iPhone OS 4.0

[Skiman]

Which of course we're all going to have to sign to get the new iPhone.

by the balls..... N DA BALLS!!!!!

 

[Something Sexy]

That's why this was meticulously planned.

Yea you are most likely right. ____ing AT&T.

 

[Kabukiman]

That's why this was meticulously planned.

The worst part is that the new phone will probably have video conferencing, iTunes streaming (rumored but who knows), Apple's new online gaming platform, an HD camera (those pics will be mighty hefty to e-mail), tethering...

All these new features, which will require a helluva lotta data, are going to be *severely* gimped on AT&T.

 

[IrishJedi]

The worst part is that the new phone will probably have video conferencing, iTunes streaming (rumored but who knows), Apple's new online gaming platform, an HD camera (those pics will be mighty hefty to e-mail), tethering...

All these new features, which will require a helluva lotta data, are going to be *severely* taken advantage of and cashed-in upon by AT&T.

Fixed.

 

[IrishJedi]

AT&T responds to questions from TUAW. Actually good news for those of us already with unlimited plans looking to upgrade to the new iPhone:

Will the new data plans be prepaid or postpaid?
Outside of the iPad, these are postpaid plans. The iPad will continue to offer prepaid data plans. Prepaid data is data you buy on a month-to-month basis rather than a contract-based plan where you pay at the end of each month.

What is changing on the iPad?
As of Monday, you will no longer be offered the $30 Unlimited data plan on the iPad. Instead, you can opt in for a $25 30-day 2GB plan. However, if you have already signed up for the $30 Unlimited plan and are set with the auto-renew option in place, your unlimited plan will continue to renew for the indefinite future. Unlimited customers will not be cut off. Beware: if you cancel your auto-renewing plan, you will not be able to re-join it after Monday.

What about the iPad $15 250MB 30-Day Plan?
The prepaid iPad $15 plan will not be affected at all by these changes. You will continue to receive 250MB (not 200MB) after the changeover for the same $15 cost.

What happens if I use over 2GB in one month on the iPad now?
You will be able to purchase another month for another $25, with the data clock starting a new 30 days when you do so.

Will my unused data roll over? It will not, neither on the iPad prepaid plans nor on the iPhone (or other smartphone) postpaid plans.

What happens if I exceed 200MB on my postpaid plan?
According to AT&T's Seth Bloom, you will be able to call in or hop online and change that month to the 2GB plan so long as you do so before the end of that billing cycle. So if you have a bad month (or a really good month -- it really depends on how you look at data flexibility), AT&T will offer more overage flexibility. If you do not do this, you will be charged $15 for each 200MB you use -- and that can quickly add up to a lot of ouch. As Bloom added, "You can keep going back and forth between the two tiers." So if you opt into the 2GB plan for a month, you can opt right back out the next month without penalty.

Can you do the reverse? Can you hop out of the 2GB plan to the 200 MB one when you see that you haven't used much data that month?
Bloom is checking into this for us, so right now our answer is: "We don't know." Sorry.

Can you add tethering for just a month? Say when we travel?
Tethering does not require a contract, so you should be able to add the feature and remove it as needed for as many months as required.

What if I exceed 2GB on my postpaid plan?
AT&T sells 1GB "bucket" increments at $10 each. They will charge towards the current month and will not roll over at the end of the month. So watch your billing cycle end-date.

Why 2GB? Why not 5GB or Unlimited?
Bloom explains that this was a change in coordination with the other plans AT&T rolled out, and was not specific to iPad or iPhone users. "We looked at the amount of data that people are using," Bloom explained, "And balanced what users were using in terms of [cell data] versus wireless. We think it's a very very good plan even with 2GB." AT&T set the 2GB limit to match what most users were commonly using. The plan allows most users to save a few bucks a month, with only the most data-demanding users paying a premium on top of what was previously offered.

What happens to users on the current iPhone unlimited plan?
They get to keep that plan for the forseeable future. The changes do not affect iPhone users who are currently signed up for the $30/month plan or 2G iPhone users on the $20/month plan. If your plan lapses, however, so will your ability to keep unlimited data.

Hey, what about those 2G iPhone users? What happens to them?
They are not affected by these plans at all, which only cover 3G data.

And new iPhone customers? They will not be able to sign up for the $30 data plan as of Monday. So if you add a line to your account?
You're out of luck for that new iPhone.

What about iPhone customers who want to upgrade equipment?
Surprisingly enough, there's good news there. You can keep your existing unlimited iPhone plan and migrate it to new equipment to upgrade or replace your handset, and even can renew your contract with that plan. However, when Apple introduces its new iPhone, it may offer new desirable plans at the same time. Bloom declined to comment on upcoming product announcements or special plans.

So, is the "iPhone plan" dead?
The voice and texting plans remain unchanged. New iPhone users will be offered the $25/month 2GB plan instead of the current unlimited $30/month plan.

Why all the sudden raises in costs to consumers? Is it due to overtaxed infrastructure?
"It's the opposite," said Bloom. "We're doing something [in introducing these plans] that isn't around at all. We're introducing a $15/month plan that will make smartphones available to whole new sets of consumers. It's much more affordable to them." Bloom explained that AT&T looked at typical data usage across the existing AT&T smartphone customer base. According to AT&T's research, about 98% of smartphone users consumed less than 2GB per month -- I did not get a separate statistic unfortunately for iPhone users. "We developed a plan that costs less than the $30 plan, where customers can use it comfortably with a fair and easy-to-predict structure if they go over their limits. I think there's a lot of value being added, consumers are getting what they need. For a vast majority of users they're getting that for less money per month." Bloom added that the AT&T infrastructure was not the driving force for the change, that the plans were developed according to historic usage data.

Are we going to see a MiFi-style option from AT&T?
Bloom declined to answer, saying "I don't think that there's anything I can share on that topic."

 

[Something Sexy]

That is some good news at least.

 

[BadMoon]

Ok question? I have been waiting for this new phone to come out. Should I buy an iphone now to get locked into the data plan? Or should I wait for the new phone and just say whatever?

 

[The Josh]

I'm set since I already have an Iphone. Just gotta get money set to get the new one.

 

[Something Sexy]

Ok question? I have been waiting for this new phone to come out. Should I buy an iphone now to get locked into the data plan? Or should I wait for the new phone and just say whatever?

Eh I use it a lot and probably don't get to 2gb. You can probably wait. Use wifi when at home and you will probably be set. IF you think you will use more the 2gb a month. Lock it now.

 

[BadMoon]

I also hear walmart is selling the current model for $99 or something. ____ING AT&T! I made sure to save just enough money after selling my collection and moving to get one of these damn phones and they do this! I might just say screw it and just upgrade to a Droid Incredible with Verizon.

 

[BadMoon]

Eh I use it a lot and probably don't get to 2gb. You can probably wait. Use wifi when at home and you will probably be set. IF you think you will use more the 2gb a month. Lock it now.

I really don't know. I don't think I would. I do send maybe 20 or 30 photos a month. That's about it. I also have wifi at home. I really don't have a clue. I will check my Verizon bill because I just got it today and see if it lists data usage on it.

 

[Skiman]

I also hear walmart is selling the current model for $99 or something. ____ING AT&T! I made sure to save just enough money after selling my collection and moving to get one of these damn phones and they do this! I might just say screw it and just upgrade to a Droid Incredible with Verizon.

 

[BadMoon]

*****sauce*****

 

[Skiman]

*****sauce*****

 

[BadMoon]

 

[darthviper107]

I also hear walmart is selling the current model for $99 or something. ____ING AT&T! I made sure to save just enough money after selling my collection and moving to get one of these damn phones and they do this! I might just say screw it and just upgrade to a Droid Incredible with Verizon.

I've got the Droid Incredible and I like it a lot more than the iPhone. It's fast and the only downside is that it doesn't have many of the good iPhone apps, but that's not a big deal. And the data plan is unlimited.


I was originally considering waiting for the new iPhone, but I realized it wasn't going to offer anything new, and the front facing camera is useless since there won't be anyone else to use it with.

 

[BadMoon]

I've got the Droid Incredible and I like it a lot more than the iPhone. It's fast and the only downside is that it doesn't have many of the good iPhone apps, but that's not a big deal. And the data plan is unlimited.


I was originally considering waiting for the new iPhone, but I realized it wasn't going to offer anything new, and the front facing camera is useless since there won't be anyone else to use it with.

I heard that it has a much larger battery and the ability to run dual apps. Not to mention the screen is supposed to be better. Which basically puts it on par with the Droid. Plus I have a Mac. So I like the seamless integration. I just don't know what to do. Every year I do this to myself and every year I get pissed I didn't get the iphone.

 

[darthviper107]

There will also be new Android phones coming out later. Motorola is supposed to have 2 new ones including the Droid 2. And at some point the phones will have new dual-core 1.2ghz processors.

Also remember the Windows Phone 7 series phones will be out in September or something

 

[EVILFACE]

Eh, Prolly 97% of iPhone users use less than 200mb a month.

The only problem I have with it is the price difference. If $25 gets you 2GB, then 200MB should only be like $5.

 

[BadMoon]

I just saw that the HTC Evo is coming out tomorrow too. Damn this is a ton to think about. LOL!