Adding AT&T Tethering to iPhone Kills Unlimited Data

I've never had a big beef with AT&T until NOW!  I recently loaded iOS 4.3 on my iPhone 4 and wanted to turn on the new "HotSpot" feature.  I went to the AT&T "MyWireless" web site and went through the steps to modify my plan.  I thought it would be as simple as selecting tethering and paying the extra monthly charge.  Boy was I wrong!  When I got to the features selection page, this is what I found:

You can see that I am "grandfathered" into the unlimited data plan for $30/mo.  The two tethering choices include their 2GB "DataPro" plan.  Choosing either of these kills my unlimited plan according to this warning on the same page:

I wanted to make sure this was the case so I called AT&T and the agent confirmed my suspicion.  If you're grandfathered in, TURNING ON TETHERING KICKS YOU OUT OF THE UNLIMITED DATA PLAN!

Cry About Sir Steve If You Like, I'm Buying More AAPL

With "Fearless Leader" Jobs taking his second leave of absence in so many years, the stock market is acting like panicked school kids who've seen a snake on the playground.  Apple stock (AAPL) is down almost $15 this morning on the news.  I'm watching it closely.  Why?  I'm gonna buy some more.  I hope it drops more.  I love a bargain!

Don't think for a minute Apple will lose its astronomical momentum because of this leave.  At least not any time soon.  Apple (with Mr. Jobs) has its business roadmapped for several months at least.  The company will continue to mint money for the foreseeable future with or without Sir Steve.  Remember, this isn't the first time this has happened.  It wasn't a catastrophe in 2009 and it won't be one in 2011.  Tim Cook knows what he's doing.

Also, don't forget about today's quarterly earnings call at 5 PM EST.  If things go as expected, Apple will beat analysts' projections by a wide margin.  None of these analysts have lowered their price targets of $450.  If I can buy Apple stock in the low $300 range, I'm gonna do it!  I'll take a 33% gain any day of the week.  There may come a time to be concerned by Mr. Jobs' absence, but it isn't right now.

Why There Won't Be a Mass Exodus From AT&T

Here's why:

1. Contracts.  AT&T seems to know Apple customers as well as Apple does.  By giving customers like me the opportunity to buy a new iPhone 4 for the "new contract" price, they now have a bizillion customers locked into a two year contract with a $300+ early-out fee.  We couldn't leave even if we wanted to.  Did they see the Verizon deal coming?  Sure they did!
2. Good Service.  Having been a long-time (15 years) Verizon customer, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of AT&T's service in my area (Houston).  In fact, I have better coverage than I did with Verizon.  While the consensus among tech journalists is, "AT&T sucks!", most of them are in San Francisco or New York.  From experience, I can tell you that in both those cities AT&T does suck.  In my opinion, AT&T got a bad rap from influential journalists convinced they are the center of the universe.
3. Reality.  Poll after independent poll of current iPhone users all say the same thing.  AT&T will lose 20% of its iPhone customers at worst.  Given the terms of most people's contracts, that number will probably be lower.  Let's face it, all cell providers go one step short of making you sign over your first-born and AT&T is no different.  While it has become fashionable to curse AT&T, the reality is they're no better or worse than any other.  Many people swearing never-ending despise of AT&T will just keep on keepin' on.

MacTexan Podcast #21 Show Notes

News

• iPhone maintains lead over Blackberry, Android in US - AppleInsider
• Apple Market Cap Surges Past $300 Million - Mac|Life
• Citibank: Apple could sell $2 billion in apps in 2011 - LoopInsight
• Apple to ship 5-6 million Verizon compatible iPhones - LoopInsight
• Android vs iPhone - Who Wins In 2011? - Slashdot
• EU Approves Universal Charger Standard - The Mac Observer
• McAfee Expects Increased Apple Attacks in 2011 - The Mac Observer

2011 Predictions

Collected: Apple's busy diary for 2011 - Computerworld Blogs

Software Pick

Skype 3.0 for iPhone

MacTexan Podcast #21 Links

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MacTexan Podcast #21

'Tis the Season...

For many of us, 2010 has been a challenging year.  Starting a new enterprise like this one has certainly come with its share of "opportunities".  While Ken and I have a lot of fun with this site and our podcast, this time of year reminds us of what is really important.  We spend a lot of time and effort discussing and reporting what’s going on in Cupertino, but I want to take this opportunity to remind myself and everyone else to keep it in its proper perspective.  After all, while we are continually amazed and sometimes mesmerized by the never ending stream of Apple products, they are just that. And while we can sometimes be tricked into believing they are almost magical, the real magic resides in the people who created them.  None of the toys they create will ever bring us the lasting joy that comes from family and loved ones.

What’s under the Christmas tree isn’t nearly as important as what’s on top.

Merry Christmas.