On Sat, 2007-01-13 at 09:00 +0800, Xiaofan Chen wrote:
> Technically speaking, Apple iPhone seems to be a very good product
> (running Mac OS X, iPOD MP3, high resolution, GPS) and it is really
> not that expensive than those O2 Xda class of cell phones.
> 
> Apple iPhone website: http://www.apple.com/iphone/
> Components: http://www.eetimes.eu/semi/196802507
> Core components:
> http://www.eetimes.com/news/design/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=XFCR40Y0E04VQQSNDLRSKH0CJUNN2JVN?articleID=196900390
> 
> Do you like it? Will you buy it?

Nope. Two reasons:

1. I find all Apple products range from average to good quality,
however, they are too pricey for what they are. I realize this is a
blanket statement, therefore I'll add IMHO.

2. It's tied to cingular. I realize the only way, so far, to sell a cell
phone in north america has been through tie ins with providers that add
so many subsidies that the prices of the actual hardware are quite
unrealistic (for example, the phone I bought, brand new on the grey
market sells for about $130, at the time. The exact same phone from my
provider, with a three year contract was $0. The exact same phone from
my provider, without signing a contract? $299! I believe they inflate
the "no contract" price so much that NOONE even considers not signing a
contract). The only way to buy a cell phone without buying one from a
provider is basically the grey market. Also, if you think that after
your contract is up they'll unlock you phone for a reasonable price,
you'd be wrong, most either say it can't be done, or offer to do it for
a blanket price of $250! (vs. ~$20 at the local mall).

Apple had an opportunity here. People are clearly willing to pay a
little more for an "i" product, again IMHO, they should have offered to
sell the phone to the public directly. In the end it's likely this tie
in WILL get Apple more money, but it would have been REALLY cool if
Apple had finally cracked this "tie in" crap.

Oh well, still, only thing I use my phone for, despite it having a
camera, video, games, etc. is phone calls, and texts. I guess I'm still
in the stone age.

TTYL

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