Android G1 or iPhone?

[HDC]

That and vodacom will suck us dry again with pricing much aligned to the iphone. btw you can get it free on a 25 pound a month contract from t mobile uk...with unlimited data! how far behind we are.

Err, yes - instead of having T-mobile's mediocre 3G we have HSDPA and instead of the odd R375 (R1 - 15 pounds) we have to pay R199 in the Blackberry case for unlimited data... and the BB talk 120 is R349 odd...

Yes, how far behind are we really...

When I inquired as to an iphone upgrade from Vodacom - I actually checked the contract pricing against that of the US, UK etc... The upgrade price was actually cheaper in SA - so how is Vodacom sucking us dry...??

If you want to blame someone, blame the US's sub-prime, the world economy and obviously yourself for not getting the facts right.

 

[Pyro]

Afaik the contract period in the UK is only 1 year, where here it is 2 years before the phone is yours. I didn't compare numbers though.

 

[apogeeza]

The upgrade price was actually cheaper in SA - so how is Vodacom sucking us dry...??

Any word on when we in SA can expect unlimited data on a cell contract ??? Hmm.. So why don't you enlighten us on THIS little sticky thorn, esp. when they declare you "out of bundle" ... That's the real rip off

 

[Rouxenator]

I've been following the G1's development process for a while now and I am pretty impressed. Still, this year the N97 is coming and it will crush everything including some netbooks. That, and a few other models in the 2009 roadmap for Nokia will make it very tough for the competition.

 

[bwana]

Any word on when we in SA can expect unlimited data on a cell contract ??? Hmm.. So why don't you enlighten us on THIS little sticky thorn, esp. when they declare you "out of bundle" ... That's the real rip off

We already see an unlimited data plan on the Blackberry - what I'd like to see is it extended, at least in part, to other phones.

While tethering might be an issue - and overseas 'unlimited' usually comes with some caveats - I dont see why, for example, Vodacom doesnt offer free downloads of iPhone applications.

 

[Veroland]

I am expecting my G1 to arrive soon - couldn't wait for SA to get its act together... got it for R3000 on ebay incl deliver - there are PLENTY going at this price. Iphone is a fashion statement, G1 is NOT but G1 is uber useful and O/S is open... it just works so well with the net...

If I wanted to do something like that, what do I need to look out for, like network compatibility etc?

I can't wait for the G1!!!

 

[HDC]

We already see an unlimited data plan on the Blackberry - what I'd like to see is it extended, at least in part, to other phones.

While tethering might be an issue - and overseas 'unlimited' usually comes with some caveats - I dont see why, for example, Vodacom doesn't offer free downloads of iPhone applications.

Just what I wanted to say - thanks Bwana. You are certainly correct. The "unlimited" plans are not so unlimited when you read the fine print... Tethering is usually not allowed and there is actually a cap on data. What those operators do is create a plan that will average out to lets say for e.g. 250meg since that is what most users will use on that device browsing and e-mailing.

As soon as a user hits for e.g. 1GB on this plan, the access is severly restricted and if the user continues, it is simply capped.

Luckily there are laws protecting us in this country from this behavior and I doubt that Vodacom/MTN will in any case ever try this as they will be crucified in the media.

The problem though in SA is the tethering. Although you and I will abide by the code of conduct, some people will not and will try and abuse the service by downloading torrents etc. through their tethered device. I do not foresee these "unlimited" plans very soon. In the case of the BB - the average Joe cannot tether a BB - thus the unlimited plans on those...

On the iphone side - I with you on that one - the problem here is not Vodacom - it Apple (and I'm typing this on a MBP..). I have seen the useless SA site and just reverted back to the US site. Apple have got very complicated licensing issues and in this case its with Vodafone - not Vodacom - so even if Vodacom wanted to, they could not provide this to us whilst this agreement is in place...

As you said though, it would be great to have a movie or two plus a couple of songs each month as part of the plan...

 

[vodacom3g]

We already see an unlimited data plan on the Blackberry - what I'd like to see is it extended, at least in part, to other phones.

While tethering might be an issue - and overseas 'unlimited' usually comes with some caveats - I dont see why, for example, Vodacom doesnt offer free downloads of iPhone applications.

Hmmm, maybe that was the idea with the Apple APN? Will chat to some people.

Do you think it will be a big requirement though? What is your typical data usage on iTunes in SA? I've downloaded around 20 apps over the last few months. Probably less than 50MB?

 

[johnricky]

I think G1 has single-touch only and does not have multi-touch like the iphone and G1 has a smaller 3 inch screen.

 

[Blaze786]

I never saw the hype in the Iphone anyway bring on the G1!

 

[<moLe>]

N97.........these phones just cant beat that

 

[Vegeta]

I think G1 has single-touch only and does not have multi-touch like the iphone and G1 has a smaller 3 inch screen.

3.2" vs iphone's 3.5" Also no multi-touch.
But screw the iphone! It cant even copy & paste why should it even be mentioned in the same sentence!

G1 - ftw future andriod devices and ports! FTW 2 tha max

 

[Vegeta]

N97.........these phones just cant beat that

What's up with all the nokia fanboi's screaming N97?
That phone wont be remotely in the G1's price bracket, you'll have to sell your wife and grandma. What makes the N97 SOOO much better? symbian?
the fancy 5 megapixel camara? What else does it have that the R3000 g1 doesn't for 3 to 4 times the price?
EDIT: I'm just saying nokia is arriving very late at the touchscreen arena and they have no new gimick?

 

[Rouxenator]

N97.........these phones just cant beat that

The first intelligent reply I have read in this thread.

What's up with all the nokia fanboi's screaming N97?
That phone wont be remotely in the G1's price bracket, you'll have to sell your wife and grandma. What makes the N97 SOOO much better? symbian?
the fancy 5 megapixel camara? What else does it have that the R3000 g1 doesn't for 3 to 4 times the price?

Interesting point you have there. In short, it is all of that plus the fact that it is a Nokia which means it is a lot stronger and more reputable that its rivals.

Feature based it is also way ahead of the rest and the N97 is only the start - according to the 2009 roadmap for Nokia smart phones there will be many other touch and non-touch phones that will make the rest of the makers look a bit like a one hit wonder.

 

[mancombseepgood]

And you dont have to wait for some large company here to dictate when you may or may not receive it.

Exactly!
And who needs another ball and chain contract.

I played with the G1 and I love the OS, there's so much of applications available for it. I hope there will be other manufacturers following the Android route.

I believe Motorola are embracing Android.

I'm eyeballing one as well, sadly this one is white. You getting a black one?

Yes - I looked at the bronze as well but I decided on black - when they are here, you will start seeing covers in the shops... just mind you buy an original. White sounds pretty nifty if it doesn't get too dirty.

 

[marine1]

Exactly!
And who needs another ball and chain contract.

 

[Vegeta]

Agreed the nokia will have great build quality but its broken! And i know how to fix it, replace symbian and run android on it

 

[Rouxenator]

Symbian is the most nutritious OS since Pronutro.
Android is nowhere close to it. Maybe close to weetbix.

 

[Pyro]

Exactly!
And who needs another ball and chain contract.

I believe Motorola are embracing Android.


Yes - I looked at the bronze as well but I decided on black - when they are here, you will start seeing covers in the shops... just mind you buy an original. White sounds pretty nifty if it doesn't get too dirty.

I've never had a light-coloured phone, so I'm kinda looking forwards to trying it on for size.

I'm eyeing some of the covers in online shops as a backup plan. Maybe a white+blue? Still, have to get the phone first...

Gonna need a car-charger though, GPS is no good if the battery dies on you

 

[charlie_82]

What's up with all the nokia fanboi's screaming N97?
That phone wont be remotely in the G1's price bracket, you'll have to sell your wife and grandma. What makes the N97 SOOO much better? symbian?
the fancy 5 megapixel camara? What else does it have that the R3000 g1 doesn't for 3 to 4 times the price?
EDIT: I'm just saying nokia is arriving very late at the touchscreen arena and they have no new gimick?

I'm with you mate, Symbian is far too limited & linear for me.
I've been using Windows Mobile devices and I could never use a Symbian device again.

White sounds pretty nifty if it doesn't get too dirty.

I had a white HTC a few years ago, never got dirty as such. Not from everyday handling anyway. Unless you're a mechanic of sorts with greasy fingers, white's not a problem