The continuing quest for a data-only iPhone

the key word in "iPhone" is actually "i" not phone. The phone hasn't changed since it's invention. You talk into the mic, and you listen through the earpiece. You can cram it into all shapes and sizes but it does the same thing no matter what. the "i" part of the iphone is the "ingenuity", "interesting"... basically its just a new tech toy that we all want but until our carriers offer it, we just want the features of it. Phone is the least impressive feature, especially on AT&Ts mid-grade network

I support the Author 110%. So what if some of you "haven't heard of the data-only plan". Realize that AT&T only holds about 37% of the Nation's wireless industry. Us folks at sprint and verizon and t-mobile are all screwed at this point. But we aren't going to switch to a whole new phone company when all we really want is a better pocket pc with internet access. EDGE is terrible compared to EV-DO, but we are willing to pay $20 for an EDGE plan just to use the iphone. AT&T has lots to gain, especially if some people feel like switching after using the data-only plan. So yes, even though you fanboys can't think beyond your own call plan, the majority of the world wants a data-only iphone.

Email, Internet, Weather, Stocks, Videos (CC coming?), Calendar, Camera/Photos, Maps, Clock, Notes, and to quote Apple's "Amazing" ad, "and of course... a phone". Now don't you think Deaf and Hard of Hearing people would enjoy using all those features on this unique device without having to pay a premium for the phone service they wouldn't use? Seems to me AT&T isn't very Deaf friendly. T-Mobile has the right idea. A data only plan and the phone can be used if needed on a per-minute charge. The lack of IM and push email on the iPhone is another rant for another day... guess I'll keep hoping for improvements in the next generation iPhone and hopefully in the future it will be available with T-Mobile's plan.

i PHONE... iphone... IPHONE... iPHONE... iPhone

what's the important word in that strand? PHONE

I have auditory processing disorder and thus have quite a bit of trouble making out what people are saying over the phone (has to do with the fact that the higher frequencies are muffled), and so I don't even remotely come close to using 450 voice minutes a month. Maybe closer to 450 a year, if even that. Even with rollover, I'd be paying for an awful lot of minutes I'd never come close to using.

Yet having only WiFi, as on the iPod Touch, wouldn't necessarily work for me either. What I don't make in voice calls on my current prepaid cell plan, I entirely make up for via SMS messaging and Mobile AIM (on the order of several hundred messages a month). I'd love to add e-mailing and web surfing to that, too, even if it would undoubtedly be at ridiculously low bandwidth.

So yeah. Flat data rate, but pay per minute for voice calls? I'd like to see that option too.

I don't understand why you wouldn't just try and replace the operating system on the "touch" with "iPhone" version of the OS.

If this doesn't give you all the functionality that you are looking for then maybe look at bringing your own personal wifi network with you at all times. A junxion box would allow you to get a data only plan and then you could plug it into your car or keep it in your favourite location that is sans wifi and then you should be able to connect to the internet.

http://www.junxion.com/product/

It seems like this is what Apple and Google are intending to do... If they buy the other spectrum then they will have devices that do not rely exclusively on the network carriers.

Then again, maybe the calendar and other applications will be sold as "games" for the iPod touch.

Good luck - I still want an application that will read my iPhone e-mails to me when I have it plugged into the car stereo.

Hello everyone.

I don't write much on these sites, but I definitely want to fill you in with what I did.

I have a Sprint plan, that for me, is too good to transfer to any carrier. Yet, I love my iPhone and always wanted to get Edge on it for email, yet I didn't want any minutes because of my Sprint plan.

Well... today I unlocked my iPhone, and I went out to the T-Mobile store by me and picked up a SIM for a FLEXPAY account, meaning I am not locked in a contract. The account was setup for a Blackberry, offering unlimited EDGE for $30/month.

It works beautifully. EDGE & WiFi work, and since it is unlimited, I can setup the Mail.app to check for mail every 15 mins!

So, to recap... $30/month... NO CONTRACT... UNLIMITED EDGE! :)

Erica, TMobile has a data only plan for $39

I'm starting to believe the MS fanboi lies that Macs are for people too stupid to use a regular PC after reading a few of the comments here.

@12 Bobby, The lack of civility really makes me want to kick some asses. Whomever comes up with a way to stab someone in the face thru a computer screen is going to be a millionaire.

It's not just about bailing on voice because of the cost, although that's the major part of it. If I'm thinking what Erica's thinking, it's all about the VOIP. Am I right, Erica? Are you now, as I type, poring over a dock pin out diagram?

Trade your iPhone in for an iPod Touch. That is, if you really aren't concerned about "talking" to people, you're usually near a WAP, and would rather send emails than sms text messages, its the perfect solution. Without any monthly fees, the iPod touch will cost much less in the long run, and will allow you to access some of the iPhone's best features, for free. So I guess the question is, can you give up some of the iPhone's features and the monthly bill with them?