Apple, AT&T, and iPhone

The newly announced iPhone 3G-S coupled with iPhone OS 3.0 will probably be heralded by many, like myself, as the “perfect handset.” However, just like the wave of excitement which accompanied the debut of iPhone 3G last year was dissolved by AT&T’s slow speeds, spotty coverage, and lack of adequate customer service, iPhone 3G-S is already showing symptoms of AT&T-itis.

It was apparent yesterday during the iPhone segment of Apple’s WWDC 2009 keynote. Twitter users abroad tweeted their disapproval of AT&T’s lack of MMS and tethering when many international iPhone providers will have the aforementioned services from day 1. People should realize that AT&T needs Apple way more than the opposite. The fact that Verizon is still America’s largest and highest rated network is a testament to people preferring a high quality network over a high quality handset.

iPhone 3G-S has a plethora of new features:

  • Faster processor (average of twice the performance across the board)
  • 7.2 Mbps HSDPA connection (iPhone 3G was half that)
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
  • 3-megapixel autofocus camera with auto white balance and macro mode
  • Nike+ support
  • Digital compass
  • Voice control for dialing and music control
  • 3D graphics for enhanced visuals
  • Video recording at 30 fps with editing capabilities
  • …and some other features which I can’t remember off the top of my head.

I think if Verizon manages to stay on track with its deployment of LTE (“4G”) and Apple sides with them, AT&T better be getting nervous. Ultimately, both AT&T and Verizon will have the same LTE network, so Apple may just have to create a single iPhone to distribute on both networks. However, as far as customer satisfaction, AT&T doesn’t stand a chance at this point.

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Forget AT&T or Verizon, Apple should start selling unlocked iphones. Do they not realize what a “big industry” this has become? People buy an iphone, unlock code, and begin selling these phones for about $500 on ebay and other websites. Apple should strongly consider selling these unlocked devices themselves to further maximize their profit instead of letting these ebay sellers reap the benefits (by ripping people off!)

    • I was reading somewhere that the only reason Apple took the “exclusivity” route was to preserve just that – the exclusiveness of owning an iPhone. If everyone has one, sure, the company makes a lot more money, but you lose that “hype.”

      Business just doesn’t make logical sense sometimes, does it? 😀

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