The iPhone thread - Page 45

DocDutch · 09-06-2009, 11:11

dont know if those figures for the US are for contract phones as well.

but sneaky of o2 not to pass any savings to the end user other then the shareholders or the directors.

punky · 09-06-2009, 11:28

Does anyone know for sure if a US locked iPhone will work on O2?

DocDutch · 09-06-2009, 17:16

o2 are a bunch of thieves.....this is a screenshot from T-mobile in Holland, the contract is for 2 years.

http://twitpic.com/6xn1q/full

Pushkar · 09-06-2009, 20:49

Hmm, im thinking an affordable upgrade - Those locked into those 18/24 month contracts, sell your phone as a PAYG - and buy the other 3GS on PAYG too.

So you get about Â£300 for your old iPhone, and you buy a 16gb 3GS for Â£450, unless you really want the 32gb, so thats Â£550.

Either Â£150/250 is lost, but the only realistic way to get a 'new' iPhone.

Tezcatlipoca · 10-06-2009, 00:17

Couple of stories from Guardian Tech:

"O2 iPhone pricing upsets would-be buyers"

and...

"iPhone: O2 says buyers must pay a premium for new model"

"#o2fail" has been a popular hashtag on Twitter...

**Damien** · 10-06-2009, 09:14

The problem is that the upgrade path and subsidised phones have been the way the phone market has operated for ages, but this is coming into conflict with the yearly cycle of upgrades for consumer devices.

I mean imagine being tied to any other device for 24 months, effectively forbidden from upgrades while technologies fires ahead. In the past phone upgrades were very incremental and were not considered computers, that's different now and it's going to annoy a lot of people.

Really the network needs to be disconnected from the hardware...

Druchii · 10-06-2009, 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

The problem is that the upgrade path and subsidised phones have been the way the phone market has operated for ages, but this is coming into conflict with the yearly cycle of upgrades for consumer devices.

I mean imagine being tied to any other device for 24 months, effectively forbidden from upgrades while technologies fires ahead. In the past phone upgrades were very incremental and were not considered computers, that's different now and it's going to annoy a lot of people.

Really the network needs to be disconnected from the hardware...

Been using my K750i for years now, and before that my 3310.
Honestly, i don't get why people need to have the latest and greatest... In their phone?

Blackened · 10-06-2009, 10:47

Question:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Druchii

Honestly, i don't get why people need to have the latest and greatest... In their phone?

Answer:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Druchii

Been using my K750i for years now, and before that my 3310.

If you're happy with a K750i (and seriously, nothing wrong with that - great phone) then to be fair, you wouldn't ever see why people want the latest & greatest. You're obviously not big into gadgets while some clearly are.

Re 'in their phone'. Any iPhone user will tell you it's very, very much more than a phone. The phone bit on mine is completely secondary. So secondary I use a Nokia N95 instead.
FWIW, I won't be upgrading to the newer one anyway. Ridiculous prices.

**Damien** · 10-06-2009, 14:30

Here is another issue:

The Hardware allows developers a lot more features in their applications, especially graphically. The App Store will split into two with those on the inferior hardware unable to upgrade due to the contract issue, this is an insane way to handle a computing platform.

Stephen · 10-06-2009, 14:59

ARe you sure, could the apps not still run on the current iPhone 3G just with less graphical effects?

Derek · 10-06-2009, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

ARe you sure, could the apps not still run on the current iPhone 3G just with less graphical effects?

Nope. Ones designed for the 3G will work on 3GS but ones designed for the enhanced graphics will be for the new one only.

Stuart · 10-06-2009, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Here is another issue:

The Hardware allows developers a lot more features in their applications, especially graphically. The App Store will split into two with those on the inferior hardware unable to upgrade due to the contract issue, this is an insane way to handle a computing platform.

Not really.. It's no different to (say) a PC game requiring a certain minimum level of graphics card (try and run any recent game with a GeForce 2 or 3 and see what happens).

Pushkar · 10-06-2009, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

Nope. Ones designed for the 3G will work on 3GS but ones designed for the enhanced graphics will be for the new one only.

Well if developers have to choose between making a product for 3G and 3G-S, then they'll choose 3G, sure there might be a marginal better graphics, but they want to make the most money - that's what most of what the App Store is about, and currently all of the 20 million iPhone devices are the 2G and 3G model - how many people will buy the 3GS if they are on the 3G?

**Damien** · 10-06-2009, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Not really.. It's no different to (say) a PC game requiring a certain minimum level of graphics card (try and run any recent game with a GeForce 2 or 3 and see what happens).

But your not contractually obliged to stick to the same computer/graphic card. My point is that this is a mini-computer not just a phone and there is a greater demand for consistent upgrades in these types of device.

Stuart · 10-06-2009, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

But your not contractually obliged to stick to the same computer/graphic card. My point is that this is a mini-computer not just a phone and there is a greater demand for consistent upgrades in these types of device.

I think it sucks too. I have a 3g and while I love it, I'd upgrade given half the chance. I won't be at the prices being charged.

However the iPhone is heavily subsidised. I suspect you'd find that you wouldn't be able to upgrade any pc that is heavily subsidised.