@LiquidGravity: the prongs do look smaller but look at the overall size compared to the USB connector. It's alot smaller.

idlemind

The subsidization of the iPhone is a legal maneuver. The original iPhone contracts are "voidable" for want of consideration. To obligate yourself on a 2 year commitment, for it to be legally enforceable, there has to be a return obligation/benefit. In the case of the original iPhone contracts, there was no subsidization, and as a result, not obligation on AT&T/Apple's part. This is a very common principle in Contract Law in every jurisdiction in the US, and subsidization helps to create legally enforceable obligations on the consumer's part.

Samifumi

Oh good...now I have something to justify an argument about the increased, "non qualified" upgrade price AT&T has yet to disclose. I'm not paying more for something that has even less in the box! F-that!

bdthurston

Hadn't apple already stopped including docks when they cut the cost of the first iphone?

And yes, those adapter pics are not to scale, as illustrated by the prongs.

jwardell

I hate getting to many accessories with my stuff. Frig the dock! Some people I am sure will find this as a downer, but for me, as long as the damn phone is in th ebox, with a way to charge it, I am good.

Picklejerryloujohnstint.

Stacky Botrus

My current plan with Verizon is good till Feb 09, so hopefully all the rush & hype is over when I go get one.

Y2KGTP

@nwaringa:

I wouldn't call it "a sham", but it is a wash to the customer. I'm sure the difference has partially to do with the network upgrade, as well as the difference in subsidized vs not aspect of the pricing.

Keebler

@greggantic: wow, genius. the hilarity of TheSonOfKrypton's comment is precisely that he used "paperclip" in his description. i concur with TheSonOfKrypton, You = Fail

stre

Am I the only one that noticed in the picture with the old and new adapters the prongs should be the same size because they go into the same place?
So basically what I'm saying is the new one is a lot closer to the size of the old one than it looks in the picture.

LiquidGravity

The slash in price is a TOTAL sham. they are adding 10 bucks onto the plan. At that rate they probably will recoup the majority money easily in the 2 year contract you sign.

2 years x 10 a month = $240 + 199 phone cost = $439 bucks

It was originally around $599. Take into account depreciation for technology advancement. I would guess they are losing around 50 bucks a phone. Which they are more than will to make up for in the 30% they are shaving off of vendors from your app store purchases.

In the end the price cut is all smoke and mirrors.

praevalesco

don't get me wrong, i want a 3g iphone as much as the next guy, but it seems like people get blinded by their new products. All of the features that were speculated and not added, as well as the things do and do not include with the phone are the same way they have been doing buisness for as long as i have started using apple products(1st gen ipod mini). I just don't know why anything they do suprises people anymore. They slightly revamp things and make accessories incompatable, they have been doing this forever! Change docks between 1st and 2ng gen nano's anyone? I just will not buy 1st gen apple products, and more than likely will be waiting for iphone 3, i'm sure that will be next year, and the same shit will happen. Not saying the iphone is amazing, because it is and would like one, but why not wait until it has almost everything you want?!

kborer22

@lhutz34: thank you for the info on euphemism, and i am really sorry for attempting to call you out like that sincerely

greggantic

Just like the Apple Remote.

TM-Oliveira

yeah and what about those of us that bought the bluetooth headset and use that dock to charge the iphone and headset together? mother F.

cloudnine

I have to be honest - as a first gen iPhone user, I have zero desire to upgrade, for maybe the first time in Apple product history. I already have a pretty reliable third party GPS program on there, and even video recording. Granted, I don't use my phone to surf the web a whole lot - I imagine for someone that does, 3G data speed alone would be enough to justify an upgrade.

KingHater

Well, they had to take the $$$ out of something...I'd prefer fewer accessories than higher product cost.

Chromeo

All things being equal, I'd prefer that it was included, but I'm not too upset about it. A dock was never that essential, and it's far less essential once exchange and mobileme OTA sync goes live. I update my contacts and calendar far more often than my media, and my appointments are much more critical than having my podcasts up to date, so I expect to do far less manual syncing going forward since all the critical info updates are done on the fly. The dock is still nice to have, but it's less important if you're not syncing constantly throughout the day.

I like the new adapter too. Anything that saves space in my bag is a good thing.

lhutz34

@greggantic: What's your point? In addressing something with a euphemism, you're allowed to reference the original item in question as long as you make it clear that, in the future, only the euphemism is to be used. You = fail.

TheSonOfKrypton

for better or worse, no matter how many flaws it may have, it's going to sell more than any other phone ever.

Waka in Japan

@Th3Chos3n0n3: Wow. I just got corrected by a child. This is mildly disheartening.

TheSonOfKrypton

why is this suprising? did the same thing witht the 2nd gen mini...stopped including the power brick and firewire cable, although i will say i like the smaller power brick! i would assume it's a good thing, will fit in a bag nicely! This is how apple rolls, always looking to squeeze every penny out of you

kborer22

The phone drops a total of $400 in a year, and you expect the same accessories? Cmon now..

Didn't the same thing happen with the Ipod (classic) losing it's dock during one of the HDD increases / Price reductions ?

genius74

Smaller power adaptor to be eco-friendly?

Ken_Darrow

Nobody uses that stupid dock anyway.

flaxseed

@TheSonOfKrypton: Apple Computer Inc. is Apple Inc. since a whole while

@ Gizmodo (What's even more interesting, is the un-clickable link that describes it says "iPhone 3G Universal Dock Adapter 3-Pack." What the hell does "3-Pack" mean?)

Those white things that ship with every iPod to make it fit in Accessories

Th3Chos3n0n3

you just barred Gizmodo from using the word paper clip to describe the sim ejector tool. when infact you also used the word paper clip to describe the sim ejector tool.

greggantic

@drzeller: You are correct, that's what the "3-pack" refers to.

This kinda sucks, I'm not going to lie. If it fit into 1st-gen iPhone docks, this wouldn't be that big of a deal. But we all know now that it won't, so now I have to buy a new dock as part of my upgrade, too?

richard8a

@Joseph: You're right. Docks are not interchangeable.

TheSonOfKrypton

Hilarious pic. Also brings to mind the fact that iPhone, for all its wonders, doesn't have gimmicks like Tilting or camera ring kickstand.

Ypoknons

In true Apple fashion, the old dock probably wont hold the new iPhone and vice-versa.

Joseph

The 3-pack of universal dock adapters are most likely the little plastic plates that you put into anything iPod-dockable so that the device fits correctly.

D.

drzeller

Gizmodo, we'd like to inform you that you are barred from using the word "paperclip" to describe the "SIM Ejector Tool". Please, use our clever euphemism to describe this paperclip, as we would thoroughly appreciate it.

-Apple Computer

TheSonOfKrypton

Both of our iPhone docks are still in the original wrapping - no use for them. As for the power brick - that kinda sucks because the other one had interchangeable heads for globetrotters - and you could use the same ones that worked with your Macbook Pro powerblock.

ramman345

@thechansen: I'm not talking about the 3G or dock. Talking about the big deal they made regarding the huge price cut for everyone, when it only applies to new customers and those with no current contract. They mention an undisclosed increased price for everyone else. I don't mind extending my contract with them for another 2 years beyond what I have with them now. I'm gonna need a phone with someone anyway. I'm just really pissed 'cus I got all excited that I could afford an iPhone, only to be told it would be more expensive for those in my situation.

bdthurston

Dammit.... that means that apple's new "video conferencing kit" wont be included in the box?!? Bummer

etaripamai

Don't be surprise is AT&T ask you for $99 a year for TeleNav cause it might be in the works already. i wonder if they're thinking of a way to charge you to use the camera too

snitch29

I never used that dock anyway. It's so much easier to just whip it into the serial-usb cord that's always connected to the front of my computer and hanging out -- ready for me to plug in an iP(od)hone. I'd rather that be taken out than paying an extra $100. Also, I'm glad the power adapter is smaller. The big one was clunky, and if you're going to use this in other countries, just buy the extra adapter or a converter. Like I said, I'd prefer both over an extra $100.

The features on the iPhone 3G include everything I've ever needed in a phone. The only three things it lacks for me is copy/paste, bluetooth A2DP, and video recording. Those are all software upgrades, though, and hopefully coming soon.

PChAOS

@bdthurston: 3g and gps come in the box, as well as a lower price point. I'll take that over a plastic dock.

thechansen

@jwardell:

No. It still came with a dock.

KingHater

@praevalesco:

The iPhone first gen was priced at $399 before the 3G, so this new price point in fact generates a profit - if you disregard the time value of money.

KingHater

@LiquidGravity:

So basically what I'm saying is the new one is a lot closer to the size of the old one than it looks in the picture.

They are actually using the new American AC 75 volt standard with smaller plug, and a new version of the mini-usb connector that is 75% of the size. Apple now has enough market share they can change electrical and USB standards at will.

Monty

@lhutz34: That's assuming you only get the 200 SMS package. If you already have the 1G with unlimited text and 450 minutes, after taxes/fees your bill comes out to around $95/month. If you carry the same plan on the new phone, the $20/month data plan goes up to $30/month, everything else stays the same. Project bill is $105 (probably $107 after taxes).

That's only $240 extra over 2 years.

GeekyNerdGuy

There wasn't a dock included with the ipod touch either. The price of the v1 iphone included the dock, now the cheaper one does not. Makes sense to me.

kjake

Since you're paying for the phone over time instead of all at once, $40 more turns out to be somewhat less, I think around $33 or so assuming 6% annual increase in inflation.

And non-iPhone smartphone users were already paying $30 to begin with.

dagamer34

Well hey now, iPod people, no need to complain, for Zune owners, the only accessories are in the $30+ prices (although you can easily find them severely discounted).

Jones91

Whatever keeps the prices down will keep the masses happy. Any person who's never owned the first gen iPhone won't know the difference.

They'll be too busy in Apple euphoria to care what that they got gimped.

CutePuppyz

@praevalesco: It gets better. Data is $10 more, AND they don't include 200 SMS messages in the plan anymore. That's another $5 on top of the $10 bump. If you want the same level of service on the 3G phone, the service is going to cost you $360 more than the 1G over your two year term, more if you keep it longer, all for a lousy $200 discount. I'm hanging on to my 1G, thanks.

lhutz34

I like the dock. It's on the nightstand, so I can glance over and see who's calling/texting while in bed, and it's easier to hit snooze when the alarm goes off.

I won't buy a dock for the new one since I'm too poor to justify buying the new one. I'll just wander around and tell everyone with a new one that they're a f*cking poseur and should have bought the original if they wanted to be cool.

GeekyNerdGuy

Well I know now that I'm holding onto my 2nd revision USB adapter for dear life. After I somehow lost the snap-off plug to my Macbook's power brick, it's a nice interchangeable substitute. That, and I rather like the folding prongs.

Kaiser-Machead's got LindsayJoy's cookies on the SuperDrive

Who cares about the doc? I never use mine. And that size of the global adapter is a pain. When traveling overseas, I will use it. but 99% of the time I'm stateside and would like a smaller plug anyway.

Hat Trick

I like that new dock I will get it. I like the idea of using my dock for audio out

Strider-No.9

@thechansen:
I don't think that there are any Global Positioning Satelites in the box.
The DoD trys to keep them in orbit.
(sorry, it seemed like that kind of thread)

rexplex

Heck, I have 3 docks: an iPod dock, a radio with integrated dock, and my iPhone dock. They're all useless, because I keep my phone & pod in cases that won't fit the docks. So I end up using the aux-in connector on the radio, and the iPhone dock has never even been out of the box.

TomXP411

@Christopher Mascari: Try scaling the power adapters correctly next time.

easy2panic

You mean to tell me that two inches of penis isn't in there?

(Above comment only intended as a slam on the pretentious fanboi sector of the iPhone population.)

soggy_cheerio

I think that this is a smart move on Apple's part. Accessories and cables have some of the highest mark-ups, and people will still buy them. That's where Apple is going to actually be making money, other than their cut of the all the phone bills that is.

PandaWear

If it cuts down on price then great. Now someone needs to work on the 3G hole in my area.

amartins02

@flaxseed: I do. I have it so that I can just place the iPhone into the dock and play it over the radio while charging.

@thechansen: Yes, the iPhone up front costs less but after you factor in the extra money you spend on the data plan.

ttech10

PS let me be the first to start the rumor that Apple is Working on a 4G iPhone. It will be released next year for $99 and people will still whine.

trrosen

Maybe they realized that with a lot of people putting their iPhone in some sort of case, the dock isn't really useful for everybody. I like the dock, I just can't use it. so why have me pay for it?

Canoehead

why no dock?

Because the 6 million people that have a gen 1 and will end up upgrading allready have one silly!

trrosen

Nothing to see here, people. Move along. Same thing Apple does with all of its mobile products.

"and a hard-case"
Actually, it came with a nylon case which was soft, not hard. ("Hard-case" a new word?)

"where all removed when the 4G took over."
were*

packetsniffer

The dock better not cost $50. wtf

OGHowie

Gizmodo substitutes bitching about nothing for real column inches about 70% of the time.

C'mon, if you've got nothing to say at least show us some more internal cumshot videos. (From Gizmodo but later deleted: [feedmoo.com] )

jalarmo

That's a crappy comparison of the difference in the adapters as it's not even proportional. The size of the USB input and the prongs are way off.

It's obvious Apple dropped these things because people didn't care about them as much as they cared about the cost going down. Can anyone really say they'd rather the iPhone be $299 so that they can have a dock and bigger adapter included? Doubtful.

RoCKSTaH53

Hurray! I fall into the lot of people that didn't own an Iphone gen1! Thus, I won't know what I'm missing out on!

Ignorance truly is bliss!

Chromeo

Also, I am one of the biggest Apple fanboys around but this shit is getting ridiculous. I mean honestly they should have kept the phone at a higher price point, so every welfare recipient and their mom doesn't have one, kept the aluminum back, and all the accessories. Fucking poor people...

spyz88

@richard8a: hmm I also bet it wont work with the dock that came with the iPhone bluetooth headset.

spyz88

WHAAAAAH! Aw, your phone will have to be laying down instead of standing upright. Poor little things!

It might cost $50 more to get a dock!

You're saving $300, but you're right, let's complain about the dock, that people like myself really don't care about.

As for the new adapter? THANK GOODNESS. The old one was so bulky it nearly tore my wall open.

glass

@devianaut: I think covers are ridiculous. Why would a company create a product that can't handle the rigors of everyday use without some 3rd party cover? It wouldn't. I made the mistake of buying a cover when I first got my phone, and it was nothing, but a pain in the ass that made my phone bulkier and harder to get in and out of my pocket.

And I think the MOST ridiculous things are the screen protectors. The screen was made to be touched constantly. Trust me, the iPhone screen is plenty tough naked. You don't need some gimmick protector.

GeekyNerdGuy

i really liked the dock, however, how could anyone sensible use it? i say "sensible" - because i'm just one - of the thousands - that use some form of iphone cover. you know how annoying it is to take that cover off to "dock it"? the dock is a really great idea (if apple hadn't invented it, i could see someone here on giz complaining about not having one haha) - but they just don't fit when you have a condom-like cover over your iphone...

devianaut

Honestly, I have never used a provided dock. Never found a point for it. If anything, it was just more desk clutter.

On the other hand, the new power adapter is great. But, the existing one is already fairly small.

maztec

@PChAOS: I'll pay the extra $10 over EDGE any day and I feel I'm getting more quality for my money that way

If time is money, you're probably saving ...

GeekyNerdGuy

@spyz88: I was hoping the same - haha. I don't appriciate having to stand in line and being amongst the millions that have it right away! At least with my first gen iPhone, I could brag to a few of my friends for the first few months until it became a fad.

@bdthurston: You said "Talking about the big deal they made regarding the huge price cut for everyone, when it only applies to new customers and those with no current contract. They mention an undisclosed increased price for everyone else"

However, current iPhone users can upgrade and it'll replace existing contracts (not extend them, or make it incapable for them to upgrade without an increase price as you put it). [www.macrumors.com]

Also, for everyone that says you're going to end up paying more because of the extra $10 a month... you're nuts! Anyone with 3G has to pay that or more with AT&T or other providers and most worthy smart phones are over the $500 price point! You're definitely getting a deal with this seeing as AT&T's 3G network is double the speed and the largest 3G network as of yet. I'll pay the extra $10 over EDGE any day and I feel I'm getting more quality for my money that way. $20 a month for EDGE is almost as bad as $80 a month for 3G.

PChAOS

@spyz88:

I won't miss the aluminum back. It was slippery as hell and was most likely the cause of the phone's shoddy reception.

OGHowie

"It could maybe sorta have something to do with that drastic slash in price. And really, it's not the first time Apple has removed in-the-box accessories when a product got cheaper."

The iPhone 3G IS NOT CHEAPER. An extra $10-15 per month means it is, in fact, MORE EXPENSIVE.

Do you not understand this concept, Christopher, or are you somehow trying to wish it away by pretending it's not true?

Pender

What was the point of a "wired remote" on the old iPod anyway? Was is really that hard to just press the buttons on the actual iPod itself?

scotth0

@glass: You're not saving anything. Buying something because it used to be (a year ago, artificially) $600 and is now $200 means you are still giving up $200 for some shiny gadget. That $400 difference is completely irrelevant now, since any schmuck can walk into Apple or AT&T on the 11th and buy one for $200.

What you meant to say was that $200 was a low enough price for you to bite, and you wouldn't be pissed if you had to buy a dock on top of that.

I love creative accounting!

dingus

They should call the 1st gen iPhones the iPhone classic....

spyz88

@maztec: AMEN! I also have never had a use for a dock, ever. Mostly because I buy a case for all of my small Apple gadgetry that is not dock compatible. I have 2 docks in my house and one of them is for the TV thing that allows me to play videos from my iPod on my TV.

Why spend $500 on something that you're not going to get a case or some sort of protection for? The cases are so never compatible with the docks.

baristabrawl

@maztec: And the prongs don't get bent in your briefcase.

GeekyNerdGuy

Hmmm... I wonder if it's just in the US that people aren't getting the dock. Apple Canada's site says "Dock connector to USB cable" is going in the box.

[www.apple.com]

speckay

Let's not forget about the Time Value of Money...$200 today is worth more than $10 a month over the next 2 years. Not to mention all the social capital the iPhone 3G will get you. A sound investment indeed!

Starlamas

@Ken_Darrow: It's just apple envy over the small N95 charger [www.phonedaze.com]

Ariel_Wollinger

In all honesty, when apple included the dock for ipod or the iphone, I have never used it... It's such a hassle.

I didnt even touch the headset nor the USB cable...

Just using an existing cheap 3rd party one...

ipodee

You guys are forgetting the iPhone is NOT cheaper AT ALL. Apple is still charging the full price, it's just that AT&T is subsidizing the purchase cost to consumers that lock in 2 year contracts

Subsidized price does NOT equal cheaper in terms of build quality and what accessories should be included. Apple makes the same on iPhone 3g hardware as they did on iPhone.

drunkenclod

I don't care about the accessories! How about giving me the choice of carrier? Let me choose who I want to give my money to every month based on their level of service!

n2runin1

This is GOOD. The smaller power adaptor is a good thing because it's less waste. Honestly, MOAR STUFF doesn't necessarily = better.

OswaldCookies

If I remember correctly... The first generation iPods came with an AC adapter that disappeared from the box after after the first price drop.

BONBINI

Amazing! The comfortable USB entrance- that's what I really desired- to synchronize data with my PC.... Can't wait buying my own iPhone.

Amazonka

Screw the dock. Their sole purpose is to flaunt the phone on your desk. They are worthless for traveling. I want an iPhone with no contract. Till then I'm sticking with Nokia. If only that iPhone wasn't so damn sexy. Then I could stop reading all these articles...

yabillzdes

I hope the "sim ejector tool" is covered by the apple protection care warranty........ I'll finally get my 69 buck's worth

sillyrabbit

@n2runin1:
I agree!

n2runin1