AT&T WILL offer tethering on the iPhone... just hasn't worked out an announcement yet
Engadget is reporting that AT&T is going to offer a tethering plan, they just haven't worked out the details. Plus, we have a whole week until the iPhones go on sale, what's the big rush? They just haven't figured out how much extra they can get out of you suckers customers.
BGR says there will be a $70/month unlimited data w/tethering plan (so +$40 for Tethering) Also, AT&T will offer an unlimited MMS solution for $20/month. Ouch.
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Comments (24)
so... AT&T waits for Apple announcements, then figures out how to make it available. This sounds like a big communications problem among both parties!! Something is wrong here. Lets hope I benefit later from a new Verizon contract!!
While I'm not one of those guys that goes "Steve Jobs is all of Apple, and without him Apple is nothing," today was very un-Apple-like. I can't believe they even tried to announce tethering like it was big deal while trying to hide that ATT wasn't a participating provider off the bat. That's like Apple rule #1 don't talk about the product if it's not ready. I guess that argument could be made for MobileMe, but overall the presentation felt like they were doing extra talking to make up for lack of innovation. It's weird that Steve Jobs was out for this time, and they kinda fumbled this one. Investor confidence?
It's available on release for the phone, which is Apple's responsibility. Their partner companies may or may not support it. Just because one company in one large market isn't ready to roll out the software updates to enable it doesn't mean Apple shouldn't announce it for the other 25+ markets.
The fact 25+ other companies are on the ball and AT&T isn't is a slamming indictment of AT&T, not Apple. Apple announcing it puts a firecracker under AT&T's butt and shows the users where the culpability lies.
"That's like Apple rule #1 don't talk about the product if it's not ready. "
It's ready. Just not in your country. There are lots of other folks around the world who care about that announcement because in their part of the world, it's ready.
I pay for a Verizon plan with tethering.
450 minutes per month, unlimited data plan, no texting, and tethering (5GB/month) is about $85 per month before any "hidden fees" or taxes.
If AT&T (suck) allows tethering then there will be a third party for cheap.
I pay for data on the phone, now I need to pay additional to use a feature on the phone to use the same data pipeline? It would be the equivalent of me having to pay for each computer I connect to the internet in my house.
Consumers need to voice out against this. Increase the overall data plan, but don't charge additional per device (or in this case per feature).
BTW - Hilarious how Forstall stumbled over the lack of mentioning AT&T in the "it'll be available all over the world". Well, instead of in the country you are giving your presentation in.
I pay for data on the phone, now I need to pay additional to use a feature on the phone to use the same data pipeline? It would be the equivalent of me having to pay for each computer I connect to the internet in my house.
Consumers need to voice out against this. Increase the overall data plan, but don't charge additional per device (or in this case per feature).
BTW - Hilarious how Forstall stumbled over the lack of mentioning AT&T in the "it'll be available all over the world". Well, instead of in the country you are giving your presentation in.
Perhaps. But recall that all other American cell phone provider charge an extra fee for tethering versus a plain-old data plan.
Obviously, with tethering, your potential for using globs of bandwidth is greatly increased. Perhaps the phone companies should just charge per MB. Then again, people hate that too, but it is likely the most fair all around.
Screw AT&T. Between tethering, still charging 3G owners $200 for upgrades before December, and all their other wrongs in the past I would gladly welcome some competition to keep these guys honest. It would be better for Apple too as the iPhone would for sure land in more hands. Pick up other carriers. I don't care who, just do it.
This pisses me off we pay AT&T and they cant provide im leaving theres no why im upgading. Apple really needs competition. This is just ridicoulous.
Someone... please correct me if I'm wrong. I have unlimited messaging for families; which it includes text, picture, and video messaging. I'm paying $30 for the package for my family. are they raising the prices for mms?
I am really getting sick of all this babbling and bitching about ATT charging $200 more if your account isn't qualified for upgrade. Blame the entire fucking mobile industry its common practice for every phone. People were more then willing to pay $499 plus when Razr's were all the talk. ATT has to recoup the money they pay to Apple for the phones. To me the fair thing is to let you trade in your old iphone and let you have the subsidy price since technically ATT own the phone till your contract is over.
My attack on ATT is not being prepared for to have the prices for tethering ready or having MMS ready to go. They have had plenty of time to make those choices. Are they still supposed to have cheaper data plans or that still just a rumor? ATT should have the plans set weeks ahead of any iphone announcements. They know they will be uproar and they will have to cave to public's outcry rather the cries are justified or not. They need to state better that you are entering into a subsidy and you won't get another phone subsidized for at least a year if you have a high monthly rate plan or 2 years if you have low cost one.
Seriously everyone stop attacking ATT for the subsidy shit. Attack the entire damn industry.
Completely agree. I am not sure why everyone wants special treatment just because its an iPhone.
I also remember when people were paying $499 for a crappy razr. I remember paying $250 for one!
That is the reason I didnt buy the 3g right away, I almost did but I am glad I waited, not that the 3gs is hugely better but I can get one now and sell my V1 16gig unlocked for what its going to cost for the subsidized 32gig.
PEOPLE your 3g was subsidized, you can still get the new one you just have to pay back what you were given.
How on EARTH could AT&T not be prepared to announce plans for next month? Here they are, sleeping with one of the most innovative companies in the world, and AT&T can't inform their customers about their upcoming plans. I don't blame Apple for allowing the Pre to sync with iTunes. They are really getting screwed over by AT&T.
Check this out may answer some questions and bitches....
www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=1574
Upgrading at local ATT in the morning....
this was on att's website
MMS coming at no extra charge to all txt plans for iPhone 3G S/3G later this summer. Updates @ www.att.com/iphone_news. 6/8/2009 4:18:44 PM
I have spent over 5 hours now visiting 5 different websites and reading and skimming all the comments honestly looking for a reason to sign a contract with ATT. may be I have visited the wrong sites but out of 374 different reviews about 15 to 20 of them were alright with the service ATT is providing. weather it be Cell service or High speed Internet most people are unhappy.
By the way if you want to piggyback (tether) your iPhone to your computer expect to pay $30. extra/ponth. that is on top of your minimum of $70. monthly contract.
Do your research before you buy anything. Only you can protect yourself from yourself.
I have spent over 5 hours now visiting 5 different websites and reading and skimming all the comments honestly looking for a reason to sign a contract with ATT. may be I have visited the wrong sites but out of 374 different reviews about 15 to 20 of them were alright with the service ATT is providing. weather it be Cell service or High speed Internet most people are unhappy.
By the way if you want to piggyback (tether) your iPhone to your computer expect to pay $30. extra/ponth. that is on top of your minimum of $70. monthly contract.
Do your research before you buy anything. Only you can protect yourself from yourself.
New phones, or new firmware? Can the iPhone 3G tether, or do you need a 3GS?
Yes. Yes. Yes. No.
Here is a press release made by AT&T and the link can be found by another user in the list of messages to this article. Pay attention to the last paragraph...
iPhone 3G S, iPhone 3G and the nation's fastest 3G network.
AT&T and Apple introduced the revolutionary iPhone in June 2007, and it quickly became one of the most popular devices in the AT&T wireless portfolio. On July 11, 2008, the companies launched iPhone 3G, a next-generation, 3G-enabled device.
And on June 8, Apple announced iPhone 3G S, the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet, available in the U.S. only from AT&T.
Beginning the evening of June 8, Customers may preorder iPhone 3G S via www.att.com/iPhone or by visiting one of 2,200 company-owned retail stores nationwide. Additionally, AT&T is now selling iPhone 3G starting at $99 for new and qualifying subscribers.
Both iPhone 3G S and iPhone 3G offer free Wi-Fi access at more than 20,000 U.S. hotspots.
iPhone 3G S and iPhone 3G harness the power of nation's fastest 3G mobile broadband network, currently available in nearly 350 major U.S. metropolitan areas, with 20 more metropolitan areas on the way this year. In addition, AT&T has the best global coverage of any provider with roaming available in more than 200 countries and more world phones that work in more countries than any other carrier.
iPhone 3G S and iPhone 3G customers benefit from AT&T's continued investments to deliver the nation’s best mobile broadband experience. AT&T is enhancing its mobile broadband coverage by adding nearly 2,100 new cell sites this year, and nearly doubling the wireless spectrum dedicated to 3G in most metropolitan areas to deliver stronger in-building reception. Also, AT&T is adding thousands of new cell site backhaul connections to support the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by today's 3G and emerging 4G technologies.
iPhone 3G S will be compatible with High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology, which offers theoretical peak download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps, though actual speeds will vary as these capabilities become available. AT&T plans to begin deploying HSPA 7.2 later this year, with completion expected in 2011.
Jailbreak your phone and get tethering for free. Seems v. Allows tethering by default as well so AT&T dropped the ball or apple just decided to screw them. Despite what apple says about their partnership with at&t it has be be sinking in with Cook when the whole room jeered at the mention of their name.
I had a Motorola Mpx220 smartphone which I used as a bluetooth modem. I originally started with a 39.99 PDA connect plan using a HP iPaq. This was 4 years ago, most their tech support did not have a clue what I was talking about. I did get the apn name and setup info I needed from them. The service was fine for a couple months and I got the idea to connect my MacBook Pro and Vaio. A day later my service went out. When I called they verified there was no cancellation or cause for interuption to my account. I was on the phone with tech support for a long time with no resolution. A few days later I called back and they told me I had tripped a sort of switch that told them I wasn't just using a PDA on my PDA connect plan. I was told I could not connect a laptop unless I went with the unlimited data plan then at $79.99/ month. And so I agreed to the higher price and continued using my phone as a bluetooth modem. The real problem for me was that they would not let me have only a data plan on the phone. I was forced to buy minutes when I had a company phone I am allowed to use for private calls. The bill was $110. a month so I cancelled and got a T-Mobile sim with no contract at $31.73 a month unlimited data the last 3 years. T-Mobile was too slow so I recently cancelled. Lately the company I work for got all techs Verizon USB modems. I opted for the Mifi 2200 which serves 5 wifi devices. It allows my iPhone to run Skype and SingPlayer when on the road. It's the size of a few credit cards stacked, has removable battery, and speeds range between 1 - 2 Mbps when I use speakeasy.net/speedtest. Verizon seems much better than AT&T for coverage west of Chicago when I travel home to family. I'm getting my third iphone shipped 6/19 at yes $699. and I still think it's worth it. I'll be gifting my 3G one to a family member. Remember AT&T told those upgrading last July could upgrade at the discounted price but would not be elgible the next year. No need to be surprised or scorn these two companies. Verizon people are saying they'll be selling iPhones by years end. If I pay for it my employer will get it for my company phone and I will drop the AT&T 88 a moth bill.
I suspect there may be apps soon that will only run on the new processor. And I wonder if the new one will stop getting memory warnings. We'll see in a week.
Enjoy it and don't get stressed. Next week will be exciting. Even if you don't want a new one you get a free upgrade on Wednesday.
Go to www.vajacases.com to see THE BEST iPone cases.