To the 3G iPhone: 2 days, 9 hours, 2 minutes

To the Beijing Olympics (on 8.08.08 @ 8:08pm... yeah, we like our 8s): 30 days, 6 hours, 10 minutes with the time difference.

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Right now and more important to me, the iPhone. Gizmodo, like last year, came out with a useful guide with all the necessary information.

What you need:

• Credit Card
• Social Security Card (What the eff?)
• Government Issued ID
• Wireless Number & Pin (If you're new to AT&T)

When to buy:

Starting 8am this Friday morning.

Where to buy:

• Apple Store:
  • Rumour is that 750-1,000 units available. However, the Mac fan boys will surely be there, camping out with Red Bull cases; 2 week supply of beef jerky; the white, pulsing screen of their Macbook Pro; and a pristinely kept 'old' iPhone.
  • You should check stock at your local Apple store the night before. The site will be functional after 9pm this Thursday. Also, try driving by early in the morning to see if there's a line outside, and check your other options.
• AT&T Store:
  • Stock is said to be anywhere around 50 to 250, although numbers still seem vague. Luckily, the fan boys will not be there. Of course assuming the AT&T stores will have less people might fail, if everyone assumes that. So... we'll see.
  • If you're absolutely dying for the white iPhone, you might want to opt for the Apple Store because supplies at AT&T are sketchy at best.
  • You can only pick up one unit per person, and you MUST activate your cell phones before you leave. Also, expect to make the trip to an AT&T store, if you're signing up for an enterprise plan.

If all else fails:

Steve's not going to allow the rest of the nation to go empty handed. Therefore, you'll get your iPhone in the next few days. That could mean waiting the whole weekend, but you'll get it.

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Hopefully, I can get one Friday morning... hopefully. :-D

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If all else fails, I'm 90% sure I'm going to get a kitteh this weekend! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Luda continues to build his brand by signing a multi-million dollar deal with phone giant AT&T recently. He is the first hip-hop artist to do a major promotion deal with the company.

He’ll lend his likeness to online and TV ads promoting the service and he just wrapped shooting of his first commercial.

"I had a lot a fun shooting this commercial,” Luda said. “If you like the AT&T commercials you've seen then you'll love this one."

The rapper plays a guy who doesn’t have AT&T phone service and misses an important call. The “phone,” also played by Luda, tells viewers exactly what he missed out on by not having service.

His installment in the campaign will begin running next month.

[Shouts: Sohh.com]

Quite the opposite. According to the reps on the other end, there was nothing that they could do. I did get a few "helpful" suggestions:

1. Can you use the service in another computer. "No, it's integrated," a fact that no matter how many times I tried to explain, they didn't quite understand. I routinely explain technology to lawyers, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't me.

2. Interested in transfering it to someone else at your workplace? lol, sure. I'll troll the hallway and will ask if anyone wants a WWAN account.

The end result: I cancelled the service and plan on yanking my other lines ASAP. The rep had to get "approval" to terminate service immediately; otherwise, it would have run through the end of the month. Furthermore, I've let other people know my disgust, further adding to AT&T's poor image. Oh, and let's not forget any future business relationship with AT&T is shot. Clearly this was a massive FAIL for AT&T. Lets offer some suggestions so they might be able to figure out this customer relationship thingy:

1. Get CSRs that actually understand hardware can be integrated. It's not hard to understand, really.

2. Appreciate the situation around a cancellation; I loved my WWAN and hoped to keep it indefinitely.

The inflexibility of another monolithic corporation cost it a relationship. Inconsequential? Individually, yes, but in the context of both social-Web dynamics and future business, hardly.

So July 11th is the big iPhone day. Apple will likely sell out of their inital stock within a week. I still continue to ask myself, do I really want the new iPhone? I have the 1st generation iPhone, July 15th will mark my 1 year anniversary with this product.

I do like the iPhone very much, there is not a day that goes by that I don't use it in some way. It is very reliable, well built and very user-friendly.

As each day comes to an end and we get closer to "iPhone 3g" day, I wonder about the software update (version 2.0). Why wouldn't Apple release the software update to current iPhone owners? To me it would make sense to update your current iPhone base and see how the product works.

However, Apple is not releasing the new update until July 11th. I guess they want it all out in one day. Is this really the case?

Here's what I think....

I think Apple is releasing this software update on the same day as the iPhone 3g because many of the current 1st generation iPhone owners would most likely not buy the new iphone. What is the real difference? Okay, so you get the 3g speeds, updated design, GPS and better battery life (allegedly). As far as the interface goes...STILL THE SAME. There will not be a different interface for the iPhone, no matter which one you have.

Is the 3g speed really that important? Is it worth trying to sell your old iPhone, purchase the new one and also enjoy AT&T's drastically increased pricing for the iPhone plan. On top of this, if you are a current iPhone owner, AT&T wants you to add an additional $100 dollars to the price of the phone because of the privelidge to upgrade from 1st generation to iPhone 3g....Ain't AT&T great!!

Bottom line, I really hope that the 1st generation iPhone user base sticks with their product. The 3g speeds are not worth it especially when there is wifi everywhere and who is to say that you will be using the iPhone in an area that actually has 3g service. I also hope that AT&T comes to their senses and reduces the cost of the iphone plan, they know that the prices are extremely high and unfair.

If you plan to buy the new iPhone, please leave a reply and the main reason you're buying it. I'm just curious to know.

I'm really glad they didn't ask if we were "iReady." Leave it to AT&T for something that lame. :)

Here's just a quick refresher - as if you haven't heard enough already - on what you need for iPhone 3G launch day.

[Read at Electronista]

He’ll lend his likeness to online and TV ads promoting the service and he just wrapped shooting of his first commercial.

"I had a lot a fun shooting this commercial,” Luda said. “If you like the AT&T commercials you've seen then you'll love this one."

The rapper plays a guy who doesn’t have AT&T phone service and misses an important call. The “phone,” also played by Luda, tells viewers exactly what he missed out on by not having service.

His installment in the campaign will begin running next month.

On the music front, Luda’s putting the final touches on his sixth studio project, concept album Theater of Mind, slated for an October release.

And on the big screen, the rapper/actor will star in the new Guy Ritchie movie, RocknRolla with Idris Elba and the theater adaptation of the video game Max Payne, with Mark Wahlberg. Both flicks will also be coming out in October.

iPhone 3G New Features

1. 3G Speed - Faster downloads,browsing. *Where available

2. GPS - Not turn by turn.....yet.

3. App Store - Buy and download applications for your iphone

4. Microsoft Exchange Server Support

5. Push email,contacts,calenders with the purchase of Mobile Me service.

There's an excellent app online called BillShrink that can help you calculate how much that iPhone 3G familiy plan is going to cost you over a 2 year plan. All you have to do is move the sliders around and - voila! - you have your cost!

Great app, even though you can probably do it by hand. :)

[Read at Gizmodo]

• If you are a business customer on an AT&T network or non-AT&T network, the Apple store cannot help you transfer your account to the new iPhone 3G. You must do this through AT&T. It's not yet clear whether or not this is an indefinite condition or only for the time being.
• If you are not currently an AT&T customer, you will be required to provide the Apple store with your social security number in order to complete a credit check. 
• All customers wishing to purchase the iPhone 3G must present a valid US-issued form of photo ID (drivers license, passport, etc.) presumably to offset the risk of identity theft. 
• If an Apple store staff member asks to 'personalize' your iPhone at the P.O.S., all they're doing is setting up your e-mail for you on your iPhone. Beyond that, personalization is entirely up to you.

Gizmodo has the best article describing the who, what, when, where, and why for this Friday.

You're all set to get an iPhone 3G—you've done the research, you've picked a plan and you've even convinced the office you've got an 8am uh, sales call. Here's everything you need to know for launch day: Where to go, what to bring, the final word on in store-activation (you're not gonna like it), why you might be SOL if you want the mythical white iPhone (you're really not gonna like it) and more.

First dilemma: Apple Store or AT&T?
The Apple Store is way cooler than any AT&T shop, so that's where the zealots, cool kids and attention whores will be lining up. But according to Gary at the ultimate Apple retail blog ifoAppleStore, they're also going to have the most stock (logically). His guess is that, based on the original iPhone's first three days of sales, "each of Apple's 217 stores should be receiving between 750 and 1,000 handsets for sale this time."

If you're getting an enterprise plan, your choice is made for you too: You have to hit an AT&T store. But there may be other reasons to go to AT&T instead of Apple. AT&T's stock per store won't be as heavy as Apple's (Apple's controlling distribution, so they're going to favor themselves, naturally) but Gary says AT&T's allotment will be better than last time. AT&T wouldn't comment on how many per store, but Gary thinks north of 50-75, even in the boondocks, and another source tells us 100-250. Though AT&T wouldn't comment on the spread, logically, stores in more populated areas are going to get more. Our advice here is to plan and scout ahead: Drive by on the night before, or just early in the morning, and see if there are lines. If the AT&T store surrounded by coffee shops and boutiques has a line running down the block, maybe try one in a sketchier neighborhood. Oh, and no, you can't just skip the lines and order it online, at least for now. There's no word on when you'll be able to, either.

If you want a white iPhone, you may be out of luck: AT&T confirmed they would have both 8GB and 16GB models, but could not confirm they will have the white iPhone 3G. In fact, based on the fact that UK reports say there isn't a white iPhone in the whole of the British Isles, we're gonna go on a limb and say that either a) the white iPhone isn't available at launch, or b) it's going to be a devil to track down, like those pink iPod minis way back when. Best bet there is to hit the biggest Apple Store you can find, and sweet talk your way towards the front of the line. But there's no guarantee. We asked Apple, but predictably we have not heard back on this matter.

Camping out
If you're deadset on purchasing the JesusPhone 3G under the warm glow of the divine, you might just have to camp it out. Here's Giz's list of essentials:
• Laptop with lots of spare batteries (a solar generator if you can hack it) and a 3G card
• Beef jerky and Cliff bars (compact, easy energy)
• Adult diaper
• A friend you can pay to wait in line for you
• Patience, deodorant (more for us, than for you)

You made it inside!
AT&T has confirmed it's one per customer, period. No official word from Apple, but since they're actually sort of in sync here, we expect it'll be the same. Here's what you'll need when you get to the counter, straight from Apple: credit card, social security number, valid government-issued photo ID and, if you're new to AT&T, your current wireless account number and PIN. That's right boys and girls, no cash. And don't forget to sync your old iPhone one last time before you roll in.

Despite reports suggesting the contrary, AT&T has reiterated to us that you will have to activate in store. Like really, it don't get much plainer: "YOU MUST LEAVE THE STORE WITH THE PHONE ACTIVATED." They estimate it'll take 15 minutes. Apple's page also refers only to in-store activation, which they say will be mercifully over "in just a few minutes."

If you get there too late and it's sold out, don't hurt yourself (or others). At least at AT&T stores, you can go ahead and pay for the iPhone 3G, and they'll call you when it comes in. Then you can go in and activate it. Last year after the initial stock ran out, most people got their phone by the following Wednesday via 2nd day air, so there will probably a fresh shipment pretty soon after.

Don't fall for this stuff:
AT&T has told us they've taken steps to ensure you won't be forced by a rogue manager to buy an accessory bundle to get your iPhone 3G. You never have to buy an accessory pack. If someone pulls that on you, call them on it. If they insist, back out, report their ass to corporate and let us know. It's BS, so don't get screwed. Also, there isn't an iPhone insurance plan from AT&T. If they offer to protect your iPhone 3G for $100, it's a scam. Period.

Something we left out? Let us know and we'll update (they'll be at the bottom). Good luck and godspeed!

Update 1, Re: Family Plans: AT&T says, "The person in line who is buying the device must be the person who is paying for the device. If the person in line is buying for a FamilyTalk plan, the people who will get the device must be in line."

[Read at Gizmodo]

If you click on the Apple site's country settings now, you can also see that the iPhone will be available on the same day in another 20 countries, including Canada, Australia, Italy, UK and Norway to name a few.

It only remains to be seen now how long the queues will be on Thursday evening, outside the Apple and AT&T stores and how fast the phone will be unlocked and reach other countries where it is not officially on sale. :)

Apple promises the new "3G" iPhone will be much better. 3G technology gives iPhone fast access to the Internet and email over cellular networks around the world. iPhone 3G also makes it possible to do more in more places: Surf the web, download email, get directions, and watch video — even while you’re on a call. All things I need to be more productive in what I do, especially since I am on the go and have no real "office" other than what's in my home...or at Starbucks!

The question remains...is it worth it to stand in line?

"iPhone 3G will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and sales will start at 8:00 a.m.," Apple said in a statement. They went on to say, "arrive early to get in line as daily quantities are limited by stock on hand."

Apple also has a quick guide for potential buyers about how their iPhone purchasing experience will play out...

"When you arrive, a concierge in an orange shirt will direct you to the iPhone bay where you can take advantage of our free personal setup," Apple said. "A specialist will help you choose an iPhone 3G, review coverage maps, select a rate plan, and—best of all—have your new iPhone 3G ready to make calls, browse the Web and receive e-mail right on the spot."

Apple is anticipating long lines and long wait times, as customers will receive one-on-one service from an Apple store employee to get their 3G iPhone up and running.

I sold my "original" iPhone a couple of weeks ago on eBay, for a rather handsome price...and have been holding onto the cash in my "formerly nicotine-stained fingers" (as Rush would say) since then in order to go pick up the new iPhone this Friday.

A pastor friend of mine and techno-geek himself, David Crawford, and I are planning on going extremely early to get coffee and a box of donuts, take our lawn chairs and head to the Apple Store in The Mall at Green Hills to take our place in line. How early? That will be a day before decision.

So, are you getting a new iPhone? Are you going to be there Friday morning to stand in line for one? Love to hear from ya!

I think when the boys at Cupertino send a consumer email stating that an 8AM launch will happen at their local Apple Store, it will happen. :)

The day is almost upon us and I hope your as excited as I am. I'll be broadcasting live from Tampa, FL with fellow Apple lovers awaiting the iPhone 3G. I'll also be hosting a iPhone 3G "iReady Q&A" session with blogger specialKolin as well. Be sure to catch us at http://www.blogtv.com/People/igerard for all of the action!

One thing you should know: if you have the base iPhone 1G plan ($59.99/mo) and want the equivalent plan for the iPhone 3G, the cost is $74.99/mo - $10 extra for the 3G data plan and $5 extra for the 200 text messages (which was included in the 1G plan).

Personally, my girlfriend may buy my 1st gen iPhone.  If she does, I'll upgrade to the 3G model.  Of course, if this occurs, I'll post how the process went for us so you all know what to expect.

How to transfer 1st gen iPhone to someone else [AppleInsider]

Buying an iPhone 3G for current and new AT&T subscribers [AppleInsider]

How to migrate your iPhone data [Apple]

How to buy an iPhone 3G walkthrough videos from AT&T [MacRumors]

AT&T iPhone 3G plans and pricing info [AT&T]

What you need to buy an iPhone 3G [TUAW]

Apple's iPhone 3G goes on sale this Friday, July 11th. AT&T stores will begin selling them at 8am and Apple has announced that they will be following suit and the iPhone 3G will be available from their own retail stores at the same time.

If you were hoping for an earlier time from Apple stores so you could hit an AT&T store at 8am if the Apple store sells out before you get one, looks like you'll have to just pick one and stick with it.

When the original iPhone launched, Apple stores had more units to sell but also had a larger crowd. Will it be the same this time? Not sure. What also makes this launch a bit difficult to predict is that it's not just happening in the US--it's coming to other countries as well so supplies will be stretched a bit.

[Via Gizmodo]

I hate AT&T. The service is horrendous, the EDGE network is a joke, the customer service abysmal, and the website impossibly confusing. The meters don’t update correctly to show my voice usage, they track data as though I should actually care how many gigs I’ve transferred on my unlimited data plan, I can’t receive pictures or media texts on my iPhone because they won’t enable the technology, etc.

But nothing irks me more than the “but what about us!?” stance they’ve taken with the release of the iPhone 3G. Rather than working with Apple to position the device at a price point that works for both companies, AT&T is taking its sweet revenge on new adopters by slamming them with high monthly fees. Combined with Apple’s sexy marketing, this is a recipe for consumer misbehavior of epic proportions.

Worse are the confusing rules regarding current iPhone owners who want to upgrade. You can upgrade, but only once, and after that you’ll have to pay to break the contract, rather than being afforded the option of just renewing several years out.

Apple has shown that it can revolutionize any device or service – and in most cases sets the standard for design, ease of use, and power of platform. The problem is that it is forced to work with companies that share only the vision of big profit – not of products that work the way they are supposed to, or rates that make sense, or excellent network coverage.

When Apple debuted the $.99 song in the iTunes Music Store, critics dimissed the plan as a failure; a ridiculous price to pay for a single song. Now most online music outlets clock in at around that – those that offer less, like eMusic, have poor selection and have trouble attracting ‘subscribers.’ Apple did it right from the start, and other companies floundered after trying to recuperate from years of poorly orchestrated subscriber-based and usage-based music programs.

Yes, the iPhone is a revolutionary device. This is the stuff from which James Bond is made. But AT&T believes too fervently that they’ve found gold. The nickel-and-diming of the plan options by AT&T makes the iPhone 3G a dangerous buy for people who think they can afford it. Be ready to shell out at least $75-100/month.  I won’t be surprised when the debt chasing and missed payments catch up to the billing folks at AT&T, making the overhead of supporting this device too costly in the long run.

This consumer misbehaver won’t be buying the iPhone 3G this time around. I’ll keep my logical plan and still scratch-free old skool iPhone. Here’s hoping it lasts another 2 years. I’m waiting for Steve Jobs to get so fed up with AT&T that he just buys it, shuts it down, and opens Apple Wireless – with bars in places you didn’t even know existed. 

What was it that prompted Apple’s $200 price reduction for the most coveted gadget so far this year?

Did Steve Jobs and AT&T finally realize that the demand for the iPhone had cooled off?

Was the price drop a clever marketing ploy to revive waning interest and appeal to mainstream consumers who thought the iPhone was overpriced?

The original iPhone made its debut last year in June and was priced at $599 for the 8GB version. The price for the 8GB was reduced two months later to $399.

In a move that has left most of Apple’s loyal customers heated, the prices of both versions have been slashed again by $200.

The reason for the price drop is quite simple ... Apple needs to sell more iPhones in order to reach its targeted goal of 10 million in 2008.

On the surface, what may look like a blessing to consumers’ amounts to nothing more than a charlatan's trick with numbers.

The basic rate plan for the current phone was $59.99 per month with 200 text messages.

The lowest new rate plan for the 3G iPhone is $69.99 per month. Text messaging will cost consumers an additional $5 (200 Messages) to $20 (Unlimited) per month.

To maintain the original plan at the new rate would cost consumers an extra $180. Where is the proposed savings?

AT&T’s big gamble is that consumers who thought that the iPhone was overpriced, will be so enamored with the price reduction, they won’t notice that there was no significant savings at all.

In fact they are counting on individuals who covet the device, but wish to remain with their existing carriers that they’re willing to sell the iPhone without a contract: $599 for 8GB and $699 for 16GB.

In the final equation Steve Jobs has pulled off yet another marketing coup:

1. AT&T subsidies the cost of the iPhones. Apple gets paid the full value.
2. The hoopla surrounding the phone will make other carriers’ consumers fork over $599 for the 8GB and $699 for the 16GB to AT&T.
3. AT&T will recoup nearly the entire amount it subsidies. The lowest plan including text messaging will cost consumers an additional $180.
4. The price reduction will eliminate mainstream consumers’ resistance for buying the iPhone.
5. Steve Jobs prediction of 10 million iPhones being sold in 2008 will be realized now that the phone will retail in over 70 countries.
6. An upgrade will cost ineligible consumers $399.

July 11 will be a day of mixed emotions...

Consumers, who bought the initial iPhone, will be characterized as CHUMPS, since they couldn’t restrain their urge to be the first one with the phone.

While AT&T and Apple executives will congratulate themselves on a marvelous marketing strategy that has opened the floodgates to mainstream consumers, who they hope won't realize that they’re not actually saving money.

Will AT&T’s big gamble pay off?

From the lines that are forming to buy the new 3G iPhone...

It looks like it already has. 

(...)

In Sicilia, quando un cittadino non si piega, gli tagliano le gomme della macchina. Se capisce, bene. Se non capisce, gli fanno saltare la macchina. Se capisce, bene. Se non capisce gli mettono anche una bomba carta alla serranda del negozio. Se poi il tipo non vuole saltare assieme al negozio con tutta la sua famiglia, deve accettare il dialogo. Solo che in Sicilia si chiama “pizzo”, si chiama racket, si chiama estorsione. Arrivano uomini del dialogo e gli fanno una proposta. Gli dicono di aver saputo degli attentati, di essere molto dispiaciuti e gli offrono protezione. Da chi? Da loro stessi. Sono loro che mettono le bombe e loro che offrono protezione, da sé stessi. Il dialogo ha un prezzo. È una tangente, un pizzo. Il commerciante dovrà pagare un tot al mese agli estorsori per evitare ulteriori guai.
Alla fine, se paga, che cosa ha vinto? Ha vinto la mafia, non ha vinto lui. Non ha vinto il dialogo. Ha vinto la violenza.

Trasferite questo sistema di operare a Roma. A Roma succedono le stesse cose, soltanto che cambiano le parole. C’è un signore che arriva al potere e immediatamente comincia a rovinare la giustizia, a sfasciare tutto. Presenta una legge per far saltare 100.000 processi, perché ne ha uno anche lui. Poi ne fa un’altra che impedisce ai magistrati di fare le intercettazioni e di scoprire i reati, e di scoprire le prove per incastrare i colpevoli di quei reati. Poi va in televisione dice che se non si scoprono i colpevoli dei reati è colpa della magistratura che è una metastasi, che è politicizzata, che è un cancro. È colpa dei giudici che sono dei fannulloni. È colpa dei giudici che si occupano solo di lui. È colpa dei giudici che sono antropologicamente diversi dalla razza umana che sono dei matti, che sono psicolabili, che sono golpisti, che sono fascisti, che sono terroristi. E che non a caso, nei sondaggi, la loro credibilità diminuisce. I magistrati a questo punto alzano le braccia. Ma ciò non basta. Lui a questo punto fa una legge, ma questa la fa presentare da Tremonti, che taglia i fondi per la giustizia, fino al 40%. 10% il primo anno, 20% il secondo, e poi taglia anche gli stipendi ai magistrati, che già sono pagati un terzo, un quarto, un quinto di quanto è pagato un piccolo manager di una piccola azienda. A questo punto, dopo averli prostrati e ridotti alla rovina, si manifesta qualcuno che offre il dialogo. E dice: “eh, abbiamo saputo che vi stanno impedendo di fare il vostro lavoro, di fare i vostri processi, di fare le intercettazioni, vi stanno impedendo di scoprire i reati; vi insultano. Volete il dialogo? Cifra modica: si chiama Lodo Alfano. Se voi vi dimenticate i processi al Presidente del Consiglio, se vi dimenticate – o le lasciate evaporare, o le mangiate o le bruciate, o le cestinate – le intercettazioni del Presidente del Consiglio (intercettazioni indirette, non è lui che viene intercettato, sono di solito dei mascalzoni con i quali lui è solito parlare, perché sono tutti amici suoi). Bene, se accettate di pagare questa modica cifra, questa sommetta, allora arriva il dialogo: gli altri processi ve li facciamo fare, le intercettazioni ve le lasciamo fare, magari non vi tagliamo nemmeno gli stipendi e non vi tagliamo nemmeno i fondi. Magari assumiamo anche qualche cancelliere. Magari paghiamo anche la benzina per le volanti che devono andare a fare le indagini, con sopra i poliziotti. Dipende da voi. Dialogate, o volete lo scontro?” Ecco, una tecnica estorsiva che a Palermo si chiama racket, a Roma si chiama dialogo. Alla fine, se i magistrati cedono, chi ha vinto? Hanno vinto loro, ha vinto il dialogo? Ha vinto la distensione? Ha vinto la pace? Ha vinto l’estorsore, che politicamente parlando, in questo caso, è il nostro Presidente del Consiglio. Il nostro Presidente del Consiglio che ne sta combinando una al giorno, quando non ne combina due, e che ha bisogno di nascondere questa realtà agghiacciante che sotto gli occhi di tutti, ma che nessuno vede – anche perché molti giornalisti e molti commentatori fanno finta di non vederla. Esattamente come molti intellettuali facevano finta di non vedere il fascismo alle sue origini. E sono stati ricordati nei libri di storia perché era quelli che parlavano d’altro, erano quelli che dicevano di non esagerare. Quelli che dicevano che bisognava dialogare con Mussolini. Erano quelli che dicevano: “ma insomma, anche lui farà delle cose buone. Ma insomma, certo è un po’ rude, però ha anche il suo consenso. Ha preso i voti.” Ecco, sono questi che verranno ricordati nei libri di storia per non aver fatto nulla e per non aver fatto nulla in una fase come questa. Sono loro i principali alleati del regime.

(...)

Why do people think that?

I mean, I don't go to my cable company and ask them to subsidize my computer when I buy internet service, even though a computer without internet is, in this day and age, a lot like a phone without service. Nor do I ask the 7-11 to subsidize my car, even though my car is nothing more than a heavy metal box without gasoline. So why should our phones be any different?

I was discussing the iPhone with my supervisor here, because my supervisor is 27 years old and I feel that he has a pretty good grasp on the world. I relate to him better than any other co-worker of mine, and I was pretty sure that even though, yes, we're out in the middle of bumfuck nowhere, he would be at least peripherally aware of the iPhone.

He was.

He sounded somewhat excited and thought that the whole thing sounded like a sound purchase. "It's an iPod Touch with phone service," he said. "All for a relatively low monthly cost. I think it's a good deal." Something that he understood well, though, was the idea that the iPhone was cheaper than an iPod touch, and in many respects, theoretically free. Most cell contracts here cost more than the 3,500円 per month that I pay. One of my co-workers pays around 12,000円 a month, most of that goes to the packet transmission fee for the e-mails he sends. Now, most phones in Japan are not free. Sure, there are usually 5-10 models per store that are 0円 (or sometimes, 1円), but most phones, especially the nice ones that you hear about when people run their mouth off about how "Japanese phones run circles around supercomputers," cost anywhere from 10,000円 to 30,000円＋. Yes, these phones probably are subsidized to a point, but the fact of the matter is, they still cost money.

Personally, I think the lie that is free phones, is one that the carriers have propagated in order to keep people locked into contracts by convincing them that if they don't, the price of phones will be far and beyond what people can or are willing to pay. That may be true. Fewer people are willing to spend 80,000円 for an unsubsidized iPhone (the rumored price of such a beast, at least here in Japan) than are willing to take an iPhone home for no charge up front and pay 1,500円 or 2,300円 per month that disappears into a larger, more robust phone bill. But for some inane reason, people are willing to spend 48,800円 on a 16GB iPod Touch. Why?

Because AT&T and Co. have trained us to believe that phones become useless as soon as you disconnect them from the network, in the same way that they tried to convince us of the same thing years ago:

Bell could effectively prohibit its customers from connecting phones not made or sold by Bell companies to the system without leasing fees. For example, if a customer desired a type of phone not leased by the local Bell monopoly, one had to purchase the phone at cost, give it to the phone company, then pay a 're-wiring' charge and a monthly lease fee in order to use it.

I have had enough of cell phone companies.  I have had enough of mandatory 2-year contracts when you try to buy a phone, enough of 'minutes', of $100 a month for a small family - when did that become ok?!

I remember when it was AT&T that everyone hated.  Cell phones represented freedom from the tyranny of Ma Bell.  Now we've gone so far into that abyss that many of us don't even have home phones and can't stand to be by ourselves in the car for ten minutes on our way to the grocery store.

"Hmm.  I've got ten minutes.  Maybe I could call Sharon?"  :Flips through contacts:  "Wow, I haven't talked to Jen in ages.  Better not call her, I'll never get her off the phone in ten minutes."

It isn't supposed to be like this.  We shouldn't be afraid to be alone.  We shouldn't shun IRL contact for a telephonic tracking system.  "Where are you?  Yeah?  Me?  I'm at the store.  Krogers.  Yeah.  Checking out.  Where are you now?"

Luckily, I happen to have the most awesomest bestest husband in the whole wide world and sometimes he does more than indulge me in my whims.  Like when I sat him down and told him that I wanted to get rid of our cell phones...kind of.

I told him about how awesome Skype is, how we could have 10,000 minutes a month to call anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, how we could get a phone number that people could call in to, how it would free us from the tyranny of Verizon's evilness, and how cheapcheapcheap (!) it is.  The only hiccup occurred when we found out that Skype cannot call 9-1-1. 

The solution?  We are also getting pay-as-you-go phones. 

1.  Emergencies Only.  I kept having to remind Mr. PersistentIllusion that we did not care about functionality whatsoever.  I had to repeat "emergency phone" like a 100 times.  We ended up with a seriously decent phone, however.  I won't be embarrassed to pull it out in public.

2.  Minutes v. Money.   I noticed all the pay-as-you-go phones were trying to get us to buy minutes, which invariably expired after a certain amount of time.  I am so sick of minutes I could scream.  We decided to go with Virgin Mobile because you could put money towards your account, which don't expire as long as you add $20 to the account every 90 days.  (They also offer minutes, but those do  expire unless you want to prepay for a whole year and honestly that was the whole point in getting rid of the cell phone in the first place!)

3.  O-K Service.  They sent my phone without a battery.  :sigh:   His came fully loaded, of course, but all we had to do was return the battery-less phone, and just order a new one.  It's wasn't amazing customer service, but they weren't punks which made me happy.

4.  Phone Number.  Virgin is going to try and capture our current cell phone numbers, which would make life so much easier. 

We haven't gotten rid of the 'real' cell phones yet, because we were waiting to see how Skype worked in reality.

What's the verdict?

And, in reality - I LOVE SKYPE.  Chris set up the equipment with a minimum of fuss, but if you are completely techno-ignorant I would suggest dragging a computer geek home with you.  (It wasn't much more complicated than installing a printer driver.)

The sound quality, so far, has been even better than our cell phones.  For some reason, I had been getting the crappiest signal at the house.  In an 8 minute conversation with my Beloved via Skype, there was only one crackle. 

Let's talk turkey.

We spent $78 for a headset, $130 for the 'phone', and $48 dollars which includes a call-in phone number and service for the year.  (At a discount!)  At a total of $256, I will have spent less than what I spent on Verizon last month.  Divide that by 12 and it is approximately $21 a month for unlimited Skype service.  Once the equipment costs are out of the equation, it is a mere $4 the next year. 

(!)

For the emergency cell phones, we will have spent $20 for each phone and $20 every 90 days.  That's a yearly, commitment free, total of $200 - or $16 a month.  Once the phones have been paid for, it will go down to $13 a month.

In total we will be spending $37 a month for two  people, with two  emergency phones and one semi-portable home line.  In year two, it will only cost $17 a month!!!

THAT'S A SAVINGS OF $576 FOR THE FIRST YEAR, AND $816 THEREAFTER.

(And that's assuming the monthly standard cell phone cost with never going over your minutes.)  Yes, it's ok.  You can do a little jig of joy.  I know I   will, since $816 is basically a well executed vacation to the Caribbean!

Security.

And the bonus?  Talking on a cell phone means that your signal can be intercepted by anyone.  Skype conversations, however, are encrypted.  Hack that, U.S. Government! 

Skype's encryption "would stymie the kind of broad eavesdropping that the National Security Agency is reputed to be performing, in which it scans thousands or millions of calls at a time for certain phrases. Even a weakly encrypted call would force an eavesdropper to spend hours of computer time cracking it."  (Skype May Make Eavesdropping Passe)

Though the article does quote Skype's security chief as saying that Skype cooperates with "all lawful requests from relevant authorities."  But that doesn't mean a girl can't dream.

Thinking of buying a 3G iPhone? Well, it won’t be quite the brainless affair that buying the 1st gen model was. Here’s some helpful hints a little birdy told us for all of you planning to waste your lives show your Apple pride by waiting in line for the device:

- Have your social security number and government ID ready (that means license or equivalent, NO SCHOOL IDS), Apple will be doing credit checks and in-store activation through Easypay

– You have to pay with a credit or debit card. Cash and checks won’t be accepted. (The loophole to that is that you can purchase an Apple gift card with cash (or check), and use that to purchase the iPhone.)

- Plans will be decided in-store. Existing customers will get billed, first time AT&T customers will have to pay the activation fee in store (no gift cards for that)

- Rumor has it the iPhone may go on sale at 8am on Friday. The Apple Store is allegedly changing “visuals” at night until around 3am, instead of closing the store during the day and opening at 6pm the way they did for the 1st gen iPhone.

[Read at Macenstein]

Looks like Apple and AT&T stores are going to be receiving some packages containing demo units of iPhone 3G. According to a leaked sales memo, employees are to download apps from the App Store on July 11th and the phones are to be activated July 10.

Apple also held their retail meeting last night. Details are surely to trickle as the week continues. It seems that Apple stores may be opening at 8AM, the same as AT&T. If they don't, this sort of ruins my fun for this weekend!

One thing to note - as of late it is still unclear as to which place non-AT&T customers should go because AT&T has to deem them eligible to sign for a plan. To play it safe, visit your local AT&T store at launch day.

[Read at MacRumors]