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Apple and AT&T Announce iPhone Service Plans
daveschroeder writes "Apple and AT&T today announced service plans for iPhone, 4 days before its release in the US at 6pm local time on Friday, June 29. The plans are $59.99/mo for 450 minutes, $79.99 for 900 minutes, and $99.99 for 1350 minutes, and all include unlimited data, 200 SMS messages, rollover minutes, and unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling. Any other standard AT&T service plan may also be used. A two year service plan is required, with a $175 cancellation fee if terminated early. In addition, activations are done via iTunes, so only the hardware is purchased in the store. Interestingly, activation of a contract via iTunes is required to enable the iPod/syncing functionality of the phone as well. (It will remain to be seen whether there are workarounds for this for those who only want the iPod functionality of iPhone, and whether the iPhone is easily unlockable for those who wish to try it on alternate carriers, and so on.)"
- iPhone DOES have a user-accessible SIM tray.
.AppleSetupDone).
- Since one would presume the iPod functionality of the device still needs to work when the contract expires, there is probably going to be a fairly easy hack/workaround to use only the iPod functionality (e.g., perhaps just a file sitting somewhere, a la
- It will be interesting to see whether AT&T will unlock the phone on request, as they do for other GSM phones (for international travel and prepaid SIMs), and if that is the case, how well other carriers' networks work with iPhone (obviously sans things like Visual Voicemail).
- Still no word on battery replacement specifics, but it seems safe to assume that iPhone is the same as iPod in this respect; namely, that it is sealed and that the battery isn't "user accessible", but that there will still be plenty of ways to replace the battery yourself or via third parties if you so choose (battery failure under warranty would be covered by the warranty). I'm going to be tracking this issue here.
- Still no word on insurance or AppleCare, but since all iPods have AppleCare options ($59 for two years), iPhone probably will as well.
- Two more days to determine this for certain, but it appears that if only the iPod/syncing functionality (or first time setup, anyway) is what is tied with iTunes activation, WiFi via the browser will probably work fine as-is without a contract. Note: it is not certain that this is the case, but it seems likely. (Just a point of information; not stating this as inconrtovertible fact. The only way this might not be the case is if the entire phone is just locked until activated, which seems unlikely.)
- Also remains to be seen how "hackable" the phone is in general. Here's to hoping.
What about the iPhone?
Build a man a fire, he's warm for one night. Set him on fire, and he's warm for the rest of his life.
Some carriers define "unlimited data" as some arbitrary level, which once you break you either lose service, or are charged a hefty fee. Just something to keep in mind.
I don't understand the part about users "only wanting the iPod functionality of the iPhone". Why not just buy an iPod then?
Send email from the afterlife! Write your e-will at Dead Man's Switch.
(It will remain to be seen whether there are workarounds for this for those who only want the iPod functionality of iPhone, and whether the iPhone is easily unlockable for those who wish to try it on alternate carriers, and so on.)
Apparently, Apple had to make AT&T make changes to the voicemail system to accommodate some nifty features, so if you switched carriers, you might lose voicemail.
Nice slashvertisement there, Dave.
So, people aren't interested in this?
Ooookayyyy...
You want me to spend a minimum of $59.99/mo. + $499 for an iPhone?
No, I don't "want" anyone to do anything, other than know that plans have been released for iPhone.
Which is what a lot of people have been waiting for.
Which is why I submitted the story.
What else can you expect from a fat cat sconnie who prides himself on the BMWs he's owned and lists his top 'interest' as Apple?
Sorry I didn't submit as AC. Maybe I will next time to please you! And "fat can sconnie". Heh.
Also, I must deeply apologize for being interested in Apple. I know it's a rare ailment, and that it must offend you greatly. I'm almost shedding a tear!
"The plans are $59.99/mo for 450 minutes, $79.99 for 900 minutes, and $99.99 for 1350 minutes,"
Man, it sure is expensive these days to get illegally wiretapped.
What makes you think the iPhone will run voice calls over IP? It's a traditional GSM phone that uses EDGE data to provide additional services including the visual voicemail. But calls go over the traditional cellular network just like any other phone.
LOAD "SIG",8,1
LOADING...
READY.
RUN
Dave, seriously. You are being trolled. Don't egg them on or they'll keep pestering you.
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
nope, its only Apple stores and select AT&T stores are carrying it. In no way has it ever been stated that you can buy a unlocked phone. Jobs was very clear to the fact that the iPhone was a 2 year AT&T exclusive.
"Slashdot, where telling the truth is overrated but lying is insightful."
Nope...The iPhone is exclusive to AT&Tingular for a "Multi year exclusive" So...unless someone finds a way to unlock it, the iPhone at AT&T are married for a minimum of 2 years in the USA...there has been speculation that it's a 5 year exclusive for the USA, but no one knows for sure yet.
:)
According to the article, you buy the phone from apple or AT&T unactivated...You then use iTunes to activate the phone and your plan. It seems Apple wanted total control over the unboxing and activation experience...they didn't want oily prepubescent AT&T sales reps get their greasy fingerprints all over someone's brand new iPhone
That's actually not expensive -- I was surprised to see how low they were. Verizon's 900 minute plan is $99, and the cost of a Treo is really not a lot less than the cost of an iPhone (I think it might be more). When I had T-Mobile and a Treo 650, I was happy with the price I was getting (though it included WiFi in Starbucks and wherever else they controlled WiFi), and I was paying $58 for 300 mins and unlimited data. It would not surprise me to find out that these plans are cheaper than other unlimted data plans that AT&T offers.
Actually, it's not quite that simple.
Here is who's carrying it:
- Apple retail stores
- Apple online store
- AT&T corporate stores (not corporate kiosks or resellers initially, but those may come in the future)
As to the other points:
Yes, it's always been generally said that iPhone would require a two year contract, but what was said at the keynote was that the agreement between Apple and AT&T was a "multi year exclusive", which has subsequently been revealed to be five years. Until today, it appeared that AT&T would be selling the phones with mandatory activation, whereas you could just walk out with a phone from the Apple store. So, a lot of people were hoping that the phone was hackable or easily unlockable, so as to use it with other carriers. If the iTunes activation thing is easily worked around AND the phone is unlockable in some way, then you might be able to move it to another carrier. The worst case scenario - assuming the phone is unlockable - is that you sign on with AT&T, have them unlock the phone after 90 days (assuming it's unlockable in this way), cancel the contract, and move to another carrier. Obviously, a lot of people are hoping they can just buy the hardware, unlock it somehow, and use it on the carrier of their choice. That may still be possible, but we really won't know until people start playing with these things.
That fact alone is almost worth the cost of the iPhone.
Also, they make it super easy to transfer an existing number. Bravo Apple!!
Nope. I don't sell cell phones (and never have), don't work for Apple or AT&T/Cingular (and never have), and I won't have anything to do with iPhone sales (other than buying one myself on Friday).
I just submitted it because one of the most awaited pieces of information about iPhone was its plans, and since every other story here and on other tech blogs lately seems to be about iPhone...well, you get the idea.
Ive run skype over a cell phone used as a modem and even with EVDO speeds the latency and dropped packets are pretty bad. I doubt EDGE will be much better and I'm certain plain-jane GSM will sound much, much better. I also wouldnt put it past cell phone providers to make sure that voip gets either blocked or the lowest priority on the data network end of things.
Also...check out http://www.apple.com/iphone/usingiphone/activation .html for a video on how to activate using iTunes...It would seem that this is the same for iPhones bought at AT&T stores and Apple Stores. So...lines should be quick...just go in, pay for the phone, and go home to activate... None of this activating a plan and taking 30 minutes to get going bull that normally comes with buying a cell phone...In, Pay, Out, Activate.
Lines should move fairly quickly.
If the phone calls will be running on voIP, which is *data*, then technically there should be no monthly limit on minutes. Who wants to be the first to try this out?
I think you may have just hit on the very reason why Apple isn't supporting 3rd party apps. I'll bet the deal with AT&T had some sort of language to prevent this very thing since many of the iPhone's coolest features require a lot of data access. Since non-unlimited data plans are nightmarishly expensive if you're a heavy web user (like I am), it seems almost a prerequisite that iPhone plans come with unlimited data.
Naturally, this opens up the very possibility you just mentioned, so both AT&T and Apple are probably very keen on making sure that it doesn't happen. Hence, no iPhone SDK for 3rd parties. All the bluster about controlling the experience is probably just that -- bluster meant to distract from the real issue.
Why else would Apple cripple a brand new platform that could fuel a rush of developers for them except to appease AT&T?
If it's for-profit but free, you're not the customer -- you're the product (e.g., the Slashdot Beta's "audience").
Last phone I bought was a Treo 650, thnking that I will be using the applications. A year later I use my phone for " Making phone calls".
Well, you'll lose the Visual Voicemail system - you can always just call the VM number to check messages like everyone else does today.
I currently pay $60 for 450 mins, unlimited data, and 1500 text messages for my Treo with Cingular. Thing is, I bought the Treo on eBay, and I swapped SIM cards from my old Motorola. So as far as Cingular is concerned, I'm still using that. They normally want to charge $40/month for unlimted data for Treos (as opposed to the $20 I'm currenly paying), which doesnt really make sense since unlimited dats is unlimited data.
With that in mind this isn't too bad of a deal. It's the same as what I'm paying though 200 text messages instead of 1500. I assume there will be iChat for the iPhone which will use the data plan, so that won't be so bad.
A sentence you'll never see on an Internet discussion board: "You know what? You're right."
From this announcement:
...iPhone activation requires an Internet connection; an iTunes Store account or a major credit card; a valid Social Security number (as required by AT&T); the latest version of iTunes available at www.itunes.com and a PC or Mac with a USB 2.0 port and one of the following operating systems [blah, blah, blah...]
System Requirements
Social Security number? WTF? This is 2007, companies that want my business should need my social security number.
As the Social Security Administrationtells us, "Your number is confidential... You should be careful about sharing your number with anyone who asks for it (even when you are provided with a benefit or service)." I reluctantly give it to banks and brokerages who need it for tax purposes. I very, very reluctantly give it to medical organizations.
A phone company? No, thank you.
"How to Do Nothing," kids activities, back in print!
Don't worry about it man,
They wouldn't understand "change" if it bit them in the ass.
So they take it out on the people who happen to see the big picture.
btw. I see that the new "chocolate" phone (coming out shortly, I guess) from one of the other carriers will now start supporting transfer of music from the computer onto the phone. Where did they get that idea, and how did they ever find engineers that could accomplish such an amazing feat? And only a dozen months after they released their original music playing phone!
If you don't know what AltaVista is (was), get off my lawn.
Everyone knows that the 3rd gen will have a ball massager and and a cheek flosser. However, I am really stoked for the 4th gen which will cut the price of the phone to .25 of its original price, as Apple always does.
According to the rumor mills, the 4th gen may also come in watermellon red, which as far as I'm concerned is the color of Kings.
If you don't know what AltaVista is (was), get off my lawn.
I get 750 minutes, free nights/weekends, unlimited data (EVDO), and insurance (if the phone dies or starts acting weird, I get a new one at no charge) for $68.00/month from Sprint, and the HTC 6700 will do just about everything the iPhone does, is easily hackable, can be safely overclocked, has a wide variety of compatible software, has an easy to develop for platform (Windows Mobile), and it will even run linux.
And Apple/AT&T want the general public to pay HOW much for WHAT again?
I can't wait to laugh at my friend's iPhone when he gets it.
Did anyone else notice this screenshot in the video?
http://bayimg.com/LAcLFaabd
It shows an iPhone with 75GB of storage. Earlier in the video they show the storage as 8GB.
Any speculation as to a hard drive version becoming available sometime soon?
Free nights & weekends seem to be a staple among wireless plans...but I don't see any mention of it in the iPhone plans.
I have free nights & weekends with AT&T now (which start at 7pm, which usually costs $10/mo. extra, but they threw me a bone to apologize for some chronically lousy service a while back...normally they start at 9pm, I believe)...but since I rarely exceed 300 minutes/month, not having them isn't much of a deal-breaker for me.
However, I don't understand why they wouldn't include that feature in the iPhone plans...they're already including unlimited data use, why not just throw in some unlimited voice use during off hours, like they do with all their "normal" plans? Would that break the bank, or are they afraid all their anticipated new customers will overwhelm their systems?
Like I said, this doesn't affect me too much, but it does strike me as a big odd.
Just once I'd like someone to call me 'Sir' without adding 'You're making a scene.'
I dunno what the big deal is. In the US, you buy a phone and you're signing a 1 or 2 year contract, that is the norm here.
My phone with SprintPCS is about $80/mo, unlimited nights and weekends...I think about 1000 anytime minutes, SMS is extra, but, I don't use that much, nor do I ever come close to the daytime minutes. I have the full Vision plan...unlimited data, picture mail...and since I 'unlocked' the bluetooth modem capabilities in my Samsung A900...I can tether it to my laptop as needed.
The latter point, is the main reason I'm not going with the iPhone in Jan. when my current contract is up. It isn't price, it is the stated fact that iPhone will NOT allow tethering to a laptop as a modem as part of their 'unlimited' data plan.
The price and monthly cost is no big deal to me....but, I want my tethering capability.
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
Sure, I am interested. This news indicates a minor step towards making the iPhone viable for me.
You will let us know when the iPhone is finally made available unlocked so that we can use it with any carrier of choice, and when plans are available with no time periods for those who buy the whole phone up front, and when Apple finally releases the codes to allow us to develop and deploy our own applications, right? Be sure to let your buddy Steve know that we are waiting.
now we need to go OSS in diesel cars
theres not a chance that a VOIP app could run over AT&T's network. The pipes are not fat enough.
I have to second this one. Everyone was worried that it would take 30 minutes in the store to activate the phone. This way, you can do it at home. It also has some benefits in that it gets people used to using iTunes with the phone which obviously benefits Apple. This is a very slick product. Some people don't like slick and I can appreciate that, but I love slick.
Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
The very fact that its activated through iTunes means that even if you can unlock it to a different carrier it will then be completely unusable through standard iTunes. So meaning even if you can unlock it it won't be very useful for anything but a mobile phone. I'm guessing after the 5 year contract (Apples contract with AT&T not yours) other vendors will also appear in the iTunes activation. So in reality your 2 year contract is 5 years as it will be 5 years before you can use anything but AT&T.
IIRC they have a blurb in the TOS of the $20 plan saying you may not use the handset as a modem and they certainly do their damnedest to try and prevent you from using that feature, though basic GPRS is pretty crap on their network. I just got a 3G data card and they want $50/month for "unlimited" data for that.
I wonder if the SIM card trick would work on it. I mean, they had to assign it a telephone number (quoi?), so methinks they might not be able to tell the difference.
No, if I had to think about it...most of my minutes are cell phone to landline. I don't have a landline anymore (ditched it after becoming a nomad post-Katrina). But, I mainly use my phone on weekends to talk to parents, and friends using the free long distance (weekends and after 7pm weekdays). I usually try to call my friends on their landline number first...and if no answer, I leave a message on the machine, and then try their cell phone number.
I don't know that many people that have 'cut the cable' as I have....so, I definitely call more landlines than I do cell phones.
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
With only Safari as the platform for 3rd party apps, there is a much smaller set of APIs to secure against a malicious app essentially being able to spy on every phone call, email;
Not an issue; that functionality is already handled by AT&T.
Build a man a fire, he's warm for one night. Set him on fire, and he's warm for the rest of his life.
Has anyone read anywhere if you can use the iPhone as a generic internet source via bluetooth/802.11 for a laptop or something like that? If it has unlimited data, it'd be nice to be able to pair it up with my laptop and get on the net from a "real" computer if I need to while I'm on the road and can't find a wifi hotspot. (Note.. I currently don't have a fancy-pants cell phone with data capability, so I'm a bit out of the loop on this kind of thing and I'm not sure if that feature is "normal" or not on these kinds of smart phones...)
Hexy - a strategy game for iPhone/iPod Touch
Yeah, yeah.... I did the same thing, and had a Kyocera 7135 before it, even. Both times, I was convinced the phone was finally "good enough" at running useful apps that I'd do a lot more with it than than make/take calls. Both times, I was wrong.
But you have to admit, the iPhone looks FAR more capable than any of these other "smartphones". With my Treo 650, for example, my web browsing experience was a total joke. Most sites I tried to pull up simply crashed the browser with some kind of exception error. Other times, they worked, but had the links scattered all over the screen, making it almost impossible to figure out which part of the site they even corresponded with.
I remember, for example, going car shopping and taking my Treo with me, with the idea that I could quickly look up some used-car blue-book prices on Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book's web site. Nope... just futile!
It also appears it has a functional/useful built-in camera. Of course it's not going to stack up well against a good quality digital stand-alone camera, but sample photos circulating on the net sure look far better than the dark, dingy or blurry results I got out of my Moto Razr or Treo cameras!
The Google map integration of the iPhone looks like a very useful feature too. You can get directions to a restaurant or hotel, for example, and then dial the number to the place with a tap on the screen. I never had anything that worked nearly as well on my Treo. (I remember having a couple 411 directory type applets for it to find phone numbers of places, but half the time, they'd just come back with some kind of "service unavailable" message when I tried to use them.)
Sleazy? What a strange word to use here. I think you overestimate the importance of Slashdot karma... and probably of Slashdot in general. Most of us like to browse Slashdot, looking for some interesting news, and partake in the discussions. Karma helps us get our points across, but for most of us, it's not the end of the world if we lose some now and again. In any case, it's pretty judgmental to assume that dave is preparing to launch an assault on some Slashdot sacred cow, and he doesn't have any links in his posts (in a sig or in the header) to a commercial site or blog, only his webpage at his school, so he's not making money off of people reading his posts.
Let's all take a break from our computers now and step outside for some fresh air.
So here's my problem with these pricing plans: they're basically unchanged from the commercial available plans available for any mobile phone.
That's a problem because in the US the service plans include a premium to recover the carrier's cost of subsidizing the handsets. (Which is also the ostensible reason there's an early termination fee.)
Only there's no subsidy on the iPhone. So our monthly plan rates should be lower, right?
Fortunately for AT&T no one seems to have noticed...
Can this bring to an end the theory the phones are, in fact subsidized?
I don't see why it should. The iPhone service pricing seems pretty much on par with similar offerings for other handsets and carriers (except Verizon, who deigns to charge two arms, a leg, and several teeth).
The carriers' goal is to get as much money from each service contract as they can. Maybe in cases where the handset cost is subsidized, the carrier doesn't have much of a profit margin; but that should not be taken to mean that a non-subsidized handset would mean the carrier would charge less for service. They'd continue to charge what everyone else is charging, and just keep as profit whatever doesn't go towards handset subsidies.
My phone with SprintPCS is about $80/mo, unlimited nights and weekends...I think about 1000 anytime minutes, SMS is extra, but, I don't use that much, nor do I ever come close to the daytime minutes.
I heard the other day on NPR how it was difficult for Apple or any other hardware manufactuer to get into the phone market because of the service cartel. Personally, I think talking about $80/mo as if its nothing is crazy. I pay like $30/mo for my phone and I think I'm getting ripped off (~ 12-15 of that is taxes and fees and other crap).
I simply don't understand how I can use the internet for $20-40/mo, unlimited "minutes" worldwide access, but talking to someone on the phone frequently costs more?
To me, in 2007, phone service should be less than $20/mo, but being that people are willing to spend over $100/household for phones, the phone service people will gladly take their money.
unlimited = limited read the fine print! Just like everyone else there is no free lunch: Prohibited and Permissible Uses: Data Service sessions may be conducted only for the following purposes: (i) Internet browsing; (ii) email; and (iii) corporate intranet access (including access to corporate email, customer relationship management, sales force automation, and field service automation applications). Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, using Services: (i) with server devices or with host computer applications, including, without limitation, Web camera posts or broadcasts, continuous jpeg file transfers, automatic data feeds, telemetry applications, automated functions or any other machine-to-machine applications; (ii) as substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections; (iii) for Voice over IP; (iv) in conjunction with WWAN or other applications or devices which aggregate usage from multiple sources prior to transmission; (V) Using the Services for any activity that adversely affects the ability of other people or systems to use either the Services or other parties' Internet-based resources including, but not limited to excessive consumption of network or system resources (whether intentional or unintentional) and "denial of service" (DoS) attacks against another network host or individual user; or (vi) Interference with or disruption of other network users, network services or network equipment. except for CONTENT formatted in accordance with AT&T's CONTENT standards, Unlimited plans cannot be used for uploading, downloading or streaming of video content (e.g. movies, TV), music or games. Furthermore, unlimited plans (except for DataConnect and Blackberry Tethered) cannot be used for any applications that tether the device (through use of, including without limitation, connection kits, other phone/PDA-to-computer accessories, Bluetooth® or any other wireless technology) to laptops, PCs, or other equipment for any purpose. Service is not intended to provide full-time connections, and the Service may be discontinued after a significant period of inactivity or after sessions of excessive usage. AT&T reserves the right to (i) limit throughput or amount of data transferred, deny Service and/or terminate Service, without notice, to anyone it believes is using the Service in any manner prohibited above or whose usage adversely impacts its network or service levels and (ii) protect its network from harm, which may impact legitimate data flows. You may not send solicitations to AT&T subscribers without their consent. You may not use the Services other than as intended by AT&T and applicable law. Plans are for individual, non-commercial use only and are not for resale. Security: AT&T does not GUARANTEE SECURITY. Data encryption is available with some, but not all, Services sold by AT&T. If you use your device to access company e-mail or information, it is your responsibility to ensure your use complies with your company's internal IT and security procedures. Changes to the terms and conditions: These terms and conditions may be changed from time-to-time. AT&T will post the most current version of these terms and conditions on the MEdia Net web site (www.wireless.att.com/medianet) or other appropriate location. Please check these regularly to inform yourself about changes to the terms and conditions, policies, news, etc.
SMS transfers are done on the same protocol layer as the call connections. That's why they're limited & more expensive. That's also why they're so limited in length.
How hard is it to make a VOIP application that works in Safari? If it works in Safari, it works on the iPhone, no?
You'll find the explanation as to how to transfer your phone numbers from other carriers on this page http://www.apple.com/iphone/usingiphone/activation .html.
Google makes a version of Google Maps explicitly for the Treo as well as other smart phones.
http://google.com/gmm/treo
Actually, the iPhone plan is exactly the same as AT&T's regular price plans, to within a few pennies.
iPhone plan = 450 minute $39.99 voice plan plus $19.99 unlimited data smart phone plan with e-mail.
GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
Just to clear up a point, AT&T will only give you the unlock code after one year of continued service, and in some cases, the rep will not have any idea what you are talking about or refuse to give you the code. In other cases, AT&T will email you the code, but this has taken up to a week to receive. They will in no way give you the code over the phone. ALWAYS ask for a supervisor when you call for unlock codes from AT&T. BTW, T-Mobile will give you the unlock code via email within 48 hours after 90 days of service. And to qualify, I sell phone services and equipment for all the major providers for the last three years. One of the issues I am having as an indirect retailer of AT&T is that I get paid an activation commission, but I have to do the activation. If I were able to sell this phone, I would have to sell it a non-subsidized price, in order to make anything on it, since the activation is done through iTunes. Just one more way for AT&T to squeeze out the little guy, which has been their MO since August 2005.
Scientists now say the future will be far more futuristic than originally believed
Hey, you may want to read your contract for unlimited data on SprintPCS --it expressly forbids laptop teathering; however, they seem to have a policy of not billing for the teathering if it is only occassional and if you connect in to #777 rather than to a third-party dial-up line. On the other hand, some people have reported receiving multi thousand dollar bills out of the clear blue sky (for the current billing period) after months or years of never having been billed for such usage and having to adjudicate the issue through SprintPCS' executive department. Check the Sprint Users Forums for more testimonials/info.
How hard is it to make a VOIP application that works in Safari?
Without Flash or Java? I'd say pretty damn hard.
Don't become a regular here -- you will become retarded.
To me, in 2007, phone service should be less than $20/mo, but being that people are willing to spend over $100/household for phones, the phone service people will gladly take their money.
You're not really paying for the ability to talk on the phone or connect to the internet. You're paying for the ability to talk on the phone or connect to the internet more or less anywhere. Phone companies are unscrupulous bastards, yes, but that's not the only reason phone service costs what it does.
Don't become a regular here -- you will become retarded.
if it has quicktime and core*, I imagine not difficult at all. Remember all that hype about someone opening a quicktime video on a webpage that used coregraphics/quartz composer to show you your own webcam image? Just hook up some form of network output (quicktime broadcaster? I think the functionality is actually in quicktime itself..), and you're all set. I'm pretty sure the same concept can be applied to coreaudio in quicktime to make a simple phone app, but don't quote me on that.
You misunderstand what "visual voicemail" is. It has nothing to do with video, but means that you can browse your voice mail messages visually via the phone interface, giving you random access to them rather than the sequential access you normally have. So people who keep all their voicemail can pick one out of the bunch by simply scrolling to it instead of whatever kludgy audio keypad-based navigation they normally have when they dial into their carrier's VM system.
Web consulting +
You can avoid the iPod because it is a free market. You can buy a Zen or even a Zune.
...With the new plans announced by Apple and AT&T, that has changed. The minimum plan with unlimited data is $59, or $1416 over two years. That makes the $500 iPhone well over a hundred dollars less than Verizon's limp Motorola Q, which is $2170 with its required service plan.
You can't do the same in the PC market. You will grow grey hairs before Dell or HP or any other PC maker will offer you real options in your OS. Sure, a few token free OS offerings to hobbyists, but no commercial competition, and no hope for that situation to change. It's been the same since the early 90s. That's a monopoly.
Avoiding Windows is like trying to avoid roads or money. Sure you can barter and live in a cave, but there is really no option to avoiding Windows. You can easily avoid any products from Apple and find all sorts of competitive alternatives.
Apple: iPhone Now Costs Less than Ballmer's Lame Motorola Q
After earlier blowing apart iPhone battery panic with an announcement of 8 hours of talk time, Apple dropped yet another bombshell upon "business as usual" in the mobile market.
I'm sorry but as a long time Treo user, I'll have to call you on your crap.
The Treo was cool five years ago because it pioneered the idea of having a Palm PDA with a phone. It hasn't kept up, and Palm OS is creaky and needs a bullet in the head. Even Palm abandoned its own product to deliver a Windows Mobile version, which is actually less functional and more problematic.
I hope the iPhone results in Palm closing down. It really deserves the failure it earned by dumping trash on its own customers.
The Egregious Incompetence of Palm
Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Linux, and Symbian currently power the world's smartphones. How does each stack up against Apple's OS X in the iPhone? This article presents an overview of Palm. Palm's early products actually followed a trajectory strikingly similar to Apple's original Macintosh. Differences in the choices made at Palm provide an interesting glimpse into "what if" scenarios of a parallel universe.
Somewhat off-topic, but there's another interesting iPhone rumor/tidbit floating in the ether today: A ZDNet Blog claims that Apple will be announcing sometime this week that they've licensed the MS Exchange ActiveSync API... which would signal that the iPhone is almost definitely compatible with Exchange Servers. For folks whose IT departments are in love with that particular software stack, I'll bet that will be big news.