Before you switch to the iPhone
Since the iPhone is available only with AT&T, we have little doubt that some eager buyers will be switching carriers just to buy it. If you're one of those people, there are a few points you should consider before making that big purchase on Friday. Remember, you'll be shelling out $500 or more for that shiny new gadget, so you want to make sure you're spending your money wisely.
It's pretty, but it won't come cheap.
(Credit: Apple.com)
AT&T coverage
Without a doubt, you better make sure that AT&T has adequate coverage in your area. That would include your home, your workplace, and everywhere in-between. If you don't have an AT&T phone now, try borrowing a friend's or colleague's phone and test in the places you frequent. Keep in mind that reception in buildings can vary, but ultimately you'll want to be able to make and receive calls with few problems. This is an absolutely critical step, unless you want to pay a few hundred dollars for a phone that won't work in your living room.
Porting your number
If you want to transfer your phone number over to AT&T, do not cancel your contract with your current provider. If you do so, you'll lose your number and AT&T will assign you a new one. To keep your number, simply open your new account with AT&T. AT&T will notify your carrier and will transfer the number for you. Just keep in mind that the transfer can take a couple of days.
Carrier termination fee
If you leave your carrier before your contract has ended, you will be stuck with an early-termination fee. These can range from $150 to $200, so be sure to factor that into the price of your
iPhone. Verizon Wireless prorates your fee depending on how much time is left on your contract, but not every provider does the same. Be sure to check if yours does.
Pick your plan
Remember you're signing up for a two-year contract, even if you have already switched to AT&T. New customers will have to choose a special iPhone service plan that will be unique to the phone. For $60 a month, you'll get 450 minutes of anytime minutes and 5,000 night and weekend minutes. For $80 a month, you'll get 900 anytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekends. And for $100 a month, you'll get 1,350 anytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekends. All plans will include visual voice mail access, unlimited e-mail and mobile Web surfing, free mobile-to-mobile minutes and 200 text messages a month. And don't forget the $36 activation fee.
Current AT&T customers can add an iPhone data plan to their existing contract for $20 per month, which will give them unlimited data and 200 text messages. More-expensive plans are available as well, and families will have their own options. Try to think carefully beforehand about how many calling and data minutes you'll need. As a general rule, it's better to overestimate your usage rather than underestimating it. You can always adjust your plan later, though that will result in a further extension of your contract. Don't forget taxes and fees either. For a complete list, check out CNET's Quick guide to your cell phone bill.
Find a store
The iPhone will be sold at all Apple stores, but it won't be available at every AT&T location. AT&T franchises won't have it, so you should check before you get in line. AT&T has a handy store locater on its Web site. Also, keep in mind that iPhone goes on sale at 6 p.m., but that stores will vary.
Activation
Apple announced yesterday that you'll be able to activate the phone at home using iTunes, which, incidentally, you'll need an account for if you want to use the iPhone for anything.
Be patient
As the first-generation device, the iPhone will have a break-in period. During that time, there will undoubtedly be some quirks that may be surprising and even frustrating. The touchscreen and the user interface also come with a learning curve, and it doesn't help that the iPhone comes with enormous expectations. Take your time to get to know it, and don't expect too much right away.
Kent German is a senior editor for cell phone reviews at CNET. When he's not testing the newest handsets on the market, he's blogging about cell phone news for Crave. In his On Call column, he answers reader questions and gives his take on the rapidly changing mobile industry. E-mail Kent. 
on your account now, it won't apply it.
Also, no corporate discounts will apply to the device or the plan.
The IT department of a business is responsible for all computing resources and the security of those resources in a business. Their hands are tied when this version of the IPhone enters the business.
There is no support for business email--Exchange or Blackberry--with little or no support from the Service Providers. If the IPhone gets lost or stolen, there is no ability or tool(encryption) to wipe it out or lock it down to prevent data loss or company intrusion. The lack of third party applications limits what the IPhone can do corporate-wide anyway.
So other than looking cool, not having full internal IT support and corporate-wide use, and costing a fortune for a corporation to implement, I can understand why Apple would not offer corporate pricing...it would put them in a possible pickle.
IT departments and personnel are going to be put on the spot with this phone by C-level bosses who don't fully understand the inabilities of the IPhone for their businesses. I believe that in a few years, some type of IPhone will be available for corporate-wide use, but this one is not.
i chuckle everytime i hear "it works with industry standard email protocols" im sorry, what industry would that be?
Simply, i have let all my users know that out of the box the iphone will not work with our email system, and if/when it is compatible we will evaluate it again.
-Jak
- Before you waste your money
- by Fil0403 July 7, 2007 10:01 AM PDT
- ...think twice, check better alternatives and save money.
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(7 Comments)