I had to get rid of my iPhone to go prepaid. I would love to have it back, but I'll never go contract again. I would buy the iPhone in an instant if I could use it on prepaid. I wonder how many people out there are in a similar situation.
I am planning to do this with an unlocked next-generation iPhone. I figure most months I can get by with 100MB of cellular data ($15) and will make $5 in calls (at ten cents a minute) since I have WiFi both at home and work. I'm using Google Voice so SMS is free; the Talkatone app handles outgoing GV calls over WiFi. If I have unused cellular data at the end of the 30-day expiration period, I can top off with just $5 for 10 megabytes (to reset the expiration period) meaning my out-of-pocket expenses may end up around $18 per month over the long haul.
Two years (24 x $18) plus the handset ($749) would end up being $1181. If I bought the cheapest two-year subscription via AT&T (24 x $55) plus $299 subsidized handset ends up at $1619 although I think there's a one-time setup fee, so let's say $1644. The savings would be about $230 each year.
I would LOVE to have an iPhone that only made calls and synced contacts and nothing else... for less than half the weight, size and price. I don't need to carry around a computer in my pocket 24/7. I'm a freelancer but I spent 95% of my time at my iMac working. I don't need web and email and angry birds for the one hour that I might be away from my desk. And if I DO need web and email (for a meeting let's say)... I'll take along my iPad or MacBook Air. For now, I'm suffering with my crappy RAZR. Can't bring myself to get an iPhone. Too heavy. Too much. Don't need it. Hopefully this mid-range rumor is not just a cheaper iPhone 4 but a whole new form factor.
An iPhone that doesn't at least browse the web isn't an iPhone. What you're asking for is a RAZR made by Apple and that just isn't going to happen.
The vast majority need their phone for more than 1 hour/day and aren't interested in carrying something as big as an iPad or MBA everywhere they go just in case they need connectivity.
While you desire an iPhone that only makes phone calls, I desire an iPhone that does everything except make phone calls. Voice calls are a thing of the past. Mobile data is what I want. I'd like to see Apple make an iPod touch with 3G and a 4.5" screen. I'd buy one for everyone in my family and use iMessage and Facetime to communicate.
I didn't get a 3G version iPad2 because if I did I'd be on the net all day and turn into a web zombie. I have several apps that work fine offline and when I do need access to the internet I swing by a cafe/MacDonalds. What is surprising to me is how easy it was to transition from the iPhone with ATT and not cold turkey. My life is actualy simpler and happier now that people can't get a hold of me instantly. Personally I think texting etc all day makes me more stupid.
oh the other benefits are saving $1000 per year in data connection and phone charges which has more than paid for the iPad2 purchase and I get to walk along the sidewalk and look at the sky and scenery and avoid bumping into people with their attention glued totheir smartphone! gee
Quote:
Originally Posted by noirdesir
There are enough people who own an iPod touch + dumbphone. Were it not for the insane premium an iPhone carries compared to a comparable iPod touch, these people would happily dump that dumbphone and switch their iPod touch to an iPhone with a voice plan only.
Comments
I had to get rid of my iPhone to go prepaid. I would love to have it back, but I'll never go contract again. I would buy the iPhone in an instant if I could use it on prepaid. I wonder how many people out there are in a similar situation.
You can.
I am planning to do this with an unlocked next-generation iPhone. I figure most months I can get by with 100MB of cellular data ($15) and will make $5 in calls (at ten cents a minute) since I have WiFi both at home and work. I'm using Google Voice so SMS is free; the Talkatone app handles outgoing GV calls over WiFi. If I have unused cellular data at the end of the 30-day expiration period, I can top off with just $5 for 10 megabytes (to reset the expiration period) meaning my out-of-pocket expenses may end up around $18 per month over the long haul.
Two years (24 x $18) plus the handset ($749) would end up being $1181. If I bought the cheapest two-year subscription via AT&T (24 x $55) plus $299 subsidized handset ends up at $1619 although I think there's a one-time setup fee, so let's say $1644. The savings would be about $230 each year.
I would LOVE to have an iPhone that only made calls and synced contacts and nothing else... for less than half the weight, size and price. I don't need to carry around a computer in my pocket 24/7. I'm a freelancer but I spent 95% of my time at my iMac working. I don't need web and email and angry birds for the one hour that I might be away from my desk. And if I DO need web and email (for a meeting let's say)... I'll take along my iPad or MacBook Air. For now, I'm suffering with my crappy RAZR. Can't bring myself to get an iPhone. Too heavy. Too much. Don't need it. Hopefully this mid-range rumor is not just a cheaper iPhone 4 but a whole new form factor.
An iPhone that doesn't at least browse the web isn't an iPhone. What you're asking for is a RAZR made by Apple and that just isn't going to happen.
The vast majority need their phone for more than 1 hour/day and aren't interested in carrying something as big as an iPad or MBA everywhere they go just in case they need connectivity.
While you desire an iPhone that only makes phone calls, I desire an iPhone that does everything except make phone calls. Voice calls are a thing of the past. Mobile data is what I want. I'd like to see Apple make an iPod touch with 3G and a 4.5" screen. I'd buy one for everyone in my family and use iMessage and Facetime to communicate.
nano phone
Abject nonsense.
Abject nonsense.
We will see.
9
I didn't get a 3G version iPad2 because if I did I'd be on the net all day and turn into a web zombie. I have several apps that work fine offline and when I do need access to the internet I swing by a cafe/MacDonalds. What is surprising to me is how easy it was to transition from the iPhone with ATT and not cold turkey. My life is actualy simpler and happier now that people can't get a hold of me instantly. Personally I think texting etc all day makes me more stupid.
oh the other benefits are saving $1000 per year in data connection and phone charges which has more than paid for the iPad2 purchase and I get to walk along the sidewalk and look at the sky and scenery and avoid bumping into people with their attention glued totheir smartphone! gee
There are enough people who own an iPod touch + dumbphone. Were it not for the insane premium an iPhone carries compared to a comparable iPod touch, these people would happily dump that dumbphone and switch their iPod touch to an iPhone with a voice plan only.
wayyy... no!