This is a spin-off of a thread about smart phones in TAO:
I love my iPhone, I really do. But I'm addicted. A friend calls it my "Precious."
It's costly. Yes, a LOT of money. $80 a month for me with my year old iPhone 3G. I'm beginning to consider getting rid of it. I looked up my contract on the AT&T website tonight and my cancellation fee is $175, but something like $5 less a month for each month closer to the end of my contract. Since I've had it for a little more than a year, that would take the cancellation fee down to something like $110 or so. I went from a Tracfone to my iPhone. It was like going from a Pinto to a Porsche! I have no need for it - it was a want, not a need. Man, that $80 a month could go into paying off my $2K in credit card debt, as well as savings for the major dental work I need (two implants and some other stuff, I've always had bad teeth). I'm looking at a minimum of $5K in dental work.
I've got the lowest voice plan of 450 minutes a month, and I've NEVER used all of them. I use email much, much more. Do I need to have email with me all the time? Absolutely NOT! I have something like 4000 minutes that I have available to roll over. And they're beginning to expire!
There's also the distraction factor - and not only while driving. My iPhone sits on my desk and I'll check MDC or email throughout the day. I would check my personal email at lunchtime, but do I need it throughout the day? NO! I do a lot of volunteer stuff, but I can do that at night. I can use work email for small personal things - like to be on my church's email list to alert me of anything emergency happenings, like a death or hospitalization (small congregation).
I still have my landline (and DSL) with AT&T. That's $50 a month - landline is on lowest plan and I can always increase it if necessary. But frankly, I'm a very heavy email user and that's why I don't use the voice plan on my iPhone much. I could easily go to Walmart or Target, pay $20-30 for a Tracfone and minutes as I go.
I could then use my iPhone as an iPod Touch, I think. Yes, I can! - found it online.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3406
I just have to figure out how to remove SIM card from iPhone, as per Apple instructions. I posted a question on Apple support forums asking that question. I use iPhone on my wireless network when home, anyway. I'd have that when I travel a bit, or the new little netbook I just got.
Anyone else? Man, would I save a lot of money! Pros and cons?
OK, I just figured out how to remove SIM card. I found it on Apple website I never noticed that! http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1438
I love my iPhone, I really do. But I'm addicted. A friend calls it my "Precious."
It's costly. Yes, a LOT of money. $80 a month for me with my year old iPhone 3G. I'm beginning to consider getting rid of it. I looked up my contract on the AT&T website tonight and my cancellation fee is $175, but something like $5 less a month for each month closer to the end of my contract. Since I've had it for a little more than a year, that would take the cancellation fee down to something like $110 or so. I went from a Tracfone to my iPhone. It was like going from a Pinto to a Porsche! I have no need for it - it was a want, not a need. Man, that $80 a month could go into paying off my $2K in credit card debt, as well as savings for the major dental work I need (two implants and some other stuff, I've always had bad teeth). I'm looking at a minimum of $5K in dental work.
I've got the lowest voice plan of 450 minutes a month, and I've NEVER used all of them. I use email much, much more. Do I need to have email with me all the time? Absolutely NOT! I have something like 4000 minutes that I have available to roll over. And they're beginning to expire!
There's also the distraction factor - and not only while driving. My iPhone sits on my desk and I'll check MDC or email throughout the day. I would check my personal email at lunchtime, but do I need it throughout the day? NO! I do a lot of volunteer stuff, but I can do that at night. I can use work email for small personal things - like to be on my church's email list to alert me of anything emergency happenings, like a death or hospitalization (small congregation).
I still have my landline (and DSL) with AT&T. That's $50 a month - landline is on lowest plan and I can always increase it if necessary. But frankly, I'm a very heavy email user and that's why I don't use the voice plan on my iPhone much. I could easily go to Walmart or Target, pay $20-30 for a Tracfone and minutes as I go.
I could then use my iPhone as an iPod Touch, I think. Yes, I can! - found it online.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3406
I just have to figure out how to remove SIM card from iPhone, as per Apple instructions. I posted a question on Apple support forums asking that question. I use iPhone on my wireless network when home, anyway. I'd have that when I travel a bit, or the new little netbook I just got.
Anyone else? Man, would I save a lot of money! Pros and cons?
OK, I just figured out how to remove SIM card. I found it on Apple website I never noticed that! http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1438