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Free the iPhone!
- Thread starter MacVault
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Were they available at the same time as in the US or was there a delay? Also how many carriers do you have competing? Those could have a lot to do with the price you saw.
It has been pointed out several times that Cingular actually had to make changes to their network to accommodate some of the iPhone functionality. You can NOT do the visual voicemail stuff, for example, without it. That's what is truly amazing about Apple - they can make the people around them jump and change fundamental things. I'm quite happy to sign up with Cingular for this reason - they are willing to do what needs to be done to improve the phone experience.
That's about what a RAZR costs here as well. If the UK launch was delayed from the US that could help lower the price as will the number of carriers. Nationally the US only has about 4 carriers, 2 GSM and 2 CDMA, so there isn't a lot of competition to drive the phones down.
So what if Cingular added an Apple-specific feature? Thats what Carriers do, they work together with the mobile makers so that they support all current technologies.
Since people have the choice over the phone brand, the carrier has no choice but to give them a subscription. And if a certain phone feature does not work with the specific carrier, the client gets mad at the carrier, not the mobile maker. So it's the carrier that has to make sure he is up-to date with the mobile phones tech, not vice-verca. But again am not familiar with way US companies work, am talking from my experience of many EU countries.
Anyway i may be wrong of course, but i believe that by the release of the iPhone Apple will offer also an unlocked version but at a much higher price.
- "I for one, am getting sick and tired, and fed up, with people saying they are sick and tired." -
Apple has (IIRC) a 6-month exclusive deal with Cingular, and a "multi-year" deal with them as far as carrying the iPhone, regardless of other factors. That means that by MacWorld next year, we could see the iPhone 2.0 with either more carriers or simply unlocked, though likely without any major improvements other than bugfixes and the like. Now, I'm not saying it will happen, but the potential is there. Certainly they won't stick with only Cingular forever, particularly since they will probably sell it outside the US eventually. In fact, I'm curious if a Japanese version will be released, because it does seem somewhat like something the Japanese would like, but it would then have to be CDMA (at least the Japanese version, never can remember exactly what it's called or what the difference is, except that it's supposed to be better). It's of particular interest to me because I'm probably going to be living in Japan 2-3 years from now, when it might be in the works for a release there.
jW
jW
I dunno, this doesn't make it sound like in six months we'll be seeing it any other place than Cingular. 
http://cingular.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=1813
I dunno, this doesn't make it sound like in six months we'll be seeing it any other place than Cingular.
http://cingular.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=1813
The exclusive part is actually until the end of 2008. The only question is whether it will be extended or not.
Maybe Cingular was the only company that was willing to help develop the visual voicemail (it sounds like changes were required on the phone company's end for this feature) and agree not to touch/rebrand the device at all?
I think thats exactly the reason there had to be an agreement w/ a provider - they DID work closely with Cingular on the visual voicemail - so there had to be a level of collaboration and partnership.
Personally, I have Verizon as my provider so yeah - I'm bummed this phone isn't an option without switching - but at the same time, if nothing else, the features and patents should change the way phones are made and developed, and be ported into phones on other carriers.
I think thats the misconception - that the phone manufacturer is the seller and the carrier is the customer - but from what I've been reading the last few days in all the press is quite the opposite. Thats the interesting part about how this all unfolded.
I guess the 'current' way to do things is that the carrier says to the manufacturer - Here's our network, here's our capabilities, here's the UI we want, here's the specs - go make a phone that meets these requirements and we'll use it.
What Apple did was say "No, here's what WE want to do - the phone will have these specs, have these capablities, have this UI - AND we'll work with you to make sure its compatible w/ your network."
They just took a whole new approach to the way business was done. Now, if that changes the industry and carriers change thier mentality is still unknown - but remember.. Think Different.
(a little PSA)Just so everyone sees this:
YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIGN A TWO YEAR CONTRACT FOR THIS PHONE!!
The reason it was shown the way it was, is because that's the cheapest price you'll be able to get the phone for. For those who do not want the contract, you will pay a premium, it's that simple. I speak from experience on this as I've gone through Treos, Crackberries, Cingular 8125s, and now with a Cingular 8525 that was bought without a contract. Here's the way it works:
Example with my 8525
Price with 2-year Contract: $399 (because of rebates from the manu and wireless carrier)
Price with 1-year Contract: $499 (at this point you either have a lesser value rebate or you only get one rebate, probably from the manu.)
Price without a Contract: $599 (This is the retail price of the phone. This allows you to buy the phone without a contract or if you do not have an upgradable line.)
So presumably, the 4gb version will cost $699 without a contract, and the 8gb version will cost $799 without a contract. It's all about the way they market it, they want to show you the lowest price possible.
Additionally, the reason they chose Cingular is a., as mentioned before, it's a worldwide network and that allows for a single device to be distributed globally. b. because the GSM network allows for thinner devices, and better battery life. CDMA networks are battery hogs, look at the Q for example, the battery life is horrid because it's a thin device on CDMA(and I won't get into the WM Smartphone UI problems.)
To the poster from the UK, or anyone else with hopes of a 3g iphone, no time soon. Apple learned from the Blackjack's mistakes, making the decision to soley shoot for EDGE or GPRS data for the initial roll out so they didn't have the same battery life issues the BJ is having. For those who are not aware, the BJ from Cingular ships with two batteries because 3g technology kills battery life. The entire industry has to find a new way to manufacture smaller batteries with better life before you see another super thin 3g smartphone.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIGN A TWO YEAR CONTRACT FOR THIS PHONE!!
The reason it was shown the way it was, is because that's the cheapest price you'll be able to get the phone for. For those who do not want the contract, you will pay a premium, it's that simple. I speak from experience on this as I've gone through Treos, Crackberries, Cingular 8125s, and now with a Cingular 8525 that was bought without a contract. Here's the way it works:
Example with my 8525
Price with 2-year Contract: $399 (because of rebates from the manu and wireless carrier)
Price with 1-year Contract: $499 (at this point you either have a lesser value rebate or you only get one rebate, probably from the manu.)
Price without a Contract: $599 (This is the retail price of the phone. This allows you to buy the phone without a contract or if you do not have an upgradable line.)
So presumably, the 4gb version will cost $699 without a contract, and the 8gb version will cost $799 without a contract. It's all about the way they market it, they want to show you the lowest price possible.
Additionally, the reason they chose Cingular is a., as mentioned before, it's a worldwide network and that allows for a single device to be distributed globally. b. because the GSM network allows for thinner devices, and better battery life. CDMA networks are battery hogs, look at the Q for example, the battery life is horrid because it's a thin device on CDMA(and I won't get into the WM Smartphone UI problems.)
To the poster from the UK, or anyone else with hopes of a 3g iphone, no time soon. Apple learned from the Blackjack's mistakes, making the decision to soley shoot for EDGE or GPRS data for the initial roll out so they didn't have the same battery life issues the BJ is having. For those who are not aware, the BJ from Cingular ships with two batteries because 3g technology kills battery life. The entire industry has to find a new way to manufacture smaller batteries with better life before you see another super thin 3g smartphone.
Thanks, I was wondering about that.
I remember a few years ago, right after EDGE had started to roll out, smartphone companies like HP were bringing new devices to the market that only supported the slower GPRS data network.
When asked why, they said that nobody had yet created an EDGE chipset that was physically small enough and battery "practical" enough for them to use in their devices.
Sounds like Apple might be in the same boat as HP was back then.
I think thats the misconception - that the phone manufacturer is the seller and the carrier is the customer - but from what I've been reading the last few days in all the press is quite the opposite. Thats the interesting part about how this all unfolded.
I guess the 'current' way to do things is that the carrier says to the manufacturer - Here's our network, here's our capabilities, here's the UI we want, here's the specs - go make a phone that meets these requirements and we'll use it.
What Apple did was say "No, here's what WE want to do - the phone will have these specs, have these capablities, have this UI - AND we'll work with you to make sure its compatible w/ your network."
They just took a whole new approach to the way business was done. Now, if that changes the industry and carriers change thier mentality is still unknown - but remember.. Think Different.
Apple should have also said, "No, here's what WE want to do - NO CONTRACTS and NO EXCLUSIVITY! Why, you ask? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT OUR USERS WANT!" And Apple should have stuck to their guns on that just like they've done with the music labels with the download-to-own model! Apple should have told Cingular to TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT! Now Apple is being controlled by Cingular! WTF! WTF! WTF!
Oh, and the excuse to pay homage to Cingular in order to get Visual Voicemail to work, well, HA, what a #$^%&#% price to pay for ONE little feature! I would much rather have an iPhone NOT LOCKED DOWN to any one privider and no stinkin VISUAL VOICEMAIL. What a lame excuse for Apple to sell it's soul to the devil!
AAAahhhhhhhhhh! 
its all your imagination and assumptions， lol
also, how many users gonna buy a 4G iPhone for $700 without phone function, and with refurbished macbook CD being around $800?
My plan is to wait a few years until the phone is unlocked (by Apple, not by some pro phone unlocker). I really really do not want to use Cingular.
I have Verizon, and am stuck in my own lame contract, so I'm in no hurry to get a new one.
I think a lot of people have a misconception about the price going down on Apple's phones. Apple does not do that too much. It's not going to be like a RAZR or whatever, more like an iPod. So I will speculate that instead of the price going down, it will remain constant and the storage capacity will go up.
I have Verizon, and am stuck in my own lame contract, so I'm in no hurry to get a new one.
I think a lot of people have a misconception about the price going down on Apple's phones. Apple does not do that too much. It's not going to be like a RAZR or whatever, more like an iPod. So I will speculate that instead of the price going down, it will remain constant and the storage capacity will go up.
when it sells, apple sure won't lower the price, but when competitors come up, and when iPhone don't sell, apple will lower the price.
Apple should have also said, "No, here's what WE want to do - NO CONTRACTS and NO EXCLUSIVITY! Why, you ask? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT OUR USERS WANT!" And Apple should have stuck to their guns on that just like they've done with the music labels with the download-to-own model! Apple should have told Cingular to TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT! Now Apple is being controlled by Cingular! WTF! WTF! WTF!
Oh, and the excuse to pay homage to Cingular in order to get Visual Voicemail to work, well, HA, what a #$^%&#% price to pay for ONE little feature! I would much rather have an iPhone NOT LOCKED DOWN to any one privider and no stinkin VISUAL VOICEMAIL. What a lame excuse for Apple to sell it's soul to the devil!
Voicemail collaboration aside - because honestly who knows how many other features they collaborated on - I think its going to be tough to pick a carrier simply because of the various technologies the carriers use. They had to select one, and they went with the biggest market share - and a company they had previously worked with and had a relationship with. The take-it or leave it approach may not have worked in this situation..
Playing devils advocate - who's to say Cingular wasn't the 3rd company they spoke to? We don't know that they didn't reach out to Verizon and T-Mobile and get shot down.. (I'm making this up, by the way - but its entirely possible other carriers might not have shown the same interest as Cingular).
Well, yeah, but I don't see sales being too much of a problem. Apple has its fair share of duds over the years, but barring some sort of disaster, the iPhone looks like it will do well.
Yet... it does cost a heck of a lot of money. It will be interesting to see if Apple follows the trend of cell phone pricing. Needless to say, I would snap one up, Cingular exclusivity and all if the price gets down in the <$300 range.
the future
I'm curious about the positioning of the camera; it would have made even more sense to have an iSight-esque camera on the front panel, thus allowing users to video conference via iChat.
Here's my hunch: this thing is tied to Cingular at the moment, but in a few years (after this thing really busts out), Apple is going to end its exclusive agreement with Cingular, and put that iSight right on front. At that point, satellite-based communications and/or a more open cellular contract would also be in effect. Also, anyone in a wifi spot would be fine.
I'm curious about the positioning of the camera; it would have made even more sense to have an iSight-esque camera on the front panel, thus allowing users to video conference via iChat.
Here's my hunch: this thing is tied to Cingular at the moment, but in a few years (after this thing really busts out), Apple is going to end its exclusive agreement with Cingular, and put that iSight right on front. At that point, satellite-based communications and/or a more open cellular contract would also be in effect. Also, anyone in a wifi spot would be fine.