I have lamented the fact that AT&T lacks MMS support for the iPhone here in America on a few occasions. The lack of MMS isn’t Apple’s fault, it has offered the capability for a while now, and AT&T is simply blocking the feature as it is blocking tethering.
Some iPhone users are tired of waiting for MMS support on their iPhones and have decided to take matters into their own hands and have filed suit against AT&T and Apple. A pair of class action lawsuits has been filed against AT&T and Apple over the lack of MMS support for the iPhone.
The first lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of Illinois by Tim Meeker and he claims that AT&T and Apple misrepresented the facts about iPhone support for MMS. The other suit was filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana and is almost identical to the Meeker suit. AT&T has said that MMS would be coming sometime this summer, which is almost over now.
Might be nice to tell us what the hell MMS is. I’m 50, so I’m not all THAT old, but these tech writers assume that America is completely up to speed with whatever tech terms are out there. MMS? What are we talking ABOUT? Anyone? Anyone? Buehler?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_Messaging_Service
Google is helpful.
About time, go get them!!
AT&T has been so mum about it, I honestly don’t think it’s ever coming.
This is not one of ATT’s finest moments. I’ve been with ATT and the iPhone since the beginning (think 2G, EDGE) and not having MMS is just plain out pathetic. The simplest/cheapest of cell phones have even this basic feature and it’s deplorable that ATT isn’t on the same page with their consumers. Most people stay with them simply because they want the iPhone, not the service, which is, simply put, substandard to other, more superior networks. If I don’t get MMS soon, I’m switching phones to the Bold and returning my 3G S.
The whole joke with this is that MMS and tethering are availible on AT&T!!! Just not on the iPhone. The exclusion of one model of phone from a service that has been availible for years on other phones, that should be what is suspect. Why? I had cingular before AT&T bought them out. I had them before the iPhone, and, until my iPhone I had MMS on every phone I have had for the past 6 years. AT&T can support MMS and tethering. They just don’t want to because of the bandwidth that a few million iphones would take up. They are lieing if they say anything else… Look on there website. They have mms plans for other phones… but they can’t flick the switch for the iphone? All bull. All bull.
What I don’t understand is that NO ONE is talking about the fact that before the launch of OS 3.0 the iPhone would still get the MMS message, but without the attachment. Yes it sucked that it would point you to a website to download, but at least you GOT THE MESSAGE! Now, you just get nothing!!!
The AT&T web site has said it will be out late summer, since the summer is not over, I think those people are just a bunch of babies.
Changing the MMS system for the IPhone is not as easy as flicking on a light switch, if you knew anything about the phone systems you wouldn’t even be asking such a question.
At&t is in the middle of a huge upgrade to the entire network, I’m sure they have more to worry about than the bandwidth usage.
Old news. This information has been out since 13 Aug.
Old news or not, AT&T needs to get their rear in gear…yeah they can use the excuse that apple was secretive in releasing the feature, but hmm theyre GSM, worldwide carriers that support MMS on iPhone are also GSM…they simply seem to be behind and need to catch up!!! If we are going to have Apple reside in the USA, then the host country should lead the world in iPhone technology!!
@Mark–there are a lot of things ATT should do but they’ll continue to do whatever they want. MMS is ok–but they still need to concentrate on getting their 3G coverage squared away.
Ok folks. The bottom line is the phone was advertised promoting MMS capabilities as being a new feature. I am a premier customer for AT&T so I ordered the phone online. The rep could have informed me that MMS was not active yet. Only after I recieved the phone and after a curious call to AT&T support was I told that MMS was not yet available. I understand that AT&T is prepping their network but come on…being in retail myself I can attest that this is poor marketing and I can see why they are being sued. Don’t sell the phone yet if you cannot support all of it’s features. I have had MMS on every other phone from this carrier so I am sure other customers assumed it did MMS as well so they didn’t question it. Bad business. Period
I don’t see why they can’t just allow MMS, the iphone is able to do MMS, and the network can do MMS, but ATT has it blocked on the network side for iphones, if you call att and tell them you have a different type of phone and want MMS enabled for that line then it will work just fine if you are able to send MMS from your jailbroken, or foreign iphone (given that it works on the same frequencies if it is foreign)
Well att didnt even know about the new 3gs. they both were announced when apple announced. All they knew was about the new OS. Its not as easy as flicking a switch. But you can also send mms by number@mms.att.net (depends on carrier) this is what i use for now. Im not complaining. the tethering you have to add an additional package on with limit of 5g. with a possible 2 yr contract for an addl 60.00. Heck you would be easier to get a laptop connect and use that…i have tethering on one of my phones and its a pain in the butt…and slow..
I have tethering on my iPhone and it works ok. When I inquired as to any additional fees they told me that they were going to charge for it. I asked them why since I have an unlimited Internet data package how can they charge me for it. I got no answer. I hung up and just don’t use it that often but it is availiae via a download from lifehackers I think. Oh well just google it for feathering and the instructions work easy. Went thru tje update the other day and it still works fine
Why is it then that every other country in which the iphone has been released was prepared for the OS 3.0 update. AT&T claims that it’s a worldwide company, the most coverage everywhere, but doesn’t have the ability to plan for it’s most popular phone. AT&T has been overcharging with $20 texting fees per person or $30 for family, yet it can’t deploy MMS in a “timely” matter. Not only do I hope they win this lawsuit, I hope AT&T is ordered to fully refund texting fee’s for every iphone owner from June to whenever they decide to turn on the ability to start using MMS.
I agree with AntiJerry…its ridiculous that the cheapest and the least technologically advanced phones on ATT have MMS yet the iphone supposedly the most technologically advanced phone ever doesnt. I’m 15 years old and even i know that this is ridiculous…dont advertise what you can’t sell. It also makes apple look bad for those who dont know the whole story..in which case apple should sue ATT. If ATT doesnt want to lose a lot of ppl they need to step up their game and release the MMS software, its not as if they have to create it Apple already did that..just release it already..geeze. Y have a great camera if u cant share the pictures with anybody.
Well I just want to say that my phone hung up twice yesterday within a five min call. Living in Connecticut AT&T is not suppose to be that bad. But there’s alot of blind spot areas. So i know there having problems. MMS just tops it off! I’m just hoping verizon gets the iPhone. Geezs I miss sprints digital voice and all that works right with sprint. I say sue AT&T and apple get out from AT&T for real.
Yes the MMS issue is BS. However, I would not use it anyway.
You can just simply take a picture and email on the iphone it to anyone including other phones for free.. why pay for AT&T for MMS messaging.
I completely agree, they are a bunch of babies. If you don’t like it, go get the Palm Pre! Like he said, late summer and summer isn’t over.
This world is too much into the ‘If you can’t make me happy then I will file a lawsuit!’. That is so stupid, we are going to let the legal system get all tied up over this BS. Why can’t we be adults.
I don’t even miss the MMS, this phone has so much more to offer, why sweat the little stuff. On your comment about the other countries, we are so far behind in technology compared to Japan, that you shouldn’t even mention that! All the phone carriers need to get with technology.
Maybe we all should sue. Any one who has any Iphone is getting ripped off
I didn’t say I have an iphone, I already have unlimited everything through Sprint (including tethering and MMS). I’m just commenting on how AT&T is making too many promises that their network can’t handle. And God help them if Verizon gets the iphone as AT&T will probably lose half of it’s subscribers base (of those who have iphones). I will agree that AT&T has bigger problems too, especially with lack of coverage and bandwidth–everwhere!
I just hope that whatever lessons AT&T learn, when and if this lawsuit is successful is that other companies like Sprint and Verizon learn not to screw with their customers.
It’s about time! Sign me up!! Its the most annoying feature of the phone.
MMS basicly put is picture mail or Multimedia Messages. I honestly couldnt be more annoyed with the fact that i bought a 3G S and i still cant do what was advertised in the commercials. Im paying for a service every month that I cant use. I am even more annoyed with the fact that when someone tries to send me a MMS i dont even get a message saying someone tried to send something. Un f**ing real!
if you want mms then switch to iphones on tmobile. att is just over priced bullshit