iphone

What can you get for an iPhone?

The iPhone hits stores this Friday, and everyone's pretty excited about it. Apple fans are already starting to line up at the Fifth Avenue Apple Store here in New York, and it's only Tuesday. It's no small wonder--the iPhone is shaping up to be an impressive piece of tech that can play MP3s and videos, browse the Web, work as a GPS, and even make phone calls.

Unfortunately, the price seems pretty steep--$500 for the 4GB version or $600 for the 8GB version, even with a contract from AT&T Wireless. The iPhone might be … Read more

Pricing for iPhone service released

AT&T on Tuesday announced pricing plans for the Apple iPhone, which will go on sale Friday, June 29.

All plans include unlimited e-mail and mobile Web surfing and 200 text messages a month. For $60 a month, users get 450 minutes of talk time. For $80 a month, they get 900 minutes of talk time. And for $100 a month, they can talk for 1,350 minutes.

Subscribers will have to sign a two-year contract with AT&T to get the iPhone, and there will be a one-time activation fee of $36.

The companies also said that … Read more

Walt Mossberg, David Pogue post first iPhone reviews

The Walt Street Journal's Walt Mossberg has posted the first genuine review of the iPhone (that we know of). The overall verdict is that "despite some flaws and feature omissions, the iPhone is, on balance, a beautiful and breakthrough handheld computer."

His primary points of praise and contention:

The best Web browser ever offered on a phone Synchronizes easily and well with Macs and Windows systems Highest-resolution screen of any smart phone Virtual keyboard is a "nonissue" -- partly because of the error correction "Major drawback": only works with AT&T Works … Read more

AT&T Stores: Don't come in for anything other than an iPhone after 6 PM on June 29th

AT&T has created a recorded message that plays immediately when calling many of its retail locations indicating that users should avoid coming into stores after 6 PM on June 29th for anything other than the iPhone.

In addition to reiterating that stores will close at 4:30 PM, then re-open promptly at 6 PM to begin selling iPhones, the recorded message states:

"Due to the extraordinary demand for this device, customers may experience extended wait-times when visiting or calling the store on the 29th and through that weekend. If you plan on visiting our store for reasons … Read more

iPhone does not require data plan -- or does it?

UPDATE: New information from Apple's question and answer page contradicts the below statement from Apple's PR department, indicating that a data plan is required for iPhone usage.

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Earlier today we reported on Apple and AT&T's announcement of rate plans specifically for the iPhone, all of which include unlimited data transfer. One interesting point in the rate plan press release missed by most, however, is the following:

"iPhone customers can choose from any of AT&T's standard service plans.

So apparently, the iPhone can be used without one of the provided data … Read more

iPhone will have no functionality without activation (no iPod, nor presumably WiFi)

A piece of text on Apple's rate plan page for the iPhone reads:

"Minimum new 2-year wireless service plan and activation fee required to activate iPhone features, including iPod; plans are subject to AT&T credit approval."

In other words, if you buy an iPhone at an Apple or AT&T retail location, and fail to activate the device via iTunes, none of its functionality will work, meaning it cannot play music, nor (presumably) access the Internet via WiFi and perform other functions. … Read more

Apple stores to close at 2 PM for iPhone launch -- "Be sure to arrive early"

While AT&T retail outlets will close from 4:30 to 6:00 PM local time on the day of the iPhone's launch (June 29th), Apple's own retail stores will be closed from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM local time on launch-day. A posting on the Apple's retail information page reads:

"Apple retail stores will be closed on June 29 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to get ready for the premiere of iPhone. We'll open the doors again at 6:00 p.m., when you can be … Read more

Important facts about iPhone plans and activation revealed: Installed software takes up 750 MB, more minutes available; much more

Apple has posted a video guide to activating and synchronizing the iPhone. Some salient points that were revealed:

Activation works "exactly" the same way on Macs and PCs The latest version of iTunes is required iTunes launches automatically and begins the activation process once the iPhone is connected If you are already an AT&T customer, you can either replace your current cell phone line with the iPhone, or add the iPhone as a new line New customers can choose to activate as a single line, or multiple iPhones as part of a FamilyTalk plan There is … Read more

No wait for iPhone contract signing in stores, activate via iTunes

Apple has announced that, in order to obviate delays at the time of purchase, iPhones will be activated via iTunes rather than in-store. Apple says "Activating iPhone takes only minutes as iTunes guides the user through simple steps to choose their service plan, authorize their credit and activate their iPhone. Once iPhone is activated, users can then easily sync all of their phone numbers and other contact information, calendars, email accounts, web browser bookmarks, music, photos, podcasts, TV shows and movies just like they do when they sync their iPods with iTunes."

According to a press release, iPhone … Read more

iPhone service plans -- $60 and up, all include unlimited data

Apple and AT&T have announced service pricing plans for the iPhone. All the plans are based on a new two-year service agreement with AT&T, and are as follows:

$59.99 for 450 minutes $79.99 for 900 minutes $99.99 for 1,350 minutes $119.99 for 2,000 minutes $169.99 for 4,000 minutes $219.99 for 6,000 minutes

If you are an existing customer, you can simply add the iPhone's data plan to your current voice plan. The base, unlimited data plan is $20 and includes 200 text messages. A data … Read more