(Column) - Apple and AT&T today unveiled the prices for the iPhone service, and these prices are far from average. As if paying $499 and $599 isn’t enough, AT&T wants you to sign up for the minimum price of $59.99 and go as high as $99.99. That’s a substantial price difference between what non-iPhone handset users will normally sign up for and what iPhone users are being forced to sign up for. That’s just for the single handset, too. Family plans and additional service details are expected to come later as the iPhone launch draws near. Even if a lot of people could swallow the iPhone price tag, these service plans are a killer. Sure you’ll automatically get a data plan with the service, but even then, it’s asking for a little too much. Why couldn’t AT&T stick with normally priced service plans? I understand AT&T has to recover the insane amount that it paid to Apple to be the exclusive iPhone carrier, but c’mon AT&T, let’s think about the users for a second here.

I was going to recommend that AT&T not force its users to sign up for the data plan, but considering how much benefit it will be to users with a connected iPhone, that’s probably not a good idea.

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Look, I understand the groundbreaking innovation that iPhone is, but AT&T and Apple, for that matter, need to better work with each other to make the iPhone a robust, yet affordable, device. Right now, it feels as though Apple is taking too much advantage of users due to the first mover’s advantage it currently has in its favor.

Considering Apple’s history with price points, I’m asking for too much. I know. Nonetheless, it’s still a valid concern for Apple to chill with these insane prices and think about its users. After all, isn’t that what Apple is all about? Innovation and a passionate user community. I doubt the passion will last for long if the prices continue to spike up for Apple products if iPhone is any indicator. Oh, and need I mention the one time $36 activation fee. AT&T is trying to milk money left, right and center with both hands. They could’ve at least given that option as a complimentary "gift."

But hey, at least you’ll get 200 free text messages, the option to rollover unused minutes (from 450) and free mobile-to-mobile calls for AT&T users. Regardless of how successful the iPhone is, this will certainly be one of the most outrageously priced devices for some time.

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