AT&T and Apple announce service plans, iTunes activation for iPhone
Here we go again folks: this time it's a double-dose of PR announcements from Apple and AT&T that finally answer some of our biggest questions about service plans and activation for the iPhone. First up: the iPhone will work with any of AT&T's service plans, but they have put together three bundle plans that include unlimited data, Visual Voicemail (apparently not included if choosing a standard plan), 200 SMS and of course, roll-over minutes and unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling. To quote Mr. Jobs, who clearly must have had some influence on this 'give them a simple package' approach: "We want to make choosing a service plan simple and easy, so every plan includes unlimited data with direct Internet access, along with Visual Voicemail and a host of other goodies." Yes, Steve Jobs is quoted as saying 'goodies.' These bundle plans - which all include the aforementioned features like unlimited data - work like so:- $59.99 for 450 minutes
- $79.99 for 900 minutes
- $99.99 for 1,350 minutes
Speaking of activation, the second press release should offer some relief to those worried about being able to unbox their own iPhone or waiting for every phone to get activated in the store. Apple and AT&T have announced that iPhones users will be able to "activate their new iPhones using Apple's popular iTunes(R) software running on a PC or Mac in the comfort and privacy of their own home or office." iTunes will guide users through choosing a service plan, authorizing their credit and activating the iPhone, after which they will of course be able to manage the synching process of all their bookmarks, contacts and iTunes media.
Considering unlimited data is included, these plans sound like pretty good deals. Top it all off with lines that should move pretty quickly in and out of Apple and AT&T stores, and we all might just make it through this weekend yet.
Share
Here we go again folks: this time it's a double-dose of PR announcements from Apple and AT&T that finally answer some of our biggest...
Add a Comment
So, for an international student, can i buy an iphone and use prepaid card system in activating it at the first time connecting with iTunes?
September 08 2007 at 3:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyihaveai phonehow doyou activation online
July 01 2007 at 9:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply408-550-3542 CALL IT APPLE SET IT UP! ITS HILARIOUS!
June 28 2007 at 10:11 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDo these plans include free nights and weekends or is it 450/900/1250 minutes flat?
June 26 2007 at 9:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply@41
I have the same question! I am a college student getting an iPhone under my mom's name. Maybe I can activate my phone under my account with her info? TUAW needs to do some investigative journalism on this one.
Does anyone know if the Family Plans apply if there's two of us and only one has an iPhone?
June 26 2007 at 2:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply@ 43
If you still have a year left on your contract with spirnt it would be less money in the long run to pay the $200 ETF because i am sure your plan is almost $80 a month and if you multiply that by 12 months you will pay $960 as opposed to 280 to get out of your contract
So anyone want to bet that the rates for Canada will be
$1000 CDN for the 450min plan / month
$1030 CDN for the 900min plan / month
$1060 CDN for the 1350min plan / month
BTW the $59.99 USD plan should cost approximately $65CDN (exchange rate at www.xe.com) if the Canadian cell phone providers weren't r***ing us on the data plans (check the data plans for Bell.ca and rogerswireless.ca)
Not bad at all.. I was expecting an arm.. leg.. first born... I do have one question though.. If we are switching over from Verizon Family Plan how do we go to Cingulars family plan and only want one iphone and not two.. Guess I will soon find out. :)
June 26 2007 at 1:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySeeing as how the base Cingular (yes it's still Cingular to me, do you have any idea how long it took me to stop calling it Cellular One!) plan is $39.99 with 450 minutes and rollover, this is one hell of a deal. Add on the 5 bucks a month I already spend for the 200 texts and this deal gets even sweeter. Cingular's current data pricing is horrendous, I was expecting at least $80 a month. Whomever commented on the need for a 100 minute plan needs to get a grip, although I have no idea what other carriers offer, I'm fairly certain there haven't been plans that low in quite some time, I remember having to fight tooth and nail to keep my 250 minute plan (Which I did, so that goes to show that consumer loyalty still counts for something). And to everyone that balks at Cingular's service, all I know is I've had the same account and phone number for 12 years and I've never had a problem, even through all the Nextel and Verizon hype. It's good service with decent customer service and that says a lot these days. Nonetheless this announcement has finally justified my decision to buy one.
June 26 2007 at 12:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
Deals of the Day
more deals- miFrame Picture Frame Dock for iPad for $64 + $8 s&h
- Refurb Apple iPod nano 8GB MP3 Player for $99 + free shipping, 16GB for $119
- Hannspree Apple-Shaped 28" 1080p LCD HDTV for $270 + free shipping
- Philips wOOx Alarm Clock Radio for Apple iPod / iPhone for $60 + free shipping
- iWatchz Elemetal Collection Bracelet for iPod nano for $75 + free shipping
- iFrogz Luxe Lean Hard Case for iPod touch for $10 + free shipping
Software Updates
more updates- EFI Firmware Update brings Lion Internet Recovery to 2010-model Macs
- OS X Lion 10.7.3 released with Safari 5.1.3, Wi-Fi bug fix
- Aperture updated to 3.2.2, addresses Photo Stream issue
- Apple updates Keynote to address Lion issues
- Google Search app gets new look on iPad
- Apple releases Apple TV Software Update 4.4.3



62 Comments