The best bit of news I discovered upon my return from Camp Swank
 

The new iPhone is coming!

3G, built in GPS, lower price point ($199 for 8 GB model). I may finally be willing to suffer through AT&T service when our T-Mobile contract expires in September.

Yes, that was the news Chris hit me with as well soon upon arriving home. We're both considering it this round.

We're locked in until late next year. Guess we'll have to be considering 3rd generation iPhones.

All that plus the new push syncing... I think I'm in.

I need to look into the email delivery and if the damn thing can cut and paste yet.

I'm not willing to switch carriers for it. Plus it is almost too painfully hip, I'd feel like some kind of poser having one.

But copycats for other carriers are starting to appear. Storage doesn't matter to me since I see no need to put data on my phone beyond some very simple basics.

Of course, I also now have an unlimited free data plan and decent enough (not great, but good enough for my needs) through my Kindle.

It does not.

I'm keeping my eye on Asus. They threw their hat into the ring with the P527. The reviews universally say that it's painfully slow. But that's the worst anyone really says about it. In terms of features, it's getting glowing praise across the board. For a first generation device from a company that's never made a phone before, that's pretty impressive. I'm hoping by the time we're in the market they've come out with a 2nd generation that addresses the performance issues (and what ever other small bugs get shaken out).

While cut and paste still does not appear to be in the works (although it has been rumoured for some time), you should see improved email though the new push capabilities.


BTW: the new iPhone options are a 8GB in black only for $199 or the 16 GB model in black or white for $299.

Having push capabilities is a biggie for me.

Syncing with my Mac is also something I would love to be able to do successfully with my phone - something my blackberry just can't seem to do correctly.

Ok, I don't even know what Push capabilities are. But since I just want a phone that can double as an iPod and access the internet, I don't know if I need a gizmo like this.

Did you mean to say that you DON'T want a phone a phone that can double...?

Because if you DID want a phone/iPod/internet device combo unit, the iPhone is for you!

Yes, but what are Push cababilities? And will I be happy if I have them??


The AT&T hurdle is a big one for me. I frelling HATE them.

Push simply means that emails will appear immediately on the phone instead of having to wait for the phone to connect to a service to request the emails. It's one of those things that if you haven't been using your phone for email, it won't make a lick of difference to you.

I have the same concerns. But I do know a few people who use and like them. When I switched away from them (before they merged with Cingular), the only reason I switched to Verizon was because a few places in my particular regular routes had better coverage with Verizon than AT&T. I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile because of rate-plan costs. Dumb move because we can't get cell service at our house (DOH!)

I have slowly come to realize that each companies coverage is person specific: it depends on your particular area. You can get coverage in some places and not others with each company. The phone can also make a difference as well: sometimes where we are standing right next to each other, Susan can often get a signal on her Razr when I can't on my MDA (both on T-Mobile).

While the iPhone definitely does have the "hip factor," I am not too wrapped up in that. I have always been a fan of Apple products because in my experience, they just consistently work - period. I have a fairly good (albeit, two-year-old technology) Windows Mobile device. It has issues. It is not just my unit as many of the bugs I have encountered are experienced on others' devices.

Also, I have seen the current (non 3G) internet capabilities of the iPhone and they are MUCH faster than my phone and even other phones also on the AT&T network. YMMV

Actually, I was referring to the new push syncing capabilities. I have a .mac account. With the new iPhone, I won't have to ever manually sync my laptop, my desktop or my phone. If I add a contact, address or event to any of my machines, it will automatically update 'em all. That's cool.

My issue with AT&T is not technical. It's customer service and their evil ways. I don't wish to subject myself to their dominion again.


But .... I'm always forgetting either my cell phone or my iPod and I'd love to have them be in the same device. And I would dig accessing the internet every once in a while ... if I could post on the LoT from my phone!

I'll get an iphone when I can use one on Verizon's network. Hopefully next time I move residence to a place without a curmudgeon landlord, I'll be completely AT&T (landline) and Time-Warner Cable-free.

In July, it will become a "MobileMe" account. Every once in a while, Apple comes up with a stupid name.

But, yeah, I am looking forward to the same capabilities. I am sick of fighting with Missing Sync.

All landlords are curmudgeons. You just have to find one who's curmudgeon categories fit your needs. No smoking in your own apartment? Great! No unsightly cable, only satellite dishes allowed? Move me in! Don't let your dog poop on the beautifully kept grounds? Well, okay. No loud video games after, well, no loud video games! Okay! See? Some curmudgeonliness works for you, some of it works for someone else. :evil:

It's my understanding that the new, cheaper phone comes complete with a rate hike and two year lock with AT&T that will wind up costing you around $40 or more over the contract than the present deal. I call bull**** on them.

iPhone 'deal'

Actually, I've heard the opposite. That the rate plans will be significantly cheaper.

That's the make or break deal element for me.

So far, everything I've read indicates an increase in phone and data charges. AT&T anticipates $95-100 monthly average charges (including the $10- monthly increase) especially with probable increase in texting and online time for users. Forbes said that it's possible that a more expensive, untethered iPhone may become available, allowing customers to use other providers.

Well, besides WB's link, I also read the same news in today's LA Times.

I've had it with Sprint's customer service so I've been promising myself an iPhone when my contract ends next March :( and that was even before I knew there was going to be a spiffy new model.

Yep, the early reports I heard of a price decrease have instead been confirmed as a price increase.

The thing would have to feed me three squares a day to be worth $100 a month. Sorry, not interested. It's a "gadget." Ho and Hum.

I just thought I'd throw out that I am, in fact, looking for something that will feed me three squares a day for $100 a month.

I think that when the market opens up and you can buy one and choose your carrier, it will become very competitive price-wise. Even if you have to pay more for the initial device, odds are that the plans will be much more reasonable. It is a cool phone, but not when combined with ATT. Their service is abysmal, and their coverage sucks as well.

I want a phone that's a phone. I'm on the slippery slope to Ludditism.