I think Apple has screwed up here, largely because of a very Ameri-
centric view of the mobile industry.
Firstly, 'contract' means you pay $599 for the phone, and then pay
Cingular another $39 (minimum) per month (as per contract), for the
next two years. Hence even if you had a relative in the US, you'd
need to get them to get it (assuming the network lock is easily
hacked -- which doubtless it will be) and then cancel the contract
and pay the penalty (which I expect could be up to half the full cost
over the two years).
Secondly, they are asking the rest of the world to twiddle their
thumbs til at least Q4 2007, at which point they'll again do the same
weird deal with a couple of select European Telcos. That's a long
time. They should have been bolder than this: Put the phone out, and
get the networks to sit up and pay attention, as consumers kill each
other for one. Then invite the networks to negotiate. This phone is
revolutionary, clever enough that this might have worked, even at
$800 each.
So I don't think warranty is the big issue. But it can't be nice
to be a cellphone manufacturer this morning. RIM lost 8% of share
value, motorolla 2%, Palm 6%. Jobs has sent them a very forceful memo.
On Jan 10, 2007, at 09:54, Ernest Byaruhanga (AfriNIC) wrote:
Hari Kurup wrote the following on 01/10/2007 08:41 AM:
On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 07:53:47 +0300, Wire James wrote
In the presentation the price was indicated as US$ 600 for a 2 year
contract with a service provider. That gives you an indication.
If the prices of ipods are any indication, the price in Kampala
stores (Game, Simba,
etc.) are x2 the ones quoted on Apple store.
So plan to part with 2 million only unless you are one of those
with a
$FAVOURITE_RELATIVE in the US.
or buy online using a credit card. The i-phone may be regarded as a
computer product, and you may not be taxed if you confuse the URA boys
with techie-jargon ;)
eb
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