Another tech question, best guess on 3G iPhone?

[bfree]

Hey-

I was just looking at my cell phone bill and it looks like my contract is going to be up in May. I absolutely love the iPhone, but feel like I'd get annoyed at the internet speed. I've been poking around rumor websites, and it seems like everyone assumes that there will be a 3G iPhone eventually, but there are lots of different opinions on when it'll show up.

Any DBR peeps work at Apple? Anyone have a guess or a website you particularly trust when it comes to tech rumors?

Thanks in advance :)

[willywoody]

macrumors is pretty good. they say it'll be out before the end of the year. there's a new rumor today that apple has already placed the order for them which suggests they'll be here this summer. i say wait for the 3g phone but att better get off their rears and actually get their 3g network running. in s.c. 3g on att is only in columbia and spotty coverage there it looks like from their map.

[billybreen]

My guess is late summer, a little over a year after the initial announcement. I'll be happily buying one and getting what I can for my G1 iPhone on eBay.

[bfree]

If it could be as early as June and as late as November, what do ya'll suggest I do when my contract runs up in May?

[billybreen]

If it could be as early as June and as late as November, what do ya'll suggest I do when my contract runs up in May?

Who is your contract with? Assuming it's anyone but AT&T, sign up for AT&T with the best free phone they give you, then switch to the iPhone when it's released.

[bfree]

Who is your contract with? Assuming it's anyone but AT&T, sign up for AT&T with the best free phone they give you, then switch to the iPhone when it's released.

It isn't ATT.

Isn't a big plus with the iPhone that you get a great rate on the unlimited data plan? Would I still get that deal if I upgraded my phone? Same question on the phone itself.

[billybreen]

It isn't ATT.

Isn't a big plus with the iPhone that you get a great rate on the unlimited data plan? Would I still get that deal if I upgraded my phone? Same question on the phone itself.

Changing to the iPhone is a new contract within AT&T, but I don't think that's an issue. It just means your lock in with AT&T will be 2 years from iPhone purchase rather than 2 years from establishment of your initial contract.

Note: Cell phone plans tend to baffle me, so I reserve the right to be completely wrong here.

[Kdogg]

If it could be as early as June and as late as November, what do ya'll suggest I do when my contract runs up in May?

When your contract expires they will not cut you off or force you to sign a new contract. More than likely you will be switched to a month to month plan and charged the same rate plan you currently have. Just do not sign up for a new contract. You will not be able to get a new phone but since you want a iphone and have to switch to AT&T it's not a problem. Just double check with your provider. I have used the same company (Bell South / Cingular / AT&T) for ten years. I've been under contract for five of them. The only time I have signed a contract is when I wanted a new discounted phone. The only potential downside is the rate plan may go up a few bucks but that's unlikely.

Another option is to switch to AT&T at the end of your current contract and port your number. You would have to buy a new phone at full price though and get a month to month plan. I wouldn't recommend path/

[bfree]

Update:

I called ATT and this is basically correct. Usually, you can't get a phone at the discounted "new plan" price unless you're a new customer or due for an upgrade. This is not the case with the iPhone. It always costs the same prices, and always extends your plan 2 years. So the guy recommending signing up, bringing my number with me, and getting a free phone until the 3g iPhone came out (he had no idea when that'd be). Assuming the pricing is the same, upgrade for 399 or whatever and be on the hook for an additional 2 years.


Changing to the iPhone is a new contract within AT&T, but I don't think that's an issue. It just means your lock in with AT&T will be 2 years from iPhone purchase rather than 2 years from establishment of your initial contract.

Note: Cell phone plans tend to baffle me, so I reserve the right to be completely wrong here.

[YmoBeThere]

Rumor has the new 3G iPhone available in limited quantity near the end of April/beginning of May...and I just got another phone last month.

[billybreen]

Rumor has the new 3G iPhone available in limited quantity near the end of April/beginning of May...and I just got another phone last month.

Yeah, some analysts are saying that, some aren't (http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/04/02/analysts-iphone-shortage-means-new-models-imminent-or-not). Recent shortages have some thinking that Apple is burning off current inventory before a new release, but I'll be surprised if it's out before the 1 year anniversary in late July.

Also, it takes a while for the FCC to certify a new device, and we'll know about it as soon as they start. If it was late April, we would have heard something by now.

[billybreen]

This is fun iPhone related news, a report from the latest mobile conference about how other vendors are completely failing to catch up to the iPhone (http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4257134.html). When 3G finally comes out, all you iPhone fence sitters are in for a treat. :)

[YmoBeThere]

Sounds like the guy from Popular Mechanics is an Apple fanboy himself! :)

[Lavabe]

This is fun iPhone related news, a report from the latest mobile conference about how other vendors are completely failing to catch up to the iPhone (http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4257134.html). When 3G finally comes out, all you iPhone fence sitters are in for a treat. :)
My 2 yr w/Verizon is up in October. My family's contract will continue longer. I'm thinking that there will be an iPhone 3G in my pocket later this year. Sounds like all the bugs will be worked out by then. What's the status with non-ATT vendor availability on iPhone?
Thanks,
Lavabe

[billybreen]

Sounds like the guy from Popular Mechanics is an Apple fanboy himself! :)

Nope, just a member of the reality based community. ;)

[Clipsfan]

My wife gave me an iPhone last month as a present, although I did return it. I'm waiting for my company to give the OK to the enterprise friendly iPhone which is supposed to come out this summer. I hope that it's also 3G...

[Lavabe]

I usually instruct my students to have their cell phones off during class. On the other hand, there are some times when I want them to be able to access class content from our Blackboard or iTunesU site while in class (we're Wifi). This got me to wondering:

Is it possible to turn off the cell phone portion of the iPhone without turning off the other features, such as Safari?

Thanks,
Lavabe

[billybreen]

I usually instruct my students to have their cell phones off during class. On the other hand, there are some times when I want them to be able to access class content from our Blackboard or iTunesU site while in class (we're Wifi). This got me to wondering:

Is it possible to turn off the cell phone portion of the iPhone without turning off the other features, such as Safari?

Good question. Airplane mode turns off Safari, but I'm pretty sure the 'no data services' mode (added in software update 1.0.1 after a few users took their iPhones to the UK and were accidentally hit by thousands of dollars in roaming charges ;)) disables cell and leaves on Wifi.

[Highlander]

Update:

I called ATT and this is basically correct. Usually, you can't get a phone at the discounted "new plan" price unless you're a new customer or due for an upgrade. This is not the case with the iPhone. It always costs the same prices, and always extends your plan 2 years. So the guy recommending signing up, bringing my number with me, and getting a free phone until the 3g iPhone came out (he had no idea when that'd be). Assuming the pricing is the same, upgrade for 399 or whatever and be on the hook for an additional 2 years.

If that were the case, I'd just stick with your current provider until the 3G phone comes out, then switch. My experience is that cellphone companies will do whatever they can to lock you into a 2 year contract. Once you're locked, your barganing power is diminished. So, no real point in my mind to switching to AT&T before the 3G phone comes out.

[YmoBeThere]

As of yesterday, I became a holder of AAPL. As I already have a large stake in MSFT, should I feel conflicted?

[DevilAlumna]

Nope, competition is healthy and good.

Plus, MSFT does make software for Apple, more and more folks are running Windows AND Mac OSes, and Apple is licensing ActiveSync, so in some cases, it's coop-tition.