Iphone plans--what are you paying?

The Coffee Shop
1

Our Verizon contract expires in August. Coincidentally, August is the month when I begin a graduate program that requires all students to purchase a macbook and either an iphone or ipod touch. I’m trying to decide whether it makes sense to switch to the iphone, or to buy the ipod touch and keep my Verizon phone service.

My entire family operates on Verizon, so we never pay for calls or texts among family members. Their coverage area is exceptional (ATT coverage at home is labeled as “best;” where I’ll be staying away from home is labeled “good”), and the price for our family plan is probably much better than what we can expect elsewhere ($118 for both phones, 1400 minutes). My plan itself costs $80; my wife’s line (the add-on) was an additional $35. If we choose different carriers, we’ll undoubtedly pay more. If she joins the ATT plan, we’ll both be paying considerably more in fees, and calls to family members will start to count against our minutes.

I’ll be spending 3-4 nights per week away from the family for the next 3 years, and planned to use skype or ichat at night, but my near-campus housing arrangement doesn’t include internet access. I’ve read reports that the new iphone has a camera in front to allow for ichat (and possibly skype), though it’s not been confirmed that the phone will support the software. If so, it may be worth it just for that feature.

What kind of monthly rates are you (individually, or family) paying, and for which plans? I’ve read over their rate sheet, but they don’t always paint the full picture. I’m not a long talker or frequent texter, so I don’t expect a great deal of overage charges. Is there any changes in the works, in terms of rate plans? Any word on if and when iphone will be opened up for Verizon, or details on ichat for iphone?

2

wife and i both have iphones on at&t. we both have the data plan (required), i have the entry level minutes plan and she has the family line add-on for ten bucks. we both have a small text messaging plan.

once taxes and fees get added in, it’s about 130$ a month for both of us

3

Coincidentally, August is the month when I begin a graduate program that requires all students to purchase a macbook and either an iphone or ipod touch.

Wow really? Sounds like the program is in bed with Apple. I sure hope they can either get you a discount. If not I bet they are being paid by apple to require their students to purchase apple hardware. Id take my Lenovo Thinkpad over a macbook any day.

4

For what it’s worth:

WINCHESTER – Shenandoah University has chosen a pair of environmentally friendly Apple-based technologies as the foundation for its new mobile learning program.

The program, dubbed the “iMLearning” Project," will enhance student learning and engagement and help prepare graduates for a technological world, according to a statement from the university.

Beginning with the fall semester, SU freshmen, some graduate students and a portion of the full-time faculty will be given a MacBook laptop computer and a hand-held iPod touch.

Apple will also be providing 100 “loaner” laptops, to be divided between the Alson H. Smith Library and Institutional Computing for use by students and part-time faculty.

The goal is to create a “classroom flip” model of learning, the university said. Instead of spending class time on lectures, quizzes and videos, professors can spend more time working with students.

“This integrated mobile learning program will radically transform the way students learn and professors teach,” said SU’s vice president for academic affairs, Bryon Grigsby.

The technology will enable online resources that open the classroom to worldwide experts, from Thomas Friedman lectures at the London School of Economics, to tours of medieval armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, to drug interaction software for pharmacy and nursing students, the university said.

The touch-screen iPods will be used to notify students of campus news and events, professor office hours and locations, and course changes, and eventually could be expanded to course offerings, student registration and bill paying.

Currently, Shenandoah Conservatory students as well as graduate students in the MBA and pharmacy programs use Macs in their studies, the university said. The campus features wireless connectivity.

The project will also deliver on Shenandoah’s commitment to the environment and campus sustainability, the university said.

Apple’s new MacBooks are made with recyclable aluminum and glass enclosures, and many of the harmful toxins associated with notebook manufacturing have been eliminated, according to the company. The units are also more energy-efficient – earning an ENERGY STAR rating – and come in smaller packaging.

The response to the mobile learning program and the use of MacBooks and iPods has been very positive from both faculty and students.

“Faculty are excited by the novel ways material can be brought to students,” said Grigsby. “They see great value in creating podcasts to replace in-class lectures, using information from outside experts through iTunesU and developing applications that enhance student learning and test knowledge and skills.”

5

They’ve apparently explored the Lenovo option as well:

This isn’t the university’s first foray into using laptops on campus. Grigsby explained that Shenandoah had an optional program that used Leveno Thinkpads, but said the new program brings a different approach to learning.

Using all the technology available, Shenandoah will also provide iPod touches for students and faculty. The iPods will be used to notify students of campus events, professor office hours and locations, and course changes.

http://www.macworld.com/article/138826/209/02/macbookenviro.html

6

i’m interested in the same thing. my non-smart phone plan is up this summer

when is the iphone 4 out?

(surely, someone on ST has a apple connection…)

7

Many universities often have discounts for various carriers especially if they require that you have some specific devices. For the UC system, we get 15% off our total bill and phones/accessories so I would see if you could swing a deal.

8

It’s not a secret that the iPhone 4 is coming out June 22nd.

9

i haven’t found that date anywhere, just “summer 2010”
.

10

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=att+june+22nd&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
.

11

Individual data plan and lowest possible minutes with 1000 texts for just under $100 a month. I think I will be getting 15 or so % off now through the company I work for…so somewhere around $85 a month is what I expect to be paying from here on out…

12

The quoted article says:

“Beginning with the fall semester, SU freshmen, some graduate students and a portion of the full-time faculty will be given a MacBook laptop computer and a hand-held iPod touch.”

(emphasis added) - unless the article is mistaken, they are providing it to you without charge.

13

Yeah. We’ll be given macbooks and ipods. And then we’ll be given a $500/semester “technology fee” bill.

14

can you opt out if you purchase your own (iPhone, for example)?

15

I’m pretty sure we can’t. There’s some sort of lease agreement tied in to enrollment. So even if I own a macbook (which I do) I still have to lease a new one, with the option to purchase at the end of the program. So says a first-year student, anyway.