Comments on: AT&T: No-contract iPhones coming next week

An AT&T representative has confirmed that the carrier plans to offer $599 and $699 iPhones without a two-year contract starting next week, but the phones will be locked to AT&T.

AT&T should just hire reps to go around raping people...it's the equivalent of this lame deal

[iceman721]

I would like an Iphone but ATT & Apple are the kings at robbing customers. I switched from an Ipod to a Zune. I now download and install videos for free that I used to pay for. I get songs from Amazon on MP3 and pay much less than Itunes wanted for them. I checked into a phone contract with ATT when the Iphone 3g came out and was surprised about how they wanted to nickel and dime me for everything. I instead stayed with T mobile and picked up a g1. I like my phone but I wish T-mobile would pick up the pace at adding 3g service to more areas. That being said I still like the Iphone and am intruiged by it but the high cost ATT service coupled with the closed Apple system have keep me on the outside. I will consider one again when T mobile can offer the Iphone.

[bknowledge]

For me this is a none starter. Why spend $600 for a phone that only now has the same functions that my WM6 phone had 2 years ago. And on top of that to be nickel and dime at every possible chance that AT&T has. I'm sorry but my electronics has to be more that just pretty & expensive.

[Brian.D0NG]

That's almost as much as I spend on hair products and thumb rings every year. Brian D0ng.....out. Oh ya I don't like old people

[StuXU]

Does that mean I can use the iPhone without a data plan then and just use it on wifi?

[AppleSuxLeo]

Palm also announced that they will be working with Adobe on bring Flash applications to the webOS. To help achive this goal, Palm has joined Adobe's Open Screen Project. The Open Screen Project aims to build a common standard for building applications and web browsing "standalone applications and full web browsing across televisions, desktops and mobile devices taking advantage of Adobe Flash Platform capabilities." In other words, according to the Adobe press release, "[t]he work of the Open Screen Project will help deliver Adobe® Flash® Player for smartphones on the new Palm® webOS? platform." Not to shabby.

"We?re excited that our customers will benefit from the creativity and broad range of Flash content and applications created by the millions of designers and developers using Adobe?s popular tools and technologies,? said Pam Deziel, vice president, software product management, Palm, Inc."

[Sryche22]

ok....I'm a little confused....say if I bought 2 16GB Iphones for $300 a piece ($600 total)...the monthly service plan including data for 2 phones is $130.00 with BestBuy. That means over a 2-year period I would pay roughly $3,120 services.

Now, with this new plan AT&T will be offering the 16GB phones for $400 more per phone (so 2 Iphones=$1400)...but you would only have to pay the $30.00 each month for data service. Over a 2-year period I would pay out only $720.00

Explain to me please, how this is not a great deal?

[konradb53]

No you need the Voice plan as well...the Iphone is NEVER sold, unless sold incorrectly without a voice and data plan unless you are deaf and can prove you only need the Data plan. Guys....your not getting it....this is simply being done to match the options of the other phones AT&T sells. If you lose your phone or someone stole it, and are not eligible for the $199 or $299 price, or even the non-eligible $299 and $499 price, you NOW have the choice to just buy it without extending your contract to replace it. THATS IT. Ever loose your blackberry and had to pay full price? SAME THING...

This is NOT intended for people to buy it and put it on another carrier, non US living vacationers trying to get it for cheaper, or whatever other reason. Why does everyone want to do that and bash AT&T for charging them for service they would need from the OTHER carrier anyway? HELLO? es stupida??? Their network is worldwide and they are the smart ones that got the contract with Apple since Verizon declined it. Their plans cost the same amount....and with 90% of their phones u cant even use the outside of the US.

[AppleSuxLeo]

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Palm Inc.'s share prices jumped Friday as investors ignored lower-than-expected sales and a deep net loss for its third fiscal quarter, choosing instead to focus on the upcoming launch of the Pre smart phone later this year.
In early trading, Palm (PALM:
palm inc new com
News , chart , profile , more
Last: 7.71+0.01+0.13%
2:42pm 03/20/2009
Delayed quote data
Add to portfolio
Analyst
Create alert
Insider
Discuss
Financials
Sponsored by:
PALM 7.71, +0.01, +0.1%) moved up as much as 9% to $8.42, though trading cooled somewhat by midday. The stock has soared by nearly 150% since the company first lifted the wraps on the Pre at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in early January. The device is expected to launch on the market by June 30.

[deecee]

It's this exact type of speculation that sank the economy, I wouldn't count on Plam Pre if my life depended on it. The sudden spur of the stock price is just some trader on the street goading for the "greater fool" what already have in hand at a higher price, go ahead buy Palm. You know what, let me introduce you to a great financial company called AIG, it just got a 180 billion cash infusion....

[Sgr76]

I kinda been sitting here not speaking up for a while now but....Is anyone else appalled that AT&T has is doing NOTHING to ease the costs of owning this phone. In fact, i have yet to see a single cell phone company make any changes to the cost(s) of owning a smartphone. I understand that there is going to be new software and quite possibly new equipment this summer but what good is all of that when people can't afford the bill?

My bill was the determining factor in my decision to get rid of my iphone. It doesn't make much sense to walk around with a fancy phone when times are so hard. I can't help but think all of these cell phone carriers are in on it together. Everytime i see a small company trying to make it, they get gobbled up by one of these bigger carriers and the consumers continue to suffer.

The 3.0 software looks fantastic and new hardware is due and would be huge news but i am predicting epic failure until there is a pricing plan announcement. I'm pretty sure alot of the people stuck in those contracts are looking for a way out.

People need more than just shiny objects now-a-days.

[Sryche22]

my wife and I decided to cancel our home phone (land-line) service...with that out of the way we now have plenty of money to put towards a good set of smart phones like the Iphone

[israel_id]

I bought my iphone in the uk without a contract with 02, you get a years internet and wifi hotspots free. its still cheaper for me than signing an 18/24 month contract.
As for windows mobile users, you have 6.5 coming out soon and then 8 months later windows mobile 7 so you will have to pay to get a new phone again.

I should know I spent 10 years playing with windows mobile/CE devices hacking/tweaking the stuff.

[TechnoMan475392]

I'm beginning to think that the first gen iPhone was unsubsidized...

[Sgr76]

The first gen iPhone required you to pay full price for the phone AND sign a 2 year contract. To reward the loyal first adopters, they allowed upgrades to the 3G at the discounted price with a contract renewal but only if you still had the original phone/plan. Cell phone carriers have been singing that "we are recovering the costs of the phone" song for years even though phones have become MUCH cheaper to make. These days they make a profit on the phone and still make you sign a 2 year contract. In fact, most carriers wont even give you service without a contract even if you bring your own phone. This is exactly the kind of selfish self destruction that has our economy in the dump.

[PrepaidWirelessGuy]

I think it's innevitable that any phone will ultimately be available on prepaid, however, the comments regarding inventory make a lot of sense. And the price is pretty absurd...oh well...at least the spirit of this concept is a good one...it's only a matter of time!

www.prepaid-wireless-guide.com

Cool idea, but super expensive....

[ag2311]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[solrydr270]

To those against AT&T- I hate the contract but doesn't everyone? Every carrier in every country requires various phones to have a contract. Generally these phones are the latest and greatest and is the price you have to pay for one. Apple went with AT&T due to its ability to operate the iphone to its standards and continue in the future. That goes for every country the iPhone is sold in. Apple went with each of those company's that could support it not only in one year but the FUTURE. This isnt just an AT&T phone! Get outta the house! id like to add corporations like apple and AT&T do not look at just 2 years(of a contract) because a product like an iphone isn't designed in just 6 months like all the copycats. It is an operating system. It is made to change! unlike other phones. Its life will out live your 3-4 cheap phones.So Honestly 10 years ago who had a cell phone really? and did you text. How much were you really on the internet?yeah. It takes money to research, market, distribute and make a profit. & then continue forward with the next plan. Do you think the iphone App store was released with the engineers at Apple not already designing the next one or the future marketability? Yes its expensive if you make say $25,000 a year but if your income is higher, and you get rid of you're home phone and internet, Voila! instant full internet gaming, gps etc etc anywhere in the world. id say thats a lot cheaper than-buying a digital camera, a gps unit, a laptop, a wireless card& service, a cell phone, a home phone(plus service), AN IPOD, a PSP or other portable gaming device, a DVD player, and not to mention the amount of info i can get for FREE(well $30.00 a month). I think ill just stick to having my $300 iphone and 70 bucks a month than until you haters make more money a year or realize the actual WHY APPLE has sold over $15 million iphones and not AT&T.
plus all the other phone really do suck in comparison. Written on an iPhone 3g

[mooney101]

"Yes I can finally buy an iPhone". "oh wait I still have to use the att network?""Crap never mind, I Guess I still can't give apple my money yet" :(