Details and Rumors of iPhone Restrictions Emerging

We're getting indications of the ways the iPhone will be sold (or not sold) and restricted by Apple and AT&T. Reader thefickler writes, "An anonymous AT&T store manager has told blorge.com that users will get their WiFi when they sign a contract locking them into a data plan and EDGE. Kiss your dreams of WiFi reliance goodbye." And our own CmdrTaco found an article up on AppleInsider reporting that the iPhone will not be sold through established business channels — forcing Cingular business customers to stand in line for their goodies, as individuals, at Apple stores. An AT&T Business Division rep told one customer, "There is no ETA on the [ending of the] sale ban to business."

Comments

But AT&T is EVIL

[svendsen]

Too bad the iPhone had to partner with At&T considering all the news about them (filtering content for example). Right now I want to upgrade my phone to one with GPS and turn by turn directions and a few other features. The cost of what I want is high enough that going to a $500 item would not be that hard. Except I have sprint (and a 25% discount from them) and don't want to deal with the hassles of switching numbers.

Oh well only those with the "evil" AT&T can get one.

Re:What is this story about?

[asv108]

Its not about a data plan, the story is that in order to use WIFI on your phone(a non AT&T network feature), you will be forced to sign up for an expensive data plan. The iphone's feature set is dependent on your network contract, even if that feature doesn't use the network.

I got my Treo through Cingular, no data plan req.

[blueZ3]

Of course that was quite a while ago (two years almost, if I remember correctly). And as far as I know, you could always buy a smartphone (for full-price) and put the CIM from your non-smart (dumb?--that doesn't work for a phone... unintelligent?) phone into it and get phone service on your normal plan and just use the pay-per-bit data.

Re:What is this story about?

[wiggles]

I don't have a data plan on my old T-Mobile Treo 600. I can use all the palm functionality, sync with Outlook, but I just can't browse the web or get e-mail in real time.

Re:What is this story about?

[will66]

Huh? I have a Treo 600 with Sprint and no data plan. When I first got a Treo 300 through Sprint it had a "2 month free trial" data plan-- which I canceled after 2 months. I later replaced it with a series of treo 600s I've bought on ebay, and have activated without a data plan requirement. Just call them and cancel it.

Re:How odd

[StarvingSE]

I am a Cingular/AT&T customer, and have been since 2001. While all of the phones I have received from them are locked to only work with Cingular service, I have had complete control over what I do with the phone in terms of ringtones, java mini-apps, etc.

I used to have a motorola v200 and all I had to do was get a driver off the net and I could load the thing up with custom ringtones and not pay a dime for them. I now have a RAZR, and I still am able to load it up with mp3's, background graphics, java, and have full unlocked bluetooth capability.

I'm not trying to be a Cingular/At&t fanboy, but I think it can be said that some carriers are better than others. There is one carrier (I think it's verizon, but correct me if I'm wrong) that totally replaces the user interface of all their phones with their own in-house one. The new interface apparently locks most of the functionality and is much less usable than the standard interface, and forces the customer to purchase all the extras through verizon.

I actually like Cingular *breaks out asbestos*

[untaken_name]

Well, I'll probably get flamed for this, but then what's new?

I like Cingular. I hate the fact that they're called at&t now, but I've had cingular plans with motorola phones for about 3 years now and I have had maybe 5 dropped calls, and about the same number of times when I've been unable to make a call. I do dislike having to unlock my phones, but then again afaik most providers have that problem. The data plan I use is $20/mo unlimited, fairly comparable to other providers, I think. I could be wrong on that...but then I've had so little trouble that I haven't really looked around. I bounced from the old at&t to sprint to voice stream to verizon (that last without me actually doing anything) and finally to cingular, where I've been happy enough to stay. I know a few people who dislike their service, who've had bad experiences with billing/customer support...but I haven't. Maybe it's your region? Or, I suppose...maybe it's mine. :)

Re:What is this story about?

[pdawson]

Yep, in fact my Treo with Cingular does not require a data plan. And I just queued up an order for a 755p on sprint.com with only the $39.99 regular plan. I think your rep took you for a ride.

Re:What is this story about?

[illumin8]

Are there smartphones out there that don't require a data plan?

For example, with my Treo I'm forced to purchade the $15/month unlimited data plan from Sprint. It's required for all their smartphones.

Yes, I bought an Unlocked GSM Treo 650 a couple years ago, put a SIM card in it from T-Mobile, later decided I wanted to switch to Cingular because their GPRS data was faster than T-Mobile, and I've been using it ever since.

If you want an unlocked GSM smartphone you just have to buy it yourself, pay the true cost of the phone (hint, it's closer to $600 than the $299 your carrier wants to sell it to you for with a 2 year contract), and get a SIM card from the phone company.

Sure it costs more up front, but if you figure in the monthly cost of voice + unlimited data plans, you're going to spend a few grand over 2 years time. Also, make sure you don't sign a contract. I'm on month-to-month with Cingular (even though they usually tell you such a plan doesn't exist when you first talk to them, be persistent and refuse to sign a contract if you're not getting a subsidised phone).

Re:I just wonder

[ChakatSanddancer]

We know this to no longer be true - 3rd party apps for the iphone can and will be created using methods similar to the way widgets are developed for os x

An Apple cop-out. Application development means things like ssh programs, or irc clients, or spreadsheets, or VOIP programs, not silly javascript toys.

As to contracts.....why is everybody whining about contracts? *Every* phone that is not a prepaid phone requires a contract

Untrue. I can go to damn near any decent cell phone store and get a completely unlocked phone that is not prepaid, with absolutely no contract. Plus, I get a better firmware than the crippled ass shit the providers try to cram down my throat. It's how I got my razr, and it's a much better phone than tmobile, cingular, etc sell, because it actually allows me to use the features that are built into the phone.

Re:Sorry.

[DDLKermit007]

Apple will never sell a Verizon or Sprint version of the phone. PERIOD. Thats a complete hardware redesign for the radio (same reason the Treo 700p will never show up on a GSM carrier). Apple is after worldwide GSM providers. Not backwater thinking US centric companies like those two. Want to switch to a local number when in Europe? Get yourself a new phone or be raped by Verizon/Sprint for overseas rates. Sure Cingular sucks if you need actual customer support, but I'll take being able to swap my SIM when I'm roaming around Asia any day.

Re:AT&T NBS sales

[glesga_kiss]

I would take that with a pinch of salt. I've been a bleeding-edge user of mobiles for quite some time, using forums to find out what's out there and what's coming soon. The customer service reps usually got these things wrong, they aren't exposed to the products until a week or so before they start selling them. They aren't a reliable source, you'd need to speak to their marketing department to get decent new-product info.