Will you now switch to ATT to get an iPhone?

[Scott Sherman188952]

I am just curious of the folks here who have a contract with another carrier like Verizon which carries a penalty for early withdrawal, ( I think all the carriers now have early drop penalties of about $200 if you leave them), will you eat the penalty and cost of your existing phone to get the cheaper iPhone with AT&T phone service?

I have heard some say that the new cost reduction will offset the cost of switching. I am not sure that there are many who will do this, but it would be interesting to see from a sampling here how many might. One other problem is that (where I live), At&T has a very high drop rate on calls in progress which is very frustrating. Verizon, which is my carrier has the worst (my opinion) phone sets, but the best service with least dropped calls. I want the new iPhone, but don't think it is right for me at this time.

I suppose if AT&T were to get better service for my area, I might reconsider spending the money, but I can not give up better service for a better gadget. In the end it is a phone after all is said and done.
--
Scott Sherman
http://www.interactivephotos.com

 

[jerryk]

Not me, and I am on AT&T. I won't consider an iPhone until it supports 3G.

--
jerryk.smugmug.com

 

[Alpha Doug]

The iPhone already supports 3G. It's more of a problem of AT&T getting their act together to finish their 3G network. I suspect by next spring, all iPhones will be running on 3G. And there will be refurb iPhones for $300!

--
Only my opinion. It's worth what you paid for it. Your mileage may vary! ;-}
http://www.dougwigton.com/

 

[mrbill62]

Right now new 4 GB iPhones $299. Refurb 8 GB iPhones $349.

 

[jerryk]

The iPhone already supports 3G. It's more of a problem of AT&T
getting their act together to finish their 3G network. I suspect by
next spring, all iPhones will be running on 3G. And there will be
refurb iPhones for $300!

Unless they changed the iPhone since introduction it only does EDGE (150 Kbs) at a much slower data rate than HPDPA/UTMS (1.1 Mbs). The problem is not AT&T, the problem is with the iPhone hardware. There is rumor that V2 of the iPhone will support HDPDA/UTMS by early next year and that is what the European versions will be.

--
jerryk.smugmug.com

 

[Beowulff]

No.

I already have one.

 

[jb_va2001]

I am just curious of the folks here who have a contract with another
carrier like Verizon which carries a penalty for early withdrawal, (
I think all the carriers now have early drop penalties of about $200
if you leave them), will you eat the penalty and cost of your
existing phone to get the cheaper iPhone with AT&T phone service?

I have heard some say that the new cost reduction will offset the
cost of switching. I am not sure that there are many who will do
this, but it would be interesting to see from a sampling here how
many might. One other problem is that (where I live), At&T has a
very high drop rate on calls in progress which is very frustrating.
Verizon, which is my carrier has the worst (my opinion) phone sets,
but the best service with least dropped calls. I want the new
iPhone, but don't think it is right for me at this time.

I suppose if AT&T were to get better service for my area, I might
reconsider spending the money, but I can not give up better service
for a better gadget. In the end it is a phone after all is said and
done.
--
Scott Sherman
http://www.interactivephotos.com

 

[Anthony McCallister]

--
Mac

 

[jerryk]

Kind of tough to use WiFi unless you are close to a hotspot.:-> And if I am close to a hot spot why not use a notebook?

Beside 3G is great to tethering to other devices like a notebook. Using BT to tether your notebook and can get 700+ Kbps.

--
jerryk.smugmug.com

 

[Pyogenes]

I'm struggling to understand why so many people feel that 3G will make mobile internet that much better. Yeah, it's faster but what does faster really get you?

Usually when I'm out and about and need to look something up on my phone it's not for more than a few minutes. Whoop de do! I'd save 10-15 seconds if I had 3G! If I want to spend a lot of time on the internet, I'll stay at home where my laptop or desktop will provide a much better experience than the iPhone ever will. Who out there is spending so much time on their iPhone web browsing that 3G vs EDGE really matters?

For the record, I have a 3G modem for my laptops (using it right now to post this), so I know how much faster it is over EDGE (not to mention GPRS which I suffered with for a few years). I just question the value for a phone since it's only really useful with heavy usage but at that point battery life is crucial. Heavy internet usage drains the battery very quickly right now - as little as 4 hours of life if there's a lot of javascripts running (like beejive for IMing). 3G is worthless until Apple can get the battery life to at least match the current EDGE iPhone. A lower power 3G chipset and/or improved battery needs to exist before it'll be worth me even considering a replacement.

Yes, there's times when I wish the connection was faster while using my iPhone, but that's usually because the connection where I'm at is not so great (a problem with AT&T, not EDGE technology). When I'm getting good reception I can stream videos from YouTube without a problem.

Want to know what is the real problem with the iPhone and EDGE? The version of EDGE that AT&T implemented doesn't allow voice and data connections at the same time. Some calls go directly to voicemail because my iPhone is checking email... Now that's annoying! Not sure if 3G would remedy this situation completely but in theory it would at least reduce the problem since email would download faster.

--
Joe

My craptacular photos: http://www.pbase.com/pyogenes/favorites

Any perceived rudeness, condescending tone, or insults are not intended, but rather the result of my inability to properly express myself with the written word.

 

[murdoprint]

No way. I swore off AT&T a few years back because of the absurdly bad coverage in my region and terrible customer support. Anyways, I believe very strongly in having separate devices for phone and PDA functions-- too much turmoil if you lose it or it breaks.

The new iTouch looks very interesting though.

 

[jerryk]

What browsing the internet on an iPhone is not a great experience? I always enjoyed when I tried it when on WiFi. But the experience changes when your have to go to EDGE. Preserving that experience is why 3G is needed.

Also, why should you need a separate 3G card and data account for your laptop. Simply use BT or a USB cable and get same service and pay one bill. I pay about $29 month for unlimited 3G data access for a phone and a laptop. Also, if I connect via USB the phone is charged via the USB port so no issue with battery life, as long as the laptop is powered.

Hopefully v2.0 of the iPhone with 3G will be out early in 2008 and I can get one.

--
jerryk.smugmug.com

 

[Pyogenes]

What browsing the internet on an iPhone is not a great experience?

It is great for a mobile device, but nothing beats a large high resolution screen, a full size keyboard, and mouse for web browsing.

I
always enjoyed when I tried it when on WiFi. But the experience
changes when your have to go to EDGE. Preserving that experience is
why 3G is needed.

To each their own. EDGE is fast enough for the limited use I have for iPhone web browsing. I just think most people overestimate how much they'll use Safari on their iPhones once the novelty wears off.

Also, why should you need a separate 3G card and data account for
your laptop. Simply use BT or a USB cable and get same service and
pay one bill. I pay about $29 month for unlimited 3G data access for
a phone and a laptop. Also, if I connect via USB the phone is
charged via the USB port so no issue with battery life, as long as
the laptop is powered.

I need them separate. There's no guaranty that I'll have a network connection at a client site that allows VPN to my office thus the need for the 3G card. I often have to leave the connection open while I'm away from the laptop (meetings, lunch, etc.), but I have to keep my phone on me at all times hence the need for separation.

Also, the iPhone requires hacking to tether so that solution is currently viable only for people that don't mind risking they'll brick their phones. Things may change in the future, but I doubt Apple will support it. (Since Apple are allegedly forcing the carriers to charge lower rates for the data plan the carriers won't want tethering)

--
Joe

My craptacular photos: http://www.pbase.com/pyogenes/favorites

Any perceived rudeness, condescending tone, or insults are not intended, but rather the result of my inability to properly express myself with the written word.

 

[jerryk]

What browsing the internet on an iPhone is not a great experience?

It is great for a mobile device, but nothing beats a large high
resolution screen, a full size keyboard, and mouse for web browsing.

I agree. That's why I like tethering .

I
always enjoyed when I tried it when on WiFi. But the experience
changes when your have to go to EDGE. Preserving that experience is
why 3G is needed.

To each their own. EDGE is fast enough for the limited use I have
for iPhone web browsing. I just think most people overestimate how
much they'll use Safari on their iPhones once the novelty wears off.

Interesting. I have always wondered how often people would use the browser on an iPhone.

Also, why should you need a separate 3G card and data account for
your laptop. Simply use BT or a USB cable and get same service and
pay one bill. I pay about $29 month for unlimited 3G data access for
a phone and a laptop. Also, if I connect via USB the phone is
charged via the USB port so no issue with battery life, as long as
the laptop is powered.

I need them separate. There's no guaranty that I'll have a network
connection at a client site that allows VPN to my office thus the
need for the 3G card. I often have to leave the connection open
while I'm away from the laptop (meetings, lunch, etc.), but I have to
keep my phone on me at all times hence the need for separation.

Also, the iPhone requires hacking to tether so that solution is
currently viable only for people that don't mind risking they'll
brick their phones. Things may change in the future, but I doubt
Apple will support it. (Since Apple are allegedly forcing the
carriers to charge lower rates for the data plan the carriers won't
want tethering)

I was not aware that tethering was not built in. It seems so obvious. Maybe I will reconsider moving to an iPhone. Thanks for the information,