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T-Mobile G1: 1GB Monthly Cap?
New $25, $35 plans come with some fine print

The T-Mobile HTC G1 (aka Dream) unveiling this morning disclosed the few details that hadn't been leaked already -- namely the phone price-tag and these rumored new T-Mobile data plans. While presenting on rollerskates, the Google/T-Mobile union unveiled that the G1 will be sold at a price point of $179, assuming you're willing to sign up for a two year contract and accept a serious bit of fine print. The new data plans (which require phone plans) made just for the G1: $25 for "unlimited" web & some text messages (not defined yet, but likely 200) or $35 with "unlimited" data and messaging.

Click for full size
Like the iPhone, there will be no (official) tethering of the unit for use as a modem. There's also no Exchange support. Like the iPhone, T-Mobile and Google have developed an application store, but there's no approval process for applications, which could be good or bad depending on the quality of the finished product.

The G1 is cheaper than the iPhone at a two-year contract subsidized price of $179, has a fully retractable keyboard, and it looks like SMS bundling is slightly less expensive than Apple and AT&T's offering. Still, the lack of a rabid cult following aside, the G1 is not going to dethrone the Apple iPhone for some very obvious reasons. The biggest one? It's the network, stupid.

Click for full size
For one, the phone is on the smallest of all 3G networks. T-Mobile insists that they'll have HSDPA up and running in twenty one markets by mid-october when the phone officially launches -- and twenty seven markets by year's end. AT&T got a pretty sound beating for releasing the iPhone 3G with more than 200 HSDPA-enabled markets.

Unlike AT&T, which sells the phone in EDGE and HSDPA markets alike, T-Mobile won't won't sell the G1 at stores outside a 2-5 mile radius of their 3G coverage area. Pure EDGE customers can sign up if the slow speeds don't annoy them. On top of limited 3G deployment, users also need to note that once again, the use of the word "unlimited" in this industry means anything but. From the fine print on the T-Mobile website:

quote:
If your total data usage in any billing cycle is more than 1GB, your data throughput for the remainder of that cycle may be reduced to 50 kbps or less. Your data session, plan, or service may be suspended, terminated, or restricted for significant roaming or if you use your service in a way that interferes with our network or ability to provide quality service to other users
Just so we have this straight: not only will the majority of T-Mobile customers be relegated to slower EDGE speeds (200kbps if you're lucky), you'll find your service throttled back to 50kbps (or less) should you consume more than 1GB per month. Once again, we're witnessing a next-generation phone hoisted upon a last-generation wireless network and business mentality.

Some additional details for those interested: a 3.17" 65K color touchscreen running at HVGA (480×320) resolution; 3.1MP camera; 5.6 ounces; 4.60” x 2.16” x 0.62”; 5 hours of talk time (130 hours of standby); requires GMail account; Syncs with all Google apps; push Gmail; preloaded with Amazon's music store; GSM/GPRS/EDGE/Wi-Fi and UMTS/HSDPA.
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kwayzcat
join:2002-10-22
Chicago, IL

kwayzcat

Member

1GIG/month cap will sink Android

1gig a month is a ridiculously low limit. I am a huge TMO fan, been a loyal customer for 7 years. But 1 gig per month is absurd. I am already thinking about jumping ship to another carrier.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

said by kwayzcat:

1gig a month is a ridiculously low limit. I am a huge TMO fan, been a loyal customer for 7 years. But 1 gig per month is absurd. I am already thinking about jumping ship to another carrier.
Yes. I saw that buried in the fine print. If you exceed 1 GB in a billing period, you won't be shut off, but your speed will be cut back to 50 kbps for the rest of the billing period.

»www.t-mobileg1.com/g1-le ··· ils.aspx
Data: If your total data usage in any billing cycle is more than 1GB, your data throughput for the remainder of that cycle may be reduced to 50 kbps or less. Your data session, plan, or service may be suspended, terminated, or restricted for significant roaming or if you use your service in a way that interferes with our network or ability to provide quality service to other users.

DaSneaky1D
what's up
MVM
join:2001-03-29
The Lou

DaSneaky1D

MVM

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

Considering all of the features this thing has (push Gmail, Maps integration...including compass mode!, and all of the sync) that is to low to even imagine as being worth it. T-mo really needs to rethink this limit. At least raise it to the standard 5GB.

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3

Premium Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

said by DaSneaky1D:

Considering all of the features this thing has (push Gmail, Maps integration...including compass mode!, and all of the sync) that is to low to even imagine as being worth it. T-mo really needs to rethink this limit. At least raise it to the standard 5GB.
You'd be surprised. My always-on Moto Q9c with Exchange push support only uses 10MB-15MB per month. And I get a boatload of email each day.
iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Austin, TX

iansltx

Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

Whereas I've hit 1GB/month on several occasions on my HTC Mogul. To be fair, though, I do use it as a hotspot every once in awhile, but sometimes that's only to get an iPod touch or non-data-enabled iPhone online.

ReVeLaTeD
Premium Member
join:2001-11-10
San Diego, CA

ReVeLaTeD to kwayzcat

Premium Member

to kwayzcat
said by kwayzcat:

1gig a month is a ridiculously low limit. I am a huge TMO fan, been a loyal customer for 7 years. But 1 gig per month is absurd. I am already thinking about jumping ship to another carrier.
This is the only argument against this phone that really matters. T-mobile is clearly focusing this towards a younger population, NOT the corporate audience. If you want a corporate-friendly touch phone (i.e. Exchange support), buy the Wing.

Seems like too many people want the best of both worlds: A toy that is acceptable at the office. That's not the way T-mobile works.

Now, what I do like about this is the preloaded Amazon music store. What I don't like is the fact that all of those cool apps nearly require 3G to function properly, which T-mobile has not rolled out sufficiently. As well, there are no clear answers as to such simple things as:

- Ability to load my own MP3s unhindered
- Ability to use any MP3 or WAV as a ringtone
- Ability to run custom apps
AVonGauss
Premium Member
join:2007-11-01
Boynton Beach, FL

AVonGauss to kwayzcat

Premium Member

to kwayzcat
I am forced to agree, I didn't think it was possible, but T-Mobile has actually made AT&T look a little better with this stunt. First, AT&T offers an unlimited plan with the iPhone that is really unlimited (tethering prohibited of course, so its a safe gamble) - their tether data plans at least allow for 5 GB. T-Mobile makes the same mistake that got other carriers repeatedly spanked by now advertising an "unlimited" plan that is not in fact unlimited and their version of a cap is 1 GB? I know they add the disclaimer in the microprint at the bottom, but I seriously doubt that is going to stop them from getting spanked.

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

ptrowski to kwayzcat

Premium Member

to kwayzcat
said by kwayzcat:

1gig a month is a ridiculously low limit. I am a huge TMO fan, been a loyal customer for 7 years. But 1 gig per month is absurd. I am already thinking about jumping ship to another carrier.
I like to listen to Pandora on the iPhone while at work. I am in a 3G area, and Pandora used almost exactly 30MB. IF I did that for 5 hours a day per se, that would really add up.

joejoecom
@tsoft.com

joejoecom

Anon

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

so use the wifi when you are at work

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

ptrowski

Premium Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

said by joejoecom :

so use the wifi when you are at work
If I had access to a wifi network just for streaming I would. But that's why I have a 3g signal. My point is that would eat through the 1 gig cap soon.

1 gig = bad.

TamaraB
Question The Current Paradigm
Premium Member
join:2000-11-08
Da Bronx
·Verizon FiOS
Ubiquiti NSM5
Synology RT2600ac
Apple AirPort Extreme (2013)

1 recommendation

TamaraB to ptrowski

Premium Member

to ptrowski
said by ptrowski:

... I like to listen to Pandora on the iPhone ...
Wow! Thanks.... just discovered pandora. NEAT iPhone app!

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

ptrowski

Premium Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

said by TamaraB:

said by ptrowski:

... I like to listen to Pandora on the iPhone ...
Wow! Thanks.... just discovered pandora. NEAT iPhone app!
Pandora is AWESOME. I have already found 5-6 new bands I never knew about.

TamaraB
Question The Current Paradigm
Premium Member
join:2000-11-08
Da Bronx
·Verizon FiOS
Ubiquiti NSM5
Synology RT2600ac
Apple AirPort Extreme (2013)

TamaraB

Premium Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

said by ptrowski:

... Pandora is AWESOME.
Indeed! best, it's not umbilicaled to itunes!!! My biggest iPhone BEEF.

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

1 recommendation

ptrowski

Premium Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

said by TamaraB:

said by ptrowski:

... Pandora is AWESOME.
Indeed! best, it's not umbilicaled to itunes!!! My biggest iPhone BEEF.
Yep...I was out mowing the lawn listening to a Dave Matthews channel over my wifi connection. Good times!

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3

Premium Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

said by ptrowski:
said by TamaraB:
said by ptrowski:

... Pandora is AWESOME.
Indeed! best, it's not umbilicaled to itunes!!! My biggest iPhone BEEF.
Yep...I was out mowing the lawn listening to a Dave Matthews channel over my wifi connection. Good times!
Boom de ada, Boom de ada ...

Count Zero
Premium Member
join:2007-01-18
Milton, FL

Count Zero to kwayzcat

Premium Member

to kwayzcat
Wifi? 1GB cap and no wifi is ridiculous.

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

ptrowski

Premium Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

said by Count Zero:

Wifi? 1GB cap and no wifi is ridiculous.
It has wifi....
GSM/GPRS/EDGE/Wi-Fi and UMTS/HSDPA.

Count Zero
Premium Member
join:2007-01-18
Milton, FL

Count Zero

Premium Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

Guess being on call and in the hospital for 35hrs makes one less able to read

Glad to hear it has wifi in it, if T-Mo gave you 1GBs per month and no way to not use their network it would be heinous!

Corehhi
join:2002-01-28
Bluffton, SC

Corehhi

Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

said by Count Zero:

Guess being on call and in the hospital for 35hrs makes one less able to read

Glad to hear it has wifi in it, if T-Mo gave you 1GBs per month and no way to not use their network it would be heinous!
This post doesn't give me a lot of faith in hospitals. Unless your saying 35 hrs a week at work is unbareable?

Count Zero
Premium Member
join:2007-01-18
Milton, FL

Count Zero

Premium Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

35hrs straight.
Count Zero

Count Zero to Corehhi

Premium Member

to Corehhi
more like 80-90/wk

badtrip
Premium Member
join:2004-03-20

badtrip to kwayzcat

Premium Member

to kwayzcat
said by kwayzcat:

1gig a month is a ridiculously low limit. I am a huge TMO fan, been a loyal customer for 7 years. But 1 gig per month is absurd. I am already thinking about jumping ship to another carrier.
Wow, same here. I was really looking forward to this phone and as a T-Mobile customer I thought it would be a no brainer. I will be looking for new phones/plans for my whole family very soon and if the 1GB cap is true, Ill have to look elsewhere.
kwayzcat
join:2002-10-22
Chicago, IL

kwayzcat

Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

I have been a customer since 2001 and I've brought no less than 10 lines to T-Mobile by talking to my family members. I am the techie of the family, 27 years old and an engineer. Everyone listens to me when it comes to anything technology. And I've never steered them wrong. Lately I've been telling them to wait for TMO 3G, its going to be great. Now this happens? Unless they change it I'm telling people to leave T-Mobile when their contract ends. I'm going to probably tell them to switch to Sprint.

T-Mobile has lost their minds. A 1GB cap is actually offensive. I'm looking at the next carrier that gets android. Sprint here I come, and 10+ lines with me.
patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

patcat88

Member

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

said by kwayzcat:

I have been a customer since 2001 and I've brought no less than 10 lines to T-Mobile by talking to my family members. I am the techie of the family, 27 years old and an engineer. Everyone listens to me when it comes to anything technology. And I've never steered them wrong. Lately I've been telling them to wait for TMO 3G, its going to be great. Now this happens? Unless they change it I'm telling people to leave T-Mobile when their contract ends. I'm going to probably tell them to switch to Sprint.

T-Mobile has lost their minds. A 1GB cap is actually offensive. I'm looking at the next carrier that gets android. Sprint here I come, and 10+ lines with me.
ATT and Sprint have the best 5GB cap terms, ATT unenforced, Sprint over a 3 month period.

DrWho123
@pacbell.net

DrWho123

Anon

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

Sprint 5GB cap is not for mobile phone data plans, it is literally for Phone as a modem plan people aka official tethering people. But as Sprint rep mentioned in their forum if you go beyond couple of GBs a month sprint will start flagging ur account as a possible tethering user!
DrWho123

DrWho123 to patcat88

Anon

to patcat88

Use Kinoma Player and you will go over 1 GB in a day!

I have used Kinoma player which streams youtube and tons of podcasts on windows mobile, mine is sprint mogul, I have used about 1 GB on a single day. On a sidenote, I haven't seen many people noticing the fact that G1 cannot download from amazon mp3 store over TMO internet, it can do that only over wifi!!
Maggs
Premium Member
join:2002-11-29
Jackson Heights, NY

Maggs to kwayzcat

Premium Member

to kwayzcat
Sprint here I come, and 10+ lines with me.

Sprint has a 5GB cap on data.

N3OGH
Yo Soy Col. "Bat" Guano
Premium Member
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs

N3OGH to kwayzcat

Premium Member

to kwayzcat
I'm no fan of the "smart" phone.

I had a Treo 700W for a hot minute. Too big, too bulky, and I sure as shit eat up the data quicker than all get out.

I'll stick with my Razor 2 with the $15/mo Vcast. Sure, I'm stuck in Verizon's walled garden. But, since all I'm interested in is sports scores and the occasional weather report, it's just easier to tote around.

phoneboy3
@shawcable.net

phoneboy3

Anon

Re: 1GIG/month cap will sink Android

The batteries on the Treo would probably die before you ate through your data. That is the biggest problem with that bloated piece of sh*t.....er hardware.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5 to kwayzcat

Premium Member

to kwayzcat
T-Mobile backs off on 1 GB cap, but won't say what they will replace it with.

»news.cnet.com/8301-1035_ ··· 1_3-0-20
Here's the full statement:

"Our goal, when the T-Mobile G1 becomes available in October, is to provide affordable, high-speed data service allowing customers to experience the full data capabilities of the device and our 3G network. At the same time, we have a responsibility to provide the best network experience for all of our customers so we reserve the right to temporarily reduce data throughput for a small fraction of our customers who have excessive or disproportionate usage that interferes with our network performance or our ability to provide quality service to all of our customers.

We removed the 1GB soft limit from our policy statement, and we are confident that T-Mobile G1 customers will enjoy the high speed of data access over our 3G network. The specific terms for our new data plans are still being reviewed and once they are final we will be certain to share this broadly with current customers and potential new customers."

That sounds to me like T-Mobile hasn't given up on the idea of a soft cap altogether, but has decided that 1GB is perhaps a little too stingy. Which it is.
ditka_b
Premium Member
join:2001-10-05
Barrington, IL

ditka_b to kwayzcat

Premium Member

to kwayzcat
That's protective notice for people going way over.In the past people could hide tethering and torrenting under the unlimited bundles and sue later when cut off, They won't do that if your average is gone over 3-4 times a year it's for people hacking that go way beyond and is just to protect themselves from those folks. Kind of like Comcast booting the people that went way over hurting the local areas over all experience.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

2 edits

1 recommendation

FFH5

Premium Member

More details and links

And here is the web page T-Mobile has set up for the launch:

»www.t-mobileg1.com/


Here is the press release by HTC on today's G1 Android phone:

»www.htc.com/www/press.as ··· ang=1033
With built-in support for T-Mobiles 3G and EDGE network as well as Wi-Fi

available at select T-Mobile retail stores and online in the U.S. beginning Oct. 22, for a price of $179 with a two-year voice and data agreement.

includes the popular Google products that millions have enjoyed on the desktop, including Google Maps Street View, Gmail, YouTube
and others.

Google Maps feature syncs with the built-in compass on the phone an industry first to allow users to view locations and navigate 360 degrees by simply moving the phone with their hand.

It combines Instant Messaging support for Google Talk, as well as AOL®, Yahoo! Messenger ® and Windows Live Messenger in the U.S. With access to high-speed Web browsing and a 3-megapixel camera with photo-sharing capabilities,

T-Mobile G1 comes pre-loaded with a new application developed by Amazon.com that gives customers easy access to Amazon MP3, Amazon.coms digital music download store with more than 6 million DRM-free MP3 tracks. Using the new application, T-Mobile G1 customers are able to search, sample, purchase and download music from Amazon MP3 directly to their device

Cheapest 2 yr voice plan is 300 minutes; unlimited weekends for $30/mo. »www.t-mobile.com/shop/pl ··· al-Basic

The G1 data plans are as follows:
»www.t-mobileg1.com/g1-le ··· one.aspx
What types of plans are available for the T-Mobile G1?
Once youve selected a specific T-Mobile voice plan, you must also choose a data plan in order for your G1 to work. You can choose from a data plan that offers 400 messages and unlimited data access for $25 a monthor add unlimited messaging for just $10 more a month.
So, combined, it looks like cheapest is $55 & $65/mo, depending on which data plan you chose. Of course, you would have to add on all the usual fees, taxes, USF, etc that add about $15 more to the bottom line.
beaups
join:2003-08-11
Hilliard, OH

beaups

Member

no exchange support???

deal breaker. now an expensive toy like iphone was pre 2.0. seriously how can you launch a device like this with no connectivity to corporate email?
patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

patcat88

Member

Re: no exchange support???

This isn't an Iphone or a Sidekick for kids, its professional looking. Beats me.
MightyPez
join:2002-05-01
Saint Paul, MN

MightyPez

Member

No exchange support?

That really is too bad. I was amped for this phone, but without Exchange support I simply can't justify getting one.

•••••••

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3

Premium Member

Fugly

Like I said in an earlier thread, that home screen is atrocious. It looks like a bad mashup of Google Gadgets and iGoogle. Even the phone looks like it was culled from an early 90's electronics stack. What's with the MicroTac looking greyish-black plastic and early 80's buttons?

Yuck. No wonder they only released this on the smallish T-Mobile.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
moonpuppy (banned)
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD

moonpuppy (banned)

Member

Hmmmm.....

Well it is already more expensive than a T-Mobile Sidekick internet/messaging plan ($20 vs $35.)

Let's look at similar plans:

ATT single plan 450 minutes, unlimited email/web, visual voicemail, and rollover: $69.99
Add unlimited texting: $20

$89.99/month

T-Mobile

My Faves 300: $39.99/month
(Sidekick unlimited email/text $20.00)
(using DASH phone unlimted web/email $19.99/month, unlimted texts $14.99/month)

$59.99/month using a sidekick, $74.97/month for a Dash

G1

My Faves 300: $39.99/month
unlimted text/web/email $35/month

$74.99/month

Competitive.

kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY

kamm

Member

Re: Hmmmm.....

said by moonpuppy:

Well it is already more expensive than a T-Mobile Sidekick internet/messaging plan ($20 vs $35.)

Let's look at similar plans:

ATT single plan 450 minutes, unlimited email/web, visual voicemail, and rollover: $69.99
Add unlimited texting: $20

$89.99/month

T-Mobile

My Faves 300: $39.99/month
(Sidekick unlimited email/text $20.00)
(using DASH phone unlimted web/email $19.99/month, unlimted texts $14.99/month)

$59.99/month using a sidekick, $74.97/month for a Dash

G1

My Faves 300: $39.99/month
unlimted text/web/email $35/month

$74.99/month

Competitive.
Except when you hit 1GB you go back to slower-than-dialup level.

ninjatutle
Premium
join:2006-01-02
San Ramon, CA

ninjatutle

Member

Another "Me Too" product

Too bad they chose the wrong carrier.

••••

rec9140
Provoice just DO it
join:2003-07-29
Mulberry, FL

rec9140

Member

How to screw up a phone launch 101:

1) GSM
2) TMobile
3) 1GB Cap

Next.....

For a German company, the US divsion needs some serious input from Das Vaterland.

••••••••••
CSU
join:2002-10-21
Lagrange, GA

CSU

Member

Pfft

T-Mobile......they have never done any upgrade from my point of view. I was with them until my contract ended and they never once had service that worked in my office. I jumped ship to Verizon to at least have service everywhere.
Expand your moderator at work

kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY

kamm

Member

TMO was always and still is pathetic...

...when it comes to data service. I remember when they kept lying to me 2-3 years ago that they very soon will launch their 3G service - suuuuure, it still has yet to be launched nationwide, let alone the terms of this truly pathetic, shitty-crappy limited TMO data service now.

We can now safely say that TMO IS THE WORST POSSIBLE CHOICE FOR MOBILE INTERNET, PERIOD.

••••

Brian D
@curran-connors.com

Brian D

Anon

Good work!

Glad to see someone doing their homework. Too many of the usual suspects are just parroting the "unlimited" language without reading the blatantly obvious information on the G1 website. Good work, and I'm glad to see someone other than me remembers how to read fine print.

Authority
join:2000-03-29
Los Angeles, CA

Authority

Member

No UMA is a deal breaker for me ;(

UMA is to me the distinguishing feature for T-Mobile over all others... and they didn't include it. Bad move?
58483323 (banned)
Gurt me
join:2003-06-23
Normal, IL

58483323 (banned)

Member

It's ugly...

The phone is ugly and the user interface doesn't look as simple as the iPhone's.

The only good thing it has that's better than the iPhone is the physical keyboard.
Expand your moderator at work

Glaice
Brutal Video Vault
Premium Member
join:2002-10-01
North Babylon, NY

Glaice

Premium Member

What happened to..

...a phone being a phone with minimal junk features and fancy shmancy stuff?

•••

Lone Wolf
Retired
Premium Member
join:2001-12-30
USA

Lone Wolf

Premium Member

I Switched

from TMo to ATT a month ago. I have a free Motorola V9 and a free Pantech Duo, Media Net, ATT Navigator (GPS), XM Radio, Cellular Video, and the rest of the unnecessary bells and whistles to play with. Does TMo even have video?

But mostly, I have more bars in more places than I ever had with TMo and I have rollover minutes. Ha!

•••

AJBMatrix
Mac Convert
join:2005-08-07
Athens, GA

AJBMatrix

Member

iPhone customers are getting a deal here:

The users of the iPhone and future users will benefit from this only because the added market competition. Now the iPhone is the clear winner and having left T-mobile 4 years ago for Cingular due to coverage issues, I still believe that ATT is a better choice. Now the iPhone is not for everyone but with people having an option ATT should slowly respond to the competition.

And my Data usage can vary widely. Some months I only use about 600MB (in and out) and others I use over 3GB.

At least this is not sprint because you roam or are a soldier serving our country you can find yourself cut.

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium Member
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO

tiger72

Premium Member

Re: iPhone customers are getting a deal here:

said by AJBMatrix:

The users of the iPhone and future users will benefit from this only because the added market competition. Now the iPhone is the clear winner...
Kinda hard to make that assessment just yet. The G1, being Android-based open-source and with open access to applications will become the hackers'/coders' "dream" handset. There are a lot of features that the G1 doesn't come with natively that can easily be added by 3rd parties (ie Exchange syncing, etc..). The iPhone's closed source and software policies severely limit innovation.

mjtomlin
@rr.com

mjtomlin

Anon

Re: iPhone customers are getting a deal here:

said by tiger72:

Kinda hard to make that assessment just yet. The G1, being Android-based open-source and with open access to applications will become the hackers'/coders' "dream" handset. There are a lot of features that the G1 doesn't come with natively that can easily be added by 3rd parties (ie Exchange syncing, etc..). The iPhone's closed source and software policies severely limit innovation.
Actually any user/hacker/coder can jailbreak their iPhones and do whatever they want. So far Apple hasn't tried very hard to keep people from doing that - not exactly a secret as people have been doing it over a year now. Also, the software policies can and probably will change as OS X Touch matures.

The G1 is a T-Mobile device (made by HTC). T-Mobile is free to take Android and do whatever it wants with it. They can in fact "close down" the OS if they so desired. Just because Android is "open source" doesn't mean the end-user will be free to do whatever they want. Not sure why people seem to think this? An excerpt from Ars Technica on the reasoning for distributing Android under the Apache Software License rather than GPL...

"The ASL will allow individual handset makers to develop proprietary customizations for the platform as needed to accommodate the unique technologies in their individual products."

Gbcue
Premium Member
join:2001-09-30
Santa Rosa, CA

Gbcue

Premium Member

Movies, Music, Games Will Not Count?

quote:
Some downloads, such as movies, music, and games, not included.
I wonder if that means it won't be included in the cap.

Makes it much more bearable.

logicquest
@1dial.com

logicquest

Anon

caps

I was going with att, they told me last week the 5gb was going into effect, the other 2 providers done same, so, I guess I will be one less customer they will have to worry about, will NOT signup for 60 bucks a month service and be limited to 5gb! I might use 1gb for months then get charged for going over one month, natta!!!! they all can keep service! will be dropping cell phoneS as soon as contract is up! they are all getting to big and demanding
pabster
join:2001-12-09
Waterloo, IA

pabster

Member

Re: caps

Until a prepaid service comes out with 3G offerings and real data plans, we have no choice. The contract carriers will continue to suck the blood out of the consumer. Bend over...it's for your own good!
future1
join:2006-04-29
Cincinnati, OH

future1

Member

Battle of the Titans

Apple vs. Google

I think Google will greatly improve the software/functionality. However the 1GB cap is truly offensive to users of these type phones.

Apple has the deficit of a fragile new shell and pitifully short battery life.

Apple has the upper hand right now but Google could leap ahead in a couple more years IF they choose to take the phone seriously and IF the carrier comes up with a better plan and service.

Google is a force to behold. Apple should not play this game assuming that they are too big to fail inasmuch as the iPhone is concerned. Google has the brightest people on the planet in its corner all over the globe.

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