Comments on: Switching carriers for the iPhone

AT&T competitors could take a hit in the next few quarters as enthusiastic Apple fans switch providers for the hyped device.

[billmosby]

Other carriers

Is Apple tied to AT&T for all cellphone products it may introduce
during the next two years? Or has it left itself a bit of wiggle room
to introduce products with other carriers?

[quandmeme]

Backend of visual email is steep for carrier

I'd like to see iPhone on other carriers too, but Jobs played up the work that AT&T has had to do on the backend to enable randomaccess voicemail. (Is that style or usability? in my book, Apple is unique because it doesn't ask what the difference is, making it insanely great includes the aesthetic I like.) Because I believed that that was high barrier for the Carriers (Verizon balked when approached by Apple, for that reason among Apple's notorious secrecy and demand for control) I am surprised not to see that issue mentioned in articles like this one about the prospect of switching. Readers ask, Should I wait for the iPhone to come to my carrier? It's not just the exclusive agreement that stands in the way, its also the high cost of entry for carriers (cf the difficulty in finding a carrier in Canada and Europe.)

[Macsaresafer]

Cool phone/Apple fans

AT&T's competitors are in big trouble if they've convinced
themselves that the iPhone phenomenon is merely the result of
style or Apple fans. Style is nice, and some people will buy
whatever Apple sells, but most people are interested in the
iPhone because it delivers where all of its competition fails:
usability.

Anyone that wants to compete with the iPhone had better be
focusing on quality software, starting with the user interface.
Unfortunately, none of the iPhone's competitors have any
experience building a quality user experience.

[chassoto--2008]

Absolutely - user interface is the key

My HTC "Apache" (Sprint PPC-6700) is, on paper, a truly capable
little machine. EVDO, WiFi, BlueTooth, flip out keyboard,
speakerphone, SD card expansion, etc. It works great with
Exchange, and it's easy to add software. The big problem is
that the UI is atrocious. I've owned over a dozen Macs and two
Newtons. The Newton MessagePad in 1992 had a better
interface than this thing. The best software for it is open source
stuff (like gsplayer, though it has UI issues). And Sprint loaded it
with crapware (but Google for how to eliminate this stuff).

It's really a good thing for the mobile ecosystem that Apple's
getting in the business. It's going to force a lot of change,
either through imitation, innovation or Chapter 11 (or whatever
Korean or Chinese tax code calls it).

Charles

[Vegaman_Dan]

No experience makes you an expert?

You have zero experience with the Apple iPhone and yet you seem to have enough expertise with this device to be able to speak for every other cell phone available?

Perhaps you may want to wait until the product is actually out before making claims you can't back up.

It will really help with your credibility which is in serious question with comments like these.

[abqdude]

Don't Want to Use ATT

I love all things Apple, but I won't touch the iPhone as long as ATT is the only choice for the carrier. I'm not about to drop my current provider and get nailed with an early termination fee, pony up $500 for a phone and have to deal with a company I loathe. I know a number of people who feel the same way and nobody seems to acknowledge that Apple may be shooting themselves in the foot by only having the one choice in carriers. It doesn't matter to me how cool the iPhone, I just don't want to deal with ATT.

[grossph]

Good for you

No one is forcing you to use AT&T. If you don't want to switch then don't but because you don't want to doesn't mean tens of thousands won't. I have had AT&T cell service since 1998 and have gone through the CDMA/GSM switch etc and truely haven't had a lot of issues. It is an imperfect technology, so deal with it...

[chassoto--2008]

I agree - ATT is teh suck!

Their coverage is even worse than Sprint here! Plus, ATT long
ago (ok a different ATT than today, but they chose the name, so
they get the rep) tried to screw me over for $3/mo. because I
never made long distance calls (mobile is free). So, I dropped
them as my land line LD carrier. That was fine, except they KEPT
ADDING THEMSELVES BACK. This took way too much of my time
to correct, and ultimately I got a bill about a year later for $40+
for all these $3 charges I never needed. I wrote them a letter
telling them they would never get a penny from me. So, I guess
no iPhone for me, until they're on Sprint (whose customer
service has been impeccable - really eerily surprising) or Verizon
(great coverage in this town).

The one big issue: my Windows Mobile 5 phone is also teh suck!

[weegg]

Use wifi

ATT network sucks and I hope a bunch of the iPhone fanboys start
hassling ATT to upgrade their network.

But if you are in a wifi area. You have another option. Also, I
wonder how long it will be before skype gets on to the iPhone?

[mgee99]

Bravo!

Right on the money! Your decision is one that I am sure many will make.

I think it absurd that there is a perception that Americans have that much disposable income, that the ~million inquiries spoken of in the article will morph into one for one purchases. Those calling are most likely not committed Apple fan(atic)s who are already committed. When the reality of a ~$700 migration cost sets in... $500 up front and anywhere from $150 to $250 to break contract... The reality will be far removed from AT&T?s dreams and aspirations.

[oxtail01]

It's simple - then don't

Hey, wake up - it ain't about you. It's about thousands who WILL spend big buck for the iPhone and sign up with ATT. I don't think Apple is worrying about shooting themselves in the foot. They're not that stupid - as is the case with all the whiners crying about ATT

[JCPaynye1]

LOL AND actually go thru LIFE with AT&T AGAIN?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH CNET YOU CRACK ME UP!!!!!! CELL PHONE SERVICE FROM AT&T! HA! Good one!!!

[JCPaynye1]

Anyone see the Chinese knock off yet? GOTO YOUTUBE.COM

and lookup the "tPhone".... It's the Chinese knock off of the iPhone. And for way less.

[ackmondual]

inverted everything

inverted Apple logo, the letter 't' can be an inverted 'i', even an inverted OS. It runs some form of Windows

[JCPaynye1]

If Sprint really cared... They should open up Nextel to more

Cell phone companies... Motorola keeps making the same phones that (when flipped open) the insides all look the same....

[inlasvegas1]

AT&T SUCKs

I still remember what At&T did with my phone when they got eaten up by Cingular. Trying to force me to Cingular or my phone would not work. Now Cingular is the new at&T? what kind of stupid marketing is that? At&t could have a phone that scratches my ass and I would not switch carriers. You screw people over they don't forget. I won't.

[inlasvegas1]

OH, and....

did I mention At&T Sucks?

[oxtail01]

goh you poor thing

take your stupid crying and wimper away. Your so-called stupid marketing just got off to a great start and they're going to make a bundle over the next few months. Jeez - don't be so pathetic!

[mgee99]

Possible Intangibles

Probability would say that a/the significant percentage of people who are considering these phones are already users of data centric devices with tons of contacts and files (files, photos and movies). What the unfortunate truth may reveal is that most of the data will not migrate.

Monitor the after sale returns. AT&T is such a horribly unreliable network that the real impact of success or failure may come when within the first 14 days, when those who find themselves unhappy with the quality and reliability of the network, seek to recover their losses, and return to what they know to be a dependable carrier.

Lastly, but possibly most importantly is the culture of sales representatives in AT&T stores that I have frequented. I feel, based on personal experience and the way I was treated by AT&T in multiple regions in multiple stores (and never will again)... that this one element, may be a turning point for some users who have become comfortable with being treated like a person instead of like a credit card.

And you know, just like anyone/everyone else, I could be way off base. It all remains to be seen and just as always, AT&T may continue to succeed (with the iPhone product) in spite of themselves.

[mattbytez]

Cell Phone Co-Ops

I would like to see a Cell Phone Co-op! What happened to the co-ops? In the 80's there were many co-ops that were companies formed by the customers. The customer owned the company. The problem with Titans is their allegiance it so the shareholders, not to the customer. If they can slaughter the customer and sell the pelt to make an extra nickel they must do it, or the shareholders will
Sue! They have no choice as they are sworn to profits by the charter of a corporation. That would be a bold platform for an Independent party to run and encourage co-ops, to play the role of curbing corporate rape and pillage. The government cannot control the volition of greed in the corporation. It is part of the animal by nature. Co-ops could regulate the corporate animal to play fair to catch it's prey. I have a Treo 650 which is a year old. It has been like pulling teeth for me to get a company that rhymes with horizon to upgrade me when I've been a customer for 12 years. I waste so much time with them fighting for equipment that is dated. I want the iPhone now. I'm not going to sign a (2) year agreement with antique equipment. Bring back customer owned companies!

[mattbytez]

AT&T Market Analysis

It makes me wonder did SBC do a market survey as to whether the name AT&T actually helped them or hurt them? I see so many businesses open and close where a market survey could have dictated whether that's what the people wanted. It seems everybody has been burned by the name AT&T. They should have let that name rot in the grave. Do business do research anymore or is everything a craps shoot with VC money?

[tjhunt]

All this AT&T Vitriol

Anyone think the same complaining would occur if the iPhone was
locked into another carrier?

[mgee99]

Nope!

Seriously doubt it.

[wylbur]

who knows the consequences

Every action has consequences, intended and unintended. One
thing analysts have not considered is how spending millions of
dollars to promote the iPhone will alter AT&T's relationships with
other vendors (and even altering their voice mail API system
wide but only telling Apple how to use the new API). If I were an
executive at RIM or Motorola, I would be much more demanding
of sales and technical support from AT&T than I have been in the
past. If that support does not come, I would be prone to ship my
best products to Verizon first. This could leave AT&T with a
shortage of the devices business users demand which could
result in a loss of business customers to other carriers. There
are always unintended consequences.

Now I love music as much as the next guy, maybe more. While
the iPhone may be a great iPod, the iPod is a true audiophile's
nightmare of bad compression and cheap d/a converters, really
a good dolby C cassette sounds better and when I see people
hook their iPods up to $2000 stereo systems I just have to
laugh, so I am not about to drop everything great about my
phone to get an iPod (like my phone takes great pictures of
moving children, if I don't want to type on my little keyboard I
can make a video message and mail it off on a high speed
network, google maps knows where I am, a home button that
always takes me to the homepage, and I have a second battery
that I can pop in if my extended battery dies-- never happened
yet). I would have to give up a lot to get a pretty lousy audio
experience and a bad case of shutter lag-- and that is no way to
listen to Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note or the last recording John
Hicks made before he died or to take pictures of your toddler's
first time on the big kid's swing.

[ackmondual]

inverted everything

inverted Apple logo, the letter 't' can be an inverted 'i', even an inverted OS. It runs some form of Windows

[nichts925]

Ridiculous

The iPhone was not that serious to begin with, and then to add the $200 termination fee to the price of the iPhone? Ridiculous.

[oxtail01]

Boo--hoo-hoo

To all you cry babies knocking ATT. GET OVER IT. They and Apple are going to make a killing over the next few months and if you want to get in on the nice new toy, well you ain't got no choice but accept ATT. So, either accept it or go and buy something else and cry in the corner. This ain't about you, it's about how Apple and ATT teamed up to make a killer product (even though I won't be buying one any time soon) for all the wanna-bes that can't do without the newest and the greatest (poor souls like you). Cry, cry cry - blahh, blahh, blahh - your pathetic whining is sickening.

[zer0punkd]

I would never go to ATT so i guess i will just have to settle for my Ipod touch Apple really should have thought about what they were doing before they only had one carrier.