From the Department of Highway Robbery comes word that AT&T will be impossing an additional $175 early termination fee for customers who back out of their contract. Ouch!
Granted, early termination sanctions are nothing new in the wireless industry. Many years ago I once had to pony up $300 to free myself from the shackles of Centennial Wireless (a carrier I recommend avoiding), so this is nothing new. But this story points out the unrestricted power that carriers extend over enslaved customers. Rather like our our government, wouldn’t you say?
Hang on a sec, there’s a knock at my door. Some nice gentlemen in a black van just pulled into my driveway. Be right back…
More bad news, I’m afraid. Those of you who hoped to avoid the experience of camping out in front of AT&T Wireless stores by ordering the iPhone by phone or online are out of luck. I just spoke with a second AT&T sales rep who confirmed what a previous lackey told me; AT&T will only be selling iPhone to customers through their corporate stores on a first come, first served basis. No pre-orders, and no orders by phone or through the web.
The rep I spoke with did not know for certain how long this policy would continue, but hinted that it would go on well past June 29. So, bottom line - if you want an iPhone you must get in line, literally.
Isn’t this fun? I’m thinking of becoming an alcoholic to pass away the time. Who wants to join me in a drink?
Along with the rollout of iPhone comes new data plan pricing, according to AppleInsider.
Meanwhile, Carter hinted that iPhone “may offer cool features such as unlimited Web browsing.” However, customers should be prepared to pay extra for that luxury.
“Regardless of which device you’re using today, you pay us a certain amount for (voice) minutes, and you also pay us for data units,” he said. “That is also true on the iPhone.”
Wait, what? I already pay $19, on top of voice, for unlimited data, which includes all-you-can-eat web browsing. Is AT&T planning to further sodomize me with some form of premium iPhone-only data plan? In the words of the great Chinese philosopher, Confucius, “that’s bullshit!”.
[UPDATE:]Now AT&T is saying it will announce data pricing before launch day. Oh well, doesn’t matter. The news won’t be good. We’re still getting screwed.
I’m less concerned about making my way through lines and more worried what will happen to me once I exit the store with iPhone in hand. I don’t fancy having my new iPhone jacked by some street thug lurking around the parking lot, waiting to swoop down on unsuspecting victims as they approach their vehicles.
What AT&T needs more than anything is a constable standing outside its store to ensure that customers make it safely back to their cars.
“The way we come at this is to let the iPhone hit the market…. I don’t think it changes the game plan for how we approach the market. But we need to see the impact. The burden is on [AT&T and Apple] to prove the market will change.”
You could go and read the interview source at C|Net but it’s all business marketing speak and whatnot, so I’ve translated their plan to make it easier to understand:
put fingers in ears
close eyes
breathe in deeply
shout LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
say “I CAN’T HEAR YOU”
go back to step 3, as necessary
In other news, they have nothing to worry about with the Qualcomm chip embargo either. Everything is perfectly normal, move along quietly. Plz continue to buy ringtones at 3 bucks each and I really hope mobile TV is where it’s at, kthxbye.
And I thought only consumers would be lining up outside of AT&T stores. Apparently waves of job applicants are gearing up to snatch positions generated from all the iPhone buzz.
This image scares the hell out of me because it confirms that iPhone mania that we’ve all joked about may in fact turn out to be true. On Friday June 29, I and thousands of other consumers will standing in lines very similar to the one you see above, in order to get an iPhone. The thought that I may end up wasting my time in a long queue and coming home empty handed doesn’t exactly sit well with me.
AT&T’s recently announced peer to peer content service, called Video Share, won’t work with iPhone. Why? Because the service requires a 3G network connection. You know, 3G? That lamentedly lacking technology in iPhone?
Whether iPhone becomes a huge success or a lukewarm seller remains to be seen. But it’s a safe bet the product will achieve iconic status. When you look at the current handset landscape no clear challenger emerges, and that’s going to present Verizon, Sprint, et al., with an enormous disadvantage and something to sweat over as iPhone’s launch date looms.
The iPhone Blog merged with the Phone different site in May of 2008. Both sites were founded on a premise that comes one from one of Apple's old slogans: Think different. The iPhone Blog: for people who dare to phone different.
From the Department of Highway Robbery comes word that AT&T will be impossing an additional $175 early termination fee for customers who back out of their contract. Ouch! 
