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Cost of the iPhone 3G Data Plan and Other Pricing Facts

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Apple iPhone 3G

  • The iPhone 3G data plan will cost $30 a month for unlimited data. That $30 does not include text messages or a voice plan.
  • The voice plans start at $39.99 for 450 minutes of talk time.
  • Requires a two-year contract.
  • Text messages usually cost 20 cents a piece, or $5.00 for 200, but there is no official word yet on what they will cost for iPhone 3G.
  • Subsidized pricing is $199 for 8 gb iPhone. $299 for a 16 gb iPhone.
  • With all costs added together, the minimum monthly cost of iPhone 3G is $69.99 (without text messages).
  • The total 2-year cost of an iPhone 3G starts at $1,855, compared with $1,815 of the original iPhone.
  • The iPhone 3G will require activation at the store you buy it from, either AT&T’s store or an Apple store. The process usually takes around 15 minutes to complete.
  • AT&T will not allow tethering of the iPhone’s 3G connection, meaning, you can’t use the iPhone 3G as a broadband modem for your laptop. Some other AT&T smartphones offer this utility.
  • Business data plans start at $45 a month. The higher charge is because AT&T offers an “enterprise connection” to Exchange servers.
  • For international travelers, a separate international data plan will be required.
  • There is no GoPhone, prepaid plan, or pay-as-you-go plan for the iPhone 3G.
  • 3G iPhone with no contract: $599 for 8GB and $699 for 16GB.
  • You can return the iPhone up to 30 days after date of purchase.
  • First-gen iPhone customers who already have two-year contracts have to qualify for an AT&T Upgrade and have good standing with AT&T (ie, have you paid your bills lately?).
  • Limit of 3 iPhones per purchase.
  • Anyone who bought a first-gen iPhone on of after May 28, 2008, can return it and receive a refund of the difference in price between a comparable iPhone 3G, minus a 10% restocking fee.
  • Access to GPS is free.

Filed in AT&T Wireless, Apple iPhone, Data Plans, HSUPA, Text Message, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3G Data Plan, iPhone AGPS, iPhone GPS | Comments (3)

How to Send an MMS (Text Message Picture) With Your iPhone

Saturday, May 10, 2008

iPhone MMS

Ever wanted to send a cool picture you’ve snapped with your iPhone as a text message? Well, too bad, MMS is currently not supported with the iPhone. Hold on though–there is a workaround. It involves emailing the picture with your iPhone to your target’s phone number. Here’s how.

Believe it or not, every cell phone number has an email address. To get that address, check the list of email addresses below for various wireless companies, or have your friend send you an MMS to your email address. Access the email on your iPhone and check out the “From:” field. That is the cell phone’s email address. You can add that address to your contacts. Voila, you can now send MMS messages to your friend’s phone.

These addresses are for US-based carriers. The Xs are the 10 digit phone numbe.

Alltel = xxxxxxxxxx@message.alltel.com
Amp’d Mobile = xxxxxxxxxx@vtext.com
AT&T = xxxxxxxxxx@mms.att.net
Boost Mobile = xxxxxxxxxx@myboostmobile.com
Cingular (AT&T) = xxxxxxxxxx@mms.mycingular.com
Einstein PCS = xxxxxxxxxx@einsteinmms.com
Nextel = xxxxxxxxxx@messaging.nextel.com
Sprint = xxxxxxxxxx@messaging.sprintpcs.com or xxxxxxxxxx@pm.sprint.com
T-Mobile = xxxxxxxxxx@tmomail.net
US Cellular = xxxxxxxxxx@mms.uscc.net
Verizon Wireless = xxxxxxxxxx@vzwpix.com
Virgin Mobile = xxxxxxxxxx@vmobl.com

For more of our iPhone Tips, click here.

Filed in Apple iPhone, Apps, Email, MMS, Text Message, iPhone Tips, iPhone Tricks | Comments (0)