Bluetooth through the phone.

* Bluetooth controller? I use Salling Clicker to let my Treo control my laptop (MBP) presentations. Will the iPhone allow the same?

* Keychain? If I'm surfing all those websites, will I have to remember the passwords? Will the iPhone remember them? Securely? Automatically?

Not happy with a) the default apps, and b) the approach to supporting more. (Stocks? As if!) Where's a timer? Games? Ahem.
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Click to view Georgio's profile New Member
Georgio
2 posts since
Jun 23, 2007
5. Jun 23, 2007 2:49 PM in response to: Nobody
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
I will purchase one too, as soon as it's available in Europe.
Interesting that many folks in the US are complaining about the price;
I bet it will be more expensive overhere, like most electronics.
Hope you guys give a lot of feedback at the forum, since we'll have t wait
for another seven months.
Geo
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Click to view feefer's profile Member
feefer
237 posts since
Dec 19, 2005
6. Jun 23, 2007 3:26 PM in response to: ClarkQ
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
Quote:<hr />
* Keychain? If I'm surfing all those websites, will I have to remember the passwords? Will the iPhone remember them? Securely? Automatically?

<hr />


1) Security concerns is what I'm wondering about. For example, if my Powerbook was lost or stolen, I have the system log-in (and screen-saver) password-protected so the information stored inside is relatively protected from unauthorized viewing. Can we say the same with the iPhone? I really don't want to have someone pull a "Paris Hilton", getting easy access to my e-mail, phone numbers, contacts, webpage passwords, etc.

Does the iPhone support log-ins, password protection?

2) I'm also uncertain if you can get voice-only service for the phone, without getting the EDGE data service, too. I have a mobile wireless router (Kyocera KR-1) which gives EVDO speeds I don't want to pay for redundant services.
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Click to view mcbane666's profile Member
mcbane666
396 posts since
Mar 11, 2007
7. Jun 23, 2007 8:49 PM in response to: feefer
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
i think you'll need the data plan for the unique iphone features, the wifi is likly for the net, mail, maps, and widgets to keep you cellure usage down some.
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Click to view Mikael_Pe's profile New Member
Mikael_Pe
7 posts since
Jun 23, 2007
8. Jun 23, 2007 10:44 PM in response to: ClarkQ
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
Clark, AT&T/Cingular does not allow a phone to be used as a tethered modem so the idea of using the iPhone to connect your laptop to the internet will likely not work, even if the phone would support it. Tmobile, from what I know, does not prevent users from doing this and they still only charge $20 per month for an unlimited data plan but, of course, they don't have the iPhone...
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Click to view KPO'M's profile Enthusiast
KPO'M
1,278 posts since
Nov 29, 2001
9. Jun 24, 2007 1:50 AM in response to: Mikael_Pe
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
Quote:<hr />
Clark, AT&T/Cingular does not allow a phone to be used as a tethered modem so the idea of using the iPhone to connect your laptop to the internet will likely not work, even if the phone would support it. Tmobile, from what I know, does not prevent users from doing this and they still only charge $20 per month for an unlimited data plan but, of course, they don't have the iPhone...

<hr />


Having just used my n95 as a modem when I was out of the office recently, I can attest that it works on T-Mobile (they go so far as to give you directions on their web site to find a configurator to make it work). BTW, they no longer offer the $20 unlimited data plan to new users. It's now $30, but it also includes unlimited Wi-Fi usage in T-Mobile hotspots. I don't know whether AT&T lets you tether. I'm just curious as to how they know whether the phone is being used as a modem or is connecting through itself? Does it put out an identifying signal? Is it that it doesn't work at all, or that it does work, but costs more? FWIW, Sprint offers EvDO for $15, but it's an other $25/mo if you want to tether it as a modem. Go figure.

I'm a little surprised that, although Apple's been leaking more and more information about the iPhone itself, AT&T has said nothing about the available plans. Will it just be the standard voice plans plus $40 for unlimited data that they sell with any phone, or will they have any iPhone specials? For example, will they use the visual voice mail feature as an excuse to slap a surcharge on it? You'd think if it were good news they would have released it already. Unless that's what's planned for this week.
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Click to view Walt_Basil's profile Member
Walt_Basil
301 posts since
Sep 26, 2004
10. Jun 24, 2007 10:16 AM in response to: KPO'M
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
Quote:<hr />

I'm a little surprised that, although Apple's been leaking more and more information about the iPhone itself, AT&T has said nothing about the available plans. Will it just be the standard voice plans plus $40 for unlimited data that they sell with any phone, or will they have any iPhone specials? For example, will they use the visual voice mail feature as an excuse to slap a surcharge on it? You'd think if it were good news they would have released it already. Unless that's what's planned for this week.

<hr />


A call to my local at&t store this weekend confirmed that even they didn't know the rates. Any rate plan that any at&t rep gives you is most likely their own idea. This one told me that all rate info will be provided to them the day iPhone goes on sale.
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Click to view feefer's profile Member
feefer
237 posts since
Dec 19, 2005
11. Jun 24, 2007 11:59 AM in response to: Walt_Basil
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
What's odd is I called Cingular a few months ago, and there was some pricing information loaded into the CSR's computer for the iPhone back then: aside from the well-known price for the phone ($499/$599), I was quoted prices for voice and data plans (sorry: I wrote it on a piece of paper, but it's not here at home). They said they couldn't place orders until the iPhone actually came out, so I was told to call back on release date.

It seems odd they're back-tracking on prices for plans they've apparently released earlier? Obviously they want buyers to decide on the release date? Perhaps they're assuming there will be so much demand, buyers will have little time to reflect on pricing and must agree on a "take it or leave it", spur-of-the-moment decision.

This approach doesn't bode well for Cingular, as some of us WILL leave it if we're being gouged. As wonderful as it is, the iPhone is just the coolest little toy for big kids that we've seen to date, but let's remember that it's still just a luxury purchase, an optional purchase. I can get it, or I can leave it. Unless Apple provided a defibrillator feature, it's not like the iPhone is saving lives....
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Click to view Southern_Gent's profile Member
Southern_Gent
223 posts since
Nov 5, 2001
12. Jun 24, 2007 2:31 PM in response to: Mikael_Pe
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
Quote:<hr />
Clark, AT&T/Cingular does not allow a phone to be used as a tethered modem

<hr />


I use my Treo 650 as a tethered modem all the time on Cingular/AT&T's network. The Bluetooth DUN was disabled when I first bought it but a subsequent firmware upgrade unlocked it.
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Click to view Walt_Basil's profile Member
Walt_Basil
301 posts since
Sep 26, 2004
13. Jun 24, 2007 7:23 PM in response to: feefer
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
Many like you will take or leave it. Many like me will pay whatever it costs. They are counting on people like me to make their money. They don't lose money from the take it or leave it, they gain it from the gotta have it now crowd. I'm going in blind, not really caring what the plan will be. Whatever it is, I'm paying for it. Unlimited if they offer it.
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Click to view feefer's profile Member
feefer
237 posts since
Dec 19, 2005
14. Jun 25, 2007 4:06 AM in response to: Walt_Basil
Re: Purchase an iPhone or not
I ran across a reference that AT&T will release voice and data plan information for the iPhone early this week, possibly on Monday, Jun 25. That would be nice.

Walt, don't tell Apple or AT&T, but I'm with you in terms of this being something I want. For one, I'm a longtime Apple user, and for years have wanted a phone that tightly integrates with Mac OS X for syncing, without having to jump thru hoops to do so, or for system updates on my home Mac to break the apps.

I see PC fanboys whining about how the iPhone is not the only device to be able to do this or that, but they're completely missing the point: obviously, the iPhone is an APPLE device, relying on Apple software, and it should be seamless for users to integrate contacts, video, e-mails, etc, whether thru iTunes or Mail. Frankly, I see no reason for other users to bother with the iPhone, especially if they have the benefit of syncing with Windows without hassle. ON the other hand, many iPhone users may see the slick design and functionality, and become OS X converts simply because they'd like the same ease of use with their laptops, etc. So I'm betting the iPhone will cut both ways, serving as an "ambassador" for Apple's approach, by selling the iPhone to confirmed Apple users who "see the light" without much explanation, as well as creating interest in other Apple products (much like the iPod has done) for non-Mac buyers.

This is a point that seems completely lost to MANY analysts: they don't really "get" that this is THE no-brainer mobile communication device for Apple users. OF COURSE we'll buy and use the iPhone, just like we'd use ANY other category of device that Apple built that will easily integrate with Mac OS X and the supplied OS X apps. Talk about having a home-field advantage!

Of course, I already have an old TDMA AT&T voice cell phone account with Cingular which is being scuttled in 2008: that makes it an easier decision for me, as I'm already with AT%T, and really need to update to a GSM phone.

FWIW, I also have a mobile EVDO router (Kyocera KR-1) with Verizon, via a PCMCIA card (KPC-650) and pay $60/month for mobile Broadband wi-fi service on my laptop, so the iPhone's reliance on the slower EDGE network is not a major concern for me (as long as I don't have to pay extra for a slower, outdated service).
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