The iPhone Q&A: Questions About Slow Feature Updates And Deadly Contracts Answered

Whenever I have a chat with friends who own iPhones and iPods, they alway complain about why Apple hasn’t added certain features and why AT&T is the only network on the iPhone. Well, instead of telling each person individually, I’ve decided to write a post so I can not only inform them but readers of ZiggyTek as well. In this post, we’ll explain why Apple waits to integrate pariticular features into their devices and why they are still locked in with AT&T.

“I Hate Apple, Why Don’t They Update Their Devices?”

To start off, Apple (this can go for not only Apple but other gadgets as well) knows when they are behind on a particular feature (ex. MMS), but they can’t implement it into their devices because they have to negotiate with AT&T before randomly throwing in a feature. Another thing is that Apple can’t put in to many features during one refresh, or else they will have nothing to put into their next refresh. Take for example, the iPod Nano, from the first to the second generation, there was barely any change until video capabilities came in the 3rd generation. That same waiting period aslo went from the 3rd to the 4th with a slight difference, until the 5th generation when they put in a video camera. Next year, consumers are looking at a possible price drop for the Nano and that’s it, nothing special until probably 2011. Apple slowly integrates features and that aggravates users, but what they have to keep in mind is that more time equals more attention to detail, thus resulting in a better finished product.

“Why is AT&T the only phone service provider I can use on the iPhone?”

Well, to make a general statement, the iPhone cannot be on multiple networks because of its popularity. The iPhone’s exclusitivity is what makes it a popular phone because not everyone is fit to get one. You have to have a particular mindset when getting one because of the commitment you make with the $30 a month 3G service and a 2 or 4 year contract with AT&T and to answer everyone’s question and close off this incessant complaining about networks, Apple’s contract with AT&T has not yet expired which means that Apple is locked in with AT&T until next year. Sorry, Verizon customers, the iPhone probably won’t be coming to your network with all of the conflicts they have been having lately.

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