Posts tagged iPhone

Dear AT&T,

I recently attempted to use my iPhone to call a cab this morning. Let me tell you, it didn’t go so well. After nine failed calls on my iPhone (and 3 failed calls on a Blackberry), I reached out to @ATTCustomerCare via twitter and promptly received a reply from @attjohnathon who asked for my phone number in a attempt to assist.

We talked for 9 minutes, the time it took to walk in the pouring rain, from my apartment to the train station. Here is what he said:

1. Ad-Hoc Profiles are used to hack an iPhone and to enable Tethering, he said this was according to someone who he asked at Apple

Reponse: Actually, an ad-hoc profile is a method that allows for 3rd-party application installation without having to publish to the iPhone App Store. From Apple’s developer documentation:  “test provisioning profiles (also known as ad-hoc provisioning profiles), which allow them to install on their devices applications that have not been published to the App Store.” (link)

2. If you want to call a taxi, there is an app for that

Response: I am aware of an application that can be used to schedule a taxi pickup using an application (Taxi Magic),in fact, I had already attempted to use it earlier in the morning but no taxi was ever dispatched and I canceled the taxi.

3. How many apps do you have installed? You should do a backup and restore your phone.

Response: I am not sure how the number of Apps I have installed on my phone would have any effect on AT&T’s network service, however, I am happy to reboot my phone (I did this, still, no calls going through)

4. He said that they showed 14 towers, “Showing activity” in the area

Response: While he was not able to give me specifics on the type of activity he did mention that AT&T is working to roll out both the 850mhz and a perfect 3G network. It was great that AT&T is working on their network upgrades, however, why again am I paying so much money on a monthly basis on a device that my friends refer to an an iPod Touch (due to my inability to make phone calls)?

Conclusions:

1. I am shocked that AT&T would say that an Ad-Hoc installation profile is used to hack an iPhone and enable tethering (Speaking of, when is tethering going to be released?) I am further shocked that this information was claimed to have originated from Apple. I am angered that it was insinuated that I hacked my phone by installing an Ad-Hoc profile…they are completely unrelated.
2. I find it infuriating that AT&T would suggest that instead of using my iPhone and the service that I pay over $100 a month for service for, that I order a cab over the internet. Why is it that I need to have service with AT&T, if they are unable to provide me with actual telephone service?
3. Even suggesting that the number of Apps installed on my phone would have any effect on phone service betrays a lack of understanding on the iPhone and cellular phones in general.
4. To have an iPhone in San Francisco or Manhattan (and other places, I’m sure) is to invite frustration. How AT&T is able to continue selling and collecting monthly service fees from users when the service they provide is completely marginal is beyond my understanding and may in fact border on illegal and criminal.

I look forward to either AT&T upgrading their network to support the users they already have.

I look forward to Apple partnering with other service providers (Are you listening Apple and VZW?).

I look forward to a day when I can use my iPhone as more than an iPod Touch.