Quote :

" No, I was being serious about AT&T's great customer service because it is great."

I suppose if you enjoy exercises in futility and beating your head into brick walls. Although if you come from Verizon, no one can really blame you for thinking AT&T's customer service is great. But hell, coming from Verizon, a talking pile of shit would be great.

I don't really get all the T-Mobile hate though. I can't speak to their 3G because I don't use it, but I've had no problems with them at all since they bought out Suncom (RIP). I will admit that they are a little worse than Suncom was in the customer service department (mostly in their stores) but aside from that I haven't had any problems. Now Suncom had fantastic customer service, horror stories from ex AT&T customers that got fucked over by the AT&T / Cingular buyout not withstanding.

Honestly, I mourn the loss of regional carriers. When I was on Suncom, I had 1500 minutes and unlimited (iPhone) web access for two lines + the usual free nights (at 7) / mobile to mobile stuff for $75 / month (and an honest $75 / month, thank you "truth in wireless" discount). No one else even comes close these days. Sure I was roaming if I left NC, SC or VA but truth be told, for the 2 or 3 times a year I did that, I could buy a pre-paid SIM for $20-$30 and be just fine if I really needed to.

6/2/2010 9:26:38 PM

^Sprint today: $70/mo unlimited mobile-to-mobile/data/texts/pictures/nights/weekends, and 450 anytime to landline numbers. Oh, and free roaming on all of Verizon's towers, including free roaming data. Not to mention I am getting a 25% corporate discount on top of that. Love it.

6/2/2010 9:35:47 PM

^ Biggest problems with that are:

1) It's sprint, so no SIM cards, which means new phone if you change carriers and

2) 450 anytime between 2 people when most of your calling winds up out of network (not counting line to line calling) isn't even close to enough. Sure I could tell my wife to call her parents less, but it's so much easier to just not have to worry about it in the first place.

3) Sounds like that's a single line plan.

I mean, the biggest loss when the last of the regionals die will be regional pricing. Going back to my fantastic Suncom plan, 55 of that was the initial plan with 2 lines and each unlimited data charge was $10 / line. Try to find any carrier that will offer you $10/line unlimited data, you can't.

6/2/2010 10:15:25 PM

y'know, this thread is going to get terribly boring if all we do is prattle on and on about cell phone contracts and carriers.

6/2/2010 10:43:23 PM

Eh, until WWDC / iPhone 4.0, there's not much else to talk about short of cell phone carriers and the occasional new app. Besides, it's pretty much these shitty carriers and their shitty contracts that are holding back cell phones.

6/2/2010 11:52:43 PM

Quote :

"it's pretty much these shitty carriers and their shitty contracts that are holding back cell phones."

Yup, pretty much. Apple broke them of this and I hoped it would catch on by other manufacturers but doesn't seem to be the case at all. The carriers still dictate to the manufactures what phones they want with what features (with the exception of apple)

6/3/2010 12:13:48 AM

So with the introduction of carrier supported tethering, Is AT&T going to crack down on tethering via mywi and pdanet somehow?

6/3/2010 10:00:19 AM

Quote :

"somehow"

how?

6/3/2010 10:53:23 AM

^^ The worst part of this is the fucking $20 charge. You pay $20 for the privilege to hook your iPhone to your computer (note, both devices you own) for what? You don't get any extra bandwidth with it. At least with unlimited data plans AT&T could claim it's to offset the increased usage, but now you're paying for that usage either way, whether you tether or just use your phone.

6/3/2010 1:04:13 PM

^I imagine its to remove the 10mb (now 20mb i think) data size limit when using 3G on your iDevice while tethering.

I can consume a hell of a lot more data when tethered vs. just using the phone.

I guess AT&T just expects you to pay to play.

[Edited on June 3, 2010 at 1:07 PM. Reason : .]

6/3/2010 1:06:35 PM

I can easily push the data up to 3-4 gigs a month without tethering. I sincerely hope AT&T keeps their word about not changing older iPhone plans, but considering they've altered my plans in the past after promising to keep them the same I'm not going to keep my hopes up. I'd pull a guess out of my ass and say that the grandfathered "unlimited" plans have maybe a year or two left of life in them before they get forcibly altered.

(basically, after the last grandfathered plan goes out of it's 2 year contract and AT&T won't risk losing any early termination fees, then they'll start really screwing with older plans)

[Edited on June 3, 2010 at 4:00 PM. Reason : .]

6/3/2010 3:59:41 PM

^^That 20MB limit you're referring to is set by Apple and only applicable to apps downloaded from the App Store. There have never been any limits to the size of a file you can download anywhere else, tethering or otherwise.

And of course tethering to another device would use more data, but the point is 2GB is 2GB, regardless of what device you use to download it. You've either got that much allotted download quota, or you don't. It is ridiculous to charge extra in order to share that data. I could see if that added $20 got you an extra gig or two for your allotment, but it doesn't. I could potentially see the extra $20 charge on the old unlimited plans because unlimited + unlimited = more than unlimited but in this case you're still pulling from your 2GB pool, no matter what you use.

Bottom line is AT&T is charging extra because they can. Not because they're actually providing any additional service.

6/3/2010 4:01:08 PM

Quote :

"That 20MB limit you're referring to is set by Apple and only applicable to apps downloaded from the App Store. There have never been any limits to the size of a file you can download anywhere else, tethering or otherwise. "

Apps, Music, Video all are restricted in 3g when downloading.
Streaming video/audio is not.

6/3/2010 4:02:59 PM

You mean in iTunes?

6/3/2010 4:04:33 PM

Yup.

I've also tried downloading larger files in apps like dropbox and was unable to do so over 3g.

6/3/2010 4:07:32 PM

Ok, so I forgot that iTunes existed because I've never downloaded a single thing from it. My point is still correct though, in that the file limit is one imposed by Apple, and not AT&T, so you saying that the $20 fee is to remove that limit is incorrect. That limit will still exist for files downloaded over 3G to your device. You've always been able to jailbreak and remove that limit, btw, which proves that it's not something AT$T (typo and it stays) has any control over.

6/3/2010 4:11:17 PM

Quote :

"so you saying that the $20 fee is to remove that limit is incorrect. That limit will still exist for files downloaded over 3G to your device."

I wasn't inferring the $20 fee would remove the limit on the device itself but rather on the tethered device. But if its not an AT&T limit then I stand corrected.

6/3/2010 4:14:58 PM

6/3/2010 5:11:40 PM

nvm...this is the tech talk thread.

[Edited on June 3, 2010 at 5:18 PM. Reason : .]

6/3/2010 5:18:07 PM

oh don't be a pussy

6/3/2010 8:01:23 PM

^I responded in the numerous chit chat threads. it was just an image.

6/3/2010 8:10:38 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/05/iphone-vs-android-report-finds-apple-has-three-times-googles/

Figured I would post this here before blackdog makes it it's own thread.

I guess that explains Apples nonchalant response earlier to reports of androids market share.

6/5/2010 6:22:48 PM

a much more reasonable warranty plan for the iphone:
http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/iphone-landing24

Quote :

"SquareTrade's iPhone protection plan costs $99 for 2 years with a $50 deductible per claim. 1 claim over 2 years would cost $149. Asurion's MobileProtect plan (distributed by AT&T) has been reported to be $13.99 / month with a $199 deductible for an iPhone 32gb 3GS. 1 claim over 2 years would cost $535 ($13.99*24 + $199). AppleCare does not cover dropped, broken or other accidentally damaged iPhones."

99 is introductory, covers drops, spills, etc (not loss/stolen)

[Edited on June 5, 2010 at 6:56 PM. Reason : i probably still won't go for a warranty...never have]

6/5/2010 6:54:52 PM

Unless AT&T has changed something and hasn't told anyone, they don't offer insurance for the iPhone. Anyone paying $14 / month for iPhone insurance probably bought from a third party vendor and is probably getting ripped off, especially if they agreed to a $200 deductible with it.

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/basics/choosing-features-services/wireless-insurance.jsp

Quote :

"Wireless Phone Insurance is not available for and does not apply to: Apple iPhone™ (all models), Phones on GoPhone® or netbooks"

6/5/2010 7:36:41 PM

the rumor is AT&T is coming out with that warranty for the new iphone. agreed that anyone that pays that should be slapped in the face...but I guarantee moms or dads will do it without even thinking about it. people feel safe with the word "warranty".

6/5/2010 7:57:22 PM

My dad is SUPER hyped about getting new 4th gen iPhones for him and my mom. he was asking me about the $14/month protection plan as well. I didn't realize that it has a $199 deductible on top of the stupid high monthly fee. That's absurd. I forwarded him that link to the squaretrade page. I'm almost certain he will be signing up for that.

6/5/2010 9:14:39 PM

yeah that deductible is just fucking retarded high.

6/5/2010 9:44:34 PM

yeah, the more i think about it, that square trade is quite reasonable. you can even do a monthly payment plan instead of 99 up front.

6/6/2010 12:02:20 PM

seems like any plan that is going to end up cheaper than a new iphone is pretty much asking to be abused

6/6/2010 12:05:18 PM

Seriously, AT&T, you are outdoing yourselves!

http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2010/06/04/att-tries-to-defend-its-data-pricing/

Quote :

"And indeed, he did clear up one thing for me. If you’re on the Data Plus plan, that costs you $15 for 200 MB no matter how much data you use. If you use 201 MB in a month, that’s $30; if you use 401 MB, it’s $45, and so on. If you go up to say 1.9 GB in a month, that’s $150 — six times the $25 you would pay to consume the same amount of data on the Data Pro plan. Is there any point, I asked Siegel, at which AT&T will help a brother out and automatically switch a heavy data user from Data Plus to Data Pro? No, he told me: “Our assumption is that people are intelligent enough to see that they’re going over. People are way smart enough to manage their own usage.”"

Let me get this straight, AT&T ... you are asking customers to pay you $15 for EVERY 200MB on the lower tier? And you know a lot of people are going to be on that lower tier because they just don't know any better and 200MB is more than 2GB, right? Or if they do know better but are trying to squeak by with the smaller plan only to accidentally use more data and be charged a ridiculous overage fee.

Amazing. So further, by not automatically upgrading your customers to the next and only other available pricing tier when they use excess data, you really are just simply asking for your customers to take it bending over, right? Or am I reading this wrong?

This Felix Salmon character is right, there definitely should be more than just 2 plans if you are going to be offering "More Choice" ... something like 200GB, 2GB and 5GB with automatic selection based on usage would be a far cry better than the crap you are pulling.

Good luck AT&T ... you used to be really evil back in the days of real telephones and all those charges you tacked onto our phone bills ... looks like your blood still hasn't changed one bit.


[Edited on June 6, 2010 at 3:39 PM. Reason : .]

6/6/2010 3:34:32 PM

i thought that at&t was going to let people move up to DataPro w/o any problems, if they needed to? maybe i misunderstood that as well. getting charged for going over your quota isn't anything new, though, so i'm not sure why people would get upset about that.

6/6/2010 3:37:46 PM

this is really just a way for them to increase rates while leaving the excuse that there are "cheaper" options available, but of course they made the cheaper option so onerous that no one in their right mind would choose it.

6/6/2010 3:42:06 PM

^^^You think Verizon or Sprint is any different? They're all evil fucks trying to drain you for every penny they can get. I don't see how this is news to anyone.

6/6/2010 3:42:31 PM

It's a big deal because you instantly pay $15 for EVERY 200.

     Plus  Pro
200   $15  $25
400   $30  $25
600   $45  $25
800   $60  $25
1GB   $75  $25
1.2   $90  $25
1.4  $105  $25
1.6  $120  $25
1.8  $135  $25
2GB  $150  $25

6/6/2010 3:42:57 PM

... where'd you get that?

6/6/2010 3:44:06 PM

From my post about 6 up ... http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2010/06/04/att-tries-to-defend-its-data-pricing/

6/6/2010 3:44:47 PM

Quote :

"i thought that at&t was going to let people move up to DataPro w/o any problems,"

people can change to whatever they want..but it doesn't happen automatically. so, people who don't pay attention to their accounts are going to end up with some nice bills on accident most likely

6/6/2010 3:46:00 PM

I mean, I don't have a text message plan attached to my phone. If I all of the sudden send 200 text messages in one month, I don't automatically expect them to add the $5 option to my bill out of the kindness of their heart. I'm getting charged $.10 per message I send. This isn't really any different.

Again, I don't see why you're acting like this is surprising. Is it "nice"? Hell no. Normal operating procedure? yep.

6/6/2010 3:46:38 PM

sigh.


ok, yeah, it'd be nice if at&t would move people on up to DataPro if they're going over. but you're right, they have no incentive to do that. it's like banks with overdraft charges... let people fuck themselves if they don't pay attention.

6/6/2010 3:47:53 PM

^^Yeah, I get that it's "normal" ... but phone companies act like we really want to manage our bills with a fine-tooth comb when all we really want to do is use the thing and pay a competitive rate. The invention of "unlimited" was so great, seems like we are taking steps backwards here.

6/6/2010 3:52:42 PM

gs7: Actually, if the article is accurate then it looks more like this.

It's a big deal because you instantly pay $15 for EVERY 200.

Minutes       Plus  Pro
001MB         $15  $25
201MB         $30  $25
401MB         $45  $25
601MB         $60  $25
801MB         $75  $25
1.001GB       $90  $25
1.201GB       $105  $25
1.401GB       $120  $25
1.601GB       $135  $25
1.801GB       $150  $25

6/6/2010 3:55:38 PM

So get the Pro plan, problem solved.

6/6/2010 3:59:23 PM

Quote :

"i thought that at&t was going to let people move up to DataPro w/o any problems, if they needed to? maybe i misunderstood that as well. getting charged for going over your quota isn't anything new, though, so i'm not sure why people would get upset about that."

HA, you think that retro-activating plans with AT&T is something they can do easily and simply? I will guarantee that will be a lot of fuck ups when this system won't work and lock users like they keep doing with their voice plans.

6/6/2010 4:00:04 PM

Breaking News: A US Carrier is trying to gouge customers...more at 11.

6/6/2010 4:07:03 PM

^ i stopped assuming stuff with at&t, so i don't think this will work any better. marketing plans seldom line up with technical abilities when telcos are involved.

6/6/2010 4:07:09 PM

Netflix over 3G right when AT&T is trying to cut everybody back to 2GB a month. Awesome.

6/7/2010 1:21:23 PM

IPHONE 4!!!!

6/7/2010 1:38:23 PM

Quote :

"Retina Display"

It's just double the resolution, Steve. You didn't have to gay it all up with a queer-ass special name.

6/7/2010 1:43:20 PM

6/7/2010 1:50:22 PM

So far, nothing that really blows you away. That's unfortunate.

6/7/2010 1:54:54 PM