I think neither. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that you need more than one version. But all you and GTL215 do is listen to whatever Apples tells you - nothing more. Quite pathetic actually. Just look at the RAZR for your example..
Learn to think for yourself-. It's quite refreshing.
Lets do the math. if an iphone cost x dollars. And the data plan cost 1800 over 2 yrs . What is so special about lowering the price by 50 bucks for a lesser machine ,
Because all the machines will have high data plan dollars attached to them anyway ? where or what do we really save by having 4 models with the same $1800 backend?
WiFi only or pay as you go probably. I can't think of another phone that requires a data plan.
I have 2 friends that want the exact same thing- iPhone without data plan. No need to get addictied to the messaging. All they want is a phone/iPod combo.
How about some simple math people. If you pay $99 for a phone and still pay a monthly plan that cost around $80 per month over a 2 year contract are you getting such an bargain with the cheaper phone? I would love a plan with about 100-200 minutes per month + unlimited data all for $40 instead of the $80 plan I have now. Oh and by the way please keep your post civil, okay to be angry but foul language is more a likely to nullify you comments than enhance them.
Lets do the math. if an iphone cost x dollars. And the data plan cost 1800 over 2 yrs . What is so special about lowering the price by 50 bucks for a lesser machine ,
Because all the machines will have high data plan dollars attached to them anyway ? where or what do we really save by having 4 models with the same $1800 backend?
9
The cheaper models will have lower-priced plans, and thus lower subsidies.
As some already believe that AT&T's subscriber base has been saturated for iPhone, the lower-priced plan allows AT&T to have a "starter-plan" for those additional subscribers who are hesitant to switch to a smartphone with data. But we'll see if AT&T lives up to Apple's expectations...
But I still think that all iPhone plans will require a data plan - maybe $20 instead of $30/mo.
From Apple's historic behaviour it's clear that they are more interested in a quality product than achieving mass market acceptance in a short period.
the iphone OS is fairly mature now and version 3 will run on EDGE models so it's not that big a deal to sell 3G models at $99 with the new software. 4GB flash memory costs about as much as coffee at starbucks
I'm thinking it's the initial price plus the cost of the data plan that scares most people away. If you were to drop the phone down to $99 and the data plan plus 200 SMS messages to $59 total, then they would get FAR more sales. It's really the data plan that kills most people.
No data plan? How do you plan on using iChat? Wifi? Then why do you need an iPhone?
You think at&t is a monopoly? Why don't you use that anger to fuel your buying decisions and get an iPod touch instead. Or go with Verizon, T-mobile or Sprint. You have options. Don't yell because you can't get what you want. Join the club. And please. Calm down.
I'm with those who want a voice-only plan. The number of times I need internet access when I'm not near wi-fi in no way justifies $360+ per year. Absolute waste of money for me, and I believe for a lot of people.
Lets do the math. if an iphone cost x dollars. And the data plan cost 1800 over 2 yrs . What is so special about lowering the price by 50 bucks for a lesser machine ,
Because all the machines will have high data plan dollars attached to them anyway ? where or what do we really save by having 4 models with the same $1800 backend?
9
It just gives people a choice. Not everyone wants a data plan- some just want aphone/iPod. it's just an added choice- increases penetration.
I have 2 friends that want the exact same thing- iPhone without data plan. No need to get addictied to the messaging. All they want is a phone/iPod combo.
I don't know what's harder to believe - that there's a viable market for pay as you go iPhone users, or that Teckstud actually has 2 friends.
It just gives people a choice. Not everyone wants a data plan- some just want aphone/iPod. it's just an added choice- increases penetration.
why would anybody get an iPhone if you don't want the data? That's the whole point of the iPhone. If you just want a basic phone and an ipod, then buy a basic phone and an iPod.
It just gives people a choice. Not everyone wants a data plan- some just want aphone/iPod. it's just an added choice- increases penetration.
Understand, but AT&T would say that the margin is too small, given the amount they have to pay for the subsidized iPhone. So they need the extra $200-400/year. Even the $99 will cost AT&T at least $350, and more likely, over $400.
AT&T has to make that choice between low-margin but higher subscriber volume, or higher-margin but lower subscriber volume.
How about some simple math people. If you pay $99 for a phone and still pay a monthly plan that cost around $80 per month over a 2 year contract are you getting such an bargain with the cheaper phone? I would love a plan with about 100-200 minutes per month + unlimited data all for $40 instead of the $80 plan I have now. Oh and by the way please keep your post civil, okay to be angry but foul language is more a likely to nullify you comments than enhance them.
it's psychology
people still think of it as a cell phone and for most people $299 is the most they'll pay for one. there have been $500 cell phones for years now and they have been very poor sellers even though they came with a long list of nice features
Understand, but AT&T would say that the margin is too small, given the amount they have to pay for the subsidized iPhone. So they need the extra $200-400/year. Even the $99 will cost AT&T at least $350, and more likely, over $400.
AT&T has to make that choice between low-margin but higher subscriber volume, or higher-margin but lower subscriber volume.
Great explanation. Thanks. Seems like once again AT&T is calling a lot of the shots- no?
why would anybody get an iPhone if you don't want the data? That's the whole point of the iPhone. If you just want a basic phone and an ipod, then buy a basic phone and an iPod.
um, no... the 'whole point' of the iPhone is that its a "phone". And it can do wi-fi.
Why in god's name would I need to spend $30 extra a month for a service I don't need?
95% of my time is spent within wi-fi range (for which I'm already paying a pretty penny.)
I can't believe I'm actually agreeing with techstud on something.
"We're way better than Apple, but oh by the way, we can only supply a good experience by piggy-backing onto their products."
No seriously. If they cut them off now it will create tons of bad press and lawsuits. If they allow it to remain they shoot themself in the foot and set precedence. They should have cut it off before it was able to even get acknowledged.
um, no... the 'whole point' of the iPhone is that its a "phone". And it can do wi-fi.
Why in god's name would I need to spend $30 extra a month for a service I don't need?
95% of my time is spent within wi-fi range? (for which I'm already paying a pretty penny.)
I can't believe I'm actually agreeing with techstud on something.
There are tons of people that get Blackberrys without data plan at TMobile and Verizon. People simply want a cool phone with no data. It's more common than you think.
um, no... the 'whole point' of the iPhone is that its a "phone". And it can do wi-fi.
Why in god's name would I need to spend $30 extra a month for a service I don't need?
95% of my time is spent within wi-fi range (for which I'm already paying a pretty penny.)
wifi is not a selling point for the iPhone. It's obviously a great feature and should be standard on smartphones these days (BB Storm, anyone?). But the "point" of the iPhone and other smartphones is mobile data access. If you don't want to pay $30 for a service you don't need, then you clearly don't need an iPhone. iPod Touch can do pretty much everything the iPhone can, and without the monthly cost. Skype is great and works on the ipod Touch.
Comments
I think neither. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that you need more than one version. But all you and GTL215 do is listen to whatever Apples tells you - nothing more. Quite pathetic actually. Just look at the RAZR for your example..
Learn to think for yourself-. It's quite refreshing.
Lets do the math. if an iphone cost x dollars. And the data plan cost 1800 over 2 yrs . What is so special about lowering the price by 50 bucks for a lesser machine ,
Because all the machines will have high data plan dollars attached to them anyway ? where or what do we really save by having 4 models with the same $1800 backend?
9
WiFi only or pay as you go probably. I can't think of another phone that requires a data plan.
I have 2 friends that want the exact same thing- iPhone without data plan. No need to get addictied to the messaging. All they want is a phone/iPod combo.
Lets do the math. if an iphone cost x dollars. And the data plan cost 1800 over 2 yrs . What is so special about lowering the price by 50 bucks for a lesser machine ,
Because all the machines will have high data plan dollars attached to them anyway ? where or what do we really save by having 4 models with the same $1800 backend?
9
The cheaper models will have lower-priced plans, and thus lower subsidies.
As some already believe that AT&T's subscriber base has been saturated for iPhone, the lower-priced plan allows AT&T to have a "starter-plan" for those additional subscribers who are hesitant to switch to a smartphone with data. But we'll see if AT&T lives up to Apple's expectations...
But I still think that all iPhone plans will require a data plan - maybe $20 instead of $30/mo.
"extremely hackish"?- because it works so well? which is what the NY Times said.
NYT was saying that the experience seemed to work well. It is, however, absolutely a 'hack' by any meaning of the word.
http://9to5mac.com/palm-block-iTunes
They're spoofing the Media Sync code in the USB node info by claiming they're an iPod.
This can be easily stopped by Apple... the running question is whether or not they'll do so.
Also, keep in mind that this only sync's music... contacts etc don't sync.
It reeks of desperation by Palm.
From Apple's historic behaviour it's clear that they are more interested in a quality product than achieving mass market acceptance in a short period.
the iphone OS is fairly mature now and version 3 will run on EDGE models so it's not that big a deal to sell 3G models at $99 with the new software. 4GB flash memory costs about as much as coffee at starbucks
No data plan? How do you plan on using iChat? Wifi? Then why do you need an iPhone?
You think at&t is a monopoly? Why don't you use that anger to fuel your buying decisions and get an iPod touch instead. Or go with Verizon, T-mobile or Sprint. You have options. Don't yell because you can't get what you want. Join the club. And please. Calm down.
I'm with those who want a voice-only plan. The number of times I need internet access when I'm not near wi-fi in no way justifies $360+ per year. Absolute waste of money for me, and I believe for a lot of people.
Lets do the math. if an iphone cost x dollars. And the data plan cost 1800 over 2 yrs . What is so special about lowering the price by 50 bucks for a lesser machine ,
Because all the machines will have high data plan dollars attached to them anyway ? where or what do we really save by having 4 models with the same $1800 backend?
9
It just gives people a choice. Not everyone wants a data plan- some just want aphone/iPod. it's just an added choice- increases penetration.
NYT was saying that the experience seemed to work well. It is, however, absolutely a 'hack' by any meaning of the word.
http://9to5mac.com/palm-block-iTunes
They're spoofing the Media Sync code in the USB node info by claiming they're an iPod.
This can be easily stopped by Apple... the running question is whether or not they'll do so.
Also, keep in mind that this only sync's music... contacts etc don't sync.
It reeks of desperation by Palm.
Actually it's quite rogue of them and has backed Apple up against a wall- they're now damned if they do and damned if they don't.
I have 2 friends that want the exact same thing- iPhone without data plan. No need to get addictied to the messaging. All they want is a phone/iPod combo.
I don't know what's harder to believe - that there's a viable market for pay as you go iPhone users, or that Teckstud actually has 2 friends.
It just gives people a choice. Not everyone wants a data plan- some just want aphone/iPod. it's just an added choice- increases penetration.
why would anybody get an iPhone if you don't want the data? That's the whole point of the iPhone. If you just want a basic phone and an ipod, then buy a basic phone and an iPod.
It just gives people a choice. Not everyone wants a data plan- some just want aphone/iPod. it's just an added choice- increases penetration.
Understand, but AT&T would say that the margin is too small, given the amount they have to pay for the subsidized iPhone. So they need the extra $200-400/year. Even the $99 will cost AT&T at least $350, and more likely, over $400.
AT&T has to make that choice between low-margin but higher subscriber volume, or higher-margin but lower subscriber volume.
How about some simple math people. If you pay $99 for a phone and still pay a monthly plan that cost around $80 per month over a 2 year contract are you getting such an bargain with the cheaper phone? I would love a plan with about 100-200 minutes per month + unlimited data all for $40 instead of the $80 plan I have now. Oh and by the way please keep your post civil, okay to be angry but foul language is more a likely to nullify you comments than enhance them.
it's psychology
people still think of it as a cell phone and for most people $299 is the most they'll pay for one. there have been $500 cell phones for years now and they have been very poor sellers even though they came with a long list of nice features
Actually it's quite rogue of them and has backed Apple up against a wall- they're now damned if they do and damned if they don't.
Oh please.
"We're way better than Apple, but oh by the way, we can only supply a good experience by piggy-backing onto their products."
Understand, but AT&T would say that the margin is too small, given the amount they have to pay for the subsidized iPhone. So they need the extra $200-400/year. Even the $99 will cost AT&T at least $350, and more likely, over $400.
AT&T has to make that choice between low-margin but higher subscriber volume, or higher-margin but lower subscriber volume.
Great explanation. Thanks. Seems like once again AT&T is calling a lot of the shots- no?
why would anybody get an iPhone if you don't want the data? That's the whole point of the iPhone. If you just want a basic phone and an ipod, then buy a basic phone and an iPod.
um, no... the 'whole point' of the iPhone is that its a "phone". And it can do wi-fi.
Why in god's name would I need to spend $30 extra a month for a service I don't need?
95% of my time is spent within wi-fi range (for which I'm already paying a pretty penny.)
I can't believe I'm actually agreeing with techstud on something.
Oh please.
"We're way better than Apple, but oh by the way, we can only supply a good experience by piggy-backing onto their products."
No seriously. If they cut them off now it will create tons of bad press and lawsuits. If they allow it to remain they shoot themself in the foot and set precedence. They should have cut it off before it was able to even get acknowledged.
um, no... the 'whole point' of the iPhone is that its a "phone". And it can do wi-fi.
Why in god's name would I need to spend $30 extra a month for a service I don't need?
95% of my time is spent within wi-fi range? (for which I'm already paying a pretty penny.)
I can't believe I'm actually agreeing with techstud on something.
There are tons of people that get Blackberrys without data plan at TMobile and Verizon. People simply want a cool phone with no data. It's more common than you think.
um, no... the 'whole point' of the iPhone is that its a "phone". And it can do wi-fi.
Why in god's name would I need to spend $30 extra a month for a service I don't need?
95% of my time is spent within wi-fi range (for which I'm already paying a pretty penny.)
wifi is not a selling point for the iPhone. It's obviously a great feature and should be standard on smartphones these days (BB Storm, anyone?). But the "point" of the iPhone and other smartphones is mobile data access. If you don't want to pay $30 for a service you don't need, then you clearly don't need an iPhone. iPod Touch can do pretty much everything the iPhone can, and without the monthly cost. Skype is great and works on the ipod Touch.