Apple iPhone on AT&T for five years?
By Ryan Block 
posted May 22nd 2007 1:53PM
posted May 22nd 2007 1:53PM
There are carrier exclusivity agreements, and there are carrier exclusivity agreements -- and Apple's iPhone deal must have been pretty sweet for Cupertino to guarantee their new hotness to AT&T and AT&T alone for five friggin years. USA Today reports the supposed half-decade deal precludes Apple from developing a CDMA handset in that time (duh), meaning that if you live in the US and don't want to move to AT&T, it's going to be 2012 before you even have a chance at an iPhone. Better still, Today reports that Cingular's arch-nemesis Verizon is claiming to have an iPhone-killer in the wings. According to Denny Strigl, Verizon CEO, "We do have a very good response in the mill. You'll see that from us in the late summer." It's war, people, make no mistake about it.[Thanks, Eric]
if it has a few of the same key features ill consider not switching from VZw over to AT&T...
I love it, this means that we all get to sit by and watch technology get better and better at a rapid rate. I dont even care if the iPhone is the best of them all, I'm just glad that these companies trying to 1-up eachother will lead to really awesome cell phones
which is exactly what Apple intended on doing with the iPhone. they said it was a revolution and that they were re-inventing the phone. they never said anything about taking over or dominating the market. Apple saw that the phones on the market now are kinda shitty, and made an awesome one. if various factors make the iPhone a flop it doesnt matter because they already changed the market by waking up dumb, rich, lazy, SOB CEOs.
Spence, you are sooo right! And as probably the only one in this thread that has see, touched and use an iPhone (don't ask me how ;^), trust me when I say it WILL SELL LIKE "HOT CAKES"! This indeed bodes well for near future cell phone tech!
Now bring on the EFC devices!
http://www.eternal-champions.com/images/efc_device.jpg
who gives a sh**
It's too expensive, and will probably fail.
I totally agree.
People act like this is the end all of phones.
It's just a smartphone/PDA/Pocket PC for the average Joe.
I bet everything the iPhone can do, a Treo can do without all the glitz and glamour.
Try to understand the signifigance, and look past the sticker shock or other egocentric reason not to get it.
Apple coming into the phone market is like Toyota and their Hybrid. Apple has the oppertunity to leap past the competitors which sets standards and forces companies to inovate, to catch-up (OSX & Vista).
It's not just about another phone. And if any other company where to try, I would probably say meh, but since it's someone who is going from 0% market share, they'll have a bigger need to inovate. Motorola or Nokia could have done this, no problem, but they would hold out for years untill they had to because the models they have are already making oodles of $. This will force them to compete.
I have a treo, and NO a treo can't do 1/3 of the stuff the iPhone can. The iPhone is not for everyone, people. Don't forget that. People went crazy for the RZR so imagine what it will be for the iPhone which is 10 times better.
well either its apple or its not. I mean whatever they come up with, it won't have an ipod in it, and it won't run OS X or any form thereof, so its not comparable. The Ipod is the entire reason Cingular got into bed with Apple in the first place, and why Verizon could have made a huge mistake in passing it up.
High price, limited utility, and carrier-choice-limiting exclusivity??!?! How can iPhone go wrong?
Ha!!
tcc3: The exact same thing (except for carrier exclusivity) was said about the iPod 6 years ago...I'm sure Apple is hoping for the same type of failure.
I wonder what Verizon's response will be? The Zune phone?
iPhone killer?? are those more lethal than the iPod killers such as Zune?
I completely agree, the iphone is pretty much a nice looking fashion accessory and no way is it a proper smartphone.
You're right. Kinda like a Honda does the same things as a Ferarri, only without the 'glitz and glamour'. What was I thinking??? Who wants and iPhone when I can have a Razr? They do the same thing, right?
I'll go with iPhone.
I agree except that it is not for the average Joe. Average people don't spend $600 on phones.
I have a treo and there is something it won't do that my treo does.
My TREO locks up all the dang time. I can't browse web pages worth a flip. I really don't care if nobody else gets one. I will be happy when I get my iPhone. I know the OS... it is rock solid. No more "Hold on while I reboot my phone."
They said all this about the iPod, though.
I know I am impressed by the iPhone so far. I don't like either of those carriers right now though.
There is no way the VZW could make an iPhone killer. Many people have tired to kill the iPod and failed, and VZW will be added to the list.
Plus it will be crippled and have the horrible VZW UI.
Actually, there are plenty of ipod killers, well not so much killer, but definately better devices. Iriver devices are superior to ipods. What Apple has going for it.. is its huge marketting machine, and with regards to the ipod, a huge head start over competitors where the ipod became a house hold name, it does not make the ipod better then the other devices available (although you do have to search for them). Where as the Iphone is a late comer to an already brutal market.. cell phones.. and while it is pretty, they will have some stiff compotition from the other handset makers, who know how to get a handset to market from concept to product in a very short amount of time.. where as it took apple 3 years to come up with the iphone...
Verizon's smartphones are neither crippled nor sport a Verizon UI. My two year old Samsung SCH-i730 is a 4GB media playing (via SD card), live TV/DVR streaming (via Sling), 3rd party application running, Skype running, full keyboard, 3G and wi-fi sporting, and replaceable battery masterpiece.
Ironically, it's actually LESS locked down than the iPhone.
from Verizon ?!? C'mon you HAVE to be kidding! Verizon is the complete antithesis of Apple ... no friggin' way.
It's war and I declare myself, the consumer, the winner.
"arch-nemesis Verizon"? Wouldn't it be would be T-Mobile based on GSM handsets?
That is true, the Nokia's N95 is a phone that does more then the iPhone, has a better camera, and has more 3rd party app's, plus 3G. I think Apple's implementation on the interface side is what i think will be hard to beat. (but because i have never used an iPhone i have no idea if it is worth it)
But I know that my mom could use the iPhone, I don't think she could do as well with the n95.
I think you misunderstand the term "iPod Killer". The term does not refer to a device with more features etc. It refers to a device that will dethrone the iPod from most popular player.
Anyone who doesn't think the iPhone blows away a Treo and will change the world either:
1. Can't afford one and is justifying it to themselves
2. Hasn't seen the demo/keynote which will blow you away
I have a feeling that Verizon will kill its iphone killer before it even has a chance. If not, badly cripple it. Seems like apple is doing exactly what it set out to do, which is the same thing it did for the mp3 player market, making others step their game up, challenging the status quo.
BTW, this Verison announcement is merely vaporware to keep current Verison customers from jumping to AT&T.
It will be years before a device that even begins to compare to the iPhone's OS comes to market.
MS has been using this unethical tactic for years.
This mythical device will probably never even become a working prototype.
Engadget, more about colorblindmac.com please
I'm with T-Mobile and I really like them so I'm not planning on changing companies. So, I can't wait to see what T-Mobile will come up to compete with Apple/AT&T's iPhone.
T-mobile did come up with a "response" it's called the wing. Look it up.
In reference to Joe.
1. I can afford one. If I can afford a Treo what makes you think I can't afford a iPhone
2. Name one thing it does better than a Treo. I am not talking about interface wise either.
I will give it you, interface and looks wise it blows the Treo away.
But what is so revolutionary about it. (Other than aesthetically)
Can it cook, clean, do my laundry? No, than its just another smartphone.
How much is Steve Jobs paying you to post.
A_Hood wrote: "2. Name one thing it does better than a Treo. I am not talking about interface wise either."
Well, that's like saying "name one thing your million-dollar salary does better than my minimum wage job... apart from make you richer". The selling point of the iPhone (and of almost every single Apple product) is not that it has a longer spec list, but that it does what it does better than the alternatives.
Interface is not just about aesthetics. In many ways, they are diametrically opposed, since often things that look 'flashy' are less easy to use. The iPhone is intended to be aesthetically pleasing (so it will have enough appeal to sell) and to have a decent interface (so it has continued appeal, so people are likely to recommend it).
So yeah, it doesn't have the spec list of this or that product. Neither does the iPod, and last I heard, that was doing okay in the marketplace. Remember that the average consumer doesn't do a spec list comparison before purchase; they buy what looks pretty or what their friends recommend. That, to me, implies that the iPhone will do pretty well for itself; just maybe not as well in the kind of market that reads Engadget.
I have too much faith in all the OS X people out there to believe that an iPhone will stay unhacked for five years - more like 5 days.
I am still of the opinion that the individual Cingular ( ...err AT&T ) will resemble downtown Los Angeles after the Rodney King trial on the iPhone's launch day. Is this 5 year announcement thing an attempt to diffuse the immanent rioting?
"...PS3 was the 'Fall of Man'?Ha! Wait til the iPhone launch."
I love these -killer comments for competitors. Not one of them compete with Apple on the same playing field.
All the iPod-killers have tried to out spec sheet the iPod and they've all failed. The one that has the most marketshare and is actually gaining in marketshare is Sandisk with their low cost digital players.
I'm sure whatever Version has in the works will out-spec the iPhone, but it still won't have a full-featured OS with well-tested and used frameworks. No manufacturer or carrier will be able to match the ease of use of tried and true frameworks.
I've stated this before: Regardless of the carrier of phone manufacturer you use, we will all benefit by the existence of Apple's iPhone in the cell market.
It seems it's finally coming true.
The big shock here is that AT&T is able to lock Apple down for 5 years. You have to remember that I don%u2019t think the iPhone is out there for business people. Without a keyboard or Exchange Server, not many will buy the iPhone for work purposes. No one would want to type out an email without a keyboard. I have not heard if the iPhone will run Outlook yet, but it probably will sooner or later.
I think the market for the iPhone is the hardcore Apple fan that will just have to have it. Limiting it to the AT&T network is pretty good on AT&Ts part, not so good on Apple%u2019s part. Verizon looked at the iPhone and took a pass, so that has to tell you something. Verizon and all the other carriers basically do have an answer to the iPhone, they are called Pocket PC%u2019s. I guess maybe some folks at AT&T knew that going from Cingular to AT&T would hurt them in the cool factor, getting the iPhone is a pretty good way to strike back.
The iPhone is good for consumers though, because it will drive other carriers to improve.
Actually, VZW didn't look at the iPhone and pass... They were offered, presumably sight unseen, the chance to get in on the iPhone, and passed. Now they want to design an iPhone "killer" before the iPhone is even released? Sounds like somebody is regretting their decision, to me...
aren't carriers required by law to unlock their "carrier-locked" devices? so wouldnt this phone, in the end, work on most GSM carriers?
in short? nope. sorry. That doesnt mean you cant get it unlocked by other means.
There is a current law suit, but I do not believe there is a final outcome yet. I know Verizon and Sprint are involved in a lawsuit about locking and disabling features (BT for example), but I do not believe its about locking the handset to the carrier. When a handset is subsidized, they can lock it into the carrier for the duration of the contract, beyond that they have to unlock it, that of course does not mean they have to enable another carriers handset on their network (currently only sprint and verizon since they use cdma)
from what ive been told, the iphone needs "fine EDGE" to operate at its fullest capacity. apparently ATT's network isnt even ready for this as it's been trying to rollout UMTS. So 15 million units ordered by ATT and there's going to be some irate customers that cant use their phone to the fullest.
no one wants a zune phone. verizon will start charging M$ points instead of cash so it seems like a better deal.
LOOK THE NEW ZUNE PHONE! ONLY 1200 M$ POINTS! (somehow = $243.84)
It doesn't matter what phones Verizon comes up with. As long as they mess up the UI of all the phones, a Verizon phone will always SUCK. I wish they just allow people to bring the phones from Korea or Japan and use all features. I just bought the pantech IM-R260 but all I can do with it make calls and send text messages.
I have seen and watched the demo for the I-phone, I must admit that the iphone is phenominal to look at and the interface simplicity is awesome as well. I love ipods as much as the next guy. With that said, I am very ocnfident in Verizon to find a phone maker that is willing to produce a similar product. Regardless of Apple's interface if VZ can find that manufacturere who can at least mimic the user friendliness that he iphone shows they should be fine. Verizon was smart is the way I see it. They chose not to sell their soul (profits) to some outside company that has never made a cellular phone. No one knows the durablity of the phone the hangups the OS might have etc etc. Verizon wouldn't allow an agreement to take place where Apple was taking a portion of the money for every phone sold, and a portion of the reacurring revenue that this phone will undoubtedly create. While ATT might sell a flippin ton of these phones and sign up even more on new agreements they are still splitting these profits with a company that has no background in the industry until now. That is a ballsy move.
I don't recall Verizon being a manufacturer of handsets.
Wrong,
The Razr is a regular cell phone.
The iPhone is a smartphone type device.
Your trying to compare apples and oranges.
In regards to your comment about cars.
Try comparing the Ferrari to a Corvette.
Something that's (almost)equally matched.
Disclaimer: I don't dislike the iPhone. I am just tired of people acting like it's the messiah of phones.
Same way people treat the iPod.
Try comparing the Ferrari to a Corvette? Something that's (almost) equally matched?
Oh my, Tom Selleck is rolling over in his grave, to say nothing of Europe.
Seriously, can't you people reserve your praise and disdain until you actually use the phone?
Ahh i see.. i was mistaken, it was just recently that the DMCA made it legal in the US to unlock your carrier locked phone. I have had cingular send me unlock codes for 2 of my phones for overseas-simcard use over the past year... It was my understanding that Cingular would do so if you are in good standing after 3 months into your contract with them. I wonder why peeps over at howard forums say that cingular MUST unlock their phones if they are in good standing?
I thought the iPhone was going to change the cell phone market. Being with one carrier doesn't appear to make the case.
It hasn't?
• All the major carriers are for the first time engaging in unifying services being the manufacture and the carrier.
• Verison (a carrier—not a manufacturer) is claiming to have an iPhone killer in the works.
• The iPhone isn't out yet MS' Ballmer and others can't seem to stop talking about it.
• Visual Voicemail
• A manufacturer whose interest doesn't end when you buy the hardware but extends through the life of the device. If that doesn't make any sense let me restate it: AT&T is *NOT* subsidizing the cost of the phone. Apple is getting a good portion of the monthly subscription fees the consumer will pay to AT&T. This means Apple is not concerned with constantly selling you a new phone, but is merely concerned with keeping you satisfied with your iPhone services and usability.
THAT IS NEW MODEL APPLE HAS STARTED. Regardless of the manufacturer or carrier you choose, you will benefit from the iPhone's emergence.
Maybe the 5 year lockdown is only for this version of the iphone. What if Apple comes out with a phone under a different name - would the 5 year contract still apply?
I disagree, there are many mp3 players better then the ipod, not neccesarily in the US though. Take a look at the Asian market, they have some phenominal devices, many that support A2DP (which is my requirement for an mp3 player). They are just not as common in the US, unfortunately.
Yes, the Treo does come closer in comparison than does the Razr, but it is still in a completely different league.
I'm buying the iPhone for its media capabilities on a cell phone. The Treo can't even come CLOSE to having the media capabilities of an iPhone. So, comparing the iPhone to a Treo is apples and oranges as well.
There is no way the Treo can come anywhere near the iPhone, IMO.
Im so tired of MAC fanboys. Get over your 'superior design' and whatever else the fanboys are claiming will rule about the iphone. people these days think its cool to hate pc's and get apple's nearly every freshman at my school (Drexel) has a new macbook and when you ask them whats so much better about it they never have a good reason. the iphone is the same old deal, trying to be cool.
I love that tired retarded comeback "MAC/Apple Fanboys" That comes from people that havent got a clue. The reason people become such avid MAC fans is that the machines just plain work. The windows OS crashes frequently. Macs rarely crash. Pocket PC phones crash freaquently... I know I am assuming but I am pretty sure that the iPhone will be rock solid like its big brother OS. My wife just got a MAC... she keeps showing me how her windows pc is crap compared to it. She has had it a week and is completely hooked.
You see the apple fans you try to insult for being fans are fans for a reason. The sad thing is when I see posts like yours it merely looks like it came from someone who is jealous.
I will tell you people 1 thing find someone who works for Statefarm and ask them to buy you a iphone it will be 50% off if you cant find one of them find someone at Fedex it will be 20% off sell on ebay profit
@ Adrian
Apple and AT&T have already claimed that the prices are set in stone and no further discounts (even for Premiere customers) will be given. Who knows what will happen when it's released, but I hope they do give discounts for FAN accts, because I've got a nice one. ;)
Personal prediction: the 5-year agreement is a blind. Future iPhone versions will be VoIP with Apple running the back end and extracting all rents thereunto, perhaps using WiMax if it gets off the ground - and hence not being 'cellular' and thus not being subject to said agreement.
oh boy, a verizon iphone killer?
i'm sorry but verizon's interface sucks. as an american/brit my v3m i used in the states crippled all it's functionality into verizon's wonderful DRM world. When i tried bluetoothing mp3s onto it, oh ITS NOT COMPATIBLE!!!it's just a giant scam to get people to buy more of their stuff. now i have to go to the verizon store, and buy THEIR music converting software!!!!! how about freeware? oh you just have to spend 5 dollars on a lo-res bad quality game. oh wait, they dont have real applications on verizon.
sure the iphone is expensive and locked applicationwise, but it's at least not going to follow the ridiculous DRMed universe of Verizon.
However I'll stick with my nokia 6234, which doesn't DRM all my stuff, let's me send anything i want, and i can run freeware, and not even pay for watching youtube on it. and it has snake.
a verizon iphone killer would suck. the iphone has the interface, which slays almost any phone on the market.
Uh I don't know where this idea that a Treo or any other smart phone can do everything the iPhone does. I current use a Treo 750, Palms latest and greatest. Before that I've gone through a Treo 600, 650, several blackberries and a couple of iPaqs. Not a single one comes close to what the iPhone is promising. Key word there, of course being 'promising.'
Calling the iPhone a smart phone for dumb people is like calling a Mac Pro a computer for little kids.
They can't even get the XV 6800 out the door, and they are talk like they have some trick up their sleeves? Puh-leeze.
I'm really interested in the iPhone... but Cinguar already is a more expensive carrier than the alternatives, and you can bet the juggernaut that is AT&T will keep pushing those rates up. I imagine the "iphone" package for voice and data is going to be a little shocking.
"Without a keyboard or Exchange Server, not many will buy the iPhone for work purposes."
The Majority of companies not running Exchange server would be a good place to start. Remember, Exchange marketshare is under 50%. The other just under 50% is Notes and there are a lot using neither (Groupwise, etc).
btw, a z06 Corvette is a performance match for a Ferrari at 1/3 the price.
Well some experts have been looking at iphoen vs Treo and its TRUE they do alot of the same stuff but the iphone seems to do it alot easyer also the Iphone is the first to come with a fully usable HTML web browser and is better for watching videos and pictures.
So yes the treo can do alot of the same stuff but if u got the money and want to spend it on a phone the iphone looks to be better overall its also smaller and got a bigger screen.
Iphone vs Treo -> http://www.ocia.net/articles/iphone700p/page6.shtml
comparing a ferrari to a corvette is the equivalent of comparing a corvette to a pinto.
Chris, and just like a PC to Apple, the Corvette is no where near the Ferrari in terms of cool.
Don't discount the cool factor with the iPhone.
and twice the weight..
You may say that the Corvette performs like a Ferrari at 1/3rd the price, but if I had the price of a Ferrari, there's no way I'd substitute 3 Corvettes for it!
Also, to the idiot who was complaining that freshmen at Drexel can't explain why their Macbooks are better, well, there are people who can explain that. They're just not freshmen at Drexel!!!
It would be rather nice if AT&T and Apple beat some common sense into verizon tho. In this area verizon is the only real provider and they have nothing appealing on the PDA/Smarphone devices.
Competition is amazing thing.
I am no Verizon fanboy, but I have a xv6700 and I have no problems with it except the volume and battery life. It does everything else I could possibly expect it to. I would think it stands up well to the iPhone (at least for what I use it for)
"Chris"
U have no idea what u are talking about it might be as fast in a stright line but thats not all a car need to do hehe.... those cars are no where near each other when it comes to getting fast arround a track/cornor but this shouldnt be about cars anyway..
steven
Corvette has been stomping all over everone in Le Mans and every other road race since the C5.
Well that is a matter of esthetics. I just dislike people knocking the Corvette when it's quite an engineering feat.
We don't even get AT&T service in the part of The US im in...Frigin AT&T...
The iPhone will sell like hotcakes among trendy rich kiddies and Mac Nazis, but it will utterly fail to dominate the so-called smartphone market. In fact, it shouldn't really be considered a smartphone at all. Think about the three things Jobs said that the iPhone was during the keynote: 1) Phone, 2) Widescreen iPod, 3) Internet Communicator.
The iPhone is not a smartphone in the class of a Treo, or even any one of the numerous HTC devices like the Hermes or the Artemis. Devices like the Treo are aimed at businesses and power-users, where the iPhone is aimed more at the traditional iPod crowd. Let's think about what the iPhone doesn't have.
- No 3G (Yeah, AT&T's 3G coverage sucks anyway, but still...)
- No 3rd Party Development (So no business apps for companies)
- No Integrated Keyboard (Even Jobs struggled to type on the virtual during the keynote)
- No User-Swappable Battery (Apple will force users to pay another $50-100 for iPhone AppleCare)
Don't get me wrong, the iPhone has a lot going for it and will be quite successful. I'm sure that Apple's business strategists have a "shortage" all planned out towards the end of June to help drive up demand for the device. But anyone commenting that the iPhone is a smartphone in a class beyond the Treo or other true smartphone devices is sipping a bit too heavily on Jobs' Kool-Aid.
I love fancy phones as much as the next guy but I'd give up every flashy feature and be happy with voice alone if only someone would build a reliable, near-bulletproof network. One that works as well the POTS networks. To me the iPhone on Cingular (or any other network) is like driving a Ferrari on a muddy cart path.
Wow, what a good conversation here! I think that the Corvette to Ferrari comparison is a good one. A Corvette will go fast, and drive well, it'll corner ok, and do all the things a sports car is supposed to do. But a Ferrari is not in the same league. It's the attention to detail that goes into building a Ferrari that makes the difference. It's hand-crafted vs built by robots. The PC vs Apple, and Smartphone vs iPhone arguments are sort of the same thing. Yes a Treo can do most of the things (if not a couple more) that the iPhone will do, but will it do them WELL? Is it easily accessible to the average user? That is the entire point of what's going on here. Is the product usable. I would say to those of you making the iPhone-killer arguments that you need to actually go watch the keynote as another poster suggested. Look at how easily you can Merge two separate calls. The ease of access to the iPod features. The ability to browse the internet with full featured pages, not just web-clipped text only crap. Flame away, but it's true.
The ZO7 has already been on the tracks beating the tar out of the Italian Stallions. Want proof: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/18/spy-shots-corvette-z07-suspension-testing-with-ferrari-599/
The iPhone is nice, but until they roll out a broadband version, what's the point of a dial up INTERNET device. I've got an iPod and a phone, so when I can get the net in my pocket with one device, I'll sign up, until then, the gullible can software test it for me.
DAMNIT! i was hoping for more like a 2 year.... i can't wait 5 years! i guess i'll have to - because i absolutely WILL NOT abandon my high-profile, highly-discounted plan and 6 year history with Sprint (not to mention i'm not at all interested in GSM.)
Alot of people still dont understand... Its a Phone thats FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH APPLE COMPUTERS! iPhone killer? How, if its not fully compatible with Macs? Thats where it will succeed. I'm a Nokia user, have been since 97. But do they make software compatible with macs?? NO. So, bye bye Nokia.
Does there need to be an iPhone killer? The iPhone is not an iPod. The markets, and how they work are completely different. Personal music devices and personal phones are not the same. The iPod came at a time when the only other offerings were far inferior in design, usefulness, and quality. There's absolutely nothing about the iPhone that isn't already available in well-established brands.
I'm sure the iPhone will sell well, Apple fans are certainly willing to do as they're told, but unless they come up with something truly unique (which they have not), the iPhone will be a nice little niche phone that will be just one of thousands of handsets out there.
ok this is just killing me... it's veriZon not veriSon... there's a Z in there people...
ok with that said, please continue with your banter...
In SW Fla...if you don't have a carrier, vz or sprint...you're not going to have the Ifon worth a darn...Cingular/ATT has nothing going with regard to carrier technology...gotta stick with HTC 6700 until further notice...
The i760 is coming out in the late summer? I was hoping for this month or June!
Guys, Verizon doesn't put their shitty GUI on their high end phones...Really.
The 2 year old i730 still beats the iphone, and it even does 3G!
Who knows maybe verizon will carry the Meizu miniOne?????
Only companies who make these gadgets can even claim iphone-killer. Not a carrier. SMH. Verizon doesn't make phones they sell 'em. Regardless, I am too happy that this will increase overall competition.
I'm coming from T-Mobile, and I don't think they are really serious about the smartphone market as every other carrier has better/beefier choices to choose from.
Let's get this show on the road though--i'm tired of talking about how good it MAY be and would prefer to post about how good it REALLY is.
Why are people saying Verizon's smart/pdaphone line sucks? Have any of you heard of the i730 or i760?
The i730 came out 2 years ago, and it still beats the iphone.
Apple is smart, though. They make crappy products in China, create GREAT marketing campaigns, and sell their cheap devices at a premium, again and again.
I live in NEW YORK CITY and I can't get reception at home from At&T/Cingular. You can keep your "Cingular videos" and "Media Net" over a "3G" network. Give me a phone that works for voice calls first.
"You may say that the Corvette performs like a Ferrari at 1/3rd the price, but if I had the price of a Ferrari, there's no way I'd substitute 3 Corvettes for it!"
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner! The guy who sums up everything everybody hates about both Apple fanboys *and* most Ferrari owners in one simple sentence.
You realize that you just stated flat-out that you care more about status than performance, utility, comfort, or even looks? As long as people see you with that Ferrari, that's all that matters to you, eh?
So now I know the type of people who will be the early adopters of the iPhone, and I can feel the same sense of pity for them that I feel for those who need to drive Ferraris just so the world knows that they can afford one. It's called "compensating".
btw, I am a diehard iPod guy. I love my iPod and I'm here defending it against the likes of the Zune on a daily basis. But the reason is its utility and form factor (including size and other ergonomics), not any sort of status it gives me - in fact, my iPod's an old 4G model that looks archaic by today's standards. The iPhone, though, just has so many things wrong with it as a *phone* that I can't believe the response it's gotten. We've been over those problems ad nauseam here so I don't need to get into them again. But this is not the iPod redux; the iPod does one thing and does it better than anybody else, and that's why it's great. The iPhone is the proverbial jack of all trades and master of none, at too high a price and with more capable competition, and it's a big step backward from the intuitive, focused iPod.
No, not even all Apple or iPod fans are on board with the iPhone here; the only people that are are the kind of people who buy Ferraris just so everybody else knows they can.
To me it is obvious you havent got a clue. I will be buying an iPhone. I don't care if anyone else wants one or not. I do. For the simple fact that I have gone through many treo's and suposed smart phones. Windows Sux... it SUX harder on a phone. When the phone actually comes out and all of the nay sayers find that the reasons they kept harping on the phone were simply not true...
Its like my laptop. I didnt replace my thinkpad with a MacBook Pro because I thought people were going to ooh and aah over it. I use it because I have far less stress in my workday without having to fight with windows. It will be the same with my phone when I replace my treo 700P (I have the 700w as well) which I have to yank the battery out of constantly with a phone that will just plain work.
That is the reason to buy an iPhone because it will just plain work and be reliable.
That is the same reason you see so many die hard mac fans. We know that our computers are the oposite of PC's. The PC world has taught everyone that it is normal for a computer to crash and be unreliable. MAC users are shocked anytime a MAC acts up because it happens so rarely.
So go ahead and hate on the iPhone...
It seems T-Mobile is in line as a more direct competitor of AT&T since they use the same underlying hardware system. I think the T-Mobile Wing is already poised as the device to keep high end users from switching. And Verizon has the Motorolo Q's successor. Both of these phones already do everything the iPhone is reported as being able to do at fractions of the cost and both have an intergrated keyboard solution.
Say what you will about Microsoft you MS haters, but Windows Mobile OS has been around a lot longer and has a dearth of third party apps for it to do just about anything already. They (Verizon) doesn't need a Zune phone (although that would satisfy Zune users) per se to offer a compelling alternative to the iPhone. They already have it installed in millions of phones worldwide. Still a Verizon (or Sprint or T-Mobile) branded Zune phone shouldn't be outside the realm of possibility. I'm sure someone from Verizon or Sprint called Microsoft or vice versa to see what may be possible. If not, they are all just plain stupid business people.
And if you don't like the anemic phone designs of American carriers or their locked down functionality, just cruise over to the overseas sites for some innovative designs of smart/pocket pc phones that you can get unlocked for the same or cheaper than the assumed cost of an iPhone via AT&T.
dearth means "lack." ... moron
Gee, thanks raul. I meant wealth. Thanks for kindly pointing that out to me.
I don't understand what you ppl do to your PC's that causes all these problems. I BETA-TEST games on my home system constantly. My T42P has been hibernated daily for three months, running at least, let's count, 9 windows. Outlook, Podersa, editpad, two firefoxes(one with 11 tabs open), and some other assorted programs. Meanwhile, my co-worker is rebooting his new powerbook cause he's having network issue...great product....
:)