Pocket PC Guru

There's been a lot of mail going back and forth between the Gear Diary Team regarding a couple of recent iPhone posts.  There are some important points that I want to make certain everyone hears before they go off and spend money on a new iPhone 3G. It may not get you as much as you think it might.

According to fellow Team Members Wayne Schulz and Kerry Woo, the lines for the new iPhone 3G are already forming at New York's flagship 5th Avenue Apple Store.  You can see the post on that, here - Let Freedom Ring (iPhone 3G Style).

I've been looking at AT&T's 3G network lately and wondering why we're "knee deep in the hoopla."  Apparently my post on AT&T/iPhone US 3G Coverage caused quite the stir over the weekend. It's gotten some people thinking, but I don't think that everyone has quite connected all of the dots.  The economy sucks right now folks, and before we go off stimulating other people's wallets, I wanted to make certain that everyone had as much information as possible. I'm specifically speaking to people who already own iPhones.  Everyone else should listen, especially those non-iPhone users (whether AT&T customers or not) who don't live in a 3G coverage area.

If you remember the graphic from my AT&T/iPhone US 3G Coverage post, you'll remember that GPRS/EDGE was noted in either light or dark orange, respectively; and 3G was noted in blue.  It’s an orange colored country, kids.  What other sites said about the article wasn't quite accurate either. They pointed out that the map I used was a voice plan coverage map and not a data plan coverage map. That part was true; but there's one point that got somewhat overlooked:

3G coverage is 3G coverage, voice or data...it doesn't make a difference. 

You're NOT going to find 3G data coverage in an area that doesn't have 3G voice coverage and vice-versa: no 3G voice without 3G data as well. Both services run off the same 3G towers.  If you look at the 3G data coverage map and compare it to the 3G voice coverage map, you'll find their pretty much identical (albeit the data map is a bit harder to read, as the shades of blue tend to run together.

The original 3G Coverage Map from my original post

Compare these two (look for dark blue, directly above). There’s not a lot of difference…

I generated these maps using the publicly available Coverage Map tool that AT&T provides everyone.  It may not have all of the other areas that got covered in their recent 3G build out, but when you look at the bigger picture (how much of the nation truly IS covered by 3G), I don't think the added areas make that big of a dent (yet), for a couple of very big reasons.

1. AT&T's 3G network concentrates on the larger metro areas. If you live in one of those markets, great, you should have wider 3G coverage for your 3G enabled device than you did on 6/29/08. Outside those areas, in big cities where you can lose signals in concrete canyons, or in some suburban areas (i.e. on the fringe), you're still going to rely on EDGE/GPRS speeds.
2. People (and mobile devices) are MOBILE. Where and why did this get left behind? Despite the huge rise in gas prices, this is still the summer travel season here in The States. People are going to grab their iPhone and truck it on down the highway. When you get outside of a 3G coverage area, you're going to revert to EDGE or slower data speeds. What you're going to find, is that unless you're in one of the recently expanded markets, or an existing 3G coverage area, you're stuck with EDGE or slower data speeds.  Personally, I think we're going to find that that's the case more often than not, especially if you, like, take your phone with you on a vacation, day trip, or on errands...i.e. you're mobile with your mobile device.  For example, if I go just 30 minutes west of where I live, I'm outta luck. I'm stuck with (most likely) GPRS only data speeds, and that's if I'm lucky. You can't go an hour south of Chicago and carry 3G with you.

So what does the new iPhone offer?  Well there's the device's AGPS receiver... Oh! But yeah... did I mention that both Google Maps AND AT&T's TeleNav service rely on a cellular data connection to send you maps? 

Yeah...Outside of a 3G coverage area, (with AT&T's TeleNav service) you're going to see your route line, and TeleNav's standard logo background in place of map data, as you're likely moving faster than you can receive map data, at that's it. A lot of help cellular provided GPS services are at that point. I've run into this exact problem when taking day trips both west and north of Chicago recently.

Please don't get me wrong, kids. I'm NOT panning the iPhone 3G, or AT&T, Apple, or anything right now. I have NOT gotten the new iPhone yet (though I do plan on buying one), so I'm not working from any advanced or privileged information. 

However, I have been working with mobile devices for over 11 years and want everyone to understand exactly what benefits the iPhone 3G is going to provide you. If you live outside a 3G coverage area, live on the fringe of one, or frequently travel outside of one, you get 2 new features with the iPhone 3G (if you exclude 3G from the picture for a sec):

1. The App Store – You get access to tons of new programs and applications. New functionality is very cool!
2. GPS – If you don't have GPS, want GPS, etc. this is a huge addition to any mobile device. You're going to get both driving and (hopefully) walking directions with this thing. You just need to understand that map data may be spotty while driving in an EDGE/GPRS only covered area, as you're likely going to be driving faster than AT&T's data network can send you data on your current geographic position. Don't be surprised if you get ONLY the blue line of your route (in TeleNav, for example), the triangle that represents you, and an empty background when you're driving. It's been happening to me for the past 2 weeks in non-3G covered areas.

So, unless you are a chronic early adopter, or have a real need for GPS, are in a 3G coverage area, and are NOT very mobile, current iPhone owners may want to pass on or wait a bit before taking the iPhone 3G plunge. You may not get a lot, given the Total Cost of Ownership on the new iPhone has increased by $240 over the life of the new, 2 year contract AT&T makes you agree to.

If you are not an iPhone owner or are not an AT&T customer and want to buy your first iPhone (regardless of what price point you buy the device at), take the following into consideration:

1. 3G Coverage – If you don't live in a 3G coverage area, 3G isn't going to come to your area for a while, or you don't travel to a 3G coverage area often, you have to wonder if the draw for the device (3G speeds and service) is going to make a difference for you.
2. App Store, GPS, etc. – Will the added extras of the iPhone 3G be of value to you? If you're not going to add a lot of apps, use GPS often, or aren't a news/web surfing junkie, you have to ask yourself if the iPhone is really for you. It's an expensive device for someone who doesn't need to surf the Internet or get mail on their cell phone.
3. Storage – The iPhone 3G only comes in 8GB/16GB flavors right now. If you really want to take your music and movies with you, would an iPod Classic or even an iPod Touch offer you a better solution with its larger storage capacities than the iPhone 3G?

Apple is no longer selling the original iPhone, but there are a number of then available on eBay.  My understanding (someone please comment, below if this is incorrect) is that they can still be activated using the original service plan pricing, but I'm not certain how long that will last; or if AT&T will change the rates on you later.

I'd love to hear what everyone's thoughts are on this. Please join us in the discussion below and tell us what you think...

With Bill gone, and speculation about Steve's health, does the industry know where it's gonna go..?

I've been giving this one a lot of thought, and I'm certain that I'm gonna tweak the heck out of this article before the final version is posted; but I have to ask the question: with Bill gone last week and Steve's health in question, does the computer and computing industry know where it's going?  I'm not entirely certain.  What's worse is I think many of us are afraid to find out...

I'm 42 years old (meaning I was born in 1965). I have grown up in the computer era.  We've gone from punch cards to reel tape, main frames to minis, and Commodore/Atari to today's desktop PC's, all in the span of my life time.  Kids...?  That really isn't a lot of time to have come as far as we have.  What's even more interesting, we have just a handful of people to thank for the drive and innovation that got us here.  Two of them are Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.

I'm not going to go through what each man has accomplished in the course of their careers.  If you want to see stuff like that, take a trip to C-Net or ZDNet, and then come back. I'm certain they have articles that do that kind of chronological dance down memory lane. We're going to see articles like that ad-nauseam.  What I'm more interested in and concerned about is the future of computing now that the Era is ending.

Before I get going, I want to answer (what may be) a begged question: No. I don't know Steve Jobs personally; and I haven't had the opportunity to interview him.  If I did, I certainly wouldn't air his personal laundry by relating the state of his health. That's HIS business. He'll share that if and when he decides to share it.

Now, with that out of the way, I'm going to go with the speculation that his retirement, for what ever reason, is on the radar screen. If you go there, coupled with Bill's recent exit, things get very interesting; and a bit worrisome.

The state of computing for years has been Windows and Office for mainstream, corporate business, and OSX for Graphic Arts and Multimedia (let's face it; the Mac has got this OWNED. WMC is a distant 2nd to what Apple can do with a video and a CD...). Bill had the drive and vision to get Corporate America, and eventually the rest of the world basically unified on one enterprise platform. After nearly 20 years in Corporate America, I have yet to find a company, let alone work for one, that ran anything but a Microsoft OS on the desktop or in their data center.  I also only know of one guy that does any kind of SERIOUS, professional graphics work on a Windows box. (You can see Ryan's work at Digital Blasphemy.)

If you do any kind of professional multimedia work, from graphics, to video to audio, it's likely you have at least 1 Mac somewhere in your arsenal. With both company's success so closely tied to the vision of a single individual, I can't be the only person with a feeling of dread about the next few years AB/AS (After Bill/After Steve).

I'm not entirely certain that any one individual's vision has been completely disclosed to the obviously curious MS consumer.  Does Steve Ballmer have the vision? Does he know where he would like to take Corporate America's computing?  How will we get past the "WindowsME-like" feel that Vista currently has?  Will Windows 7 and subsequent versions have the purposeful direction that Windows 98 and XP had; or are we going to continue to fling noodles against the wall and hope they stick? We need clear, solid, directed life cycles here, or NO ONE is going to let go of XP any time soon. I think Ballmer knows where he wants to take Microsoft as a company, as a business; but I'm not certain if he's the Chief Software Architect type, do you?

Who's going to be the new Captain Kirk at Microsoft??  I don't see anyone rising to the task yet...and Bill's GONE, kids. If someone has an idea or a clue here, if I've missed an announcement or two here, PLEASE let me in on it. I don't think I'm the only one wondering about those things...

While things at Apple aren't as dire (Steve hasn't announced his retirement, and doesn't appear to be going anywhere, anytime soon), health issues have a nasty tendency to rear their ugly heads when you least expect them.  If Steve is sick again, and he has to either take a back seat or completely retire for health reasons, who is going to take over at Apple for him?  I don't know if anyone's even thought about THAT succession yet; and again, that bother's me.

More and more people are moving to Macs. People are dumping Windows for OSX.  The Mac is entering the mainstream.  The iPhone is entering the Enterprise. Some girl saved Christmas by simply plugging a camera into a Mac... (Dogs and cats... living together..!  Mass hysteria!!  Sorry... GhostBusters) You get the picture...

The Apple Experience has got HUGE momentum!  All of that is due to Steve's singular vision and direction.  The big question here is if he is sick, who shares that vision to see it through?  The last thing that Apple needs is to flounder when things are really, truly starting to pick up for them. Again, I don't see a clear succession candidate or vision post-Jobs.

So now that the stage is set and I've relayed the issues as I see them, the big question is, now what?  I mean, we knew this was going to happen some day. No one thought either of these guys would be around forever...  I honestly don't see anyone at either company taking the lead to fill the gap. I also really don't see either company rushing to fill the void, either.  So..? How much time do they really have to figure this out? Good question...

I think they have 1 major OS release (however long that is) each.  For Microsoft, that's Windows 7. I think they have to have a clear vision for Win7 and beyond before Windows 7 hits Beta 1, documented, publicized, communicated, etc. or they're gonna flounder. They also really need to invest in the marketing of a new front guy, or face of Microsoft; and Ballmer ain't the guy in my opinion. He's been at the helm for about 10 years or so, but doesn't have the glitz and show that Jobs has; and isn't geeky or eclectic enough to be cute (not that I think Bill is cute; but you know...)

Apple has a bit more time, I think. Steve hasn't announced any retirement plans; and Snow Leopard is really nothing more than a maintenance release (so far, anyway). However, if Steve does have to take a back seat or step down due to health reasons, they better have those plans ready to go; and have a groomed replacement ready to take the helm.  If Apple is smart (and Steve really IS sick) they'll have already started this process so that the new guy can simply step in and take over. I also think it would be a very good idea if Steve introduced him through a cool marketing/TV campaign and did the whole changing of the guard thing; but again, that's just me...

Any way you cut it, both Bill and Steve have shaped computing for the entire world during the last 20-30 years and loss of either of them is going to send a lot of people into "what-if mode."  The best thing that both companies can do for the corporate world is to tell us what they are doing to insure that its business as usual and that they have a clear eye on the future and KNOW where computing (and not just their business) is going to go. 

The last thing we need is another TI-Pro that runs WindowsME... 

Please join us in the discussion area and give us your thoughts. I'd love to hear if I'm the only guy out there thinking this stuff, if I'm close, or right on the money.

In part 2 of this series, let's continue to take a look at some of the heavier criticisms I've seen of the iPhone 3G...

In part 1 of this 2 part series, I started going through some of the harsher criticisms I've seen on the iPhone 3G. This week, I'm going to continue to go through them, giving everyone an clearer picture of what is being said about the device in general, and what I think is accurate and maybe not so accurate.

Again, while I was of the many iPhone-hypers on Monday 6/9/08, I really was pleased with the overall announcement of the new device.  While I do wish that it had been made available on the day that it was announced, life will go on.

This commentary (and it truly is commentary of commentary) is based on an article I saw on Extreme Tech titled, "The Top 10 reasons why the iPhone 3G Sucks." The iPhone was one of the most widely anticipated devices of 2007. There were rumors of it for almost 4 years, and if you look at this thing hard, the experience is going to change a whole lot.  There's been a lot of speculation from the community and from the industry; and I don't know how anyone can truly, TRULY pan this thing without getting a hold of it, and playing for at least a couple of weeks or so.

I'm gonna pick up with the last couple of points here and try to drive this thing home.

...Microsoft Exchange ActiveStink
Another big, fat who cares from me on this. I detest Exchange so having this as part of the 3G iPhone just doesn't add any real attraction to me. Although I do understand that others might really appreciate it.

For me, the less Microsoft related junk that is available for the iPhone the better. Why corrupt a good product by putting junk software on it?

A Microsoft-free iPhone is far more attractive to me. But your mileage may vary. To each, his own...

Chris Gavula and I go over and over this particular point time and again. The whole world of e-mail is not about Exchange; and to an extent, he's right. However, Microsoft has about 1/3 of the e-mail server market out there, from what I understand (...give or take...) Aside from IBM/Lotus Domino and Notes, I don't know what else is out there comprising the remaining share; but I think that MS likely has one of the larger, single shares of the pie. That being said, having Exchange access on an iPhone is a big deal.

This means that I can have the device pull my corporate e-mail to my device and keep it up to date, in real time. I can now use my device at the office, still carry one device, and make the Apple mobile device paradigm work for me. I live and die by my PDA and my calendar (effectively the same thing to me) and right now, with the job I have (we use Domino/Notes), I've got to forward everything from Notes to my Exchange account, and pray that calendar entries convert correctly (they don't always, and it's a huge pain...) While I agree that this may be a "to each his own" kinda thing, the licensing of ActiveSync from Microsoft for the iPhone 3G was a huge win. It gives Apple a legitimate in to the corporate enterprise. It ain't all just RIM and Windows Mobile anymore, and I think this is a significant development.

... GPS
I looked at the demo on Apple's site and it left me somewhat under whelmed. As far as I can tell, it doesn't even talk to you! I have been considering getting a GPS as I get lost very easily. But I've always wanted one of those that would talk to me and say "turn here" or "slow down, turn ahead" or "stupid moron! you went past your turn!" or something like that.

But the iPhone GPS doesn't seem able to do that. Why not? The iPhone has a speaker on it so why doesn't the GPS talk to you and direct you step by step so you can keep your hands on the wheel and not be staring down at your iPhone? I think Apple needs to do a lot better than the GPS I saw on Apple's site. At this point I may buy a Garmin or other separate GPS for my truck as the 3G iPhone's GPS just seems lame to me.

GPS that doesn't offer turn by turn directions doesn't make sense.  Solid GPS/PND's (personal navigation devices) have been around for a few years.  Navigation apps on your GPS tethered or enabled PDA has been around for at least 4 years that I can remember.  All of those devices and apps use turn-by-turn directions (TBTD), so, that part of the above that indicates GPS without TBTD isn't of use is accurate, I think. However, I think what this situation needs is time. I think this will turn itself around in the coming months after the iPhone 3G is released. What was looked at here just smacks of an immature application.

GPS with TBTD is just too much of a no-brainer from my perspective. While TeleNav is an additional $10/month for unlimited directions and maps, it's not a lot to ask when the baby is screaming his head off, your three year old is constantly telling you, "go faster daddy! We have to go fishing!" and your 14 year old is whining, "are we there yet?"  Yah... $10 bucks a month to get me out of THAT constant jam..?  Uh-huh. Sign me up...

I also think that AT&T will insist that its TeleNav product be iPhone compatible.  That does have turn by turn directions, as I found out the hard way this weekend with my Tilt.  It’s a long story, but I'm running a customized ROM, and found out the hard way, while on my weekend trip, that the GPS app that I was using wasn't 100% compatible with that ROM.  We were stuck, lost, and TeleNav got us back on track and where we needed to go without any issues.  All it took was 1 quick phone call to Customer Service, a fast HSDPA download and install, and I was in business.

...3G
Do I really care about having 3G? No, I don't. While Edge is slow sometimes, it's quite usable for the time that I spend out and about. When I'm home using my iPhone I don't care about Edge or 3G since I use my own network via WiFi and it's very fast.

Now don't get me wrong, I know that some of you probably are thrilled that 3G is available and more power to you if it floats your boat. But I'm lukewarm about it and I just don't see a reason enough to buy a new iPhone.

And what about AT&T's price 3G price increase? An unlimited 3G data plan will cost $30 per month instead of the $20 per month for an Edge based plan. Is 3G worth $10 more per month? No way! Not for me it isn't! And shame on AT&T for ripping off iPhone owners by raising the price!

One has to wonder why Steve Jobs didn't put the smack down on AT&T for this. Or perhaps Apple doesn't care, especially if it means more $$$ flowing into Apple's coffers? $10 more for 3G connectivity is a rip off.

What is missing here (again) is one big thing: the 3G network in The States is largely immature. 3G coverage doesn't extend everywhere to everyone. It's mostly limited to areas surrounding the larger cities; and then it's not everywhere you might think it should be. New England, for example... You would think that the East Coast would be plastered with 3G coverage. To say that it's spotty would be kind... 3G coverage appears in blue.

For most, the addition of 3G on any phone, not just an iPhone, is not a big deal here in The States. Check out the other article I posted recently on AT&T's total 3G coverage here in the US. The biggest perk for it is NOT increased speed; although that's really nice and noticeable. Its actually simultaneous voice and data (you can surf the Internet, get e-mail while you are on a call, etc., as opposed to having to wait until after the call ends to surf, and have all your mail queue up and then get delivered after you end your call). that are the biggest draw for 3G here in the US; at least for right now. I don't think everyone using any OTHER 3G phone is going to notice. On the iPhone 3G, it's going to be a bit more noticeable, once MobileME and the rest of the infrastructure and components for The Cloud are put in place. The first time you get mail while on a call, you're going to think it's cool.  When it doesn't happen, you're going to wonder what's wrong; and then realize you're not in a 3G coverage area (or you dropped to EDGE during the call).

So, by now you're thinking, yah... ok... so, now what?  Good question. At the end of the day, I think that the iPhone 3G is still going to be a huge deal this year. While Apple has lowered the production costs and (appears to have) raised the device cost, the device still seems to be shaping up to be one of the biggest devices since the introduction of the first PPC Phone, Blackberry e-mail device, etc. The impact of the device is too big for it not to be.

Apple wants this thing to be everything to everyone. Its not going to work like that, because I don't think anyone can create a generic enough device to satisfy every possible need known (or unknown..?) to man. However, this comes kinda close, and the only problem I think it will have is at point of purchase..."What do you mean, I don't qualify for an upgrade to this device..?! It's gonna cost me HOW much to get one of these things?!?"

What do you think? Why don't you join us in the discussion area and let us know what you think of all of this.

Why is everyone so quick to criticize?  The masses haven't even seen the bloody thing yet..!

This is the first in a 2 part series related to some criticism I've hard on the iPhone 3G.  You'll see the second part of this next week.

Ok... I admit it...I was one of the many iPhone-hypers on Monday 6/9/08...and I was really hoping that Steve would have had the stores stocked and ready to buy that day as well...but that's just sour grapes now.

I've been watching a lot of commentary hit the air since all of the interesting announcements on Monday 6/9; and I've really tried to hold myself back, as I am certain that everyone and their brother is going to have something to say...but I just can't leave it alone. Oh well... :P

I saw an article on Extreme Tech titled, "The Top 10 reasons why the iPhone 3G Sucks," and it was really the straw the broke the camel's back. The iPhone was one of the most widely anticipated devices of 2007. There were rumors of it for almost 4 years. While the iPhone hardware hasn't changed too much beyond the implementation of a 3G radio (they got rid of the aluminum back and replaced it with plastic, etc.), the experience is going to change a whole lot; and I don't know how anyone can truly, TRULY pan this thing without getting a hold of it, and playing for at least a couple of weeks or so.

While I'm not going to go thru all 10 points here and rebut them all, there are a few of things that I do want to touch on regarding the article:

...Pricing
Well it's true that Apple has made a real effort to lower prices, why couldn't they have gotten the price down to $99 instead of $199? I have to wonder about this, given how some people are having a tough time making ends meet these days. With gas costing $4 or more per gallon I'm forced to wonder if many people will have $199 to pay for a phone.

If the price point had been a bit lower at $99, I think Apple would have really hit the sweet spot and sold more phones than they might have otherwise. It's not that $199 is particularly bad; $99 is better because it will entice a lot more people to ante up for the iPhone 3G

There's a great deal of debate going on about this particular point; and a lot of information has come to light since the original announcement 3 weeks ago. To an extent, I agree with the above statement. $200 bucks is a lot to pay for anything, especially when a tank of regular gas (depending on size of tank, and geographic location) can run anywhere between $50-$75 bucks easy. I spent $66 bucks filling my wife's 15 gallon Mazda MPV this weekend alone. A lot of people may have $199 to dish out for the iPhone 8GB, but I don't know how many actually will.  At $99 bucks, they would have enticed a lot more people in this economy. However, the $200 price drop is a huge benefit for everyone, and brings this closer to what some are calling a discretionary purchase.

There's also been a lot of press on the additional data charges associated with the new phone.  The TOC of the device has been raised by $40 bucks over the course of the 2 year contract extension, due to a $10 per month raise in the data plan rate, compared to the previous version iPhone.

I was talking with Chris Gavula about this the other day, and found out some very interesting things that were initially news to me...

1. The $199/$299 prices are truly subsidized prices.
2. The retail only pricing has finally been announced.
3. Everyone will be able to buy an iPhone. At most, you're going to pay $599 for an 8GB device or $699 for a 16GB device.

Again, you can't get the device without a data plan, and unless deployed in the Enterprise, data plans are $30 bucks/ month. However, the big kicker to all of this is that the new device prices are subsidized by EVERY iPhone 3G owner.

AT&T's 3G network isn't that large yet; and while the device will seamlessly switch back and forth between 2G/3G as long as the 3G radio is turned on, not EVERYONE with an iPhone 3G will benefit from the increased network speed, though you WILL be paying for it.  The extra $240 bucks you're paying over the course of your new 2 year commitment, more than covers the price cut Apple and AT&T are giving everyone. Take a look at AT&T's 3G coverage map, and you'll see what I mean... the dark blue areas are 3G coverage. I live in Chicago, and not all of the metro area is covered by the 3G network, so thanks to every EDGE only covered customer out there. I appreciate you helping to lower the cost of my new iPhone 3G... [ducking!]

...Storage
At the show, Apple announced that the new 3G iPhone would come in 8GB and 16GB versions. I'm totally underwhelmed by this—I'd wanted at least 32GB and maybe even 64GB! Paying $299 for a measly 16GB really frosts my buns and I think Apple should be ashamed of themselves.

Bear in mind that when we talk about storage we will no longer be dealing just with movies, podcasts, music, and audiobooks. The App Store is going to be filled with zillions of cool applications that are going to take up a lot of space over time. So that 16GB that seems like so much is going to get filled up fast—far faster than most people realize.

Come on, Apple. Stop screwing us on the storage and get real for once. 32GB should be the bare minimum for any iPhone at this point. The 3G iPhone's storage options suck, there's no other way to say it.

I agree and disagree here. 6GB and 16GB are way too small. However, I think that 32GB and 64GB isn't nearly enough if the above is accurate. If the device will now use device based storage for application data as well as multimedia data, then the above is very true. We're going to go through 8GB/16GB very quickly. The device still doesn't offer an SD/MicroSD/MiniSD slot, so you're stuck with what ever is on the device.

While you may be able to use MobileME for some storage, sticking everything in The Cloud isn't always a great idea. If you can't get Internet access, getting to your data there is going to be impossible.

When iPod Classic devices have 80GB/160GB options, why iPhone and iPod Touch devices are still stuck with Nano/ circa 2003-2004 storage options is beyond me. I'd take a thicker device any day of the week if it meant I had an 80GB/160GB option for my iPhone.  Wouldn't you?

What's going to really tick me off here, is that Apple no doubt sees this, agrees and is in the process of pulling larger capacity iPhones together now. Give it 3 months... I can almost guarantee that come the end of the year, you're going to see a 64GB+ sized iPhone hit the shelves. I'm still gonna be stuck at 16GB, and carrying around my 5G iPod so that I can have the rest of my music and video with me when I want it.

Ahh, the beauty of carrying more than one device...

I'd love to hear what everyone has to say about all of the above. Please join us in the discussion area and let us know what you think.

Next week, I will finish up the series and talk a little about GPS, ActiveSync and 3G. Stay tuned!!

Subsidized or not subsidized?  Which is it, and will everyone get one for $199/$299?  Sheesh!

The iPhone 3G... EVERYONE is talking about it. Everyone. I hear at least 2 or three conversations about it every day (since the 6/9 WWDC announcement) here at the hospital (new job), and these are the biggest bunch of NON-geeks ever assembled in once place at one time.  If even the techno-phobic are interested in this puppy, you know it's going to make a HUGE splash in both the consumer and enterprise spaces.

However, all of these conversations have one common theme, and I get asked this question at least 2-3 times in some of these conversations and people come and go through them, "If I'm not eligible for an upgrade, can I buy one; and at what price?"

That's a GREAT question; and the answer is, I have no freakin' clue.  What's more interesting is that NO ONE can really answer that question yet.

I stopped at a local AT&T store last night near closing, dropped the site name, got the, "hey, I know you!" thing, and started asking questions...and that's when everyone clammed up. I thought it was because there were other customers in the store; but even after they left, I got nothing more than crickets.

The official word on EVERYTHING iPhone 3G specific from anyone at any Apple or AT&T store is:

* The prices are $199/$299
* We don't know if that's (officially) subsidized or not
* The unsubsidized price, if any, hasn't been announced
* We don't know how many we are going to get
* And, no... I can't set one aside for you (damn it!)

Calls to AT&T customer service just seem to confuse the matter, as everyone gets a different answer...

* Yes you can "upgrade" to an iPhone 3G even though you DON'T qualify for any other kind of equipment upgrade. 
* No you can't "upgrade" to an iPhone 3G because you don't QUALIFY an equipment upgrade. 
* Current iPhone users can upgrade their device at the $199/$299 price points.
* Current iPhone users aren't eligible for an equipment upgrade.
* The prices are subsidized. 
* The prices aren't subsidized. 
* There full retail price is going to be $XXX (the price varies).
* We don't know what the full retail price is going to be.

Damn!  Would the real iPhone pricing please stand up..?! Can someone PLEASE clarify the situation for us?  I'm not asking for any special treatment or favors here, just clarification so all of the speculation stops. I'd rather it come out now than on 7/11, in the store.
If users who want an iPhone 3G can't get one at the $199/$299 price points because they don't qualify for an equipment upgrade; and don't find out until the day the devices are released, AT&T and Apple are going to NEED the police presence in the stores again, as things are going to get REALLY ugly.  That official information needs to come out NOW instead of then to avoid problems. 

If the prices are subsidized, and the unsubsidized price is $499/$599 or whatever, again, fine...but we need to know now instead of on release day. People need time to rub pennies together and make more, figure out alternatives, etc.

There have been a number of different articles posted on semi-official decisions/announcements from AT&T on some of these questions; but nothing truly official yet. Heck, Chris Gavula and I discussed the upgrade/subsidy question this morning when we spoke. I even posted about one of those articles on Gear Diary on 17-Jun-08; but as I'm asking for clarification on the situation, I'm not going to link to it here. I don't want to add to the confusion, as the article was an opinion piece and pure speculation.  However, at the end of the day, it still leaves the lot of us wondering if and when AT&T is going to tell us who can and who cannot have an iPhone 3G, and at what price, under what conditions.

So...which is it, AT&T?  Can I have one; or do we have to start whining about it now?  Will you tell us, or will it get ugly on release day when you tell someone that they can't have one, or have to open up a new account?  For those of us that aren't eligible for an upgrade, will you charge us a prorated early termination fee and let us upgrade, WITH the "termed" number? Can someone in authority PLEASE give us the OFFICIAL, straight poop here?

Again, (and hopefully for the last time) would the real iPhone pricing please stand up..?!