AppleInsider StaffJobs was questioned about the network performance of AT&T at the opening interview for the All Things D conference held Tuesday. While he said that AT&T is doing "pretty good" in improving its network, he also admitted that the exclusive wireless carrier of the iPhone in the U.S. "could do better" in other respects.
Jobs revealed that Apple and AT&T executives meet once a quarter to discuss issues. He also noted that AT&T deals with "way more data traffic than anyone else."
"They're having trouble," he conceded. "But they have the fastest 3G network and they're improving. I wish they were improving faster."
He said that if the iPhone were on any other network, that carrier would have experienced the same problems. Mossberg then asked Jobs directly if there would be advantages to having other carriers in the U.S., to which he cryptically responded, "there might be." But when pressed as to whether the iPhone would become available on other domestic carriers in the near future, Jobs said: "You know I can't comment on that."
Jobs also revealed that the iPhone OS started on a tablet first. He said he had an idea about a device with a glass, multi-touch display that users could type on. After six months, Apple's engineers and designers came back with an "amazing display," and one of the company's "brilliant UI guys" created some features like inertial scrolling. From there, Jobs said he realized Apple could create a phone with the technology, and put the idea of a tablet aside to create the iPhone.
Wesley Hilliard
Charles Martin
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
20 Comments
They "might" also make more money. They might get on a service carrier which I wouldn't be winching when I make a call.
About time.
They "might" also make more money. They might get on a service carrier which I wouldn't be winching when I make a call.
About time.
Interestingly Jobs said that AT&T handles more data than all of the other carriers combined. Being a NYC'er I have problems with AT&T as well. There really is no other solution than for it to be on multiple carriers to ease the stress.
BTW to all the disbelievers, Jobs just laid it out on the table. The iPad is the future of computing.
From Steve:
"You know... (long pause). I'm trying to think of a good analogy. When we were an agrarian nation, all cars were trucks. But as people moved more towards urban centers, people started to get into cars. I think PCs are going to be like trucks. Less people will need them. And this is going to make some people uneasy."
"The PC has taken us a long way. They were amazing. But it's changes, vested interests are going to change. And I think we've embarked on that change. Is it the iPad? Who knows? Will it be next year or five years..."
But there's something about it that's magical! I think we're just scratching the surface about the kind of apps you can build for it.
"Well, you can imagine all sorts of things for the iPad. Video editing, content creation..."
For now, unless WWDC reveals new carriers, jailbroken iPhones are the only way to get on T-Mobile.
Interestingly Jobs said that AT&T handles more data than all of the other carriers combined. Being a NYC'er I have problems with AT&T as well. There really is no other solution than for it to be on multiple carriers to ease the stress.
BTW to all the disbelievers, Jobs just laid it out on the table. The iPad is the future of computing.
I'm pretty sure he's not going to divulge any specifics about the company's direction on new products. Just let any other company try to copy iPad or the entire iTunes/App Store environment. They'll all flop.
For now, unless WWDC reveals new carriers, jailbroken iPhones are the only way to get on T-Mobile.
However since the iPhone does not support the 1700 MHz frequency band that T-Mobile uses for 3G data, you're limited to 2G speeds. If you can't get reliable AT&T 3G where you are I guess that's maybe a plus, at least sort of, but for most people? Not so much...