iPhone 3G? No thanks

I would like to see how you get your battery replaced when the current one gives up (as all batteries tend to do) :rolleyes:
 
At last - after all this time - an article that speaks the truth. I have long heralded this day and have been threatened because I have done so. But after reading this I am happy. There are still some people out there that needs a phone as a communications tool with extensive capabilities. Not just something that looks nice.

In a nutshell, if you want the iPhone to do all the things you find on other phones you’ll end up having to install 3rd party applications or just plainly hacking the software. That is not a very elegant approach don't you think ?

Apart from dodgy vodafone handsets, this is the only phone that ties itself in to a selected network. Does that just smell of greed and massive corporate deals ? IT does not feel very open market to me...

I can, and have, ranted about all the other short comings of the iPhone – perhaps to the point of boredom form some. But this post is different. These problems are really bothersome.

For me spending money is not a problem, as long as your expenditure is an investment. I can afford an iPhone (an many other apple products) but they do not justify the price in terms of features. Also, I have moral issues with the business practices of apple. I'd rather buy something else that offers more, costs less, and allows me to put in that little bit extra into my home loan at the end of the month (yes, I own a house in Stellenbosch, so buying an iPhone is not a problem - but I won't).
 
fz1 said:
Apparently NOT. It is unlocked (unlike most other countries it is available in).

I agree with your other sentiments though.
Click to expand...

Vodacom is the only network that SELLS it. That does not seem very open market like to me and it makes me wonder what behind the scenes corporate deals are in place here....
 
Rouxenator said:
Apart from dodgy vodafone handsets, this is the only phone that ties itself in to a selected network. Does that just smell of greed and massive corporate deals ? IT does not feel very open market to me...
Click to expand...
You're wrong, BTW. No Vodacom handset is network locked. Including the iPhone.

It's been quite interesting to follow the hysterical for and against posts on the iPhone over the last 3 months. Probably the only topic that's getting more emotional than the soccer thread....

I suspect very few people with strong opinions actually OWN an iPhone. But then first-hand knowledge was never a pre-req. for an opinion on any subject. That's just human nature.....:rolleyes:

My current set of phones include the 3G iPhone (also a Blackberry, a few HTC phones, and a couple of Nokias). They all have strong (and weak) points. And I use the one most suitable for whatever the situation calls for.

Like with anything in life, you make your choice and live with it. I like the iPhone's UI, and truly dislike the keyboard.

But that's just me. Others, with different needs to mine will have their own pros and cons.
 
Rouxenator said:
Vodacom is the only network that SELLS it. That does not seem very open market like to me and it makes me wonder what behind the scenes corporate deals are in place here....
Click to expand...

Apple chose Vodafone, Vodafone chose Vodacom...
 
vodacom3g said:
You're wrong, BTW. No Vodacom handset is network locked. Including the iPhone.
Click to expand...

I know that Vodacom and Cell C has that policy when it comes to handsets. That is something I appreciate.

But that is not my point.

My point is - what behind the scenes deals are in place between apple and all the networks it selects to sell its handset ? Why is it only apple that is doing this ? (apart from network branded phones like sagem/vodafones or the 6234)
 
Rouxenator said:
I know that Vodacom and Cell C has that policy when it comes to handsets. That is something I appreciate.

But that is not my point.

My point is - what behind the scenes deals are in place between apple and all the networks it selects to sell its handset ? Why is it only apple that is doing this ? (apart from network branded phones like sagem/vodafones or the 6234)
Click to expand...

It's pretty common practice in business (any business) that there are dedicated channels for a product, the IT systems you use (hardware, tools, databases, etc.), for example, you'll often find only one channel for them in the country.

Same with mobiles, you'll often find a specific model only supplied by one network, including devices from Huawei, Nokia, etc.
 
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Rouxenator said:
We all know the history yes - the question at hand is WHY.
What's up with this business model ?
Who is getting richer that they should here ?
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Well it what Mr Jobs wanted. They chose ATT for their 2G iPhone and Vodafone for their 3G iPhone. Besides it looks like they cant keep up with the demand anyway and its only available to one network...
Maybe Vodafone did pay them to be an exclusive distributor, but thats just bussiness.
 
francoislr said:
I agree on both points: really want the google phone, a phone with 10 billion ways to input. I bet if we wait for the second google phone it will have mental input on top of all its input..:D I mean, qwerty keyboard, touch screen, handwriting recognition, trackball? wow! i-Phone has what? Touch screen? Loser!

I told a pal from the UK the price of the Pay as you go version. He was astonished, and gave me a figure of 100-150 pounds less that they pay for a PayG iPhone.

One thing that must be added, if you use your phone at home, and have wireless and adsl, that could be quite a help as well concerning usage. But yeah, not always realistic now is it.

HTC for me. Hope it comes soon though...
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Seem to be a lot of ppl chanting 'googlephone' ...anyone actually seen the reviews of the G1 yet (this is the 1st manifestation of the 'android phone' thus far)?

http://gizmodo.com/5053747/android-and-t+mobile-g1s-five-most-obnoxious-flaws

HINT: it aint looking good.

Also: bear in mind that the whole 'Andrid/google phone' thing is fairly wishy washy at this stage - the only official project is the one in the review (T mobile G1) which is network locked (just like the iPhone) and has some very big flaws (iPhone is also flawed on some ways) and is as ugly as the night is dark (not like the iPhone).
Basically: Android is just an OS, one that will hopefully be popping up on a number of devices (not just phones) and will hopefully rock but for now all it is, is a fairly cruddy open source project.

For for those of you who think this is the 'iPhone killer' of legend and rumor... think again.
 
Business it is - but it is rather uncommon in the arena I would say...

I know that Sagem branded some of their models for the Vodafone Simply range and Nokia make a Vodafone branded 6233 and called it the 6234. Still in both cases you would by the unbranded versions of these phones at any non Vodafone network. The iPhone is different in that firstly it is not network branded (as heavily as the Sagems and Nokia) and secondly you will find it only in stores of that network...

Now I agree that this is not an uncommon business practice, but it is uncommon for mobiles. My money is on the fact that Mr Jobs has spotted another opportunity to get more money into his stock shares....
 
Rouxenator said:
Business it is - but it is rather uncommon in the arena I would say...

I know that Sagem branded some of their models for the Vodafone Simply range and Nokia make a Vodafone branded 6233 and called it the 6234. Still in both cases you would by the unbranded versions of these phones at any non Vodafone network. The iPhone is different in that firstly it is not network branded (as heavily as the Sagems and Nokia) and secondly you will find it only in stores of that network...

Now I agree that this is not an uncommon business practice, but it is uncommon for mobiles. My money is on the fact that Mr Jobs has spotted another opportunity to get more money into his stock shares....
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All phones regardless of the "names" are/can also branded like the N95, N73, K850 etc


Jobs is getting what he wants and Vodafone and its partner networks are also benefiting...

What was your point again?
 
Rouxenator said:
Now I agree that this is not an uncommon business practice, but it is uncommon for mobiles. My money is on the fact that Mr Jobs has spotted another opportunity to get more money into his stock shares....
Click to expand...

You have never owned an Apple product so this concept will come as a surprise to you but Apple does not allow anyone to sell their products for one main reason... service delivery, if you own anything Apple they want to be sure that when you call support the reseller knows what it's talking about and you are treated with the respect you deserve, another thing is that Apple needs to have a dedicated channel to receive/repair/replace faulty products and the customer won't be wondering why 6 months has passed and still no replacement.

Clue: Apple does not treat it's products like pavement specials and allow it's customers to be subjected to poor service.
 
While some phones are branded they are available everywhere and in many cases unbranded as well.

That is not the case here - this is a setup where both companies gain a lot more out of the consumer. I am one for a open market and level playfield. The whole scheme just makes me feel uncomfortable and smells of anti-competitiveness.
 
Aqua_lung said:
Clue: Apple does not treat it's products like pavement specials and allow it's customers to be subjected to poor service.
Click to expand...

I have had excellent customer support with a whole range of devices from Nokia phones to Philips kitchen appliances and LG audio/visual equipment. None of these where pavement special and all of them came from a whole range of different retail outlets. So what is your point ?
 
Rouxenator said:
Now I agree that this is not an uncommon business practice, but it is uncommon for mobiles. My money is on the fact that Mr Jobs has spotted another opportunity to get more money into his stock shares....
Click to expand...

While not widespread, it is actually not that uncommon to find specific handsets only on specific networks or to find one network will have access to a handset for a while before the other networks can get it. Even with the big boys like Nokia.
 
Rouxenator said:
I have had excellent customer support with a whole range of devices from Nokia phones to Philips kitchen appliances and LG audio/visual equipment. None of these where pavement special and all of them came from a whole range of different retail outlets. So what is your point ?
Click to expand...

Well congrats to you that you recieved excellent service by your SP or Nokia.
But as a whole some SPs and Manufacturers do not give the service a customer deserves!

If you compare Blackberry service to Nokia, you will see a huge difference between the 2, Blackberry looks after their customers more than Nokia, simple.
So I take it Apple and the chosen SP will provide a better service to their customers.
 
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