[Edward Kirk]

In retaliation of AT&T and O2's unwillingness to subsidize the iPhone 3G S for current 3G owners, users on Twitter are forming "twittitions", a new virtual petition that users can "sign" by posting a tweet. At the time this was written, the Twitition for O2, which was created first, was at 2621 signatures, and the AT&T Twitition at 1858 signatures.

It's not bad in Twitter terms, but we're guessing it will take a lot more signatures before either company is compelled to make any changes. Still, taking a quick look around the Twitterverse, it's easy to see that there's a lot of resentment toward the subsidizing fiasco going around. A search for tweets directed at AT&T's official account show just how angry people are.

If you're upset about the subsidizing practices of O2 or AT&T, we suggest you consider signing one of the above Twititions.

[via Mashable]

[Kevin Dunahee]

I signed it. I'm pretty sure it sent out a tweet from my twitter account about the petition, that does not use a #hashtag of any kind (if I'm understanding what a #hashtag is).

Also, it directed my tweet at a seemingly random twitter user that I don't know.

Also, also, I don't think the Mashable link works, unless I am confused about that as well.

[NewGuy]

This is what i don't get.

Why the angst? This is no different then any other upgrade phone out there. Does it suck? yeah but you can't say you were surprised by it. The evidence was right there. The only thing ATT can be put in the fail bucket for is not supporting the phone's capabilities...ie MMS. That is just wrong epsiecally when they have phones that do it already. ATT has to be intentionally holding the iPhone back.

Still as far as the upgrades...its standard so why the shock and sense of entitlement? I suspect both apple and att want NEW customers. IN the cell industry is seems to be standard to get new then keep old. There had to be some business modelt hat supported the assumption that old customers will stay in order to buy the new gear, and the new prices and new gear will generate new customers.

face it. ATT has you. Apple has you. Just admit it. wallow in the dispair and self loathing and enjoy your high end phone.

I'm going to go finished my Goldfish snack crackers.....nom nom nom nom

[spicymikey]

Me too NewGuy. Why would anyone expect a discount on a next generation product simply because they own the last generation? No one else does that. If I bought a new car and they then came out with a revised model next year, I don't expect them to give me a discount on a new one?

If people want a discount on a new iPhone 3GS then sell your 3G and use the cash towards it.

[utp504]

I saw something on G4 last night and they had some guy from iPhoneInsider and he said why would they offer it when they dont offer that with other phones or any other company doesnt do that either.

[TexasPatriot]

To those who state that I should expect to upgrade because if I had any other phone I couldn't -- or too bad so sad.... I'll tell you what you can do with it.

I'm a customer of AT&T. If they EXPECT to keep that relationship in place, then some accommodations are in order. If they want to be the big high and mighty corporation who don't care any more about the little guy than does the Federal Bureaucracy, then I figure within a year or so the competitors WILL have something that works as well as the iPhone. I may even be able to tether it to my MacBook and play my DRM free iTunes music on it.

Of course they don't have to, but in a year and a half time, I also don't have to continue using their products either. I'm sure there's quite a few people who might see it that way too. If they want to keep my business, they're going to need to offer a sweeter upgrade path than the one they have now for the users of a 3G -- which is essentually NONE.

[NewGuy]

The emotional blackmail doesn't work. Like I said there is a business model that supports you leaving vs the 7 they get. They have you for 18 months. They think they have the most popular phone. As evident by the fact that users complain now about ATT yet still come running for the phone.

Put up or shut up. Pay your $200 cancellation fee and leave. Otherwise it's nothing but talk

[spicymikey]

Yea I don't understand some people's mentality NewGuy. AT&T and Apple owe us nothing. We owe them nothing. It's a business relationship. If they felt they needed to give the phone away to get business they'd do it. They obviously don't given the retail price and all the exceptions they block. I have a business acct with ATT and have 5 iPhones for my small company. I can get special renewal discounts and waived activation fees as a business customer. BUT, all that is excluded for one phone they sell. Guess which one it is? I still buy the iPhones for business because it's the best. They know it, I know it, so no sense whining

When and if that changes, I'll buy something else without hesitation. Like I said, they owe me nothing and I owe them nothing

[Stephen007]

This is going to seem like flamebait but I truly mean it as a serious question... Do "virtual" petitions ever actually accomplish anything? Maybe there are some examples that someone can point out. It seems more like a feel good measure than anything else. If you sign it you can feel as though you did something, like you stuck it to the man. The reality appears to be that AT&T is not going to lower the cost for those of us that have a 3G and they will continue to aquire more and more customers at the same time.

[NewGuy]

I too am not trying to flammatory. Just being factual.

It all depends. Some would say they have saved TV shows and other aspects. The petition concept, while great for politics, seems to be hit and miss in the business world.

The concept seems to come from the connectivity one gets from the internet and social network...almost a World 2.0 kind of thing (I just copy righted that World 2.0 term by the by ). The idea being that I have a way to communicate and you will hear my voice...but it alwasy comes off as "I am not getting my way."

The web petition misses the point that there is a busniess case analysis and a current practice in the industry already. ONe has to see the bigger picture I think. 3Gs will draw new customers and can possible hook current ones in the long term. There will be those that leave ATT but I suspect they will be fewer then the positive growth...as do ATT and Apple. MacJury pointed some of htis out. To further that discussion look at it in terms of capability. There are only 4 more improvements in the 3Gs. Does it justify the angst? The move from the 1st Gen iPhone to the 3G would have been a much bigger deal which is why they offered the discount regardless of contract.

The petition, while making one feel better would do little in this instance. ALTHOUGH, a petition to say stop ATT, or voice concern about MMS or tethering would be a much better focus as one could point out current practices or unfair targetting of a subset of customers.

[spicymikey]

I think the only petition that works in business is to stop buying a product. AT&T and Apple's decisions are driven by sales and revenue figures (as they should be) not internet petitions

[Kevin Dunahee]

Originally Posted by Stephen007

This is going to seem like flamebait but I truly mean it as a serious question... Do "virtual" petitions ever actually accomplish anything? Maybe there are some examples that someone can point out. It seems more like a feel good measure than anything else. If you sign it you can feel as though you did something, like you stuck it to the man. The reality appears to be that AT&T is not going to lower the cost for those of us that have a 3G and they will continue to aquire more and more customers at the same time.

From what I understand, the #savechuck petition to renew NBC's Chuck show was a great success. Unless something else was accredited to that, then I am unaware.

Chuck FTW.