Steve and his friends had a great presentation where we saw new apps for a bevy of developers, most of them pretty good looking.
But the star of the show was the new iPhone 3G, a slimmer, faster version of the handset we all know and love. I talked to Glenn Lurie from AT&T Mobility earlier to clear up a few lingering questions. Sadly, most of what he told me were qualified “no comments”, but we were able to glean a couple nifty tidbits about AT&T’s involvement with the new phone.
Many were wondering if the lower price would mean a subsidy from AT&T. The new contract prices seem to indicate that it does, though Lurie couldn’t go on record about that. One fear some had was that Apple would have to pull the phone from the Apple store, selling exclusively through AT&T retail outlets. This won’t be the case. The iPhone 3G will continue to be sold through AT&T and Apple, good news for many.
Another question was about the speeds. The iPhone 3G uses UMTS as well as HSDPA, getting average speeds, he said, of about 1.4Mbps down. That’s roughly equivalent to a T1, which is pretty fast. I use an AT&T Tilt as my mobile modem which connects at that speed and it’s fast enough for just about anything.
Glenn couldn’t comment on jailbreakers or other carriers, but he did say that AT&T was committed to making current iPhone customers into future iPhone customers.
Lurie said that there would indeed be a trade-in program for current iPhone users, but only recent ones. If you bought your iPhone after May 27, 2008, you’re eligible for an upgrade to the 3G iPhone when it comes on July 11. He couldn’t comment if it would be a straight, free one-for-one trade, but he said details would be coming soon.
As for other iPhone owners, he couldn’t give me details, but he said that they wanted to make sure that early adopters of the original iPhone would also be able to easily get iPhone 3Gs in their hands. It sounds like some special contract deal for current customers, but we’ll have to wait on details.
So while there’s nothing earth-shattering there, it’s good to know that AT&T is making sure to take care of Apple’s customers. Don’t forget, it’s not the first we’ve mentioned that AT&T is making a turn around in how it treats its customers, and we hope it can keep it up.
Anything on the plan pricing changes?
You may not have tethering on this new 3G iphone?? It may be an app. Though i don’t think ATT is going to allow tethering.
@brian I really don’t think Apple or AT&T will ever allow legit tethering without having to pay a monthly fee to let you do it. Tethering would be great but AT&T doesn’t want people just willy nilly downloading media and what not.
“…the star of the show was the new iPhone 3G, a slimmer, faster version of the handset we all know and love.”
Not slimmer. Thicker. It’s negligible (11.6mm -> 12.3mm), but “slimmer” is dead wrong.
You’re right, it is thicker in the middle. But it’s more, ya know, toned. Svelt-ish. Uh, pocket-friendly. You know.
>If you bought your iPhone after May 27, 2008, you’re eligible for an upgrade to the 3G iPhone
There weren’t any for sale after 5/27/08 were there? They said today there haven’t been any available for 3 weeks.
I bought a refurb off of att’s site after May 27th… I wonder if this counts?
My 2 year old Sprint PPC-6700 allows phone as a modem option with both USB and Bluetooth. And my unlimited vision data plan is $15 per month. Tell me when iPhone can give me phone as a modem option and I will think about switching.
Will you be able to unlock the iphone 3g??
I had some problems with my phone, so they swapped it out for a new one on may 31st at the apple store. It is new, not referbed, and they made me activate it in the store. I have a receipt that says I bought it on may 31st, in reality I got it dec 24th. I should be able to take advantage of this don’t you think? Is the upgrade only at ATT or can I do it at an Apple store (that is where I got my phone and that is where the receipt is from)
how true is the after may 27 thing. I taslked to apple and att today and they know nothing. need imnput
I purchased a new Iphone from an AT&T Wireless retail store on June 11. I see all this talk about being able to trade this phone for a new Iphone 3g until Aug by returning it and paying a 10% restocking fee. I have been to 3 AT&T company owned stores seeking to confirm this offer. All 3 stores have heard the RUMOR but have received nothing from corporate to confirm this. They have advised me to return the phone during the 14 day return period and purchase a new 3g Iphone when available. Thats great but that leaves me without a phone until I can find a 3g Iphone. Some customer service!
I am considering an AT&T Tilt or the new iPhone. Matt, you use the Tilt….how would you compare the two and have you been pleased with the Tilt?