[myst]

Originally Posted by JSpira

Where you will have to sign a Cingular contract.

If you want Cingular service you will have to sign a contract to be a customer. If you already have service, you can just go into a Cingular or Apple store and purchase it, and then plug your sim card into it. The price will not change though if you sign a contract, which actually is going to hurt the sales of Cingular as far as contracts, but help with the number of customer migrating over.

[Greeney]

Originally Posted by JSpira

Where you will have to sign a Cingular contract.

A "New AT&T" contract... so stupid. theres 3 billion down the tubes.

[super88ta]

Originally Posted by JSpira

Where you will have to sign a Cingular contract.

You will actually be able to purchase this in the AT&T Wireless store. As of tomorrow Jan 15th, Cingular will be AT&T wireless. Who knows how much this phone is going to cost? People will buy it anyways because its cool. Everyone who bought a palm Treo, didn't buy one because they needed it for actually working. It was just that you could if you wanted to. IF this docks on my ipod adapter and charges the iPhone while being able to listen to its MP3's and be connected to bluetooth, it will be well worth the $600. My ipod is sure to break soon and my razr is due to go out in another 6 mos.

new Blackjack(not BMW compatible, by the way) $299
new 8GB Nano $249
TOTAL $548

New iPhone $50 bucks more!!! Hell yeah.

[Lucid4000]

As soon as that phone come outs... I AM ALL OVER GETTING IT. You guys have to watch the key note from Steve Jobbs. Sick!!

[gjdavies]

Originally Posted by myst

If you want Cingular service you will have to sign a contract to be a customer. If you already have service, you can just go into a Cingular or Apple store and purchase it, and then plug your sim card into it. The price will not change though if you sign a contract, which actually is going to hurt the sales of Cingular as far as contracts, but help with the number of customer migrating over.

Price won't change, although if you are currently in a contract, you may have to wait for that to finish or pay out the rest of that contract before you can get the new handset.

If you are an existing customer, you will re-up for another 2 years. These handsets are being sold at I would guess around the $600 mark to the operator (AT&T nee. Cingular) and the term of the contract is where Cingular make the money.

Give it 9 months after launch and the price will drop as fuuture volumes are known................ and the mk. 2 will be released no doubt.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by super88ta

You will actually be able to purchase this in the AT&T Wireless store. As of tomorrow Jan 15th, Cingular will be AT&T wireless.

Cingular, under AT&T ownership, is NOT going back to the old AT&T Wireless brand, on the 15th or any other day. They are starting to rebrand Cingular as "AT&T". Period.

[SapphireBlackG01]

Originally Posted by gjdavies

xxpaintmepunkxx, why did you not think the rest of the world would get this version? Think it was a US only thing? I do agree that Europe/Asia may get a WCDMA version before the US, but I think it is unlikley given the GSM thing hasn't even hit the FCC yet. Even if they do release a 3G version, it'll go through the same approvals for a worldwide availability.

Because, Japan, for one, and other parts of Asia use WCDMA extensively in their wireless networks.

And because in Europe, a 3G handset would make alot more sense in the iPhone's price range, than the GSM+Edge version that was announced for the US - and Apple isn't clueless.

[gjdavies]

Originally Posted by xxpaintmepunkxx

Because, Japan, for one, and other parts of Asia use WCDMA extensively in their wireless networks.

And because in Europe, a 3G handset would make alot more sense in the iPhone's price range, than the GSM+Edge version that was announced for the US - and Apple isn't clueless.

Agree with your points........ well, apart from Japan. Japan use a system called FOMA in the main, although there are a few WCDMA operators out there. I actually work for a Japanese Electronics/Comms company who provide an awful lot of Communications kit worldwide and believe it or not, the Japanese market is very closed to outside companies. Apple don't do as well on a % basis in these markets as they do in the rest of the world. Biggest selling phones in Japan are Sharp/NEC et al. Sony Ericsson are slowly gaining market share, but the Operators dictate the software that runs on the Phone. Vodafone do this extensively and Japanese UI's are very different.

I do however completely agree about Europe. But it's essentially the same as Motorola did. They started promoting EDGE into Europe during the height of the 3G craze. Seemed crazy and didn't pay ooff, but it allowed them some small volume of handsets.

This unit will be bought by early adopters and even though it lacks network functionality, it will still sell buy the Cargo Ship full. The amount they sell will probably fund the devlopment and introduction of a 3G version shortly afterwards and my betting is it will be a cheaper device. But that is why the EDGE version will come to Europe.

The pricing set out is designed to maximise revenue from essentially a 'fanboy' market, where people will: 1: Buy it because it's Apple and Cool, or 2: Have to be seen with the latest whatchamagizmit.

The next big thing of course is WiMAX. Widely believed to be the first 4G network............. you can beet Apple have thought about that, given the fact that Intel are one of the biggest promoters of the technology and now also the core platform provider for the latest generation Mac's. Plus I bet the iphone is on an intel chipset............

[obLu]

I know there won't be any discounts with service ... when was the last time you saw any apple product "on sale"? ... because of the apple price fixing. But I wonder what'll happen to us Cingular/soon to be ATT customers who's contract has expired and we're on month to month?

Can I purchase the phone at full price and remain month to month, refusing to sign a new contract. Or will I be forced to sign a new contract to purchase the phone?

Will I truly be able to just walk into the apple store, buy one and slip my SIM in?

I'm betting they'll make me sign a new ATT contract and that my Cingular SIM will magically not work.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by obLu

I know there won't be any discounts with service ... when was the last time you saw any apple product "on sale"? ... because of the apple price fixing. But I wonder what'll happen to us Cingular/soon to be ATT customers who's contract has expired and we're on month to month?

Can I purchase the phone at full price and remain month to month, refusing to sign a new contract. Or will I be forced to sign a new contract to purchase the phone?

Will I truly be able to just walk into the apple store, buy one and slip my SIM in?

I'm betting they'll make me sign a new ATT contract and that my Cingular SIM will magically not work.

Contract required.

[FirstClass]

Originally Posted by super88ta

new Blackjack(not BMW compatible, by the way) $299
new 8GB Nano $249
TOTAL $548

New iPhone $50 bucks more!!! Hell yeah.

Exactly, plus you get the massive touch screen on the iPhone and a fully compatible browser in a single package. But if its not 3G I'm going to be pissed.

[Phila]

I'm crossing my fingers hoping the iPhone will properly pair with our cars.