However, before we even evaluate that, a few gripes. First up, what’s the big deal about the iPhone’s 3G variant in India, since no Indian service provider has a3G network in any case (the government is just about waking up to 3G and talking of auctioning licences)?
At present, the fastest wireless network we have is Edge, on which most smartphones —including the BlackBerry —work. Second, GPS navigation. Online mapping in
But what my friends from the
Just as the physicist Stephen Hawking once said that the inclusion of even one mathematical formula will halve the sales of his groundbreaking book. A Brief History of Time, it is possible that the lack of a video recorder could affect the sales of the iPhone. Most mid-end to high-end phones available in India come with standard video recording software and storage systems, and this is a challenge that Apple will have to face once it’s legally sold here (unlocked iPhones are everywhere, though). And yes, there is no way you can receive live TV, which you can on certain high-end Nokia models.
What I am terribly excited about, though, is Apple’s Apps Store, a collection of 500 (and counting) software applications for the iPhone that can be either downloaded free, or for a charge of up to $10. For instance, the eBay auction machine is free, and so is TypePad, the blogging platform. A few games are also free to download. If both Airtel and Vodafone — the two networks that have promised to bring the iPhone to India — deliver on the Apps Store promise, then we could have a good thing going, primarily because the iPhone could then be a serious contender for the much-talked about convergent device.
My biggest concern is pricing. There are just too many price bands (right from Rs 10,000 to Rs 27,000) being thrown around buzz town, and that is not a good sign. Both Airtel and Vodafone must come clean on the phone’s pricing or face a clientele that is not sure what value to put on a premium product such as the iPhone. So while we wait, we wait with a certain amount of scepticism.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
No bets on iPhone for now
at 10:30 AM
Labels: 3G iPhone, Airtel, Apple, BlackBerry, eBay, GPS navigation, Indian markets, iPhones, Nokia, premium product, service provider, Vodafone
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Mobile phones have definitely become the most vital part of our lives. It is hard to imagine life without mobile phones. They are now inexpensive, easy to use, comfortable and equipped with every imaginable feature. From children to middle-aged to senior citizens, mobile phones have become gone from craze to a basic necessity of life. With our fast lifestyles, mobile phones allow us to stay connected wherever we are, and whenever we need.
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