Apple Rumors

Whenever someone at the store, at the movies, even in school, spots me with my iPhone, the reaction usually goes something like this: Oh my gosh, is that an iPhone? Do you like it? Can you really get on the Internet with it? For some people, particularly skeptics who think the phone has major flaws, there s a second round of questions that mostly turn out to be myths. I ve had my iPhone since June, so I think I can address the top four myths and one truth of owning an iPhone.

Myth 1 : The bill costs a few hundred dollars each month. Not true. When I set up my phone, I chose the second cheapest plan. I pay about $80 a month for 900 anytime minutes and an additional $20 for unlimited text messaging. An unlimited data plan is included with the contract. Because I text more than 5,000 messages per month, I decided it was worth it to pay an extra $20 up front rather than a few cents for each text over an allotted amount.

The rates aren t bad if you consider everything that comes with the phone. The only outrageous charges I ve seen are on international plans. On boingboing.net and consumerist.com, iPhone users claimed to have had over $3,000 phone bills after returning from trips overseas. Before you travel outside the U.S. with your iPhone, be sure to check out AT T s international rate plans to see how they work for you. Myth 2 : The phone is very fragile. Hardly.

Once, I dropped my phone on the hardwood gym floor at my high school. When I picked it up, there was not a scratch. I m very hard on my phone, and I think Apple knows that a cell phone can be knocked around occasionally. I don t think they would make a phone that couldn t be dropped a few times. The phone is durable, and the screen is made of a strong glass that can withstand abuse. Just in case, though, I put a clear plastic screen protector on it.