ReadWriteWeb

AT&T's iPhone Finally Getting MMS via iPhone OS 3.1?

Written by Sarah Perez / August 3, 2009 8:31 AM / 100 Comments

A little over a month ago, the next update to the iPhone firmware - OS 3.1 beta - was released to developers. With the updated firmware, there are a number of bug fixes and a few new features, including voice control over Bluetooth, copy and paste for phone numbers, vibration feedback when re-arranging screen icons, and more. However, the most notable change in the latest OS update is the re-inclusion of MMS. For unknown reasons, this feature was removed from the fifth beta and the public release of the OS, but now it's back and enabled by default. Although the functionality isn't working over the AT&T network yet, there are reports that the next iPhone update will indeed enable MMS. The only question is when?

MMS Switched on in New Firmware

There are several reasons to believe why the upcoming iPhone OS 3.1 update will include MMS. Most importantly is the fact that the update firmware actually includes the functionality switched on by default. There are changes AT&T will have to make in order for it to work, of course, but now all that's left is for AT&T to "flip the switch," so to speak.

Although Apple hasn't officially confirmed a release date for the OS 3.1 update, it's expected to arrive sometime in September. That timing nicely coincides with AT&T's public statement that MMS will arrive "later this summer." (September is still summer, right?) An anonymous commenter on iPhone-watching blog FSM said that a rep told him the release date is September 6th and, at the latest, September 8th, but obviously, you can't put any weight behind those statements (you can only hope!).

When we spoke to an AT&T rep ourselves, we were told to wait until the "end of August or beginning of September" - which isn't really new information, unfortunately. However, the rep also said that Apple "has the update already" and that AT&T is "just waiting for Apple to release it." This statement could easily be construed to mean that when Apple releases the updated firmware that is OS 3.1, AT&T will be ready to turn on MMS functionality. Another reason why this seems plausible is because the rep said you'll be alerted to the update via a text message - the same procedure they've used in the past to alert you to new iPhone firmware releases.

All Signs Point to MMS in OS 3.1

Then there is the fact that multiple blogs are reporting news from anonymous AT&T tipsters saying that MMS will be enabled via the next iPhone OS update. In fact, according to iPhone Hacks, there have been a couple of instances where developers reported that they already had MMS working, although somewhat sporadically. Take that with a grain of salt, though.

Finally, there are reports that the latest OS 3.1 beta is disabling the hacks that made tethering and MMS possible via unsupported methods on AT&T iPhones. Some of the hacks even allowed you to enable these functions without going through the process of "jailbreaking" the phone - a special type of hack which enables you to install third-party applications hosted outside of the iTunes App Store. Of course, disabling hacks like this via an update seems par for the course for Apple, but considering all these rumors, it could be another item that points to the possibility of OS 3.1 delivering MMS to AT&T customers. After all, what better way to make sure AT&T customers have to start paying for its use with their text messaging bundle?

Of course, without official statements from either company, there's no way to be 100% certain that the iPhone OS 3.1 will be the vehicle delivering MMS, but considering all of the above factors, it does seem likely.


Comments

Subscribe to comments for this post OR Subscribe to comments for all ReadWriteWeb posts

  1. I'm using the latest 3.1 beta.... MMS still not working as of yet. Friends in Miami saying it is

     Posted by: Mix Hitz Author Profile Page | August 3, 2009 10:16 AM



  2. 3.1 to enable MMS? In the UK, we've had MMS since 3.0 came out (on O2), so do you really need a firmware update?

     Posted by: Mike Linskey Author Profile Page | August 3, 2009 1:42 PM



  3. Yes you need the update. Right now the MMS 'button' in the Messages application is hidden under software coding. An update that does not include that coding, thus revealing the button will be needed.

    Posted by: Sam | August 3, 2009 8:44 PM



  4. The update isn't technically needed to enable MMS on the iPhone. MMS on a US iPhone (with AT&T, OS 3.0) can be enabled by download the correct carrier profile that contains the carrier's MMS settings.
    After doing this, you will be able to attempt to send an MMS on the iPhone - the buttons are there at least. There is a second step though - you need to have a non-iPhone text messaging plan on your account. This is the default with family plans, it seems, but requires you to change your account features for a normal plan. This needs to be done with your iPhone's SIM card in a non-iPhone. I've been able to do this easily with my family plan by putting the SIM in a Nokia phone, sending an MMS or two, then putting it back in my iPhone. For about a day, I can send MMS with my iPhone. But AT&T has some sort of automated process that looks for this, and to get MMS working on the iPhone again, I have to do the temporary SIM swap.
    It's not really worth it since I tend to use email for most things, but at least I know that the feature will work when AT&T decides to enable it "officially". So it's really not hard coded into the software - it's just a few settings that were not enabled in the configuration of AT&T iPhones. Even though I stopped the SIM swap because it was not really worth it for MMS, it will be a nice thing to have on occassion since my mother loves to snap photos on her regular flip phone and she'll be able to send me pictures from vacations, etc. Now I have to keep telling her "no, I didn't get that - AT&T doesn't let me get those pics on the iPhone yet"

    Posted by: Robert | August 3, 2009 10:45 PM



  5. I love how AT&T once again tries to make it seem like they have been ready for this, "However, the rep also said that Apple "has the update already" and that AT&T is "just waiting for Apple to release it." Apple was ready with MMS back in June. AT&T must have paid big time dollars for Apple to put up with them trying to make it seem like Apple is at fault for everything. (Goggle Voice being another example) At this point, I really can not believe anything until it actually works from AT&T. And as soon as another carrier gets the iphone, or T-Mobile ups their network, Im gone from AT&T.

    Posted by: JC | August 3, 2009 11:31 PM



  6. Ugh. This MMS thing really needs to come omg. Like I have the iPhone 3Gs. And the update 3.1 but still there isn't anything. :(.

    Posted by: Tim | August 7, 2009 8:19 AM



  7. I expected that with AT&T.

    domain names for sale

    Posted by: Ian | August 7, 2009 8:56 AM



  8. As an Iphone owner, I can't believe my awesome phone that is heads above the competition phone can't do one simple thing that a cheap "pay as you go" phones can do.
    I want to be able to accept/send a picture via text to/from friends? COME ON AT&T. YOU ALREADY OVERCHARGE US FOR OUR PLANS.

    Posted by: Doug | August 7, 2009 5:20 PM



  9. Don't know what the big deal is? While you wait... You can send & receive pix with iPhone using email and send to any cell phone I.e. XXXxxxXxxx@vrzwpix.com replace the "x"'s with area code and phone number. I've been doing this for two years.

    Posted by: Ames | August 7, 2009 8:40 PM



  10. Ugh. This MMS thing really needs to come omg. Like I have the iPhone 3Gs. And the update 3.1 but still there isn't anything. :(.

    Posted by: Tim | August 7, 2009 9:01 PM



  11. I know dude i hate that viewmymessage crap i downloaded the 3.0.1 and clicked the check for update button but it keeps saying that the 3.0.1 is the latest update ='[

    Posted by: Efren | August 7, 2009 10:49 PM



  12. I was waiting to get the Iphone until MMS came "online". Yesterday my HTC tilt found the bottom of my stairs before I did.... Broken. So I bought the phone, I was shown a letter from the sales rep that ATT sales was given stating the MMS would be up no more than 2 weeks from Aug 7.... I laughed and said "what year"..... My guess based on the "hints" around is we will have it by the end of the first week in September.

    I was warned by the staff they think "network slowdown" will be extream for the first 2 weeks of service.

    Posted by: Jestin | August 8, 2009 1:02 PM



  13. I can send MMS with my iphone on Tmobile

    Posted by: marcos | August 8, 2009 5:55 PM



  14. AT&T sucks! SOS to all carriers, please rescue us (iPhone users) asap!!!

    Posted by: Scott | August 9, 2009 9:14 AM



  15. Finally a Real solution to AT&T's no MMS multi media messages for the iPhone $1.99

    You simply bring up the link on your iphone, attach it to your home screen as an icon and place it next to your TEXT icon.

    http://www.ifind2.com/text/1 This l ink is free for now.

    It will be $1.99 one time fee to get it shortly.

    I did it. The whole world is asking for this and I spent about 60-70 hours programming, but I made it work. (I did not even go to church and was up three nights and worked all day).

    1.
    The problem: AT&T blocks all MMS (multi-media pictures and video) text messages.

    THE PROBLEM:
    2.
    If you actually get fedup and call AT&T now they enable the system, so even though you won't get your MMS messages, at least you get a reminder text message from them that "You have an MMS text message" and they give you their own AT&T link with an ID and Password that the customers have to remember once they went to their link. But both the ID and the Password are miserably long and impossible to remember and people even when they write it down somewhere they can't figure it out.

    They send codes like: ID: IJK09546891l
    Password: Iuw479I0
    Imagine. the first one is an L the one before the zero is an i and so on... it's impossible to get it and the whole world is outraged and complaining about it.


    3.
    SOME CURRENT SOLUTIONS THAT ARE TERRIBLE that coest $2.99 (I bought them).
    I purchased some software packages for the iPhone through the iphone apps store that claim that help you retrieve your MMS messages that people send to you. Well, the best one, (which is still miserably bad) simply allows you to take a snap shot IMAGE of your ID and password, enlarge it, but still requires you to manually type it in. Well, that was NO HELP, since I still could not tell if it was an i or a 1 or an L most of the times. I1l (yep those are three different characters) or 0O which one is the zero and which one is the letter o? anyway. I had to come up with a solution and I'll charge a dollar less than everyone else. It will be implemented by tonight.


    THE REAL SOLUTION:
    4. When you do get the message from AT&T that you do have a text message and they give you the http: link and the ID and Password for the iphone and some other phones, you simply: COPY, PASTE it inside the http://www.ifind2.com/text/1 MMS field, click process and click GET MY MMS.

    It will automatically figure out which server you are getting the message from and retrieve the MMS message instantly, no more remembering any codes, etc.

    Love to all,
    Andy

    Posted by: ifind2comtext1 | August 10, 2009 6:44 AM



  16. I love my iPhone, but as much as I do, I will drop it like a hot rock if MMS isn't up on the next release. I'm sick of waiting for this simple feature to be available on one of their most advanced phones. If they decide to charge iPhone users for MMS, when I already pay for unlimited texting and internet. I'll drop at&t and go to Verizon. I already pay them too much and I'm not going to pay for a service I get free elsewhere.

    Posted by: Tiger | August 10, 2009 8:19 AM



  17. I agree with Tiger, Im done with iPhone if mms is not in new release

    Posted by: Bob | August 11, 2009 6:29 AM



  18. if you are part of the iphone Developer program you can download 3.1 with mms enabled with the new carrier file built in but you will need to switch your sim into any other att phone and send a few mms text you will have to do this a few times to update your att account then put your sim back in your iphone and now you can send mms make sure when you log into your account the iphone doesnt show and i swear this works

    Posted by: mike amp | August 11, 2009 7:15 AM



  19. if any one want to be part of the iphone Developer program please contact me bullet1240@aol.com

    Posted by: mike amp | August 11, 2009 7:17 AM



  20. MMS is already old news and AT&T hasn't even started it? it's been in France for at least around 2 years...

    Posted by: twofings | August 12, 2009 6:39 AM



  21. I agree... This is a joke that we have to hack our phones for mms... it is offered on all other att phones... except for the iphone... WTF att????

    Posted by: Rob | August 12, 2009 6:45 PM



  22. I agree!!! AT&T needs to get their things straighten out with Apple and release MMS...The iphone is such a highly developed phone and can do so many neat features. But how come they can't figure out MMS?

     Posted by: Marco Sepulveda Author Profile Page | August 14, 2009 11:59 AM



  23. If you ask me personally, AT&T is a joke, they rob there best customers blind especially hear in the states. But if you want real working MMS; visit the guys over at http://MMS.ifind2.com. To me they are the most advanced and easiest to use. There have even been rumors that they are working on you being able to receive MMS as well. check them out.

    Posted by: Sam | August 14, 2009 3:53 PM



  24. why cant the just say "what the heck" and release the update it's not fair the people from paris have had it for TWO years

    Hurry Up

    Posted by: Jack | August 15, 2009 6:11 AM



  25. F*&^ France!! Who cares!

    Posted by: HHH | August 16, 2009 11:26 AM



  26. Yes, MMS will be released with Iphone Firmware 3.1

    The true problem before was that MMS on 3.0 was that people would get random pictures. It was screwing up.


    So its fixed now and just wait for the new firmware. (first week of sept)

    Posted by: Tripp | August 16, 2009 4:19 PM



  27. september is not summer AT&T ........... how do u know it will be the first week of september?

     Posted by: corbin miles Author Profile Page | August 16, 2009 8:53 PM



  28. Here's my best guess.

    AT&T will release MMS to the public just BEFORE iPhones become available from Verizon. That way they can lock new people down for 2 years. As existing account holders, you're already locked down. And for those nearing the 2 years, your decision of going or stay has already been made, so there's no steering you.

    Posted by: Frustrated | August 17, 2009 9:49 AM



  29. ATT is anti-sexting!

    Posted by: Hanyaa77 | August 18, 2009 6:33 AM



  30. i lost all my friends, because they got sick of not being able to send me MMS pics :) lol

    Posted by: adrian97c | August 18, 2009 9:34 AM



  31. I also just recently spoke with a rep and she told me end of august. I told her I doubted that and she said "oh it's a definate update we are all set for the launch" mind you I'm just the messenger so don't email me bitching if it doesn't happen

    Posted by: Ryan @ myiphonemail dot net | August 18, 2009 2:41 PM



  32. FIXED USA AT&T MMS Enabling 100% Easy working: http://htxt.it/eEK4

    Posted by: iPhone Tips | August 18, 2009 4:50 PM



  33. AT&T sucks big time! They are always delaying everything for no particular reason. They don't care about the consumer, just how much money they can take from them.

     Posted by: Ryan Author Profile Page | August 20, 2009 5:31 PM



  34. Still Waiting... As soon as IPhone hits another carrier. I AM GONE!

    Posted by: Micnatt | August 21, 2009 8:34 PM



  35. I cant wait. It will be nice to get MMS without the hassle




    src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">

    Posted by: Derek | August 21, 2009 9:06 PM






  36. src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">

    Posted by: Derek | August 21, 2009 9:12 PM




  37. src="http://www.derekjordan.com/ad.html">

    Posted by: Jason T | August 21, 2009 9:18 PM



  38. Sorry, for the SPAM posts, my computer freaked out.

    There are rumors that this is very close. You guys really should check out this site: http://www.blogswagger.com/?p=24

    Posted by: Derek | August 21, 2009 9:25 PM



  39. iPhone force everything via it. AT&T get down his knees. Maybe both win. Just watching.

    This tool give your iphone more fun.

    http://www.111download.com/product/4media-dvd-to-iphone-converter-for-mac.html

    4Media DVD to iPhone Converter for Mac, the latest DVD to iPhone converter software for Mac users, features powerful functions. It can convert DVD to iPhone MP4 video. It can also convert DVD to iPhone audio formats like M4A, WAV and MP3 etc. With this versatile conversion tool, you can also convert DVD to iPod MPEG-4 for Video iPod, Apple TV, and new iPod 30GB and 80GB.

    Posted by: taylor | August 23, 2009 12:20 AM



  40. Honestly I've only needed MMS to satisfy my camera-phone crazy friend. Everyone else I know has iphones and sends emails.

    Posted by: cs.87id.com Author Profile Page | August 23, 2009 12:29 AM



  41. MMS is already old news and AT&T hasn't even started it? it's been in France for at least around 2 years.

    Posted by: NBA | August 23, 2009 1:03 AM



  42. It's not really worth it since I tend to use email for most things, but at least I know that the feature will work when AT&T decides to enable it "officially". So it's really not hard coded into the software - it's just a few settings that were not enabled in the configuration of AT&T iPhones.

    Posted by: xtcommerce | August 23, 2009 7:51 AM



  43. UMM IM SO SICK OF ATT AND THIER BULL MY PHONE BILL IS $125.00 AND I DONT HAVE MMS THATS BULL THEY ARE HIGH AZZ HELL AND I CNT SEND MMS THIS IS CRAZY I LOVE MY PHONE BUT DAMN VERIZON HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET ME TO SWITCH TO THEM AND THE PAY MY EARLY TERMINATION FEE BUT THEY ARE JUST AS HIGH AS ATT SOMETHING MUST GIVE HELLO ATT DO YOU HEAR ALL OF THESE MAD PEOPLE

    Posted by: KSWAG | August 24, 2009 12:28 PM



  44. Now with version 3.2 MMS Sender you don't just receive or view MMS messages like other cheesy MMS apps, get the new MMS Sender along with the viewer and send and receive! No other MMS app for the i phone can do that.

    Posted by: Sinister1 | August 24, 2009 2:13 PM



  45. Dude I just saw the 3.2 version mentioned on Metacafe and downloaded it it has an awesome graphical interface and is so freakin easy to use!

    Posted by: Sam | August 24, 2009 2:21 PM



  46. Sam is right; I just downloaded it my self and not olny does it work with AT&T but it works with all carriers, my homeboy has a Cricket phone and we can send and receive pics, this is cool man! About time someone came up with something that works since AT&T can't seem to do it, Apple should hire the guy who came up with this. I believe the link is http://MMS.ifind2 or something, Google it.

    Posted by: Sinister1 | August 24, 2009 2:36 PM



  47. OK, I purchased 7 different apps now and NONE of them could show me MMS messages and NONE of them sent. So after trying them all I figured what the heck I'll try one more since someone listed it as a working one. Ladies and Gentlemen THE ONE THAT WORKS!!! I can now open the AT&T MMS messages. http://MMS.ifind2.com

    I bought the MMS VIEW and since it worked beautifully, I now have the one that allows me to SEND mms also. It's free after the initial fee. I'm very VERY impressed.

    Posted by: Yashua | August 24, 2009 3:56 PM



  48. Thanks guys, I went ahead and purchased the http://MMS.ifind2.com MMS VIEW and also the MMS SEND.

    Yes, it does work. I was upset myself that my beautiful iphone could not view or send MMS messages.

    This is THE DEAL! I also found out that they are already working on Flash... can't wait.

     Posted by: Andy Author Profile Page | August 24, 2009 4:00 PM



  49. I have to agree that its messed up that all other phones can use mms but the phone thats supose to be the most versatile phone as far as media and inter net goes cant do it

    Posted by: Matt | August 24, 2009 11:16 PM



  50. if we all start leaving at&t and show them where sick of there sh#t i bet mms will come out in min and they'll stop charging an arm and a leg...we need to come together as 1 and give them a big fu#k you

    Posted by: ralf611 | August 25, 2009 2:30 AM



  51. 1 2 3 Next

Leave a comment

Optional: Sign in with Connect Facebook   Sign in with Twitter Twitter   Sign in with OpenID OpenID  |  
RWW SPONSORS


FOLLOW @RWW ON TWITTER

ReadWriteWeb on Facebook



TEXT LINK ADS