Herbert Graf wrote:
> 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.
>   

I'm in the stone age, too Herbert. And I consider the video phone a 
legal liability, because people
are being photographed without their knowledge or permission.

--Bob
> TTYL
>
>   

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