iPhone

[Zyzzyva]

Remember one thing. The iPhone is the first (and so far only) phone that will make people *want* to use it to go online. And not to get the headers and text mode content of their e-mail. No. To download stuff off iTunes. We're talking big bandwidth usage here. Considering what traffic over GPRS still cost, there's some seriously big bucks to be made for the network that can give their clients an iPhone.

True, never though of that. The future is moving towards data, rather than voice.

Wonder if apple expects 40% of data revenue as well. What does 40% mean. If it means that an operator need to share 40% revenue after spending the money to build and mantain their network, offer up data, advertize, aswell as the other million costs which go into running a phone company, i think you could see my point when i say, they are being a touch over eager.

The major problem with apples heavy handedness is that these phone companies will quickly turn against apple, when the opportunity arises.

We can already start to see this with itunes.

If apple want to be top dog, its going to have to be a bit more diplomatic in its approach. While we must applaud them for keeping the per track price below 1 dollar, it is quite clear that the music companies are not happy, and frankly, if i were to pick a winner, i would say apple will eventually loose, unless they learn to play nice with the other dogs in the play pen.

 

[koffiejunkie]

I don't think traffic generated by iTunes is gonna be that heavy. A few hundred songs per user maybe. That's not gonna have a big effect when compared to 3G downloading onto a laptop.

True, 3G downloading is much bigger. But then also consider that S.A. was maybe not exactly at the top of Apple's priority list when they designed the iPhone. Usage of 3G/HSDPA/GPRS is much bigger in S.A. than in the UK or US, because of the lack of good broadband in S.A. but also because of the widespread availability of wifi hotspots (and unsecured residential wireless networks). That's probably the main reason why 3G/HSDPA hasn't really taken in the US - they just don't really need it. About 9 square blocks of downtown Austin, TX, have free wifi - I'm sure many other cities do as well. When I was there I opened my notebook and picked up so many unsecured wireless networks the list didn't fit on my screen.

ETA: Koffie: congrats on 1k posts.

I didn't even notice!

 

[Ou grote]

A few people at work have got iPhones already.
I don`t like those people anymore.

Phone is a bit heavy though, but extremely impressive.

 

[rvanwyk]

A few people at work have got iPhones already.
I don`t like those people anymore.

Heh, i wouldnt either!

 

[gunslinger]

I got one now for about 4 months and I am loving the phone. This is the first phone that I bought that I am still playing around with. I have the E90 before the Iphone and a week later its like ok now its a phone again. Everything just works. They have also now cracked the new version 1.1.1 and they have sorted out incomming calls on Vodacom.

I dont know what they going to do in SA with the phone.... because they tie it to a cell provider... I think Vodacom, MTN, Cell C is to small to just tie it to one provider, so they will have to open the software for smaller countries, and I dont see that happening very soon. They have set a launched date in now in France but had to clear up the Counrty's Law first because in France its law not to lock a phone to a provider. So we will have to wait and see what they do there. The problem comes in where people go and buy the phone, activate it and then cancel the contract.... now the phone cant be used on another network but you can still use it as a IPod+Saf+Mail device.

There is also a very places selling it in SA.. the locked and unlocked versions.

I am just sitting back and waiting to see how it pans out.