I love Apple products. I’ve always used Apple computers and iPods, etc. With that said, I recently bought the 3G iPhone, expecting to have amazing service and a quality phone. The “3G” part is supposed to be 2x as fast as the previous “edge” network. I can tell you, as a constantly traveling musician, this is utter bullshit. Not only has my phone literally started falling apart (the ringer on/off button fell off within the first week of owning the phone), but the 3G service is essentially non-existent. It says “no service” over half the time and I have to turn this feature off to make calls or go online. And during the rare occasion I actually have full service on the 3G network, it most certainly is not twice as fast as the edge network. And yet the plan each month is $10 more expensive for 3G service! Why? I called AT&T today and complained about this, and they did give me a $30 credit towards my next (still way overpriced) bill. Though this is a nice gesture, it won’t solve the fact that my phone service is a total joke. The AT&T rep then told me if I decided to cancel my service early, it would cost an additional $175.00. Well, you know what AT&T, how about I sue you for stealing my money each month and providing me with horrible, falsely advertised service? And while I’m at it, how about I use the little power I have being in Phantom Planet and make a total stink over how incredibly awful AT&T is on a larger level than this blog entry? I use about 70 minutes a month talking on the phone (very little time) and yet my phone bill with unlimited Internet access and texting is anywhere from $109.00 to $150.00 a month, depending on the absurd and unconstitutional taxes. There is only a 450 minute phone plan as the lowest priced plan! I text message wayyyyyy more than talk, which is $40 extra a month! Fuck you AT&T, you greedy bastards.
I still recommend Apple products, though I am not at all pleased with my 3G iPhone. Their MacBooks are fantastic, and very intuitive. And I love my iPod. But hell, shouldn’t products be upgraded along the way, rather than made with cheaper parts? Quality, not quantity, damn it. At least Apple has a very good customer service department and Genius Bars in their stores. They may not be perfect, but they are damn close compared to other companies in my opinion.
Rant over for now. Stay tuned for updates… And for the time being, I highly recommend avoiding AT&T at all costs if you can help it- unless you prefer to be overcharged for nearly non-existant phone service.
Darren
AT&T = Possible War
August 29th, 2008
glad i dont have at&t!
August 29th, 2008 at 11:13 am
I have heard so many people say the exact same thing.
I wanted to switch to AT&T so badly to get the iphone, but damnit, not worth it, I will just wait until early next year when it’s available on other networks.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:15 am
I was with Cingular, back when it was singular, with my little Nokia phone. Then they merge with AT&T and the service is still better so I stuck with it through the life of my Razor. Then, a week ago, I got the iPhone 3G and everything sucks! Phone reception (I keep dropping calls), surfing the web (the 3G internet drops in and out at random times - and I’m not even traveling that far!), and watching youtube videos. Definitely not worth over 100 smackers a month….
The only complaint I have against the phone itself, though, is its weak battery life. I still love Apple, though, especially their computers.
You’re not alone Darren!!
August 29th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
D: i have at&t
August 29th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
So you’re the one who’s starting the 4th world war. Who would’ve thunk?… thank? thinked? errrrrrrmmm… :/
August 29th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I am with you. I have AT&T and I hardly have service where I live!
August 29th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
verizon is awesome=DD
ive never had at&t and im glad i haventt
i love my macbook!
and you guys=]
-mallory
August 29th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
i’m sorry your iphone doesn’t work
and btw…you guys are post crazy lately but that’s def a good thing!!! i love hearing about your adventures 
August 29th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Uh oh, my mom just bought the 3g, and I’m pretty sure everyone in my family has AT&T (I know I do!) So far no problems with the iphone, aside from the fact that she can’t seem to get online. Well, we’ll wait and see…
I agree! I am SO happy you guys are updating this so much!
August 29th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I have AT&T, but no iPhone 3G. I just have a regular crappy Nokia, but it works fine. I think once Apple and AT&T get the whole iPhone thing figured out, it’ll be fine. I just think the iPhone’s capable of doing more things than AT&T can handle right now.
And keep updating! I love reading these blogs.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I think someone already beat you to suing over the iPhone. Also, I think it’s expected for it to be overpriced since you’re essentially paying for the brand name. Crap, it may be, but you have a decision whether you want to pay it or not. Anyway…sorry about your AT&T troubles.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
oh shit!!!!!!!!!!!! the gloves are F***ing OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 29th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
i dont know what to do! i really want to see you live, but the show in nyc at webster hall in october is 16+. i turn 16 in november and all my friends are already 16!!!! my parents wont drive me to any of your other shows
August 29th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Thank the heavens for the heads up…I was definitely considering the iphone as soon as I could afford the phone plan, but sounds like I can keep my money.
August 29th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
dude, t-moblie sucks as much as AT&T.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I’m sorry to hear that you’re having trouble with your iPhone. Wait for the update to come in September and all should be good according to ’s latest press release.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
I used to have T-Mobile (and loved them) and then moved to a place where I no longer got service…so had to switch to AT&T and it suckes. I didn’t get to keep my cell # (felt like loosing a limb) even though T-Mobile said I could because AT&T said my T-Mobile # wasn’t in my current coverage area. Then I had to pay way more for a phone then anyone should when signing up for a new contract unlike when I was with T-Mobile and you got the latest phones for free or damn near close to it…no $300 with new contract crap like AT&T. I do get the same number of minutes though…for only $20 more a month!…lucky me =(
I feel your pain Darren.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:15 am
This is so crazy, I tried to keep my money to buy an iPhone but I should think about it now… It sucks, seriously. It’s kinda sad you have to keep this contract… Well, Darren, we are with you ! =) If you want to sue AT&T, then, I’m gonna sit and laugh at them. Keep blogging, it made my day to read some news from Phantom Planet. =)
August 30th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I ‘ve got Vodafone and actually do not have any problems (maybe little with absence of 3G)-:
August 30th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
soooo do you have a problem with AT&T? i couldnt really tell with this blog entry or anything
August 30th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
at&t is pretty much terrible. i’ve had a cell phone of my own for two years this december(aren’t i special?), and i’ve dropped maybe two calls. i’m not even sure they were my fault. and pretty much the only time i lose service is when i’m underground like on a subway or something. haha, i sound like an advertisment. i wish they made iphones for verizon. then my life would be complete(well, not really. i was just joshin’)
sorry to hear about at&t, though. that pretty much blows…
August 31st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Sorry about your new phone. Everyone just wants the money now…those big businesses and stuff just dont really care about the customer anymore.. :[
September 1st, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I just got an iPhone as a gift a week ago. It’s been fine so far (except for how it broke the first day I got it and I had to reformat it), but I think this warning would have swayed me if I had decided to wait a week to actually go in and get it. Sucks about that pretty shitty experience though.
September 1st, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Haha, at&t totally blows! so does t-mobile. the only REAL company out there is verizon, since cingular switched to at&t. seriously, i have verizon and it’s so much fun! my grandparents live way out in the hills (not beverly hills, like… upnorth california hills… mountains, actually) and i am the only one that gets service out there. ^^ seriously, i, too, love apple, but the iPhone isn’t worth it.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Man, I don’t even want to get started on AT&T. We, my family and I, are victims of their ridiculous charges. I mean, it’s causing huge family arguments over how much money it’s costing everyone. So I also say fuck you, AT&T. It’s not only false advertisement to lure you in. No no. Once you’re in, it tears your family apart!!! It’s evil, i say. Evil.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:44 am
lolz, man! my mom has the iphone and hates it. says it was a waste of money! but yeah, i have AT&T…its sucks! everything is so expensive! i was like “damn, i dont even use my phone that much!!! what the hell? why do i need to spend all this money for something i dont use?!?!” and then i got a text message :D!
but yeah, i still love apple! how can you not? they are slowly taking over the world, i dont want to make them angry…
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:51 pm
it might be behind in technology, but sidekicks last forever darren. go to the dark tmobile side.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
die at&t, die!! they abuse their employees in addition to their apparently service!!! my mother works for them… 18 hour days, no joke. some times she doesn’t even come home. it’s bad.
BUT. good to hear about the genis bar… zunes are still wayyy better than anything apple could ever dish out. :]
September 9th, 2008 at 3:55 pm