AT&T activates MMS for iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS users

[AppleInsider]

After months of waiting, AT&T finally enabled multimedia messaging functionality for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS users Friday afternoon, as promised.

The capability came just after 1 p.m. Eastern Time, meeting the time announced earlier this week. Accordingly, Apple has created a support page detailing the process. Activation of MMS requires iPhone OS 3.1 and a carrier settings update from iTunes. Apple has provided the following steps for users:

1. Make sure that you have a working Internet connection on your computer and that you are using iTunes 8.2 or later.

2. Connect iPhone to the computer and open iTunes.

3. Select your iPhone in the Devices list and click "Check for Update."

4. Click "Update Settings" when prompted.


5. When the update is complete, you will see the following screen:


6. Restart your iPhone.
After iPhone restarts, verify MMS is active by creating a new text message. You should see the camera icon to the left of the text field:



The update enables users to send pictures and videos via the phone's messaging application. MMS is not available for the first-generation iPhone. More information on MMS is available through the iPhone user guide.

When bought in bulk, MMS uses the standard text messaging plan available for AT&T. Individuals can purchase 200 messages per month for $5, 1,500 messages for $15, or unlimited messages for $20. FamilyTalk users can get unlimited messaging for $30 per month. On a pay-per-use basis, text messages are 20 cents, while picture and video messages cost 30 cents.

Also Friday, the nation's second-largest wireless carrier updated its pricing for a refurbished iPhone 3G. The 8GB model is now available for $49, while the 16GB refurbished will run buyers $99. The low-end model is available only in black, while the other is available in both black and white. Customers can use AT&T's Web site to find a local store.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[harmsway]

I sure hope its snappy...

[erybovic]

1: Its about time
2: How much does a MMS pic recieved and sent cost? How much does a MMS video recieved and sent cost?

[teckstud]

I'm travelling today with no access to my computer. I can't update until Monday!!!
I am not happy.

[kdupuis77]

Requires iPhone OS 3.1 eh? Hmmm, should I sacrifice my 3.0-based tethering, or upgrade for MMS? I'll stick with tethering and no application-genius thank you very much lol.

[JupiterOne]

Originally Posted by erybovic

1: Its about time
2: How much does a MMS pic recieved and sent cost? How much does a MMS video recieved and sent cost?

If you don't already have a messaging plan, I believe it is .30 to send and receive. And I think free if you do have a messaging plan.

[gordy]

Originally Posted by erybovic

2: How much does a MMS pic recieved and sent cost? How much does a MMS video recieved and sent cost?

According to AT&T, it's part of the unlimited data plan.

[JupiterOne]

Originally Posted by gordy

According to AT&T, it's part of the unlimited data plan.

Are you sure about that? Do you have a link? I thought it was free with a separate MESSAGING plan.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by JupiterOne

Are you sure about that? Do you have a link? I thought it was free with a separate MESSAGING plan.

That is what I read, too. An SMS and MMS cost a single message.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by JupiterOne

Are you sure about that? Do you have a link? I thought it was free with a separate MESSAGING plan.

It's not part of the DATA plan. It is separate. It's called the MESSAGING MMS/SMS plan. I have it- cost $15 more per month for unlimited MMS/SMS.

[AdamIIGS]

Originally Posted by JupiterOne

Are you sure about that? Do you have a link? I thought it was free with a separate MESSAGING plan.

It's part of your regular messaging plan, it count's as a regular txt message, there no additional fee to send pics / video

[TheWatchfulOne]

Originally Posted by erybovic

1: Its about time
2: How much does a MMS pic recieved and sent cost? How much does a MMS video recieved and sent cost?

MMS is included in your text plan if you have one.

What I'd like to know is if I can update my phone using my work computer without "syncing" it to that computer. I sold my previous MacBook Pro and my new 13" MBP is scheduled to be delivered on Monday. We're going on a trip this weekend and it would be fun to the MMS capability to play with while on the trip.

[mstone]

it works

[JupiterOne]

Originally Posted by teckstud

It's not part of the DATA plan. It is separate. It's called the MESSAGING MMS/SMS plan. I have it- cost $15 more per month for unlimited MMS/SMS.

Yes, that's what I thought....it's part of a messaging plan, not the data plan.

Now the question is what if you don't have a messaging plan? And what if you don't want to incur the cost of RECEIVING an MMS message? But what if you want to still occasionally send a text message? Can AT&T turn off MMS on your account but still allow you to send/receive SMS?

[imixitup]

It appears that to receive the pic in text the other user must be updated also

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by JupiterOne

Yes, that's what I thought....it's part of a messaging plan, not the data plan.

Now the question is what if you don't have a messaging plan? And what if you don't want to incur the cost of RECEIVING an MMS message? But what if you want to still occasionally send a text message? Can AT&T turn off MMS on your account but still allow you to send/receive SMS?

I think it's one way or the highway. Parents usually use it to shut the kids off from their friends (the poor things). I would suggest calling AT&T.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by imixitup

It appears that to receive the pic in text the other user must be updated also

Well that makes sense.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by TheWatchfulOne

What I'd like to know is if I can update my phone using my work computer without "syncing" it to that computer. I sold my previous MacBook Pro and my new 13" MBP is scheduled to be delivered on Monday. We're going on a trip this weekend and it would be fun to the MMS capability to play with while on the trip.

I'd like to know this as well. What if I go into an AT&T store - can they do it?

[mstone]

Originally Posted by teckstud

I'd like to know this as well. What if I go into an AT&T store - can they do it?

They can. Will they? Don't know. Any computer running iTunes 8.2+ and a USB dock cable is all you need. No syncing required.

Oh and I guess you need to be running OS 3.1 according to a post above.

[imixitup]

Originally Posted by mstone

They can. Will they? Don't know. Any computer running iTunes 8.2+ and a USB dock cable is all you need. No syncing required.

Oh and I guess you need to be running OS 3.1 according to a post above.

not sure if it's the update to 3.1 alone or the carrier update as well

[iGod 2.0]

Finally!!! Yesss!!!

[JustFrozen]

so if u already have 3.1, its just a harmless carrier update similar to the tethering hack, right?

my wife's 3G gets screwed up (basically bricked for days) every time we do an OS update, but it's currently at 3.1

[rawmilkfarmer]

it took about three seconds.

[mstone]

Originally Posted by imixitup

not sure if it's the update to 3.1 alone or the carrier update as well

Carrier update is what you get new today. Takes literally less than a minute.

[DarkVader]

Originally Posted by kdupuis77

Requires iPhone OS 3.1 eh? Hmmm, should I sacrifice my 3.0-based tethering, or upgrade for MMS? I'll stick with tethering and no application-genius thank you very much lol.

It DOES NOT require iPhone OS 3.1.

All you need is the hacked carrier data file you're likely already using for tethering. If you've not hacked it for MMS as well, go ahead and do that now.

And avoid 3.1 until there's a jailbreak strategy for tethering.

[Mac Voyer]

I canceled my text plan and started using Beejive some time ago. How much does this matter at this point?

I suspect there will be no problems with the network because people with an iPhone have access to much better solutions and will not pay AT&T for what we have been doing for free.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by mstone

They can. Will they? Don't know. Any computer running iTunes 8.2+ and a USB dock cable is all you need. No syncing required.

Oh and I guess you need to be running OS 3.1 according to a post above.

They CANT"T or they WONT'T! I just ran into the store across the street and they told me they don't have they latest iTunes and cannot. That they can only sell me a new phone with the settings! They tried to tell me this was an Apple update and I told them no this was their own carrier update. OMG- no wonder AT&T has such low customer ratings!

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

My brother just got the carrier update and MMS on his 3G, and he's running 3.0.

[gumguy]

I updated both mine and my wifes iPhone and received the camera icon, etc. I sent my wife's iPhone a text plus photo and her phone received " I sent you a multimedia message. You can view my message w/in the next 7 days via the web at www.viewmymessage.com/1 using MSG ID ********* Password ********."

So is this how we are going to receive photo's or videos on each other's iPhones? That sucks

[JustFrozen]

Originally Posted by gumguy

So is this how we are going to receive photo's or videos on each other's iPhones? That sucks

no its just not fully working yet. you'll see it with the message when it works

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by gumguy

I updated both mine and my wifes iPhone and received the camera icon, etc. I sent my wife's iPhone a text plus photo and her phone received " I sent you a multimedia message. You can view my message w/in the next 7 days via the web at www.viewmymessage.com/1 using MSG ID ********* Password ********."

So is this how we are going to receive photo's or videos on each other's iPhones? That sucks

You must not be paying for the messaging plan.

[gumguy]

My wife's phone has the original 200 messages included in her plan and I pay 5$ for my 200 messages, so I think we have the message plan. What gives?

[teckstud]

I just tried to call somebody and it looks like I'm connected on the phone yet I get no audilble ring or signal? What's up with that? I had to totally reboot my phone.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by gumguy

My wife's phone has the original 200 messages included in her plan and I pay 5$ for my 200 messages, so I think we have the message plan. What gives?

Did you reboot both phones?

[gumguy]

Yes and the camera icons are present. Now I am trying to send a photo from her phone to mine but am getting the try again exclamation point. ATT must be really bogged down at the moment. So still don't know why the original message when I sent a photo from my phone to hers...any thoughts?

[edwin2213]

Originally Posted by kdupuis77

Requires iPhone OS 3.1 eh? Hmmm, should I sacrifice my 3.0-based tethering, or upgrade for MMS? I'll stick with tethering and no application-genius thank you very much lol.

Did 3.1 break tethering? I upgraded to 3.1 and my tethering still works fine. Does anyone know if the MMS updated breaks the tethering?

[GQB]

No offense to those who have been waiting breathlessly for MMS, but...
Whoop-de-f-ing DOO.

I'm struggling to grasp the earth-shattering need to watch the latest 'hey dig me now!' photo come in in real time, but to each his own. Hardly worth the churn its generated tho'.

[aross99]

Originally Posted by gumguy

My wife's phone has the original 200 messages included in her plan and I pay 5$ for my 200 messages, so I think we have the message plan. What gives?

If she has 200 messages included with her plan, does she have an original iPhone? The MMS functionality only works on the 3G and 3GS...

[mstone]

Originally Posted by teckstud

I just tried to call somebody and it looks like I'm connected on the phone yet I get no audilble ring or signal? What's up with that? I had to totally reboot my phone.

You know that same exact thing happened to me about a week ago, but only that one time and not since.

m

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by mstone

You know that same exact thing happened to me about a week ago, but only that one time and not since.

m

Very weird right? Like the kind of thing you would expect in some kind of state of emergency .