Your Weekend Mission ... Should you choose to accept it

[MacDryCleaner]

Ok, everybody -

We are all suffering from mass confusion and frustration. Everytime one of us says we found out something new about the iphone everybody else jumps on that person with doubt and criticism.

Here is what we should do...

We all go to 1 Apple Store and 2 Cingular Stores over the weekend. Our mission is to answer the following 3 questions:

1. Cost of rate plan

2. Is there ANY restriction on who can / cannot buy an iphone? In terms of 'qualifying' based on whether they are allowed to upgrade or not?

3. What does it take to leave the store with one? What is the contract obligations?

A friend of mine always says that when dealing with the unknown, start with what you know. So, since we are NEVER going to learn the details of the iphone secrets and what it has and doesn't have because Apple is so secretive, let's focus our efforts on AT&T and see if we can get some answers to those questions that vex us so.

Report back to this thread.

Let's do some good! Ok, hokey. But, it will be good for all of us.

14 days people ... 14 days.

 

[chaseardoin7]

oh geeze people, what ever happened to patience?!

apple obviously wants us all to build up some anticipation over this amazing device. just sit back and wait. they'll slowly feed us information when THEY want us to have it.

 

[Gonzlobo]

oh geeze people, what ever happened to patience?!

apple obviously wants us all to build up some anticipation over this amazing device. just sit back and wait. they'll slowly feed us information when THEY want us to have it.

Yes, but most people need details before buying. I get the feeling I won't get the info I need until 6/29.

 

[alfonsog]

Pretty much from the first announcement there has always been the statement that the iPhone cost is 499/599 with a 2 year contract. The only difference since then is the ads on apples site removed the 2 year contract disclaimer (which might or might not mean anything) and the prices aren't listed anywhere on apple except on the original press release, which does say the plans will be announced before shipping...and surely anyone can get one as long as they switch to at&t or re-up their contract 2 years since its not discounted (as far as we know). I'm sure the rate plans will be more expensive than the $50 I pay now with at&t, without internet.

Pricing & Availability
iPhone will be available in the US in June 2007, Europe in late 2007, and Asia in 2008, in a 4GB model for $499 (US) and an 8GB model for $599 (US), and will work with either a PC or Mac. iPhone will be sold in the US through Apple’s retail and online stores, and through Cingular’s retail and online stores. Several iPhone accessories will also be available in June, including Apple’s new remarkably compact Bluetooth headset.

iPhone includes support for quad-band GSM, EDGE, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 EDR wireless technologies.

iPhone requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS® X v10.4.8 or later and iTunes 7; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4), Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2). Internet access is required and a broadband connection is recommended. Apple and Cingular will announce service plans for iPhone before it begins shipping in June.

 

[rdowns]

Ok, everybody -

We are all suffering from mass confusion and frustration. Everytime one of us says we found out something new about the iphone everybody else jumps on that person with doubt and criticism.

Here is what we should do...

We all go to 1 Apple Store and 2 Cingular Stores over the weekend. Our mission is to answer the following 3 questions:

1. Cost of rate plan

2. Is there ANY restriction on who can / cannot buy an iphone? In terms of 'qualifying' based on whether they are allowed to upgrade or not?

3. What does it take to leave the store with one? What is the contract obligations?

A friend of mine always says that when dealing with the unknown, start with what you know. So, since we are NEVER going to learn the details of the iphone secrets and what it has and doesn't have because Apple is so secretive, let's focus our efforts on AT&T and see if we can get some answers to those questions that vex us so.

Report back to this thread.

Let's do some good! Ok, hokey. But, it will be good for all of us.

14 days people ... 14 days.

Dude, take a deep breath and relax. Apple and ATT are not releasing any information at this time. Deal with it. Going to an Apple Store or ATT Store will get you nothing other than some clerks speculation or a reply to play with your head.

OK, take another breath.

 

[Eric1285]

If you all go to different stores, you're all going to get different answers. Heck, if you all go to the same store, you might still all get different answers.

Here's the best guess as to what's going to happen with the rate plan:

You can select your voice plan from any of the existing AT&T plans. Nothing special about voice, a phone is a phone. Most will probably opt for the $40/mo plan.

Then, you'll *have* to select a data plan. You may not have a choice, as it seems as if they might only bundle the iPhone with an unlimited plan, which has been rumored to cost anywhere from $30-40/mo. So, including fees and such, your monthly cell phone bill for the iPhone can range anywhere from $75 (absolute minimum) to anywhere well over $100.

 

[applehero]

I talked to 2 different AT&T stores in opposite sides of the country and here's what I was told by both...

No details on rate plans. They know of nothing special about iPhone.

Have to have a new 2 year contract either as a new line or upgrade. Since I joined in Dec 06, I am not eligable for an upgrade, but was told since I am replacing damaged equipment, they will allow me to get it.

Phone quantity is based on store traffic, so the more traffic a store has, the more phones they've sold, the more phones they'll have. Could be good or bad for me as the one I'll be at just opened in Oct 06.


I was also told they have nothing else other then June 29th, 6PM. Having been in the telecom industry for over a decade I can tell you all that things change daily, so standard response applies here, take it with a grain of salt and wait until official details are released.

Anyway, that's what I was told by both stores.