View Full Version : Wanting to take the Apple plunge
No, I don't mean apples floating in a barrel of water....I mean Apple's iTouch or iPhone. Or whatever.
While I have an LG Rumor phone that serves my needs very well (phone calls, texts and photos), I've always been impressed whenever I see my friends whip out their iWhatevers and hop on the Internet, play videos, view pics, etc etc.
And apparently they have everything but the kitchen sink :)
But it all seems a bit rich for my blood just to be able to do most everything my Dell laptop can, just a lot easier to carry with ya.
So what I guess I'm asking is, is there a relatively affordable alternative to paying $100 a month for a 2 year AT&T contract, and what about all those apps? Like iTunes (doesn't that cost money too?) for example.
And oh yeah, what version would be best - iPhone? iTouch? Whats the difference?
I work at Walmart, which just started selling the iPhone 3G, and I believe I can get the associate discount (have to double check tho) as well.
If anyone could give me some advice on Apple stuff, I'd sure appreciate it. I used to use an Apple many years ago in college and really liked them, and I like my sister's MacBook too. So if I only knew where to start it would sure help!
Thanks, everyone!
Tom
Scott Pruett
12-30-2008, 10:26 AM
The iPhone is $199 (or $197 @ Wally World, 1% cheaper). The baseline 450min/mo rate plan is $69.99/mo, excluding tax. You'd be looking @ paying just over $80/mo (I'd guesstimate) after taxes are tacked on.
http://wireless.att.com has details.
The iPod Touch doesn't have phone functionality, FYI.
Eileen
12-30-2008, 10:17 PM
Once you go Mac you will never go back....... I am lusting after an iPhone too, and just went to look at them. For the price you really do get a lot of capability. Phone, email wherever you are, web browsing, camera, texting, and lots of very cool apps, many of which are free.
Wise Young
12-31-2008, 01:18 AM
The iPhone is $199 (or $197 @ Wally World, 1% cheaper). The baseline 450min/mo rate plan is $69.99/mo, excluding tax. You'd be looking @ paying just over $80/mo (I'd guesstimate) after taxes are tacked on.
http://wireless.att.com has details.
The iPod Touch doesn't have phone functionality, FYI.
The new second generation iPod Touch 2.1.1 includes earphones with a microphone. A number of programs offer connectivity to VOIP. For example, Truphone offers one
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13549_7-10116553-30.html
A free program called Fring (free from Apple) offers a similar service for Skype users although I have heard that quality of the sound is not great. Here is a youtube video on how the fring app works
r5uIi1ndeso
Some sites suggest tha the new iPod Touch does not come with the new earphone/microphone and they had to order it from the Apple store for $29. Some knowledgeable posts I have seen suggested that the headset that comes with the iPhone has a built-in microphone in the wire and it will work on the new iPod Touch. This suggests that Fring will work on the iPhone a well for international calls. Here is a review of the iPHone Stereo Headset with removte and Mic.
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/apple-earphones-with-remote-and-mic/
Wise.
Of course, Fring works only when the iPod Touch is connected to a Wifi network.
Scott Pruett
12-31-2008, 08:41 AM
yeah yeah. :D
currently voip isn't a suitable replacement for a device that works on mobile networks.
JAYCUE
12-31-2008, 07:00 PM
Check and see how at&t's service is in your area first. I had an at&t phone that loved dropping calls. I decided to get the ipod touch instead of the iphone.
dgrotz
01-01-2009, 03:35 PM
Love my iPhone, was one of the fist to get one and never looked back. Very quad friendly! It is just under $80 a month.
Yes, iTunes movies and TV shows cost extra.
Kratos
01-03-2009, 07:09 AM
battery problem:thinking:! i can't make mine work for a day! is that normal?
dwht100
01-03-2009, 07:23 AM
Check out the Nokia N series as an alternative.I have the N95 but not sure if that model is available in the US but there would be something similar
rbdeli
01-06-2009, 05:54 PM
So what I guess I'm asking is, is there a relatively affordable alternative to paying $100 a month for a 2 year AT&T contract, and what about all those apps? Like iTunes (doesn't that cost money too?) for example.
You are asking about the same question I was a few months ago when I signed up with AT&T. I was hoping to get a new toy in the form of an iPhone. What changed my mind was not only the $200 cost, but the neccessity to sign up for the $30.00 data plan. I have a family plan, and if every family member had one, it'd cost a fortune.
I still look back and wish I had gotten an iPhone.. :(
Katilea
03-20-2009, 03:31 PM
Try Ebay.
They often sell unlocked iPhones and you can use a regular Pay-as-you-Go SIM in them (not sure if they have a different name over there), if you use one from your current phone the provider doesn' know you have taken it out of that phone and put it in an iPhone!
In UK we can now get iPhones on Pay-as-you-go anyway, I'm not sure about in US.
Kati
Katilea
03-20-2009, 04:43 PM
Over here we have to have a plan to get iPhone, can get it on pay-as-you-go but if you dont top it up by certain amount they can lock it.
I'm not even sure if I'd use the full allowance in one month as when I put £10 on mine it lasts ages as I only use it when i need to contact someone for a purpose or emergency.
Can get them unlocked on ebay but I read that when you update them or or connect them to iTunes it locks them again, then you have to buy the software to unlock it again and this can damage your phone.
Is this just them trying to scare people so they wont unlock them?
Seems unfair the service providers would lock the phone just cos you havent topped up one month, if you still got loads left.
Anyone got any experience with unlocked iPhones?
BRASWELLF5
03-24-2009, 09:25 PM
Make sure the auto lock is set to anything but "never". Mine is set for 3 minutes and can easily last me a couple of days of moderate use.
***EVERYBODY WAIT UNTIL MID JUNE (2009) TO BUY AN iPhone....NEW MODEL COMES OUT & OLD MODELS WILL NOT BE 100% COMPATIBLE WITH ALL OF THE NEW FEATURES.
jeshyr
04-17-2009, 02:27 AM
Can get them unlocked on ebay but I read that when you update them or or connect them to iTunes it locks them again, then you have to buy the software to unlock it again and this can damage your phone.
Is this just them trying to scare people so they wont unlock them?
The unlocked iPhones are called "jailbroken" phones usually. It's true if you update the software (the iPhone software itself - not just adding apps) it can wreck the phone to the point it's unusable. The jailbreaking stuff is illegal and Apple really doesn't like it.
The reason they're locked to only work on certain networks/plans (eg ATT in the USA) is that the plan covers a lot of the cost of the phone itself. If you paid full price for teh phone it would be a lot more than US$199. Check out the price of the iPod Touch and then remember the iPhone is more or less the iPod Touch PLUS a camera PLUS the phone system stuff.
I agree it sucks you can't buy them for full price and do whatever you want or don't want with the phone part.