Posted by @jeramypwns
As many previous and new iPhone owners have come to realize – Apple has released the new iPhone OS 3.0 which includes many new features and security updates. Of course the features at the top of these lists are copy and paste, landscape keyboards, tethering, MMS…
Except those last two – for us AT&T customers.
What’s lacking on AT&T’s end is a simple carrier update that could easily be rolled out into an iTunes package is being choked off from its customers. I’ve called AT&T myself multiple times on this issue – from threatening to cancel my service to using the SIM swap to enable MMS.
Of course I was able to get MMS to work for a few hours, but quickly it was automatically blocked by AT&T systems. This of course is where I become a very unhappy AT&T customer. Everyone has their own preferences to who they believe is the greatest carrier and of course we’re all free to have a choice. However, I believe that once Apple’s customers have the choice – AT&T probably won’t be one of the first.
IMO: Apple has done AT&T a favor by allowing exclusive rights to the device for the term of its contract. The 3GS has sold over 1 million iPhones over the weekend of June 19th despite the issues it feared due to the economy.
AT&T has been lacking on the MMS front as well as the tethering front. Tethering is also part of the OS 3.0 features rolled out by Apple – but yet again AT&T isn’t officially supporting this yet. Yes, it is possible to enable tethering via a carrier update however it’s claimed to be “free until December”.
Speculation as to why it’d be free until December is so AT&T can see how much tethering impacts their networks – but it’s not very logical considering not everyone out there knows they can actually update their carrier and enable tethering already. They’re not going to see the use until they finally say “here you go”.
A personal note is that I love my iPhone. Basically it’s been centered around my home network, my socialization, and my music provider. I haven’t been as happy with any phone as I currently am. My wish is that I could have my iPhone on the Verizon network – reason being is everyone has their personal preference.
AT&T needs to quit the slacking and start rolling out its updates and keeping up with Apple before they lose their rights to the device. If AT&T actually gets the ball rolling and keeps up with Apple, I may consider staying with them when Apple finally branches out. If not, I’m sure I won’t be the only one who greets a new carrier with open arms.
Failed MMS Message
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