Apple Phone Show Episode #3

How to get out of your current contract and other fun stuff!

Host: Scott Bourne: Podcastgearguy.com, Podcastingtricks.com and iLifeZone.com Special Guests: Chris Breen: MacWorld Magazine and Playlist Magazine Andy Ihnatko: Colossal Waste of Bandwidth and The Chicago Sun Times

Now that we know who everyone is, let's have a chat...

First, let's hit the subject of how to get out of your existing cellular contract. After all, if you're a Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint / Nextel customer, you're out of luck if you want an iPhone!

Take a look at your contract. Most charge an ETF (Early Termination Fee). Verizon's, for example, is $175. Plan out how much it would cost to maintain your account for the time remaining in your contract. If it's less than $175, then leave it be. If it's more, you can actually save money by cancelling and paying the fee! Scott suggests downgrading your plan, but be aware that on most providers, downgrading your plan extends your contract another year or two. Check with your provider before making any changes to your plan.

Carefully read the clauses in your contract. If there is any fine print that can get you out, take advantage. For example, a raise in the fee for text messaging can be grounds for account cancellation. Read it carefully, and if you do call in, be persistent but polite. You'll get nowhere if you pick up the phone yelling and screaming.

Most major carriers train their staff to not let you go, so just be aware it won't be easy. Scott points out that you should do anything at all in writing and make sure everything gets done as promised. If you're still having problems, consider calling your local government and complaining.

If you'd like to hear Vincent Ferrari's AOL cancel call, check it out here.

And now, Andy Ihnatko from the Chicago Sun Times. Today Scott and Andy talk about the hopes they have for the iPhone.

Scott wants an experience similar to that of his desktop as far as usability, etc.

Andy believes this is a chance for the cell industry to wipe the slate clean and start over. No more incremental improvements and no more "old way" of doing things. He thinks the biggest improvement the iPhone brings is that it's a completely fresh look at the way a phone should work. While using the real iPhone, he thought it was the first phone that worked the way it "should." When you get a call or voicemail, the user interface is very intuitive.

Andy says the biggest challenge of the iPhone is to be thought of as something brand new rather than comparing it to the old and the preconceptions that come along with it. You have to understand the uniqueness of the iPhone to "get it." Scott points out that Aperture is very similar in that it's something new and not to be compared to other apps.

Scott points out that the problem for Apple is going to be that the network is not within their control and they have to rely on AT&T to provide a good experience there. Andy has been a Cingular subscriber for a really long time and he's never had any real complaints, but he realizes a lot of people have and hate AT&T. The reason he stuck with Cingular was because of the cheap data plans as opposed to other carriers. He does note that the "best" carrier will depend on where you are in the country.

Scott brings up EDGE v. 3G data and how there are gigantic holes in the 3G network. AT&T claims most people aren't taking advantage of the 3G that's out there, 3G is not widespread, and that their EDGE network is much more reliable. Andy doesn't understand people being annoyed about it being an EDGE phone. 3G is great when you can get it and in his experience, 3G coverage isn't that great. He also can't think of a lot of applications where he needs 3G data from his phone. You always want the speed, but in reality, how much do you need it? Andy's argument is that he's mostly dealing with smaller bits of data that works fine on an EDGE connection, and also he doesn't see that big of a difference where he's gotten 3G coverage. He also notes that the iPhone has WiFi anyway which is faster than any data available.

Scott said that contacts inside Apple have confirmed to him that they're expecting WiFi to pick up the EDGE slack. Andy points out that during bandwidth tests, he barely gets EDGE speeds on some days.

Andy points out that for some people, everything including EDGE is a dealbreaker, so take internet complaints with a grain of salt.

Scott says the one thing the iPhone should do really well should be syncing with iCal and Addressbook. Andy hopes so, also, and also hopes that syncing wirelessly is a feature that's added. Andy would also like the iPhone to work as an ID tag of sorts, meaning as he moves from one Mac to another, his keychain will move to the Mac he's sitting near. Things like that would be great, creative, and interesting. Even though that's far off, he hopes Apple eventually moves in a very technically advanced direction.

Scott actually said he would put Parallels on his Mac if the iPhone doesn't sync. God help us all.

Andy wants to know to what extent he has control over the files placed on the iPhone and hopes that file management is as good as it is on Windows Mobile.

Steve Jobs did say that eventually we'd have 3rd party apps, but we'd just have to be patient and it probably won't have that functionality out of the box.

Andy points out that a cellular phone is the only device a modern person always has with them, so it's the richest opportunity to carry features and functions around with you. He points out that you don't need a million apps, just a few apps that you really need to use when you need to use them. Andy notes that if the iPhone experience is only what Apple wants it to be, it runs the risk of being a major disappointment.

And now the news with Chris Breen...

1: The iPhone is coming but nobody knows when. Wires have been reporting that the iPhone will be in stores on June 20th. The best we know is that it'll be out between the middle of June and the middle of July. Chris would be thrilled for it to come out sooner than later. Scott points out that whenever the iPhone is released, it'll be the biggest story out there as far as Apple goes. In the end, expect it at the end of June.

2: AT&T stores seem to be maintaining private waiting lists for iPhones. Channelcheckers canvased 36 of the estimated 1800 AT&T stores and found that more than half are keeping private waiting lists despite it being against company policy. According to AT&T, 1.1 million people have contacted them for e-mail info on when the iPhone is released. Chris goes way out on a limb and predicts that more people might be interested in the iPhone than the Zune. Risky one, Chris. Really! Seriously, supplies may be low at the beginning, so be ready to jump on line quickly!

3: Apple has a 5-year exclusive deal with AT&T for the iPhone and because AT&T uses GSM, it makes the iPhone a good world phone. Verizon claims they have a competitor, but their Prada phone probably won't have iPhone's mass market appeal. AT&T is not concerned about competition from other carriers. Scott points out that Apple is great with UI's and in the end, that's going to be the bread and butter of the iPhone. Chris says there's no guarantee, but he has faith.

That's going to do it for now... If you have any questions, comments, concerns, tips, etc., let us know at info@applephoneshow.com.

Subscribe to the Apple Phone Show on Podango.com's channel called iThisiThat.

Thanks to Apple Phone Show producer Vincent Ferrari for the shownotes!

Show theme by Steve (derx_2004@mac.com).