Samsung is soooo screwed. Keep it up!

——RM

Since iPhone’s 3G radio does not work on T-Mobile’s frequencies (leaving you only with the GPRS – EDGE speeds), even if you buy the unlocked device without a contract, you’re still stuck with AT&T, where the cheapest unlimited plan of $50 is not really unlimited (you must pay extra for smartphone data).

Currently, the only major GSM carrier in America that offers cheap data plans is T-Mobile.

“Paging George Orwell !
Please report to the DOUBLESPEAK Lounge, on the DOUBLE!!!”

With the iPhone, the TCO is, for me, prohibitive. While an Android phone is definitely NOT an iPhone in performance, on some basic level of functionality, it is comparable.

The acquisition cost of iPhone is $650. A cheap, crappy Android phone can be had for less than $100. Common way for acquisition is to let carrier defer some of the acquisition cost by subsidising the device (and subsequently recovering that cost through the monthly charge for the plan). The biggest problem with the subsidy model is that it is financially detrimental to the customer, since the subsidy level is considerably lower than the two-year total of the difference in monthly rates between prepaid and subsidy-based plans.

As I said, the moment T-Mobile begins supporting frequencies that work with iPhone’s 3G radio is the moment I’ll ditch the crappy Android and switch to the iPhone. I don’t mind paying $650 upfront for the device; what I do mind is paying the extortion to the carrier for the privilege of using my phone on their network. And why T-Mobile? Because they have by far the best pre-paid plans ($30 for unlimited data/text, plus 100 voice minutes).

Did you see the size of that honkin’ S3 battery? Did you see that it’s not big enough and that had to make it removable? You have to carry around a second battery just to get through the day.

Did you hear about the piss poor voice recognition?

Did you hear about the hundreds, possibly thousands of pieces of malware just waiting to infest that S3 monster?

Did anyone tell you how much it costs to get all of your pockets resized so you can cary around that monster?

Did you hear you have to jailbreak it just to update the OS?

You must have a lot of stupid friends.

Usually it is less than $45 a month because you’re not paying for the subsidy.

On the other hand, I care what Apple does. Releasing an outdated iPhone 4S is not the way to counter Samsung. By and large consumers don’t give a flying f*** if Samsung phones are a rip off of Apple. What they care about is an affordable, modern, up to date phone.

I know of many who have migrated from the iPhone 3GS to the Galaxy S3 simply because the 4S is complete rubbish.

Their move to google ad-sense paid off handsomely apparently and everyone can now afford top drawer service from Apple.

They should start spreading the love around and stop carrying Apple’s water, uh, they don’t anymore help, just money.

Apple makes seven-million dollars each hour all day every day and shows no sign of slowing down. They have created a seismic shift in the economy by undermining so many different levels; artistically, industrially, socially, and now Apple has opened communications with key government hacks!

We’re in a full blown recession because everyone has stopped spending money, except Apple consumers! WTF, over?

I can easily envisage Samsung acquiring webOS via a third party (in order to stay under the radar) and flesh it out over a two three year time line.

At that time Samsung migrates to webOS and it’s own walled garden. It will take several years, but Samsung has the resources (and vision) to pull this off.

Hopefully, T-Mobile will remain a viable carrier in the US, and will continue to migrate its 3G (and “4G”) network to the standard frequencies, so that it can work with the unlocked iPhone. Once this becomes available in my area (NYC), my Virgin Mobile Android goes on Craigs List (or eBay) and I’m getting an unlocked iPhone with a $30 per month plan (unlimited data/text, plus 100 minutes voice).

I simply cannot justify spending extra $500 per year on smartphone data plan. I’d rather buy an iPad for that money…

My iPhone is a pocket computer, that has telephonic features. I use it more for getting information then I do actually communicating with people.

Continues to innovate, by continuing to copy Apple’s moves? Really?