Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: iPhone, iPod, Apple, MMS | Themes: Smartphones
More details emerge on how AT&T will handle MMS on the new iPhone 3GS
Recently AT&T came under fire in regards to tethering and MMS messaging via Apple's upcoming iPhone 3G S; both features will also be integrated into the new OS 3.0 software. However, AT&T, the exclusive mobile carrier for the iPhone, will not support tethering and MMS when the new operating system and phone launches June 17 and June 19 respectively. While the tethering feature isn't even on AT&T's immediate schedule (or at least, not in the public eye), the wireless carrier said that MMS won't be available until "late summer." Naturally, this bit of news ruffled a few feathers.
However, according to this iPhone 3GS FAQ (PDF warning) supplied by AT&T, the company revealed that multimedia messaging (MMS) will be available at no extra cost to customers with a text messaging bundle. The date still remains the same unfortunately: late summer. AT&T said that consumers can sign up for a text messaging bundle for a minimum of $5 a month (for 200 text messages). AT&T's statement in the FAQ was a little vague though by not specifying how the MMS will be handled on the account: does each MMS message account as four regular text messages, or just one?
Apple's highly-anticipated operating system (3.0) upgrade debuts in just two days, offering patient fans a plethora of new features including the aforementioned tethering and MMS capabilities, bluetooth support, a landscape keyboard, cut-and-paste, and much more. On Friday, Apple will finally unleash the upgraded iPhone 3G S, packed with the new operating system along with a beefier CPU and GPU. Current iPhone 3G owners can upgrade to OS 3.0 for free; iPod Touch 2G owners must purchase the new OS for $10.
-
Previous News Article
Company Claims Green Dam Uses... -
Next News Article
China Caves: Filtering Software...
I know the biggest problem that is going to arise is that people who have first gen and 3G iPhones won't be able to play the new apps that take advantage of the 3G S' new CPU and memory upgrade. That was a dumb move on their part. The 3G still has a lot of potential, and just a year later it is thrown to the curb. I hate trying to stay on the cutting edge...
There will be apps designed to take advantage of the 3G S hardware but the iPhone and iPhone 3G install base is much much larger I can't imagine many developers writing games exclusively for the 3G S because they will be missing out on the vast majority of the market. Most games will continue to be written for the 3G or there will be multiple versions for the 3G and the 3G S.
When is Apple going to wake up and start using someone other then At&T! They Suck!
When is Apple going to wake up and start using someone other then At&T! They Suck!
They all suck...
Every wireless provider is overpriced. They nickle and dime you WHEREVER possible. Besides, I'm pretty sure they're going to t-mobile too, with all the leaked info that's been going around.
The last time Apple had a product with the name GS, they killed the line. I'm still bitter over Apple they killed off the Apple II market by creating the Mac line. The Apple IIGS was an awesome computer for it's time (color and sound in a PC was unheard of then) and Apple has a big market share of home PC with the Apple II line, but they has start a new line with the Mac (B&W and no sound). If they didn't do that, Microsoft might never have been as powerful as they are today and will all might be usings Apple Computers.
I work for all wireless provider, mainly switching between T-Mobile and AT&T. Apple and AT&T have a deal for the next year at least, so the iphone is not going anywhere for a while and AT&T may extend that(I do not know if Apple will). There needs to be an upgrade on both networks (AT&T and T-Mobile) for the multimedia messaging to work. So stop with the AT&T slams since T-Mobile does not offer this either. Be happy your phone provider Apple, they are the ones that think ahead and has those services in line when the carriers catch up. This is being tested in the lab at both companies and will be offered soon, I know AT&T are having less issues due to network configuration and will be released a good two months before T-Mobile. AT&T is also rolling out IP sites which put T-Mobile even farther behind because it is still in their lab with lots of work. Even though AT&T is known for dropped calls, T-Mobile does not offer services everywhere so you have to decide quality or quantity. As for the Apple, hands down, best phone with 3.0 software, cut and paste is music to my ears. Bottom line, is a phone folks, relax.
I decided I'm going to wait until next Summer for the v4. In the big scheme of things this was a babystep for the iPhone. There is no evidence the "S for speed" is going to result in faster speeds and developers would be stupid to bypass the v2 and v1 phones. $400.00 more for a GS? No thanks
Proud 09 ZX14 owner btw
It would be another $20 for multitasking, please.
I HATE mobile phone pay structures, this is why i don't have one. why can't it just be like the internet? where you just pay for 'data'?. after all, everything IS data.
Wow and i thought we here in Canada were getting screwed by our mobile carriers. LOL you guys don't even have MMS on BOTH of your LARGEST mobile carriers ouch. Unfortunately for us though we only have one GSM provider and that's Rogers and the plans are retarted...especially the iPhone ones. I really like the one Sprint has down there $99 for everything! and i agree with matt87_50 somewhat. I hate how everything as of late is getting caps its stupid. Even now apparently my ISP "Shaw" has a cap. Haven't ever noticed this before. I thought the whole point of having cable was the speed and unlimited access. Fortunately though I don't think they enforce this "Cap" because I download a lot of torrents and we've never paid more. I believe plans should break down as follows
$25-250 daytime min,unl evn+wkns@5,caller id,call waiting, voicemail
$35 350 daytime min,unl evn+wkns@5,caller id,call waiting, voicemail, unl txts(mms extra)
$40 400 daytime min, unl evn+wkns@5,caller id,call waiting, voicemail, unl txts+20MMS TXTS
$50 500 aytime min, unl evn+wkns@5,caller id,call waiting, voicemail, unl txts+30MMS TXTS, unl on device browsing
and a $99 unlimted plan would include stuff like email,mobile t.v,mobile radio and the other extra stuff
Does anyone else think it's completely nuts to pay $360/year for unlimited internet access then get billed for sending TEXT messages? I don't even want to think of what $5/200 texts comes out to in price per MB.
The last time Apple had a product with the name GS, they killed the line. I'm still bitter over Apple they killed off the Apple II market by creating the Mac line. The Apple IIGS was an awesome computer for it's time (color and sound in a PC was unheard of then) and Apple has a big market share of home PC with the Apple II line, but they has start a new line with the Mac (B&W and no sound). If they didn't do that, Microsoft might never have been as powerful as they are today and will all might be usings Apple Computers.
With proprietary hardware.... no thanks. I'm glad they don't hold the market.
Wow and i thought we here in Canada were getting screwed by our mobile carriers. LOL you guys don't even have MMS on BOTH of your LARGEST mobile carriers ouch. Unfortunately for us though we only have one GSM provider and that's Rogers and the plans are retarted...especially the iPhone ones. I really like the one Sprint has down there $99 for everything! and i agree with matt87_50 somewhat. I hate how everything as of late is getting caps its stupid. Even now apparently my ISP "Shaw" has a cap. Haven't ever noticed this before. I thought the whole point of having cable was the speed and unlimited access. Fortunately though I don't think they enforce this "Cap" because I download a lot of torrents and we've never paid more. I believe plans should break down as follows$25-250 daytime min,unl evn+wkns@5,caller id,call waiting, voicemail$35 350 daytime min,unl evn+wkns@5,caller id,call waiting, voicemail, unl txts(mms extra)$40 400 daytime min, unl evn+wkns@5,caller id,call waiting, voicemail, unl txts+20MMS TXTS$50 500 aytime min, unl evn+wkns@5,caller id,call waiting, voicemail, unl txts+30MMS TXTS, unl on device browsingand a $99 unlimted plan would include stuff like email,mobile t.v,mobile radio and the other extra stuff
I'm paying about $100 for 1400 minutes on ATT..... grrrrr. It really pisses me off that I can't do anything unless the masses are up in arms about the prices too.