Apple’s new iPhone is coming out soon, and I find myself caring very little about it. It’s a pretty big change from a few years back when Nokia announced their nGage and I was instantly filled with desire. Thankfully I didn’t get an nGage because they turned out to be an incredible flop.
Now? Well, the iPhone is certainly impressive. It’s beautiful and classy, and does a ton of things that makes gadget geeks like me drool.
So why don’t I care?
Because all I really want my cell phone to do is be a phone, and the reviews on that portion of its capabilities have been lukewarm. I have a Motorola Razr. It’s got a camera built in, but it doesn’t compare to my digital camera. I think I’ve taken two pictures in the two years I’ve owned it that I kept or used anywhere. It has other capabilities too, but I don’t use any of those either. I use it to talk to other people and it does that just fine.
Music? I have an iPod and it holds WAY more than the iPhone does.
Video? Do I really need portable video that badly? Or *that* portable? If I’m travelling I’ll have my notebook with me and its screen is heaps better than the iPhone’s, and it also holds far more information.
Another reason is that a large amount of what the iPhone does requires data transfer from your provider, and the rates on that are outrageous. Not just “expensive” but “sickeningly expensive”. I can browse the web through my Razr, but Rogers charges me $.15 per kilobyte. Yes, KILOBYTE. Download 100 kb and they charge you $15.00! I can’t imagine the cost of using the iPhone at those extortionist rates. Yes, I’m sure there are plans with cheaper data, but I wouldn’t use it enough to justify an increased regular fee. I’m annoyed enough as it is with what I’m paying for cellular service, and that’s just to talk to people.
While I’m ranting here, hey Rogers, thanks for charging me extra for call display. I’m sure it actually costs you more to DISABLE that display for people who don’t want to pay for it.
So yeah, drool away over the iPhone. It’s slick, it’s just not worth it in the real world.
I read this morning that the iphone (with options) would cost upwards of $3000, with the requirement of a two-year plan! Yikes! - no thanks. I’ll stick with my Miami-vice era banana phone - it only causes cancer in only 1 out of every 5 people, and chicks goes for the slick retro look.
Oh yeah, Rogers cable DOES suck…
Rogers Cable Broadband costs fifteen cents per KILOBYTE downloaded? Or are you talking about some ‘Send this to your phone” plan of theirs.
If that is straight broadband, it is amazing if ANYONE uses it for typical broadband surfing at all.
I’m pretty much the same way, I just can’t get excited over a phone. I understand that people love their toys, but this is one where I prefer simple utility and a comfortable form factor.
I’ve had the same Kyocera for years. It works.
Amen, Joe! I agree on every point you make. A phone is a phone, and that’s it.
I’m talking about Rogers Wireless, not Rogers Cable! Browsing the web through my Motorola Razr phone costs fifteen cents per kilobyte. It’s ridiculous.