Time to play iPhone Rumour Bingo!
Alex Kidman has some predictions about what Apple has up its sleeve for the Australian iPhone launch, and they're not all great news.
It seems everyone, their dog, and even their dog's fleas are having guesses, sometimes backed up by "sources", as to when the iPhone will launch in Australia. (See our story http://www.pcauthority.com.au/News/107942,buzz-builds-on-iphone-launch.aspx)
I could never be part of such a loose approach, however, but I must admit the pressure of hype has had my brain pondering on it a touch. Not for me the mysterious made-up sources, however -- I think it's time for some old fashioned iPhone rumour bingo!
OK, does everyone have their tiny iPhone-sized scorecards ready? Pens held tightly? Knitting on their laps? Then I'll begin...
Our first ball out is one little duck, number 2. 2, as in 2G, found in the current iPhone. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that it's not impossible that when Apple opens its flagship Sydney store, allegedly in June, it'll do so with the same 2G iPhone that the rest of the world got.
Yes, we know that Apple's working on a 3G iPhone. But we also know that Steve Jobs has stated that they're not yet happy with the battery life of the 3G model, and essentially, it'll be ready when it's ready. Moreover, and as much of a blow to the old ego as it might be, Australia's a pretty titchy market. I just can't picture Apple sitting on a 3G iPhone just for us...
Next ball down the chute is... Two Dozen, 24. The next most popular rumour -- whether or not the iPhone will be locked. My gut feel is that it will -- it's not as though locking has stopped other phone manufacturers from going exclusive with a single vendor -- Telstra and the Danger Hiptop come to mind -- and twenty-four in this case refers to the number of months you'll be tied to one telco or another.
Lucky third ball is... Bullseye! Number 50. Fifty in this case as in fifty notes, which is my guess as to the cheapest data plan you'll see with full iPhone compatibility. Apple positions the iPhone as a premium device -- even one with some pretension towards being an enterprise tool, if the launch of the SDK is any indication. As such, I doubt you'll be seeing any iPhone plans at the budget end of the spectrum.
Our fourth number is "Bingo machine error", 999. Keeping with the notes motif, those expecting a cheap iPhone -- or even one in line with US prices -- are, to put it directly, deluding themselves. Apple's been charging extra for its gear in Australia for quite some time, and while a certain amount of that is undoubtedly in line with the local tax rules, as well as shipping costs -- there's simply no way that Apple will sell the iPhone for anywhere near what the iPod Touch costs. A top of the line 32GB Touch currently sells for $629; adding phone functionality and keeping it in line with other outright phone handset costs, and I reckon $999 isn't that far-fetched a number. I might even be underestimating.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go investigate this Bingo machine error. Nobody's called out "House!" yet, which means the iPhone's not yet on sale...
Other Blog Entries written by Alex Kidman:
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
Comments: 3
|
chao
Apr 22, 2008 4:43 PM
|
Recent rumours shows the contrary to your first 2 predictions.
Apple's been drying out all the current iPhone stocks around the world. First been little to no stock in the US, then the most recent price drop in the UK.
Again, hope your gut feeling of the iPhones been locked in Australia are wrong. Just the other day reports from an Italian newspaper rumours the 3G iPhone to be released there unlocked.
"Apple Inc.'s next-generation iPhone will arrive in Italy in a matter of weeks under a landmark deal that will see handset sold through Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) without a contract and carrier lock, according to Repubblica."
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/04/21/apple_said_to_have_signed_landmark_3g_iphone_deal_for_italy.html |
|
Alex Kidman
Apr 22, 2008 5:03 PM
|
Well, just to be picky, rumours can't "show" anything to the contrary -- they're just rumours, after all.
The stock drying up thing is interesting, but it doesn't necessarily point straight at the 3G model -- could also be a newer, larger capacity iPhone, for example. It's a good sign, though.
There are other unlocked iPhones elsewhere in the world, and of course what happens in Italy doesn't bear much relevance here per se. The telcos love a locked phone, and so does Apple -- and I've been told I'm a pessimist, sometimes. |
|
M9ROC
Apr 23, 2008 3:03 PM
|
I bet Alex isn't too far off the mark here but rumours are just rumours and with Apple keeping their cards close to their chest i guess you'll have to just wait and see. But in the end their moves seem somewhat predictable. |