AT&T iPhone MMS Launches Today
According to the Twittersphere, AT&T has begun flipping the switch on MMS across the U.S. today. Sources say that AT&T will be sending out text messages, beginning at 10 A.M. EST today, to notify customers when MMS service is available for their use.
Customers and industry watchers alike are waiting anxiously to see how AT&T’s network will cope with the increased demand MMS will cause. AT&T spokesman Seth Bloom doesn’t expect any problems, however, noting in an email that:
SMS and MMS messages are carried differently than other network traffic. This is one of the reasons why when there’s a natural disaster or other large scale emergency situation (e.g., earthquake or something like that) that causes a huge and sudden spike in voice calls, wireless carriers suggest that people send text messages. They’re likely to get through when the voice circuits are busy.
Stacey at GigaOM goes into more detail about how MMS and SMS work compared to regular voice calls. She concludes that the true linchpin factor in today’s launch will be the strength of AT&T’s servers. Clearly, the carrier must be fairly confident in their ability to handle the strain, or we’d likely still be waiting for the company to announce a start date.
Some, like Twitter user Connor Stanton, are hoping that AT&T won’t be equal to the task and that its failure to meet the demand will result in a breakdown of the exclusivity deal between the carrier and Apple. Stanton writes, “Come on AT&T. I want to crash your infrastructure when MMS rolls out so Apple will kill iPhone’s exclusivity in US. Kthnxbye.” In theory, if Apple thinks AT&T network woes are having a significant impact on its iPhone sales, we could see it take its business elsewhere.
There’s even a plan circulating on social media networks for AT&T iPhone users to simultaneously send out MMS messages at 5 P.M. EST to attempt to crash the network on purpose. I wonder if AT&T accounted for organized attempts to destabilize its network in preparation for today’s launch.
To activate MMS on your iPhone, plug your device into your computer. Click on it in the source list in iTunes, and then click the “Check for Update” button. You should see a dialog that says, “An update to the carrier settings for your iPhone is available. Would you like to download it now?” Click “Download and Update” and wait for the process to finish. Carrier settings updates are normally very fast. Once it’s finished, the camera icon should appear in your text messaging dialog, and new menu options should open up in your other native apps for sending various types of media.
Once activated, you’ll be able to send photos, video, audio, map locations, and contact information via MMS to other enabled devices. Very handy for making sure the sofa color you’re looking at is OK with your significant other before making a purchase, for example.
David Klein on September 25th, 2009 at 11:25 am
It’s live!
John on September 25th, 2009 at 11:36 am
My iPhone updated but still no MMS
Alex Stone on September 25th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Mine did this to. Had to reset the device.
Ryan on September 25th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Will this new carrier file disable any tethering hack? The 3.1 OS did, and I downgraded back to 3.0.1 and was able to keep tethering. I will download the new carrier file to get MMS (as long as it does not disable tethering) while still holding off on the 3.1 update if possible. Does anyone know details about this?
Mark on September 25th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Looks like it disables tethering so beware.
Alex Stone on September 25th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Just updated mine and sent a couple pictures out to test. Curious if the network is taking a pounding right now.
DJ on September 25th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Just downloaded it but there does not appear to be anyway to share music?????
Alex Stone on September 25th, 2009 at 11:52 am
I don’t think you’re supposed to be able to send music to people. Maybe voice recordings, though?
DJ on September 25th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Yes that does work. As in contacts, when you click share there is an option to MMS it.
James on September 25th, 2009 at 11:52 am
We got it immediately in Canada with the OS 3.0 release in the summer, and I have to say that for myself, having it for a few months now has just reinforced how little I actually use it. For me, being able to email photos or post them to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, etc is perfectly adequate.
That said, the way MMS is worked into the iPhone Messages app is very smooth, and a far better experience than it was on previous phones I owned. Hopefully, it’s worth the wait for US iPhone users.
Matt on September 25th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
It’s on my phone as of 12:35 Central, but I’ve sent out two messages and so far they have not been received. I also had to reboot my phone to get it to show up.
subserved on September 25th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Here in Chicago, got the update from iTunes and the functionality is there but still unable to send MMS messages. Did AT&T provide the update but not activate the service?
Iestyn on September 25th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Had it in the uk since 3.0 and on all my other phones, never used it. I like the idea to take down AT&T at 5pm
Anna Langella on September 25th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Is there anyway to do the carrier update without having to jump to 3.1? I am on 3.0 and dont want all the issues I am reading about!
Dan on September 25th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Nope, requires 3.1.
Kurt on September 25th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Got the update a few hours ago, but mms messages won’t send!
Lisa on September 25th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Failure to send!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
B on September 25th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
No luck so far after three tests. I can try to send, that functionality works, LOL. Actually sending the message, that’s another matter.
Looks like AT&T screwed up this one. I expect it will work several days from now when people give and the bandwidth frees up.
Hah!!
Smita Shukla on September 25th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Hey Guys,
There is an interesting event at Stanford GSB on Oct 20 about Mobile Payments, thought it might interest some of you here. Check it out http://www.vlab.org/article.html?aid=283
Tom Reestman on September 25th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Those of you who think this may hasten the iPhone on Verizon are dreaming:
VERIZON: You’ll have to build a new model since we have different 3G technology, which doesn’t even support voice and data at the same time.
APPLE: Um, no.
VERIZON: We don’t like WiFi too much so go ahead and just disable that, ‘K?
APPLE: Um, no.
VERIZON: Oh, and get rid of that whole iTunes and App Store thing, we have Vcast and you’re gonna love it.
APPLE: Um, no.
VERIZON: Great, then. Just make those small changes and we’re good to go.
Peder on September 25th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Oh my god. We got MMS since day one here in cold Sweden. We’re not a big market for Apple but we got four carriers here that offers the iPhone and MMS/Tethering is standard.
Rohit on September 26th, 2009 at 2:40 am
Here’s a tutorial on how to enable MMS (AT&T) WITHOUT updating to 3.1 firmware for windows/mac users http://bit.ly/3gztaH
stefen34 on September 26th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Well just another phone. I don’t think it will make any affect on market.
Jennifer on September 26th, 2009 at 8:20 am
I’ve been waiting for this feature. Thanks for the detailed post on this new improvement to messaging.