iPhone has arrived

[Desertdude]

My Verizon contract ends soon, I look forward to getting a new iPhone.

According to my buddy at Apple Steve Jobs announced yesterday that every employee at Apple will get a free iPhone. ...smart marketing.

Apple has many videos showing how the iPhone works

http://www.apple.com/iphone/

[adventureduo]

Is he paying for their monthly phone plan too? It's not gonna be cheap! AND at&T is the only carrier right now.

What i hate is, all these morons that stand in line to buy the phone and then turn around and sell it on ebay or craigslist. Pisses me off. It's not fair to the person that wants one and now has to pay $1,000 for one cause they're selling them for twice as much. Hopefully they have a limit of 1 like the xbox and playstation sales did.

[Ursidae69]

They are already lining up (http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070629/apple_iphone.html?.v=13).

Will Apple have their own service or are they contracting through Verizon or what? I'm really happy with my Verizon coverage, but don't like the phone or their customer service. Can you hear me now??

[adventureduo]

Shoot they've been lining up since wednesday! I want one, but not that bad.

[Desertdude]

The iPhone activation works directly with iTunes. Connect the phone to you computer ( with itunes) and you walk though the process. Apple has partnered with ATT on the service. The part I like is total control of the phone and what you can load into it, contacts, photos, video, music... and also not having to go to a store to get one. With all the iPhone internal OS services I could easily save on phone/web services I pay for separately.



They are already lining up (http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070629/apple_iphone.html?.v=13).

Will Apple have their own service or are they contracting through Verizon or what? I'm really happy with my Verizon coverage, but don't like the phone or their customer service. Can you hear me now??

[Scott Brady]

I really like it, and it will rival the business capabilities of my CrackBerry. The only issue I see it the screen life. Are there any protective films yet?

[jeffryscott]

I really like it, and it will rival the business capabilities of my CrackBerry. The only issue I see it the screen life. Are there any protective films yet?

The screen is being made of optical glass - no scratches, no worries (unless you drop it, but doesn't ATT have the fewest dropped calls?:shakin: )

[Desertdude]

Its very easy for Apple as well as the many developers to include very new technologies into this device. Not having to worry about legacy issues. Most people hate their phones (I know I do) This is Apples chance to really pioneer and move us into the next century. I look at the iPhone as less of a gadget and more of an "in the field" total communication tool.

ATT coverage looks a bit spotty in areas I travel :( But, so is Verizon

[adventureduo]

unless you drop it,

Yep, just dont drop it. It's like dropping your laptop on the ground.

[stevenmd]

I'll keep my rotary phone thank you.:shakin:

[Willman]

I'll keep my rotary phone thank you.:shakin:

Ditto!

[Desertdude]

iPhone Rotary (http://blog.wired.com/cultofmac/2006/12/fun_obviously_f.html)


http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1759/667/1600/iphone_032.1.jpg

[DaveInDenver]

Hopefully they have a limit of 1 like the xbox and playstation sales did.
I heard they are limiting people to buying 2.

[adventureduo]

Yep, it's alrighty starting.. $1,000+ for a iPhone on ebay.

http://search.ebay.com/iphone_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40

Wonder if they made the phone purchaser sign a contract with AT&T when they bought the phone. Probably gonna be a lot of 1 month contract break charges lol

I like the iPhone killer... http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-HTC-Touch-In-Box-iPhone-Killer_W0QQitemZ110144373555QQihZ001QQcategoryZ643 55QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[pwc]

It's not fair to the person that wants one and now has to pay $1,000 for one cause they're selling them for twice as much.
It's perfectly fair in our free market economy. Why would you pay more than it is new (said the man owning a NAS110)? It's just a phone for heaven's sake. It's not going to make you sound suddenly more intelligent when you're calling your friend to ask for directions to their house. Or telling your wife you'll be 20 minutes late.
sheesh.

[JPFreek1]

Anybody know if the new iPhone can cook and clean as well? Does just about everything else...

:ylsmoke:

[Dave]

Its very easy for Apple as well as the many developers to include very new technologies into this device. Not having to worry about legacy issues. Most people hate their phones (I know I do) This is Apples chance to really pioneer and move us into the next century. I look at the iPhone as less of a gadget and more of an "in the field" total communication tool.

I thought the iPhone was a closed environment? Everything I've read says that third party apps can only run through the browser.

[Desertdude]

In my using the word "developers" I was speaking of Apple partners who helped in the development of the iPhone.

[adventureduo]

It's perfectly fair in our free market economy.
sheesh.

I know, i just think it sucks. That's all. Those people need to go get a real job.

[Desertdude]

30 minutes to go in NYC before they see the iPhone in the Apple stores


http://www.everythingiphone.com

[DaktariEd]

Sure I like them, but I'm waiting. Let other folks work out the bugs. And let's see what happens with the prices.

As for re-selling on eBay...geez, folks...get a life.
NOTHING (material) in this world....NOTHING....is so all-fired important that you can't wait a bit. It's all just a simple choice.

Unlesss you are hopelessly brain-washed by the advertisers into thinking you have to have everything new...NOW!

:sombrero:

[articulate]

Unlesss you are hopelessly brain-washed by the advertisers into thinking you have to have everything new...NOW!

I've been brainwashed to believe that I need another trip to Mexico . . . NOW!
Apple needs to offer an iExperience of sticking your iFeet in the iSand with a warm iBeer in your iHand. I'd love it if a phone could do that for me.

[Christian P.]

someone is seriously brain-washed here

http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-iphone-8GB-8-GB-i-phone-Mac-cell-phone-FREE-SHIP_W0QQitemZ290134220620QQihZ019QQcategoryZ64355 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

is this a joke?

why on earth would you pay $15000 when you can get it for $600 in a few days - perhaps a few weeks at the most?

[jeffryscott]

it's at 100K ... can't be real bids. If it was, I'll go stand in line for two.

[Grim Reaper]

According to my buddy at Apple Steve Jobs announced yesterday that every employee at Apple will get a free iPhone. ...smart marketing.

Apple has many videos showing how the iPhone works

http://www.apple.com/iphone/
They (at&t) told all us at&t Mobility employees you get to pay absolutely full price and don't even get your 30% discount that you get on every other product. Can't use it on an employee rate plan. :(

[Desertdude]

A few reviews from happy iPhone users (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1016585&tstart=0)

and many who have issues (http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1139)

Like Ed, my usual mantra, "never by the first version of anything" :chowtime:

[Desertdude]

What some users want in the next version (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1017201&tstart=0)

[Desertdude]

couple more real world reviews


wall street journal review (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118289311361649057.html)


here (http://www.macrumors.com/2007/06/26/more-iphone-reviews/)




:::

[spressomon]

Most people hate their phones (I know I do)



Ditto...the Razr was/is just another updated form factor with 3-year old technology. The whole bs of having to wade through your v messages to get at the last/new one sucks! Among many other not so friendly design oversites. Maybe Apple will force the others to <wakeup> respond to our needs...

[DaktariEd]

My Treo has been a royal PIA ever since I got it....freezes for 3-10 minutes at a times, sometimes requiring a reset virtually every day.

But to get an iPhone, it will have to run a program called, ePocrates, which I use every day at work.

It's a must-have....and not likely in the near future... :(

[Digital Nomad]

I also bought an iPhone last night. I called the nearest store at 11pm and they said they still had them and that there was no line. You can check to see if you local Apple store still has them in stock at this page (http://www.apple.com/retail/iphone/)

All the stores in Colorado, California and New York still had them (those are the only states I checked).

I could see the eBay thing for people overseas who can't currently purchase one.

I'm ammused by the people camping out at the apple store when nobody was camping in front of an AT&T store, even though you could get one there are the same time.

The interface on the phone is beyond elegant and simple... compared to any other phone, it's like importing something from the next decade. I've had crackberry, windows mobile, nokia, etc, etc. and they all feel like a crappy technical device. The iPhone feels 100% natural (other than getting used to the keyboard... which is fine, but takes practice before you master it)... you don't have to think when using the iPhone, which is nice. I especially like how nice it is for showing photos since I often walk up to people and ask if I can take their photo and now I can easily show them what to expect for a result.

Anyway... head on out to an Apple store and check it out... they will most likely have some in stock since I think they made a ba-zillion of them.

[jeffryscott]

played with one my neighbor bought - it is a truly remarkable little device. Typical Apple: functional, aesthetically pleasing and elegant. Will I buy one, no. I would love to, but I don't need, nor would I use, much of what it has to offer.

[Digital Nomad]

I think it was PCWorld that put the iPhone through a stress test... they put it in a zip lock bag with a bunch of car keys and jingled it around, then mashed the keys into it (since the earlier test left if looking brand new). they also tried to manually "key" the screen by scratching back and forth directly with a key and it didn't scratch. They then dropped it onto carpet, linoleum and then concrete and it just kept going... the concrete did leave a few scuff marks on the chrome-like surface that surrounds the screen, but left the screen unscratched and it worked just fine.

[Grim Reaper]

As a at&t Mobility Employee I'm happy to hear it lives up to the hype. I just can't understand why they didn't put UMTS into it. That would cure the off WiFi complaints in major urban areas and only improve as they increase UMTS foot print.

I may get one when the UMTS model comes out.

[adventureduo]

Looks like people aren't super happy. I guess they're not activating properly at the AT &T stores. People are opening them up too and breaking them lol

[pskhaat]

Let me have a pre-pay account on it and I may consider.

[Digital Nomad]

Grim... what is UMTS?

SOCALFJ... sell 500K+ of an item in a weekend and you're bound to have some problems. AT&T said they are making adjustments to the activation process. Mine activated on the first try and was the easiest sync I've ever done to get my contacts, calendar, photos, tunes, movies, etc. transferred. "Looks like people aren't super happy"... where have you been living, Mars? maybe .001% of people are having problems, but I read of very few people who "aren't super happy", most reviews/comments sound as if people are generally pleased (the main complaints have to do with AT&T's Edge service).

One site: "USA Today felt it necessary to poll 350 newly minted iPhone owners to see if they actually liked their iPhone. To our un-surprise, they found that almost all respondents were “immensely satisfied.”"

Anyone who is complaining about the keyboard has not used it very much... sure the first few times you use it, you're adjusting to the experience... but I've only owned it for something like two days and have only sent maybe 15 emails, but I can already type with two thumbs. (see this video (http://tinyurl.com/2azav3) to see what I mean)

Also many "reviewers" haven't really used it much and have not read the manual, which provides some insights. For instance, once person mentioned that it doesn't know proper names or company names. That is somewhat true, but not in a way that matters... it knows all the names/company names from your address book and anytime you correct its suggestions for the same word twice, it adds the word to its dictionary. So, yes, it doesn't have some words in it's dictionary to begin with, but you will quickly end up adding the words that you actually use so it stops suggesting alternatives.

Overall, I really like the device. It's a little heavier than you might imagine (for its size), so holding it by hand to watch a whole movie could become tiring.

The interface is amazing simple and elegant. I have it setup to check e-mail on my corporate account, gmail, yahoo and mac.com and that took less than five minutes to do (other than having to change a gmail preference to allow for POP access).

The web browsing is actually useful instead of being limited to sites that are designed specifically for mobile devices... and reading e-mails is nice with the high resolution screen allows me to read more than one paragraph at a time, so it doens't feel as cryptic as it can be on some phones.

I've already used it to gain access to a few places I wanted to photograph... I just show them some examples of the type of stuff I shoot and mention that I'll send them copies and they let me in (via the photos app, which I have synced to a folder on my mac which I have an export script setup in Lightroom to easily deposit scaled down photos into).

The headphones look just like the ones for an iPod except there is a tiny (really tiny) bar on it that you squeeze once to pause/play music, or squeeze twice to advance to the next song. When a call comes it, you can squeeze it to answer or hang up or squeeze and hold to reject a call. I wish it would work on a normal iPod since it's very convenient, but I tried it and it acts just like the normal ones (it ignores squeezes on a normal ipod).

There's a lot more they can do to add functionality, but it's a nice start for a 1.0 product. I'm sure they will come up with a major software update by October, which is when the next major update is planned for their desktop system (OSX).

There is a bunch of stuff that it doesn't have including:

1) it has WiFi, but you have to dock it to sync info with your computer
2) It doesn't have voice-dial capability yet
3) I wish the notes application would allow you to record voice notes
4) You can't record movies using the built-in camera

There are also a few things you might not expect it to have that they included:

1) the equivalent to tabbed browsing where I can have multiple web pages open and easily switch between them
2) can get directions to anyone in your contacts (or anywhere else) with a few taps and it supplies turn by turn directions including traffic status and satellite view. It's also overly easy to find stuff near any location and make calls based on those searches (like finding a restaurant).
3) dozens of web-based applications designed for the phone from day one (granted the first ones are simple, but nice to see them coming out so quickly).

This phone is definitely not for everyone, but if you hate your current phone (I hated my blackberry and windows mobile phones) and want something more elegantly designed that has a user-friendly interface, then go take a look at it. If you don't like it, then at least there is a wake-up call that should cause all the other phone makers to work at improving their offerings in the future.

[Desertdude]

Nice real world review Ben, Thanks

I look forward to picking one up.






::::

[Digital Nomad]

Scott, this post (http://www.iphoneatlas.com/2007/07/02/how-to-use-prepaid-service-with-the-iphone-getting-functionality-without-a-contract/) claims to have a method to use an iPhone on a prepaid setup.

Here's the text:

How to use prepaid service with the iPhone: Getting functionality without a contract
TUAW has instructions for using prepaid service with the iPhone. Essentially, connect a just-purchased iPhone (or one with an inactivated SIM card) to your computer and begin the iTunes activation process, then enter 99-99-9999 as your social security number. Your credit will (obviously) be denied, and you will be presented with options to go to an AT&T store and put down a deposit, or choose an AT&T prepaid plan, allowing you to “auto pay in advance each month for service using a credit or debit card.”

The prepaid plans appear to be unique to the iPhone, not allowing you to buy a certain number of minutes that can be used over the course of a year. Instead, you pay up-front for the coming month only. However, minute rollover is included with each plan. Prices are as follows:

$50 for 200 anytime minutes, unlimited data and no night/weekend minutes
$60 for 300 anytime minutes, unlimited data and 1000 night/weekend minutes
$70 for 400 anytime minutes, unlimited data and unlimited night/weekend minutes
$90 for 650 anytime minutes, unlimited data and unlimited night/weekend minutes and unlmited mobile to mobile minutes
Choosing this option also allows you to unlock the iPod and Wi-Fi browsing capabilities of the iPhone without a 2-year contract. There could be a mechanism that disables this functionality if no active service is present, but we haven’t heard supporting reports.

[adventureduo]

Ben, i was just reporting what the news said this AM. People weren't happy because they couldn't even get it activated properly and AT&T was having problems. That's all.

[Digital Nomad]

If anyone is thinking of an iPhone, here are a few things you might want to read before you run out and get one:

10 things to know before you buy (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/buyer.s-guide/wait-ten-things-you-should-know-before-you-buy-an-iphone-274432.php)

And here's a list of reviews (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/frankenreview/ten-takes-on-the-apple-iphone-274537.php) from major sources.

(be sure to read PCmag's review because it is the most in-depth and makes some good points about the phone functionality of the device, but ignore what they say about the keyboard... it takes a few days to get the hang of and then it's fine or better than anything else... the reason big letters pop-up as you type is so you can reposition your finger before letting go, which is useful with passwords, etc, but seems to be lost on 101% of reviewers, I'm guessing from lack of experience and being in a hurry to rush out a review, and as usual has some misinformation about things he claims the device cannot do, but it can (like using a 3rd party dock and that it would force you to turn on airplane mode... no! it offers you the choice to do so in case the device creates interference like most cell phones do, but it's not required)... if you're uncertain of the keyboard, just search for iPhone on youtube.com and you'll see how fast you and peck out text).

[Grim Reaper]

Grim... what is UMTS?

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System 3G Wideband CDMA.


SOCALFJ... sell 500K+ of an item in a weekend and you're bound to have some problems. AT&T said they are making adjustments to the activation process. Mine activated on the first try and was the easiest sync I've ever done to get my contacts, calendar, photos, tunes, movies, etc. transferred. "Looks like people aren't super happy"... where have you been living, Mars? maybe .001% of people are having problems, but I read of very few people who "aren't super happy", most reviews/comments sound as if people are generally pleased (the main complaints have to do with AT&T's Edge service).

.

I Handle network gear. I am the guy that all the broken tower gear comes to for the state of Georgia. I then get it off for repair.

I also do inventory for the switches and network. All new Switch gear for the east coast comes through my warehouse.

You would not believe the amount of servers coming through right now to support the iphone and more products like it. I have been having about 40-60 300-1200lb Server racks from Cisco, HP and Juniper a WEEK for the last month since we took over the distribution and inventory duties. The cheap ones are about $30k. We have some HP that are 7ft tall worth over a Million. My last pay check has 18.5 hours of OT on it just trying to keep up. They generally don't like us going over 5 hours. LOL




As far as the activations issues. I use to Run a repair shop and did a lot of Tech support type trouble shooting and use to have access to all the back end systems. It just the system running beyond capacity so it sits in a Que till it can catch up.

Normally you just don't see this sort of activation load. The system can only handle so many at a time and they are exceeding it and it has to catch up. It doesn't happen often. 99.9% of the time the equipment activates within 2-3 minutes even at X-Mas when we make are largest sales for the year. Just the news looking to make something out of a small problem.

[pskhaat]

That's fantastic news about prepaid plans. I'm definetely investigating more now.

[Digital Nomad]

Here's the only review (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/07/02/apples_iphone_an_initial_but_in_depth_review.html) I've found that really describes what it's like to use an iPhone... all the others don't really get to the point of having you know what the device is really like (other than compared to existing devices). If you're on the fence about the iPhone, then this might help you decide if it's for you or not.

Grim Reaper: I don't see how a company can prepare for a launch this big without adding capacity that they will never need in the future... I mean, how often will you have 500K users trying to activate a product on the same day? If you have all that's needed to handle it, then it will only be using 5-15% of its capacity for the rest of the hardware's life. Not being able to activate a phone always sucks, but I wasn't surprised over a few early problems.

I hope that hardware keeps coming through your place and that it's used to make the EDGE network more robust... that is something where the user load will only increase, so unlike the activation system, it needs constant capacity increases.

[jeffryscott]

My Treo has been a royal PIA ever since I got it....freezes for 3-10 minutes at a times, sometimes requiring a reset virtually every day.

But to get an iPhone, it will have to run a program called, ePocrates, which I use every day at work.

It's a must-have....and not likely in the near future... :(

http://www.unboundmedicine.com/

would that work for you?

[Grim Reaper]

Here's the only review (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/07/02/apples_iphone_an_initial_but_in_depth_review.html)
I hope that hardware keeps coming through your place and that it's used to make the EDGE network more robust... that is something where the user load will only increase, so unlike the activation system, it needs constant capacity increases.

Edge is SO last year!
Edge is 2.5G Edge really won't improve any over what it is now except for capacity. They will ad more radios at the sites since there are more data users but other then blocking it will not help speed.

UMTS is honest to god DSL speed. Eventually GSM and EDGE will fade and be replaced by UMTS. That gear for the state also comes through my office.

It will be a while before GSM is gone and both systems will run side by side for that time but in about 2 years most of what you will buy will be UMTS in the same way that Now its GSM over TDMA. The next iphone will be UMTS and it will revert back to EDGE if UMTS is not available.

The gear at the Switch is the Data handling gear and what carrier technology the equipment is doesn't matter to it. It will support whether you are WiFi, EDGE or UMTS. It will improve your experience by storing and sourcing what you want to access faster but not improve EDGE speed.

Its Kind of funny but people really don't realize what it takes on the network side to support a wireless device. You are carrying a 4-6 ounce device with a 1 inch tall antenna pumping out about a 1/4-1/2 watt of power that talks to a 6ft tall antenna mounted on a 150-200ft tall pole running through a 10lb TMA (tower mounted Amp) piped down 2 inch thick Coaxial cable to a 34lb Combiner then down to a 17lb Radio that can handle about 40 calls at a time each radio (UMTS ups that to about 60).

You on Pirate? here is a UPS FROM HELL for a switch.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368544

[Grim Reaper]

For the record if you go to a "Company store" you don't have to sign a contract. The sales person won't be happy because they work commission and a 2 year contract is one of the big commission items. So you have to insist becasue you are basically asking the sales person to work nearly for free. You will pay about $100 more for the product as well.

Now if they are doing it by the book there is also a "No Contract" variation of the pricing plans. Something will be different. When I was in Sales the big difference was Free Mobile to Mobile and roll over was not included.....If you are an existing customer more then likely they wont switch your base price plan so they won't take away M2M if you already have it but if you are a new customer them may well pick the no contract plan.


The $100 off deal goes back to a time when the Cheap phone was $1k and Handsfree was a $250 options of HALF duplex. Then $110 labor to install, $40 for an antenna and $20-50 for a mounting bracket.

The $100 just never went away because people want something for nothing. The contract insures that they will recover the $100 off even if you are a 20 minute a month customer.

[pskhaat]

GSM, CDMA, EDGE, UMTS??? Where's my AMPS?

[Grim Reaper]

GSM, CDMA, EDGE, UMTS??? Where's my AMPS?
I put it on a truck and sent it to the crusher........No really I did. :) Really I did!

I sent about 90% of the Analog and TDMA gear we had as spares on a truck a few weeks ago. Some will end up in South America but most of it will have no technologial value so they will be scrapped for the metals.

AMPS will be online till about Feb 1 2008 and then it and TDMA will be gone forever! PCS (1900 TDMA no AMPS) will be gone by August. My job gets easier becasue I only have to keep track of two technologies instead of four. :wings:

[HongerVenture]

I am very interested in the iPhone... but have about 15 months left on a contract with Verizon. I have a Motorola Q, and after touching/testing an iPhone this last Saturday, I realize how much my phone is lacking and how genuinely mediocre it is.

Found this link... iPhone without AT&T (http://alexking.org/blog/2007/07/02/iphone-without-service).

This appeals to me a great deal. =)

[mountainpete]

All I can say is this:

I would not spend my personal money on this phone. Why oh why would Apple build a phone without the latest network technology driving it? Like Grim said, EDGE is so last year...

The phone itself is amazing, but it's like having a Ferrari in traffic - looks cool and draws attention, but there is little chance to use it's full potential.

[pskhaat]

My job gets easier becasue I only have to keep track of two technologies instead of four.

And my remote area coverage goes away, and my external gain antennas, and my relative anonymous position, and my 3w bag phone, and ...

I tried many times to get Verizon and Alltel to sub-out a small/special AMPS mobile service (do you have any idea how many people actually want AMPS back)? but I guess it's actually going to be against the law to not have GPS-forwarding phones.

[Grim Reaper]

(do you have any idea how many people actually want AMPS back)? but I guess it's actually going to be against the law to not have GPS-forwarding phones.

Not many people want AMPS back because it is horribly restricted in what it can do and its capacity. Yes it sounded "better" and it could crank up on the fringe but thats all that was better about it. The "fringe" gets smaller by the day. Where the fringe does exist is often Federal protected land where it would littlerly take an act of Congress to put up a tower to make it work. In that care your best bet is Satellite.

WHY the FCC mandated that AMPS be kept around till 2008 is because many government operations had invested in equipment that was still using it. Most of that equipment on their end had long ago been replaced with better and faster equipment years ago but the FCC never changed the ruling.

There is less then 5% of the total customer on TDMA and AMPS combined. It accounts for less then .5% of the calls made. Most of the people still holding them are over 50 years old and average less then 10 minutes of calls a Month (yes that stuff is kept track of).

What is the "law" is that the carrier has to be able to tell the Police where the phone is not that the phone have a GPS integrated.

That really has never been a problem. The System can locate the phone with in 20-50 ft even without the 911 gear most places and thats with NO GPS in the product. It does it by Triangulation off the towers. In most major populations centers it is automatically provided to the 911 operator with a GPS coordinate IF the local municipality's system can handle it. The carriers have better coverage for 911 then the police but there are MANY Dispatch operations running old equipment. So if 911 can't find you its more then likely your local Municipalities fault NOT the carrier.

[pskhaat]

Not many people want AMPS back because it is horribly restricted in what it can do and its capacity.

From the carriers, yes. There would be a suprisingly strong niche demand IMO for even an expensive per-minute AMPS. There are a lot of Ham elmers who love their AMPS.

It's a moot point though if the carriers can't make $ off it. I don't know the #s in order to maintain the equipment and if it can at least return some margin minus the frequency swath and opportunity cost of the bandwidth.


Yes it sounded "better" but thats all that was better about it.

Aye, but to the simple consumer, that's all that's necesssary. Instead, our phone conversations are now dynamically resampled by how profitable we are as customers, white noise introduced, and my coverage on my tri-band is still !@#$.

There's no doubt of the limited blocked frequency capacity on the AMPS system; just we as consumers are spending more for less IMO when all we want is a mobile phone.

[Grim Reaper]

There's no doubt of the limited blocked frequency capacity on the AMPS system; just we as consumers are spending more for less IMO when all we want is a mobile phone.

Actually the exact opposite is true. When Amps was "it" you were paying 45cents a MINUTE peak and 35 cents a minute off peak. (I have been in the buisness 20 years).

Now you are paying roughly 8 cents a Minute for your peak air time. If its and weekends free as well as long distance. On Amps you were paying extra for LD.


For what one AMPS channel you can get Three TDMA calls on it, 8 GSM, and something like 15 UMTS and at the same time carry Data on GSM and UMTS where Amps and TDMA it was voice or Data not both at the same time.

Amps the Phone was $1000 for the CHEAP car mount 20 years ago. It got down to $150 for bag phones. Most cases with a year contract you get a phone for $25 now that can do MUCH more including Internet access.

Still think it was Cheaper?

[pskhaat]

Actually, absolutely cheaper at least in my particular case. I do pay $0.35/min and have a `plan' that was prior to the contract stuff. I pay only when I use it, no monthly minimums. For what I personally use, I spend probably about $5-$12/month. I get service where you'd least expect it.

I don't think you can get a phone + plan for less than ~$30/month nowadays? I may be wrong. :)

I know I'm weird like that, I get regular poking comments from several members here (you know who you are) about how I need to advance into the current century :O

[Grim Reaper]

Actually, absolutely cheaper at least in my particular case. I do pay $0.35/min and have a `plan' that was prior to the contract stuff. I pay only when I use it, no monthly minimums. For what I personally use, I spend probably about $5-$12/month. I get service where you'd least expect it.

I don't think you can get a phone + plan for less than ~$30/month nowadays? I may be wrong. :)

I know I'm weird like that, I get regular poking comments from several members here (you know who you are) about how I need to advance into the current century :O
Off and On at&t has a 250 plan for $29.99 plus about $5 in Taxes and gotchas. Its 250 minutes peak no roaming charges in continental US. Unlimited Mobile to Mobile and 5000 Nights and weekends. No long distance.

Right now its off. Cheapest deal is 39.99 for 450 Unlimited M2M and 500 N&W

http://www.wireless.att.com/home/

So yeah a little of 30 but you can just about talk till you are blue in the face on the weekends or to any other of the 62 Million at&t mobility customers.

How much are you paying for your long distance calls? Bet you it would be about a wash to use your cell instead of your home phone if you you make any regular LD a month. ;)

Careful you are bring out the sales person in me. They trained and paid me to make these arguments. LOL

[HongerVenture]

Man, this thing rocks! I'm posting from my parent's iPhone. Just a little more functionality and I won't need a laptop. =)

[adventureduo]

I LOVE IT!

Throwing a iPhone in a blender.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg1ckCkm8YI

[Desertdude]

Blended remains ( and blender) are now going on the auction block Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170129995323)

[Desertdude]

Now that the dust has settled

...real use thoughts/complaints?

AT&T service?

[Scott Brady]

:lurk:





...This Mac stuff is like a disease. Kind of like L lenses.

[kcowyo]

AT&T service?

Apprently not necessary if you have a soldering iron, a steady hand and no summer job..... Teen Hacks iPhone (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070825/ap_on_hi_te/iphone_unlocked_31;_ylt=AsjrWLG1CvQukRy822X3BEEE1v AI)