I want an iPhone

[disneysteve]

I am not generally a gadget guy. I have a very basic cell phone, a standard def 27" CRT television, no surround sound, no DVR, no high-end kitchen appliances, a bottom of the line top-load washing machine and so on. Heck, my car doesn't even have a CD player.

However, the more I see and hear about the iPhone, the more enamored I'm becoming with the device. While I never had any desire to own an iPod, the iPhone is a whole different story. With each new app I hear about, the potential usefulness of the device grows and the more convinced I become that within a few years, everyone will be carrying one. I'm not even put off by the price as I think that is perfectly reasonable and well within my budget. What bothers me is the monthly fee. I haven't looked into the specifics but I think it is somewhere in the $70/month range (though I could be wrong). That's the only thing stopping me from getting one.

Do any of you have one? How much does it cost for your service? Do you feel it is worth it?

[GREENBACK]

I'm supposed to be getting a "smart phone" through work later this year. I'm not sure of the difference between all these things. I guess it's similar to an iphone. I'm interested in opinions about either one. I guess it's the same thing but don't keep up with this stuff. It's sort of shoved down my throat.

[Caoineag]

Oh now this is funny Steve. I am the gadget lover and couldn't care less for one of those (I hate spending money on phone service, definitely won't spend on a phone).

I think its nice that you want one though. Just make sure to use someone else for a spin so that you know you really like how it works. Sometimes the devil is in the details.

[momof1in150]

I just got a Blackberry Storm because we have Verizon and wasn't going to change providers. So far, I love it. With my job it makes life so much easier.

[boosami]

I think you end up having to pay upwards of $100 a month to have the voice, text, and data plan. That's too much for a lot of people who want the phone but don't want to pay the high sustained monthly cost. Sounds like a deal to me... My BlackBerry plan features run me about $150 a month.

[momof1in150]

Originally Posted by boosami

I think you end up having to pay upwards of $100 a month to have the voice, text, and data plan. That's too much for a lot of people who want the phone but don't want to pay the high sustained monthly cost. Sounds like a deal to me... My BlackBerry plan features run me about $150 a month.

My total cell phone plan (Blackberry with email, internet, visual voice, text) and two other phones with just texting is about $135 a month total. I can't imagine paying $100 a month for the IPhone plan.

[zetta]

I had major iPhone lust but couldn't get past the monthly phone bill, so I got an iTouch instead. You can download and use all the iPhone applications on it. The two main differences are that it doesn't have a microphone -- so no phone calls or voice recognition -- and instead of connecting to the internet through the cell phone network, you connect through WiFi. So I can check my mail at Starbucks but can't look up directions in my car.

[kork13]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

However, the more I see and hear about the iPhone, the more enamored I'm becoming with the device. While I never had any desire to own an iPod, the iPhone is a whole different story. With each new app I hear about, the potential usefulness of the device grows and the more convinced I become that within a few years, everyone will be carrying one. I'm not even put off by the price as I think that is perfectly reasonable and well within my budget. What bothers me is the monthly fee. I haven't looked into the specifics but I think it is somewhere in the $70/month range (though I could be wrong). That's the only thing stopping me from getting one.

Do any of you have one? How much does it cost for your service? Do you feel it is worth it?

I had to get a new phone last May after my former one.... malfunctioned. I've been using AT&T for a long time, so I naturally looked at the iPhones. I've used the ones that many of my friends have, and I must admit, they really are very handy little suckers, and true-to-form with Apple products, extremely easy to use and get accustomed to.

As to the cost, it depends on the plan you get... But the baseline plan is $70. Both voice AND data plans are mandatory, which is the kicker... Unlimited data is a flat $30--no options here. Voice goes from $40-$100. Texting plans can also be added for $5-$20. So very easy for it to get quite expensive, but it isn't necessarily outrageous in all cases (Though $70 is still rather alot, and personally at the high end of what I'm willing to pay for a cell phone). Also keep in mind there's about $10/mo worth of taxes/fees in addition to the service fee ( ).

I ended up not getting the iPhone for a few reasons, but I'm still strongly considering getting one as my next phone (whenever that eventually happens). I got a different smartphone, but still pay the same $70/mo for service (total, with a discount I was able to get).

Why no iPhone for me? 1) I couldn't get my discount, which saves me ~$10/mo. 2) I was getting a new phone right before the new, much-upgraded version came out, and at that time, rumors were (correctly) that they would be cheaper with the new version. 3) What I got was about 1/3 the price of the iPhones available to me at the time. 4) Something bothers me about Apple cornering the "Kork13 market" --- phone, music, computers, etc....

[GREENBACK]

I'll be getting whatever smartphone they throw my way which will be employer paid. I can't imagine paying 100+ for a cellphone unless it pays for itself buisness wise. It's kind of like paying that for cable.

[TBH]

I am also so not into gadgets, but I have iPhone lust too. The monthly fee is only part of what's stopping me, though. I do NOT need 24/7 internet access. I spend too much time online as it is. If I had a smart phone I would be a full-blown addict immediately.

[SnoopyCool]

My friend just bought an iPhone today and loves it. She spoke of all sorts of things you can do with it.

I think I'm so far out of the technology loop that all of this stuff sounds way over my head. I fell-off the bandwagon around the Palm Pilot days!

[project15]

Originally Posted by zetta

I had major iPhone lust but couldn't get past the monthly phone bill, so I got an iTouch instead. You can download and use all the iPhone applications on it. The two main differences are that it doesn't have a microphone -- so no phone calls or voice recognition -- and instead of connecting to the internet through the cell phone network, you connect through WiFi. So I can check my mail at Starbucks but can't look up directions in my car.

I did this as well. I did miss the functionality to ALWAYS be connected to the internet, but the games and entertainment factor were well worth the price.

Note everyone - iPods don't like to be put in the washer. My battery life sucks and my internet doesn't work anymore. So it's basically just an iPod again.

[sweeps]

Had an iphone, but had to give it to my wife because work required a blackberry (I have a blackberry storm -- fortunately work pays for it). The iphone is much better than the storm. The iphone plan is about $80/month after taxes, assuming you don't need a huge amount of minutes. The only advantage of having the storm over the iphone is the network. AT&T's network is awful.

[m3racer]

It's not worth it IMO. I can accomplish my daily tasks without it. It's a $$ pit IMO.

[PrincessPerky]

Sounds more like your friends want you to jump on the bandwagon than you really need it.

Not that you can't afford it, but like the text messaging thing, while others pressure us to get unlimited service, we are quite happy just using the regular call plan.

for one thing I can change a diaper while cradling a phone, can't say the same for text. And I am fairly certain my skills of using the keyboard one handed would not transfer well to an iphone, limiting my use greatly.

[MonkeyMama]

Originally Posted by Caoineag

Oh now this is funny Steve. I am the gadget lover and couldn't care less for one of those (I hate spending money on phone service, definitely won't spend on a phone).

I think its nice that you want one though. Just make sure to use someone else for a spin so that you know you really like how it works. Sometimes the devil is in the details.

Agreed. I just thought it was funny, that those were my thoughts exactly. You wonder if the iPhone appeals more to non-gadgety people. I never *got* the iPod either. My first thought is, "plenty of cheaper/better alternatives," if it is like any other i-product. Though truly I don't know anything about the iPhone.

[red92s]

It is quite a nifty little device. The $70/month is a lot, yes, but when you consider that the cheapest AT&T voice only plan is already $40, it's not an enormous jump.

I have a blackberry provided by work, but if I didn't I'd probably own an iPhone. Having ONE device to take with me incredibly appealing. No more fumbling with a GPS unit in the car, or worried about it being stolen off the dash. No more making sure my ipod is tucked out of sight when connected to the car radio. No more toting around a point and shoot digital camera when out with friends. I travel a ton for work and usually have a camera, phone, GPS, and iPod with me . . . going from 4 devices to one would be a god-send. Only ONE thing to keep charged, carry a cable for, and shuttle through security lines.

[wincrasher]

I bought an iPhone when they first came out and LOVE it.

I pay $59 for the basic plan which includes unlimited data. The new phone is $10 a month more because it's 3G. I find I roll-over alot of minutes.

To me it was a convergence device. Not only does it sync contacts, calendar and pictures to my computer, but all my computers sync with each other too. So if I add a contact, it's almost immediately available on all my computers.

I carry ALL my digital pictures on it and they are quite viewable.

It replaced the need to carry my ipod around.

It connects via bluetooth in both my cars for handsfree use.

It collects email from 4 different accounts and lets me send from any of them.

I have several news readers, the weather and stock lists on it that I monitor.

It has a pretty good web browser that is convenient for checking the news or comparing prices when out and about.

Did I say I love it?

[Pitman]

I always thought the all touch screen option would get annoying after a while. I bought the new Blackberry Curve, and absolutely love it. The plan is a little heavy at $80/month, but its worth it.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by red92s

I have a blackberry provided by work, but if I didn't I'd probably own an iPhone. Having ONE device to take with me incredibly appealing. No more fumbling with a GPS unit in the car, or worried about it being stolen off the dash. No more making sure my ipod is tucked out of sight when connected to the car radio. No more toting around a point and shoot digital camera when out with friends. I travel a ton for work and usually have a camera, phone, GPS, and iPod with me . . . going from 4 devices to one would be a god-send. Only ONE thing to keep charged, carry a cable for, and shuttle through security lines.

It is this line of thinking that appeals to me. I don't currently have a GPS but would like one since we do travel a lot. I have a digital camera but don't always feel like carrying it with me, plus the iPhone would allow us to carry a digital photo album around. I have a phone. I don't have an iPod but, as I mentioned, we do travel a lot and being able to have our entire music collection with us wherever we go would be neat. I know there is an app that lets you access your home iTunes library from anywhere. There are various free apps to listen to the radio on your phone. There are also a ton of games. I've been a few places recently where I've seen both adults and children playing with an iPhone where I used to see them using a GameBoy or DS. It seems to be a really great all-in-one convergence device.

I'm still turned off by the monthly fee. We have a family plan with 5 phones and our monthly bill is about $155 for all of us (with unlimited texting), so adding iPhone service would hike that bill considerably. So this isn't something I'm going to run out and do, but it is something I want to explore more. I have to browse the iPhone website and app store to see what is out there that I'd actually use and what might make the fee worth paying. If there is some killer app that would really make my life easier and/or save me money somehow, that could push me more toward getting one.

One other problem - if I get one, my daughter is going to want one, too.