New iPhone 2009 (3GS): Apple and AT&T preparing for release
By: Alan Ng | June 15, 2009
The new iphone 3.0 OS firmware is almost upon us and Apple and AT&T have been making a few preparations just before release. MacRumors have listed the various changes that have been made in the buildup to iPhone 3.0.
Most of you will be aware that FindMyiPhone, the iPhone tracking software new to 3.0, has already gone live recently. According to MacRumors, the iPhone 3.0 firmware has already appeared on Apple’s servers, click here for more details on that.
It looks like AT&T are ready for the launch of 3.0, as they have posted the following information for customers relating to MMS and Tethering:
Later this summer, as part of the 3.0 software, AT&T will make multimedia messaging (MMS) available at no extra cost to customers with a text messaging bundle. And, in the future, AT&T will offer tethering capability for iPhone 3G S and iPhone 3G.
It is also reported that re-downloading of Apps on firmware 3.0 will remain free, after initial confusion of the process.
For more details on the above points as well as preview videos of iPhone 3.0 firmware in action, head to the link above.
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I think it’s a bit of an exaggeration to say that AT&T is ready for the launch when one of the most anticipated features, MMS, won’t be available for at least a couple of months. Having said that, at least it’s coming.
I think someone at AT&T really dropped the ball on this one. Its bad enough we have to wait for MMS, but what is the deal with bluetooth modem capabilities? From what i’ve heard, AT&T isn’t allowing this either. They must be figuring out how to charge another $10+ a month. Just another example of how Apple REALLY needs to reevaluate their partnership with AT&T when this contract expires.