MTN InternetOnTV versus Vodacom WebBox

So MTN see's how pathetic Vodacoms cap is and they decide to go even worse. These devices are being marketed to the poor, yet their data pricing is unaffordable to this group, I dont get it.
 
Wow... That is the only word that can describe these tv internet devices. Let me start from the beginning... I recently purchased an internet box, mainly because I'm insanely rich and wish to own everything in the world. Anyway, as I was walking past the tv, a bust of gamma radiation from a distant star system entered the living room, transforming and mutating the ants that crawled over my left-over peanut butter sandwich into huge monsters! Terror griped me, giant ants in my living room! What to do? I asked myself. However, because I was a product of outcome based education, I had no idea how to solve this predicament. Then I remembered! You don't need education, if you know how to use the google! But, oh noes! the ants blocked my path to the pc and the gamma radiation caused my cellphone to become sentient and run off. Whist pondering whether I should use my backup carrier pidgeon, my eye fell upon the internet box. Happy days! Throwing my cat ,Fluttershy, into the jaws of the approaching ants to distract them, I quickly connected and did a google search on how to defeat the giant ants. After rejecting the first 5 results due to the fact that the websites contained flash and silverlight I finally found a solution. Armed with this knowledge, I dove into the kitchen and combined the stove gas bottle with a can of Doom bug spray. Ready to sacrifice myself for the greater good, I leaped from the kitchen counter into the living room... Only to discover that Fluttershy's flea collar already did the job and poisoned the ants. Well that's my story, typed entirely on my sentient phone. Tl;dr - I don't see a situation where this device will be usefull.
 
Good idea,just that a R500 deal might be better for people without a pc.R999 rather get a 2gb p.m for 12mths...the idea is there just not the price
 
Proof that both networks, much like Virgin Mobile and their pathetic new 3G/HSDPA offering, are clueless as to what the general public need/want. 75/100MB worth of surfing is nothing, and clearly the device is aimed at the poor segment of the market, so essentially they're ripping off those who can't afford to use the web by marketing half a product. Chances are that those interested in such a device aren't the most tech-savvy of consumers, and don't own a PC, thus will be lured by the device prices only to discover just how little they can use them post-purchase.
 
This opens a whole world of education, e-communication and entertainment to the 'unconnected masses' for almost 5 whole minutes. The CEO's of Vodacom and MTN are very much in tune with the masses. They must have done extensive research measuring the affordability factor. The masses can simply skip one day on the golf course to easily pay the setup costs. Then if they just don't feed their children for two weeks, they can buy a little bit of data too. This is win!
 
Look at what's been offered over the last week or so:
  1. MTN's half-price MMS
  2. Vodacom's set-top thingamajig
  3. Virgin's R600/Gb 3G
  4. MTN's TV internet thingy
I really think the networks are preparing for a memorable April Fool's Day! I am sure the government is getting peeved - many ministers believe government has the sole right at foolishness.
 
This is a joke, right? Maybe a bit early for April fools, but it must be a joke? Maybe MTN have thee best compession in the world that can allow for many hours of streaming with just 75MB? Otherwise, this, and vodacom's product must take 'most stupid innovation' prize ever, if they think this is going to reach the poor masses! Has anyone "hellopetered" this?
 
I got to say MTN's product seems to be a much better product than Vodacom's. I wonder if any of the 4 usb ports are usb 2.0
 
Thing is this, the cellular providers know that revenue per user will most certainly decrease over time, so they now need to become "creative". But this is just rediculous
 
Just a personal opinion, but I see these products not as general public products, but something for the lower end, and the data packages are a "bonus" starter pack to see what you can do with it. 75MB for a 3G device might be particularly low, although 100MB for a EDGE device can give the user quite a couple of hours of browsing. At a minimum the user should be able to download for over an hour without interruption and browsing is typically opening a webpage and reading it.

This is further extended by using Opera's remote compression functionality. All-in-all I believe this is a wonderful entry level product on which the poorer communities can built. If they stick to browsing they will have hours (4-16) of fun to start with, and from there each individual can get a bundle suited to his/her/family's needs. I believe the units will not be locked to a network either giving user the option to get data where they want.

I use my smartphone for general browsing and research whenever I am not in front of a computer and typically use 80-120MB data a month. This is without even going the Opera route.

Everybody seems so negative, seeming to miss the positive points of the device. I have yet to see a alternative solution which comes close to R750 for startup.
 
I think what they need is just some small set-top box which has DVI/D Sub and HDMI out. It also needs Bluetooth to connect wirelessly to a keyboard, and WIFI or some other technology. If people want to use a phone, they can buy a separate unit that looks like a phone but connects wirelessly through the set-top box to make and receive calls. This limits the cost of the set-top box and caters for those who just want a browsing experience, no voice calls.

The set-top box (something of the size or smaller than an Apple TV) needs to have some storage and better still run of an open source operating system like Android.
 
jmak said:
Just a personal opinion, ...

...

...

Everybody seems so negative, seeming to miss the positive points of the device. I have yet to see a alternative solution which comes close to R750 for startup.
Click to expand...

The only positive is that MTN and Vodacom will make money from the poor and claim they are helping :sick:
 
Oiram said:
Wow... That is the only word that can describe these tv internet devices. Let me start from the beginning... I recently purchased an internet box, mainly because I'm insanely rich and wish to own everything in the world. Anyway, as I was walking past the tv, a bust of gamma radiation from a distant star system entered the living room, transforming and mutating the ants that crawled over my left-over peanut butter sandwich into huge monsters! Terror griped me, giant ants in my living room! What to do? I asked myself. However, because I was a product of outcome based education, I had no idea how to solve this predicament. Then I remembered! You don't need education, if you know how to use the google! But, oh noes! the ants blocked my path to the pc and the gamma radiation caused my cellphone to become sentient and run off. Whist pondering whether I should use my backup carrier pidgeon, my eye fell upon the internet box. Happy days! Throwing my cat ,Fluttershy, into the jaws of the approaching ants to distract them, I quickly connected and did a google search on how to defeat the giant ants. After rejecting the first 5 results due to the fact that the websites contained flash and silverlight I finally found a solution. Armed with this knowledge, I dove into the kitchen and combined the stove gas bottle with a can of Doom bug spray. Ready to sacrifice myself for the greater good, I leaped from the kitchen counter into the living room... Only to discover that Fluttershy's flea collar already did the job and poisoned the ants. Well that's my story, typed entirely on my sentient phone. Tl;dr - I don't see a situation where this device will be usefull.
Click to expand...

I was about to insist on a summary, but something made me read the entire post. Maybe it was those imaginary giant monster ants to which you allude.

So in summary for those who never read this :p I have highlighted in bold the critical sentiment of this ;)

My response ... I concur.
 
jmak said:
Just a personal opinion, but I see these products not as general public products, but something for the lower end, and the data packages are a "bonus" starter pack to see what you can do with it. 75MB for a 3G device might be particularly low, although 100MB for a EDGE device can give the user quite a couple of hours of browsing. At a minimum the user should be able to download for over an hour without interruption and browsing is typically opening a webpage and reading it.

This is further extended by using Opera's remote compression functionality. All-in-all I believe this is a wonderful entry level product on which the poorer communities can built. If they stick to browsing they will have hours (4-16) of fun to start with, and from there each individual can get a bundle suited to his/her/family's needs. I believe the units will not be locked to a network either giving user the option to get data where they want.

I use my smartphone for general browsing and research whenever I am not in front of a computer and typically use 80-120MB data a month. This is without even going the Opera route.

Everybody seems so negative, seeming to miss the positive points of the device. I have yet to see a alternative solution which comes close to R750 for startup.
Click to expand...

Vodacom employee detected!

I have an alternative: buy a cheap phone! You can take it with you, and you don't have destroy your retinas trying to read text off a CRT TV.
 
jmak said:
.....Everybody seems so negative, seeming to miss the positive points of the device. I have yet to see a alternative solution which comes close to R750 for startup......
Click to expand...

There are no positive points. This scheme costs loads of money to setup and run, simple. The poor don't have that kind of cash available. This device IS targeted at the poor no doubt about that.

If MTN/Vodacom have it in their business model to extend connectivity to the poor, they then should rise off their prolapsed fat corporate anuses and offer a model that is foreseeably sustainable. Who is the winner in all this? Well, the answer is glaringly clear really, initial purchase of device: winner MTN/Vodacom, purchasing exorbitant data: winner MTN/Vodacom, and device becomes a paper weight: winner MTN/Vodacom. I witness a flawless victory, a knock-out sucker-punch to the poor.

Had the offer included unlimited on-device browsing for an affordable fixed fee per month, I believe there would be no dialogue here now, but only praise.
 
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They are going about it the wrong way round - we want TV over the Web - not Web on our TV.
Bring us a good IPTV platform with more flexible options than we get on MonoChoice.
 
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