First of all, I’m glad the contract with AT&T was signed. Originally I was not. Originally I was a frustrated Verizon customer who wanted a decent phone and who maybe had a big crush on Steve Jobs. Three years later, I’m over it. And you should be too.
I’ve had the iPhone while I was in Australia. There were multiple carriers (I chose Singapore based Optus of Verizon owned Vodafone). The competition was pretty good, driving down prices and there wasn’t an obsession with the iPhone. Living overseas helped me understand that the iPhone phenomenon/worship is really an American thing. There are other phones out there that are good. Though I was pleased with the iPhone and came back to the States singing it’s praise.
Upon arrival to the States I HAD to have an iPhone. Reluctantly my wife surprised me with one for my birthday. I was greeted with spotty service with AT&T and the WORST customer service at an Apple store. Jim Gaffigan joked his iPhone turns into an aolPhone outside large cities (referencing 1995 internet speeds). It wasn’t meeting our needs. I took it back. I recently purchased a Palm Pre Plus 3g with free mobile Hotspot. Basically for my minutes plan plus a $30/month data package I get unlimited data on my phone anywhere in the country and unlimited internet for up to 5 devices (i.e. my macbook). This saves us from paying an internet bill and that’s a good thing! You can’t do that (legally) with an iPhone.
I have been thoroughly impressed with the Palm Pre Plus. Multi-tasking, great webOS, useful apps (though I’m hoping they will increase in number), downloading multiple iTunes music libraries (accounts) was easier than on the actual iPhone. In fact, the iPod Touch I bought to replace my iPhone has been rendered useless by the Pre and is now my wife’s (who is not useless).
So why should you wait? Why was it a good thing for the contract? Imagine in 2007 the iPhone drops to all carriers. 130 Million people would have an iPhone. Then everyone would have an iPhone 3G, then 3Gs. Still no multi tasking, not too much space on harddrive. We would be stuck. No creative competition to make the iPhone better or for people to realize there are better/other alternatives out there.
People are already saying that in 2012 they will definitely get the Verizon iPhone. I bet Steve Jobs will let you go ahead and sign a contract too. He’s good at selling you something he tells you you need. A macbook may be a must have, but the iPhone isn’t. No matter the carrier.
