Without video chat or an improved camera or special access to the apps store, there’s simply no killer feature on the new phone that would compel an existing customer to upgrade.

3G = at least 5 times faster than EDGE. That would be a reason for fanbois to jump on board.

I’m going to pass on this until it can cut and paste and send a text message since ya know, not everyone has web on their phone since it’s still a bit pricey.
Also, the non-user replaceable battery is a deal killer to me.

Just hoping Blackberry’s new touch screen comes out sooner rather than later so I don’t have to cave and get the Bold instead.

I wish I had an iPhone so I could replace this clunky thing I have with a geek toy and see women naked!!! In real life!!!

All Apple products are overpriced and overhyped.

Anyone dumb enough to buy a phone that you cannot even compete for the cell carrier should go take some classes on economics.

Mystery Solved
Freud famously asked: What do women want? The Associated Press reports that one young man believes he has discovered the answer:

From Taranto’s WSJ Best of the Web:

Nick Epperson, a 24-year-old grad student, spent the night outside an AT&T store in Atlanta, keeping his cheer up with bags of Doritos, three games of Scrabble and two packs of cigarettes. Asked why he was waiting in line, he responded simply “Chicks dig the iPhone.”
The jury is still out as to whether chicks dig Dorito-munching, chain-smoking, Scrabble-playing grad students.

Exit question for iPhone users, new and old: Why did Apple make the awesomely awesome new application store available to old iPhone customers instead of limiting it to purchasers of the 3G model?

Because the essential point with the app store is to quickly build up a library of apps that will lock iPhone users to their phones. So when the other phone makers catch up to Apple on usability and interface, and perhaps surpass them on display or keyboard, the iPhone users will still not consider switching. That’s long term thinking, smart thinking, and it trumps the short term gains that would come from inducing their base to upgrade. The same considerations lock people to Windows, and that’s worked awfully well even in the face of some poor Windows releases.

And, for us old-iPhone users, it only increases our affection for Apple. I didn’t pay any extra money, and my phone got better. Gotta love it.

Why did Apple make the awesomely awesome new application store available to old iPhone customers instead of limiting it to purchasers of the 3G model?

Apple’s strategy is large-scale and long-term. They’re building the dominant consumer smartphone platform. The more people out there using iPhones and all the software, the more developers will be attracted to the platform, which will bring in more users, etc. Snowball effect.

Apple knows that happy customers are more likely to be repeat customers. I doubt I’ll upgrade my 1st-gen iPhone this year but because I know how great it is, with all the new apps and functions, I’ll definitely get the next new model next year.

By updating my old phone, Apple lost a single device sale but they may have gained a customer for life.

Without video chat or an improved camera or special access to the apps store, there’s simply no killer feature on the new phone that would compel an existing customer to upgrade.

…unless you’re an idiot.

LOL

Without video chat or an improved camera or special access to the apps store, there’s simply no killer feature on the new phone that would compel an existing customer to upgrade.

Well, the killer feature is that fact that it has finally achieved functional parity with the average 2 or 3 year old smart phone or PDA, with 3g and enterprise email.

to test whether the chintzy plastic case on the new 3G model is sturdier than the brushed metal of iPhone classic

Dude, it’s an (months) older version of a current product not a “classic” in the customary sense of the word. To be a classic the thing needs to be used by a wider audience than puffed-up techno geeks with more discretionary income than fiscal common sense.

All the pieces!!

Why did Apple make the awesomely awesome new application store available to old iPhone customers instead of limiting it to purchasers of the 3G model? I was all set to go out and buy the new phone, but once I realized that my iPhone classic can run all the same apps (thanks to the upgraded 2.0 firmware), I’m less inclined.

That’s exactly what my husband said. We happened to be in San Antonio on Saturday and went to the Apple Store. There was NO WAY I was going to stand in a 3+ hour line in 95 degree heat.

We’ll wait for all the hoopla to die down, then go get a new one. I’m happy with hubby’s hand-me-down and I can be very patient.

…”Remember, tomorrow the offical party line is that the economy is in a recession and things have never been worse, becuase if you said it today eveyone would think you were crazy”

Chortle!

So what did AP use his stimulus check to buy instead of the 3G iPhone?

Me on July 14, 2008 at 11:52 AM

Heart-ache.

So what did AP use his stimulus check to buy instead of the 3G iPhone?
Asian hookers while on vacation last week.

Valiant on July 14, 2008 at 11:57 AM

Ap wasn’t in Asia. He was camped at the Apple Store on 5th Avenue. You know, the one in front of CBS.

He figured he’d kill two birds with one stone……get his beloved 3G and hopefully catch a glimpse of Katie Couric going to work.

Hey! I thought “soulless monster” was an epithet reserved for kitty/puppy/child abusers?

And poster #1 is right — beer is the most perfect creation. I can’t believe you would disagree, Allahpundit.

Blake on July 14, 2008 at 12:01 PM

Fritzl = iPhone blender