3G iPhone to be in-store activated; free upgrade for recent buyers

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  • Reply 61 of 127
    merdheadmerdhead Posts: 587member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by YTV View Post


    So by your logic, with Mac's marketshare less than 12%, then Mac's are dead too then?



    Also the fact that there are MORE CDMA users than GSM users in the US means CDMA is dead in the US too?



    No, Mac has something to offer: quality. CDMA is no better or worse than GSM. Yes, CDMA is dead in the US as well. It's being phased out for LTE (4G).



    I'll put it in a way that you can understand: CDMA is Beta, GSM is VHS or CDMA is HD DVD and GSM is BluRay (sp?). Got it?
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  • Reply 62 of 127
    I think Apple is more concerned with making sure developers are working on stuff for sale through the iTunes App Store rather than directly to jailbreakers. It was convenient to let developers figure out ways people would use the device during the past year but now its time to reign it in and make it work for them. The greatest advantage to Apple selling the applications is they know how people are using the device and can improve the OS accordingly.



    On a tangent I think those medical apps are screaming for a tablet so I'll be passing on another beautiful device sadly chained to that bitch at&t wireless.
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  • Reply 63 of 127
    SpamSandwichspamsandwich Posts: 33,407member
    With their new restrictive policies Apple and at&t have unwittingly created all new demand for 1st gen iPhones.
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  • Reply 64 of 127
    icfireballicfireball Posts: 2,594member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Tomohr View Post


    also, does this mean that we will not ever be able to reformat the iphone to its factory default through itunes, in a another attempt to fight jalibraking?



    No, you should be able to reformat to factory default settings. It's just since they nab you with a contract in the store, good luck getting your hands on one of those puppies without paying any early termination fee or being stuck with a AT&T 2-year contract.
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  • Reply 65 of 127
    SpamSandwichspamsandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by icfireball View Post


    No, you should be able to reformat to factory default settings. It's just since they nab you with a contract in the store, good luck getting your hands on one of those puppies without paying any early termination fee or being stuck with a AT&T 2-year contract.



    I foresee a burgeoning market for stolen blackmarket iPhone 3Gs. Sometimes I would just like to smack Jobs and the drones at at&t upside the head.
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  • Reply 66 of 127
    ouraganouragan Posts: 437member
    Quote:

    Apple in the US will attempt to stifle the proliferation of unlocked iPhones by requiring that all of the new handsets be activated at the time of purchase.





    Tied sales are illegal. It is illegal to tie the sale of a product with a service so that, if you want to buy and own the product, you must subscribe to the service.



    This is the difference between the phone you buy and own versus a rented phone service.



    Sorry, Apple, but manic Steve MUST OBEY ANTITRUST laws. Otherwise, they'll throw you in jail where you belong and add fraud and perjury charges for the billion dollar stock option backdating offences.



    Consumer protection laws also forbid tied sales.



    Consumers, sue and you'll get the head of Steve Jobs whose delusions will have to come to an end. Period.



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  • Reply 67 of 127
    SpamSandwichspamsandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ouragan View Post


    Tied sales are illegal. It is illegal to tie the sale of a product with a service so that, if you want to buy and own the product, you must subscribe to the service.



    This is the difference between the phone you buy and own versus a rented phone service.



    Sorry, Apple, but manic Steve MUST OBEY ANTITRUST laws. Otherwise, they'll throw you in jail where you belong and add fraud and perjury charges for the billion dollar stock option backdating offences.



    Consumer protection laws also forbid tied sales.



    Consumers, sue and you'll get the head of Steve Jobs whose delusions will have to come to an end. Period.







    I think a well-timed class action lawsuit aimed at at&t could do the trick and break the contract... here's hoping for a good solid case.
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  • Reply 68 of 127
    irelandireland Posts: 17,802member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by tjp091 View Post


    Since ATT just anounced that Apple will no longer have revenue sharing with ATT, and will be just like any other equipment providor, I don't see how ATT can keep Apple from selling the iPhone to other carriers.



    You may have a point there.
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  • Reply 69 of 127
    SpamSandwichspamsandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Ireland View Post


    You may have a point there.



    I sure wish a mole at at&t would confirm the actual length of the bloody contract with Apple.
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  • Reply 70 of 127
    nasseraenasserae Posts: 3,167member
    I guess its time to sell my iPhone!

    Maybe you don't have to activate your iPhone at Apple or AT&T. Maybe you need to give your information (Name, SSN, Address CC number) and ID and then will be given an activation code tied to your 3G iPhone SN. If, say after 30 days, you did not activate your iPhone then you will be charged a cancelation fee ($200?). Good luck buying another iPhone then. Just what I think is more practical than going through the whole thing!
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  • Reply 71 of 127
    SpamSandwichspamsandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Although as a stockholder I'd hate to see Apple harmed by this awfully doltish agreement, it might be for the better if at&t and Apple both lost customers as a result of this horrible marriage of convenience.
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  • Reply 72 of 127
    samabsamab Posts: 1,953member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Ireland View Post


    You may have a point there.



    There is no point.



    Quote from the AT&T press release:



    "Under the terms of a new agreement with Apple, AT&T remains the exclusive U.S. carrier of the iPhone 3G, which will be available beginning July 11 at a starting price of $199 with a two-year contract."



    http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pi...rticleid=25791
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  • Reply 73 of 127
    ytvytv Posts: 109member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by merdhead View Post


    No, Mac has something to offer: quality. CDMA is no better or worse than GSM. Yes, CDMA is dead in the US as well. It's being phased out for LTE (4G).



    I'll put it in a way that you can understand: CDMA is Beta, GSM is VHS or CDMA is HD DVD and GSM is BluRay (sp?). Got it?



    Sorry nothing you say is making any type of logical sense.



    1. CDMA call quality is faaaaar superior to GSM , this is fact.



    2. The CDMA US 3g Network is faaaaar larger than the GSM US 3G network, this is also fact.



    I'm done arguing with you as long as you don't say anything else stupid. All im hearing from you is complete rubbish. You can speculate for your whole life about what the landscape will be in 2, 3, 5 years from now. Heck some radical group could mount an attack and bomb every CDMA tower in the US simultaneously tomorrow, Apple could buy Sprint, Paul Rubens could become the next big action star for the next 10 years......................



    Im talking about right now and the immediate future.



    Any merger, system, phone, technology could completely change the landscape as we know it at any time.
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  • Reply 74 of 127
    SpamSandwichspamsandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by samab View Post


    There is no point.



    Quote from the AT&T press release:



    "Under the terms of a new agreement with Apple, AT&T remains the exclusive U.S. carrier of the iPhone 3G, which will be available beginning July 11 at a starting price of $199 with a two-year contract."



    http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pi...rticleid=25791



    Yes, but due to the new terms of the contract between Apple and at&t (sans revenue sharing) is the length of the exclusive contract expiring sooner? Get digging moles!
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  • Reply 75 of 127
    irelandireland Posts: 17,802member
    I have a funny feeling selling an iPhone at $199 Apple is not actually selling at a loss, even witout any add-ons. Besides, the make extra money from the made for iPhone program. They make money on the app store 15% after costs I'd bet. They make a killing on the halo effect too. I'd bet they are still actually making a $20 at $199, and they securing a potential Mac user every time. There's a bigger picture here, and they'll get a nice chunk of subsidies from those who do buy in the phones stores all round the world, and all those corporate clients too. I'd bet when it cones out there will be ways to buy it in most countries including the US contract-free. And if worst comes to worst there's always the contract buyout fee.
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  • Reply 76 of 127
    merdheadmerdhead Posts: 587member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by YTV View Post


    Sorry nothing you say is making any type of logical sense.



    1. CDMA call quality is faaaaar superior to GSM , this is fact.



    2. The CDMA US 3g Network is faaaaar larger than the GSM US 3G network, this is also fact.



    I'm done arguing with you as long as you don't say anything else stupid. All im hearing from you is complete rubbish. You can speculate for your whole life about what the landscape will be in 2, 3, 5 years from now. Heck some radical group could mount an attack and bomb every CDMA tower in the US simultaneously tomorrow, Apple could buy Sprint, Paul Rubens could become the next big action star for the next 10 years......................



    Im talking about right now and the immediate future.



    Any merger, system, phone, technology could completely change the landscape as we know it at any time.



    So you don't actually have any valid arguments and you're made to look foolish so you start calling me names and spit the dummy. Let me guess. You're about 14 years old?



    - There is no evidence that the GSM and CDMA are very different in terms of user experience. In fact 3G GSM is Wideband CDMA.



    - the US phone companies have announced that they are transitioning to GSM LTE starting 2009/10. This is a matter of public record.



    You are just making stuff up. They facts you state just don't exist. Just because one network has better call quality than the other doesn't mean its due to the technology.



    Anyway CDMA is dead. The point is moot.
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  • Reply 77 of 127
    merdheadmerdhead Posts: 587member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SpamSandwich View Post


    Although as a stockholder I'd hate to see Apple harmed by this awfully doltish agreement, it might be for the better if at&t and Apple both lost customers as a result of this horrible marriage of convenience.



    Who are they gonna go to? AT&T is the only GSM network in the US. T-Mobile has no coverage.
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  • Reply 78 of 127
    superbasssuperbass Posts: 688member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by samab View Post


    Did you even read the AT&T press release that I cited?



    It specifically said that AT&T is the exclusive provider of the 3G iphone in the US.



    AT&T said that it will take a hit on earnings for the next 2 years by about 10-12 cents a share.



    AT&T also said that they won't be making money of this deal until 2010 --- so at the very least the exclusive agreement goes beyond 2010 to make any sense for them.



    Well, it's pretty easy to see what this amounts to.



    AT&T has basically subsidized the phone by around the margin it's expecting to make on the 2 years worth of contract everyone who buys one is expected to sign. Profits on the phone starting in 2010 means its expecting on earning it's money from iPhoners close to the end of that contract, or once the contract expires and they keep paying the same rates.



    Other questions I have - what will the "upgrade" price be for folks that are still under 2-year contract for their first generation phone who want to but the new phone? Or will that even be an option?



    I don't see Apple ever offering unlocked phones again - I'm sure a lot of their problems in getting contracts made with phone companies internationally with the first gen phone has been the fact that unlocked phones have been so well publicized and making it difficult or impossible for Apple to bargain with companies on the grounds of giving them exclusivity. The AT&T deal is what all the other telecoms in the world have used as a preview, and round 1 was not a success. Now they're trying a more agressive strategy.



    Requiring a contract to be signed at purchase will basically force unlockers to pay the broken contract charge of around $600 and make unlocked phones cost upwards of $800-1000 online via eBay, etc.



    I don't think it's that hard to believe that the 3G iPhone will only be available online in the US via AT&Ts website, or some sort of AT$T apple hybrid zone on the apple store which also requires activiation. That's standard practice at pretty much all phone companies' websites already.



    If you're thinking of ordering from out of country, expect the phone to be much more expensive, as most EU countries have a legal limit of 6 month mobile contracts, which I assume means the phone will be less subsidized here, and therefore cost a fair bit more. And broken contract fees in Europe are much higher than in the US...
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  • Reply 79 of 127
    I actually heard that about 3-5 years ago the govt made it illegal for wireless companies to tag on anything more then a 2 year contract period. Meaning that you cannot under any circumstances go more then 2 years. They can only extended contract to 2 years for newly purchased subsidized phones. Does anyone know if this is true. Please only answer if you or someone you know that has a longer then 2 year contact with a carrier.









    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    Apple in the US will attempt to stifle the proliferation of unlocked iPhones by requiring that all of the new handsets be activated at the time of purchase. Meanwhile, first-gen iPhones purchased after May 27 will reportedly be eligible for a free upgrade to the 3G model.



    Speaking to Gizmodo, AT&T's President of National Distribution Glenn Lurie reportedly confirmed that there will be no in-home activation for iPhone 3G like there was with the original iPhone.



    Instead, all iPhone 3G customers must have their new handsets activated in either an Apple or AT&T store, a process which "takes 10-12 minutes." This should do wonders for the first-day line on July 11, the gadget site speculates. (This was also confirmed during an AT&T conference call, AppleInsider has been told.)



    Lurie said AT&T and Apple will provide more details regarding the sales procedures for the new iPhone sometime "in the next week or so." However, he said not to expect online sales of the iPhone 3G at launch, meaning a retail store may be the only place to snag one.



    Separately, both Gizmodo and ArsTechnica are reporting that consumers who purchased an original iPhone on or after May 27 will be able swap it for an iPhone 3G at no cost.



    The two reports add that AT&T will make all iPhone 3G buyers sign a new 2-year contract which will overwrite any existing contracts. That means AT&T won't tack an additional 2 years onto any existing contracts but will instead wipe existing contracts out and start fresh with a maximum 2-year commitment from the date the iPhone 3G was purchased.





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  • Reply 80 of 127
    hutchohutcho Posts: 132member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ouragan View Post


    Tied sales are illegal. It is illegal to tie the sale of a product with a service so that, if you want to buy and own the product, you must subscribe to the service.



    This is the difference between the phone you buy and own versus a rented phone service.



    Sorry, Apple, but manic Steve MUST OBEY ANTITRUST laws.



    They have managed to do this in other European countries (UK, Germany) right from the start, and over here in Europe, there are much strong anti trust laws than in the US.



    It cracks me up all you Americans whinging that you can't take it for $199 and not have a contract. You people need to get real. $199 without a contract is never going to happen, the hardware is worth far more than that. Everyone else in the world has had to sign the contract when they bought the phone right from the start. This is just the way it is when you get subsidised hardware!
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