O2 wins battle for iPhone contracts in UK

[Nottingham Nick]

According to this BBC report. O2 will be the network of choice for the iPhone in the UK.

The report says they will be in stores for Christmas.

Nick

[Darren Wheeler]

Trouble is, other sources say Vodafone, Orange and T-mobile[?]

[Pete]

Guy Kewney, a long-time tech journo that I have a lot of time for (since he used to be my neighbour), also reported it would be a 3G beast over here on Vodafone, T-Mobile and Carphone Warehouse.

Methinks there may be a lot of misdirection coming from all sides here so as to protect the actual announcement.

[Darren Wheeler]

Pete. Sounds right. Apparently Steve Jobs and my boss, Arun, are big bestist buddies.

Originally posted by Pete
Guy Kewney, a long-time tech journo that I have a lot of time for (since he used to be my neighbour), also reported it would be a 3G beast over here on Vodafone, T-Mobile and Carphone Warehouse.

Hmm.. are you sure you weren't living next-door to Guy Goma?

[;)]

[mitchja]

I thought 3G was out due to its high power consumption thus lowering talk time/battery life, especailly considering the other problems Apple have had with iPod batteries?

3G coverage isn't exactly widespread either in the UK anyway.

Be probably safe to say that Virgin Mobile wont get it though, I mean they are not even selling the latest Nokia handsets yet.

Regards

looks like im moving to O2 then!!!

[mcmbenjamin]

Well that lack of 3G is a HUGE issue in the USA. See we have EVDO with Verizon and Sprint/Nextel and are use to fast data on PDAs. EGDE is NOT cutting edge and is slooow. If Apple want market share they need to understand that people what speed.

Many 'cool' devices are GSM but they tend to be slower that CDMA devices but more trendy (iPhone or Blackberry Curve). CDMA/EVDO phone are fast!

Originally posted by McCoy

Originally posted by Pete
Guy Kewney, a long-time tech journo that I have a lot of time for (since he used to be my neighbour), also reported it would be a 3G beast over here on Vodafone, T-Mobile and Carphone Warehouse.

Hmm.. are you sure you weren't living next-door to Guy Goma?

[;)]

Was that the guy who got interviewed on BBC when in fact he had turned up for a job interview?

Paul

Originally posted by p17blo

Originally posted by McCoy

Originally posted by Pete
Guy Kewney, a long-time tech journo that I have a lot of time for (since he used to be my neighbour), also reported it would be a 3G beast over here on Vodafone, T-Mobile and Carphone Warehouse.

Hmm.. are you sure you weren't living next-door to Guy Goma?

[;)]

Was that the guy who got interviewed on BBC when in fact he had turned up for a job interview?

Paul

YUP! [:D]

[Bazz]

Having spent some time experimenting with the iPhone in the Apple Store at Fashion Island, Newport Beach, I must say it is wonderful! It is certainly on my shopping list for when it comes to the UK later this year and I do hope it will be 3G. I have a contract with O2 on my P900 so will upgrade if possible. The 8GB memory is limiting but they are working on this aspect.

The streaming video was awesome.

There is a lot of bad press over here because Apple have partnered with AT&T as the sole service provider, which a lot of people seem to hate. US iPhones are locked to the AT&T network.

With our more liberal approach we should enjoy more flexibility.

Can't wait!

[Scrooge]

There was an interesting article in the USA Today yesterday saying that the FCC is going to push for unlocked phones on the new spectrum that are up for auction at the end of the year.

Also there is Talk of a cheaper Nano I-phone.

[Darren Wheeler]

still no sign of an announcement. All the networks are now denying they have signed a contract. When it does finally hit the UK, it will need to have 3G and may even have HSDPA.

[mitchja]

I'm sure it wont take long for someone somewhere to successfully unlock an iPhone.

Not sure what the rules are in the UK for unlocking as some providers do charge you to send you the unlock code for your handset.

I know OFCOM state somewhere that you are entitled to take your number with you should you change provider (using the PAC code system) so technically if you are keeping the same handset your therefore also entitled to get it unlocked at the same time.

V Mobile have just sent me my unlock codes (you enter a couple of 16 digit numbers into a hidden menu in your phone to unlock the handset from the service provider and the network). All V Mobile ask is that you have paid a minimum amount (£80 I think) during the time you have been a customer with them to get the unlock codes for nothing. As it turns out I'm staying with them anyway but that's another story.

Regards

[Pete]

I'm still wondering whether the O2 'announcement' couldn't yet be a smokescreen for the actual truth. Poking around in the Euro version of iTunes 7.3's resources has apparently revealed Vodafone and T-Mobile logos.

And it could be Amazon guesswork, but they briefly let it slip that the launch in the UK would be 1st December with a inc VAT price of £329.

It will be a long while before 3G is widespread here in the UK. Its been about over three years since the 3g network '3' was launched and the problems that existed then re 3G coverage still exist today. Until the 3G coverage is sorted I'm staying well away from anything 3G.

3G or not I will get one. Its User Interface is so nice based on 30 mins play at Apple Store in 5th Ave.

I have a tmobile 3G data card and it gets 3G most of the time I try to use it and its bliteringly fast and cheap.

[Pete]

While waiting for the iPhone to hit the UK, you can use this time to master one of the games pre-loaded on it. Personally I still haven't managed to clear a screen. I'm probably past my prime, I guess...

MacUser have a review here. As you'd expect they're positive, although they do fairly run through the pros and flaws.

[Neil]

Confirmed that its O2 who has won the rights to sell it, will also be sold in Carphone Warehouse stores, on sale from November 9th for £269

Link

[fozzyo]

Still not really convinced by it. I'm still at the I want a phone thats a phone that lets me talk and text, a music player thats a music play with enough storage for my CD collection, and an laptop for using the E-Mail and Interweb.

Mat

Originally posted by fozzyo
Still not really convinced by it. I'm still at the I want a phone thats a phone that lets me talk and text, a music player thats a music play with enough storage for my CD collection, and an laptop for using the E-Mail and Interweb.

Mat

yes, I think its a bit 'Emporers new clothes' about it.
My Ipaq does all of those things already! [:)]

[mitchja]

Not buying one here either. Anyway only looks like it will be on an 18 month contract as well so no use for the many many PAYG users here in the UK.

Also looks like it's not going to be 3G after all.

Regards

[Pete]

I had the chance to have a proper play with one in August, and I'm getting one. Yes, there are plenty of other phones that have similar (or better) features - even my P990 is supposed to do the majority of the things the iPhone can do; but none of them have the elegance of the iPhone user interface. Believe me, it's just stunning. To have a piece of everyday equipment like a phone with a user interface written by masters like Apple is totally revolutionary - suddenly all those things you might want to do with your phone are within intuitive reach.

Believe me, once I get back from Viva V-Flyer in November, my P990's going in the bin.

[preiffer]

Roll on iDishwasher and iWashingMachine.

Sources claim that they're going to be capable of 'washing' things, and even letting you know when they're finished do so. [:w] Revolutionary. [ii]