iPhone 3G

[w!ng-w!ng]

So who's getting it?  When I move to Canada, I'm definitely getting my hands on that one!  My only wish is that it had more capacity but to tell the truth, I can make do with just the 16GB!

[Knightslugger]

If apple would stray away from AT&T or that whole EDGE network BS, i'd get one myself... truth is, there's no service where i need it.

at that point, what good is it?  personally... i think the iPhone SUX, just for that reason: Exclusivity.

[OrcishIncubus]

I'm kind of split... AT&T's service is kinda lack-luster... if they added an unlimited plan I'd be really tempted to get one... and a 200 dollar price tag = /drool...

I still say Helio's service + iPhone would be truly a happy experience for me.

[zizdodrian]

Hehehe... I get to choose my telco, come July the 11th!

[Dilusion]

For the first time I'm thinking about it. The only problem is I really want to stick to Alltel [don't know if apple changed their one service thing].

I like it, the price is approaching reasonable, but I may just stick to my trusty 2 1/2 year old Razr.

[Knightslugger]

For the first time I'm thinking about it. The only problem is I really want to stick to Alltel [don't know if apple changed their one service thing].

Nope, it's still AT&T/Cingular in the US...

and i just want to strangle them for it.

[Thunderstruck]

A few years ago this kind of question woulda been swamped with replies, what happened? Anyway, I'd get it in a heart beat if it was available where I am.

[Shmi]

I'll hold out for the next upgrade, in all likelihood. I don't really need GPS or 3G, and there's not enough new stuff in it to make me want to upgrade and pay an additional $10/month. All I really need is the App Store to open up and for iPhone 2.0 software to come out so I can get new programs and unlock a lot more functionality.

[jabberwocky]

With what Canada has for Data plans I plan to stay away from the iPhone.

[exDevlin]

With what Canada has for Data plans I plan to stay away from the iPhone.

I have to agree. I'm not getting an iPhone until the data plans here improve. I'm getting a not-so-smart phone for my next phone because I really like my monthly plan..

[haunted_i]

Historically, Apple has always taken a cautious approach to new hardware lines, especially when dealing with other companies. Combined with their tight focus on a few outstanding products (rather than blurred vision from managing too many), Apple chose a single US carrier for the first five years to get the bugs worked out, and more importantly, to let five years of success give them more leverage when it comes time to expand carriers.

When the iPod came out, there was no iTunes Store. Rather than throw a new device at the expert negotiators of record labels, Apple pushed their hardware down a snowy hill, letting it grow large enough to eclipse other vendors. Similarly, the iPhone would have been at the mercy of each consumer-unfriendly US carrier at its debut, not having proved itself worthy of dictating its own terms. Now that it is rapidly becoming the forseeable future's must-have gadget, carriers are counting down the expiration of AT&T's exclusive contract, anxious to receive windfall service plan profits. When that time comes, Apple will have enough leverage to dictate plans and pricing for every carrier.

In other words, AT&T-only today means great plans from other carriers tomorrow.

[Shmi]

When that time comes, Apple will have enough leverage to dictate plans and pricing for every carrier.

That's a good thing, as long as they use said dictation to force lower prices. But with no one competing with AT&T on the iPhone (since they are the sole carrier, and since AT&T has a separate set of plans for the iPhone), they have no real incentive to cut prices on the iPhone plan. Quite the contrary - over the life of the 2-year contract, the $200 iPhone ends up costing you more than the current 1st generation iPhone. If they had allowed even just one other carrier to have it, those carriers might have found incentive to cut the costs of just their iPhone plans.

On the other hand, Apple is trying to enter an over-saturated market, and they have to tread carefully. While sticking with ATT for 5 years means less competition, they do gain a foothold by proving themselves and showing other carriers what they can do for their plans/data plan sales.

[Knightslugger]

and it's not like it's hard working new technology into other carriers.  if apple wants to control the software packages, make separate development departments to work on different packages for each carrier.  you stimulate the economy and give eager MIT Grads a place to work!

[kindless]

The day it becomes available for other cellphone companies, is the day I'll consider dishing out 200$ for it.

[haunted_i]

Service is one thing; having a distinguished case is another.

Personally, I'd just have a screen protector. No need to bottle up all that heat.