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Well... rumors about it have been going on for quite a while now. Market analysts privvy to Google's Master Plan for world domination have been hinting at their phone service. Word is that google participated in a federal auction for network bands for that service.
That phone service being a very plausible motive for the development of Android. I mean... its not like a giant like Google would design a mobile OS just for fun and no money.
But that service...A phone service where your minutes, texting and data will be free. Well, not totally free, you have to spend some time on their targeted ads in exchange for those "free" services. Amazing though, isn't it?
Just think about the implications of it.
To put it in perspective, let's play around with a few numbers.
In 2006, the number of wireless subscribers in the US was about 236 million people. A massive customer base. Being conservative, on average, about $40 a month was spent on that service. Do the math...
About $8.5 billion monthly.
About $25 billion quarterly.
About $100 billion annually.
What would a free phone service do to that? Google rocking that industry is obviously an understatement. With current economic conditions, the number of people that would move over to Google would obviously be enormous.
Let's be generous and assume Google takes half the market share. Simply put that's $50 billion a year put back in consumers pockets. $50 billion that simply moves from those corporate giants like At&T and Verizon over to anywhere and everywhere else.
The layoffs by those companies would be enormous, but the growth of Google would rival that deterioration.
Giants recede, but one succeeds.
Wow I <3 google
this has been talked about for over a year now. It would be nice. And I could see it happening. And with google voice service that is going public soon, it seems to be on track. But you never know what they plan on doing.
APrinceAmongMen said:
Well... rumors about it have been going on for quite a while now. Market analysts privvy to Google's Master Plan for world domination have been hinting at their phone service. Word is that google participated in a federal auction for network bands for that service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google's involvement in the auction is OLD NEWS and hardly a secret as you seem to think it, this was well publicized for months. Further, you're a tool for spreading FUD by using any absurd terms like 'world domination'.
You also didn't follow the REAL news that came during the auction lead-up. It was well documented that Google's involvement in the auction was purely to ensure that the network bands would be left open instead of closed off for proprietary use only. They were also encouraging a higher cost of entering the bidding to ensure more money came from the final winner. They never had any intention of winning the auction. ALL of this was publicized before they even submitted their bid.
APrinceAmongMen said:
That phone service being a very plausible motive for the development of Android. I mean... its not like a giant like Google would design a mobile OS just for fun and no money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right here, Google wouldn't design a mobile OS just for fun (actually, they might, but that's another story). Fact is, that OS is so heavily oriented towards using Google's various services, all of which give them more chances to push ads through their network, which equates to money. It's just like Microsoft creating a web browser that defaults to MS's own search and home pages, or any OEM adding another company's software (ie. AOL) to a pre-build computer.
Additionally, Google will make money on their App Market...much like Apple makes more on their app store.
APrinceAmongMen said:
Just think about the implications of it.
To put it in perspective, let's play around with a few numbers.
In 2006, the number of wireless subscribers in the US was about 236 million people. A massive customer base. Being conservative, on average, about $40 a month was spent on that service. Do the math...
About $8.5 billion monthly.
About $25 billion quarterly.
About $100 billion annually.
What would a free phone service do to that? Google rocking that industry is obviously an understatement. With current economic conditions, the number of people that would move over to Google would obviously be enormous.
Let's be generous and assume Google takes half the market share. Simply put that's $50 billion a year put back in consumers pockets. $50 billion that simply moves from those corporate giants like At&T and Verizon over to anywhere and everywhere else.
The layoffs by those companies would be enormous, but the growth of Google would rival that deterioration.
Giants recede, but one succeeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
<shudders> Gawd where did you get this garbage???
First, why did you use numbers from 2006? Updated numbers from 07 or 08 are readily available.
Second, the math is far too optimistic, and it also ignores how many of those cell phones belong to corporations who would rarely if ever decide it was better to force their employees to stare at ads in place of doing work.
All of this post was based on old news and theories that were thrown out by even the most fanatical of the tin-foil hat crowd. I'm curious why you're posting it at all. I also seem to remember a post almost identical to this a few days ago, though it may have been from another user. Please stop spreading FUD.
Somehow, I doubt that Google is going to move into the physical service providers market. They already provide many online services that lure customers, number one being their search engine. Search, Gmail, Youtube, Calendar, Maps, Tasks, Voice Mail, there's not much you can't do with Google and internet access.
I don't see why they'd need to move into providing physical services, such as phone, cell, 'net or tv. It doesn't seem like that would fit Google's personality well. They seem to prefer to operate in the virtual environment, let another company provide access (internet, in this case) while they provide the service.
Take Android. Google is not a hardware company, nor did they dive into the hardware market. Much less could they have viably made a handset that could have punched such a hole into the market as the G1/Dream already has. No, instead Google focused on making a software OS that could perform well on multiple hardware platforms, and provide a modern, multi-tasking OS for smartphones. They orchestrated the Open Handset Alliance to push Android forward, and now we're seeing the introduction of multiple Android handsets this year from HTC, Samsung and presumably Motorola.
It seems uncharacteristic, given their method of pushing Android to the consumers (letting manufacturing companies and service providers step in rather than creating their own hardware and carrier companies), that they would be entering the phone service market. I can't see how Google would benefit in the end. What would they do, give you free phone service by forcing you to listen to an ad at the beginning of all your calls and voicemails?
I don't see it happening in the near future. If it did, I'd expect Google to purchase an existing carrier, rather than try to forge a new customer base out of nothing. With Android intending to hit multiple carriers in the same region (much like the WM and Blackberry platforms do), it seems unlikely that Google could carry Android exclusively to make their carrier profitable. Not even Apple took this route, preferring to let carriers carry their phone exclusively rather than trying to enter the market on their own.
Google Voice is now taking advanced invitations, go sign up now!
https://services.google.com/fb/forms/googlevoiceinvite/
They say on the site that we are only a couple weeks away from it going live.
thats been there for a couple of months now. I signed up the first few days.
Signed up. Looks like a full fledged phone service might not be too far away. Also seems as though calls could be made via the website, could be a mis-understanding on my part. I can see making calls from my g1 browser and talking through my phone. possibilities are endless.
After reading all the stories, lots of comments on blogs and forums, I have had enough of the BS about how $530 is over priced and way too much and blah blah blah. You guys want the latest and greatest but aren't willing to pay any more than $5 for it.
Every single phone worth money for years has had an unsubsidized price of at least $550 with a few exceptions of course (G1 is only $400, but it is a generation old hardware). An iPhone 3GS 32gb retails for $699 straight up. The HTC HD2 is $899 on Amazon. Good phones aren't cheap as I am sure a lot of you know. So in this respect, $530 is actually a pretty good deal; especially when you compare it to the HD2 which has the same processor and similar hardware. You are getting a next-gen phone with the best screen to ever be on a phone, double the ram of most high end phones, and double the resolution of most high end phones. You expected the best of the best to be cheap? Pfft...
Also, my current T-Mobile plan is superior to what is going to be offered. It will be cheaper and easier in the long run to just buy the phone straight up.
What I am seeing from people is they see $530 and freak the hell out because they have the $180 to compare it against. Sure, there is a big difference there, but you are locked in to a contract for 2 years. $80 * 24 months + $180 = $2100 over 2 years! AND you only have 500 minutes. If you bought the phone straight up and went with Even More Plus for $80/mo, you get unlimited everything. $80 * 24 months + $530 = $2450. Yes, this is more expensive, HOWEVER, how many times will you go over your 500 minutes in the next 2 years? If this is not a problem for you, by all means, go right ahead and get the contract deal since it suits you. But for me, and I suspect most people, 500 minutes is not enough. For the additional $350 over 2 years, or $14.58 and change every month, it is worth having those unlimited minutes.
Does anybody else agree with me on this? All of my phone junkies I talk to agree that $530 is reasonable. Sure, we all would love a less expensive phone, but lets get real here...
Oh, and if this "leak" turns out to be false, than what an awesome waste of time and all of this is moot! LOL
Agree with you on this. My current plan is dirt cheep for unlimited data and no 2 year contract, so I'll shell out the $530 if that's all official after the 5th!
people are trippin over $530 for a phone like this? I paid $550 for my unlocked fuze last year, $800 for unbranded touch pro 2 in April, unlocked motorola droid(milestone) is $800! Al least this phone has some kind of US 3G support, unlike most unbranded phones that come state side. I think I'm a get it day 1, and then get the Bravo when it come out later this year if Sense UI cant be import on the Nexus.
I agree with you guys wholeheartedly. To be honest though, I think it's most telling to compare plans in an apples to apples manner. I'm a dork with a background in finance, so yes, I created a spreadsheet to calculate all the costs incrementally to see where changes in costs were coming from in my comparison.
After running through the numbers and calculating total costs over a 24 month term, for the 500 minute EM and EM+ plans, with the respective phone costs, the total cost over 24 months if I bought the phone unlocked would be $1970. If I purchased it on contract for $180, the total I'd spend over 24 months would be $2100.
There's NO WAY that you'll spend more over the long term with the EM+ plan UNLESS you're eligible for a corporate discount on the EM plan (which I happily am). With my discount, the total for the EM plan comes to $1811, but that doesn't apply to everyone.
The problem here is that most people are spoiled by the subsidized prices of phones. What they're not realizing is that they're paying for that subsidy in the form of more expensive plans...and then some, as my illustration above clearly proves. If T-mobile allows us to finance unsubsidized phones for 20 months on EM+ plans, then this works out to be more manageable for consumers. Either way, though... people need to consider total cost of ownership (TCO)... not just monthly cost and initial cash outlay for the device.
Exactly! Thanks for doing that. People just don't look for future savings and would rather have instant gratification. They are excited by a cheap up front cost and monthly service fee be damned!
I totally agree with you. it is by far the best phone in terms of specifications and price compared to its competitors (iphone 3gs, HD2).
Thanks for explaining this to people.
T-Mo Unlimited Voice/Web/Text $79.99/mo x 24 months = $1,920
Phone: $530.00
====
Total: $2,450.00
IPhone Plan
AT&T Unlimited Voice/Web/Text $149.99/mo for 24 months = $3,600
Phone: $200.00
====
Total: $3,800.00
-No contract for the T-Mobile plan
-No texts? AT&T without any text message plan still comes to $3,320
I was hoping for unlocked-only availability. It would keep certain... um... people... from buying the phone and then flooding the forums with questions, tacky themes, etc.
Dont really care about the price. It's actually not too bad, but if they only offer a 3g for Tmobile version here in the states then why bother selling it from google? Now...if they offer a few versions that can do 3g on several of the networks, or the final device gives us 3g on AT&T and Tmobile (and perhaps they do a verizon version too!)...that would be an awesome sale.
lordmaxx said:
Dont really care about the price. It's actually not too bad, but if they only offer a 3g for Tmobile version here in the states then why bother selling it from google? Now...if they offer a few versions that can do 3g on several of the networks, or the final device gives us 3g on AT&T and Tmobile (and perhaps they do a verizon version too!)...that would be an awesome sale.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I imagine that Google will be releasing high-end phones for all carriers this year. I think they started with T-mobile for a variety of possible reasons. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that they felt that T-mo should get preference because they were the first carrier to carry the Android torch to market. I also wouldn't be surprised if Google had planned this all along and that T-mobile was promised to get the first "Google phone". Obviously this is all conjecture, but it makes sense from a business perspective.
uansari1 said:
I imagine that Google will be releasing high-end phones for all carriers this year. I think they started with T-mobile for a variety of possible reasons. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that they felt that T-mo should get preference because they were the first carrier to carry the Android torch to market. I also wouldn't be surprised if Google had planned this all along and that T-mobile was promised to get the first "Google phone". Obviously this is all conjecture, but it makes sense from a business perspective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the problem with getting the first of anything is it will be ancient by the time other carriers receive their Android devices
Not necessarily. Given the specs of this phone, I can't see it becoming obsolete as quickly as the G1 did. I could be wrong, but how soon would you think a phone would come out with over 1ghz processor and over 512 ram and rom?
uansari1 said:
Not necessarily. Given the specs of this phone, I can't see it becoming obsolete as quickly as the G1 did. I could be wrong, but how soon would you think a phone would come out with over 1ghz processor and over 512 ram and rom?
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Click to collapse
Aren't there already two other snapdragon devices out? What about the rumors of another iphone being released later this year?
I think the g1 may have been just as big when it came out. Times change, so does technology. The N1 may seem like the hottest new device, but it's the Nexus ONE just as the Dream was the Gee ONE. Look at where we are now. With at least half a dozen android capable devices out in about a year and 50+ rumored by 2012.
andythefan said:
Aren't there already two other snapdragon devices out? What about the rumors of another iphone being released later this year?
I think the g1 may have been just as big when it came out. Times change, so does technology. The N1 may seem like the hottest new device, but it's the Nexus ONE just as the Dream was the Gee ONE. Look at where we are now. With at least half a dozen android capable devices out in about a year and 50+ rumored by 2012.
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Click to collapse
Your points are well taken. No one's saying that this is THE ultimate phone of all time. It's simply the greatest Android phone to be released yet, and based on its specs, it seems to be a very significant advance forward in hardware as compared to other devices, aside from Droid.
uansari1 said:
Your points are well taken. No one's saying that this is THE ultimate phone of all time. It's simply the greatest Android phone to be released yet, and based on its specs, it seems to be a very significant advance forward in hardware as compared to other devices, aside from Droid.
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Click to collapse
Before the Droid all the Android devices were mostly similar (form factor, screen resolution/size, cpu, etc). This is just like the Droid. It was supposed to be the greatest Android device until the next phone showed up a few months later. How do we know a device with similar or better specs won't show up soon? HTC's leaked roadmap has a lot of impressive devices scheduled for this year.
The marketplace is only going to fragment even more Developers aren't happy coding for all these different devices.
IDK if you all are missing the point or if maybe im just redirecting it but here goes
This does not fit into how google normally does things. Correct me if im wrong but the formula usually goes
Take good service/software and make it better + dirt cheap or free+data mining = profit$$
If they aren't subsidizing any of the cost, why should we let them have our data?
esincho said:
people are trippin over $530 for a phone like this? I paid $550 for my unlocked fuze last year, $800 for unbranded touch pro 2 in April, unlocked motorola droid(milestone) is $800! Al least this phone has some kind of US 3G support, unlike most unbranded phones that come state side. I think I'm a get it day 1, and then get the Bravo when it come out later this year if Sense UI cant be import on the Nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am fully agree with your statement that at least this phone has some sort of US 3G support which many unlocked phones lacked or manufacturers are too slow to release the US 3G version (read: Nokia N95 NAM edition).
I think this angry attitude is a manifestation of our credit-driven lifestyle. Many people don't realize that paying cheaper price for a phone alongside mandatory 2 years contract (and ETFs if we decided to cancel) is more expensive. Even if they do, the fact that they can OWN the product NOW (regardless whether you can afford the whole price or not) is what makes it desirable in this part of the world.
Regarding the fact that it doesn't support AT&T 3G bands, well suck it up because iPhone didn't support T-Mobile 3G either and I'm sure there are many Tmob subscribers are interested to get that capabilities too. Until US cleared up these 3G band fragmentation (which probably won't happen), we are at the mercy of these manufacturers to step up their game and put in Quad Band UMTS as opposed to cherry picking 3 UMTS bands to be put into their phones.
Only thing making me think twice is when will a keyboard version of the hardware come out.
burton14e7 said:
Only thing making me think twice is when will a keyboard version of the hardware come out.
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Click to collapse
The keyboard phone with these specs would be the next G1, most likely to come out just in time for the early G1 adopters to renew their contracts.
uansari1 said:
I agree with you guys wholeheartedly. To be honest though, I think it's most telling to compare plans in an apples to apples manner. I'm a dork with a background in finance, so yes, I created a spreadsheet to calculate all the costs incrementally to see where changes in costs were coming from in my comparison.
After running through the numbers and calculating total costs over a 24 month term, for the 500 minute EM and EM+ plans, with the respective phone costs, the total cost over 24 months if I bought the phone unlocked would be $1970. If I purchased it on contract for $180, the total I'd spend over 24 months would be $2100.
There's NO WAY that you'll spend more over the long term with the EM+ plan UNLESS you're eligible for a corporate discount on the EM plan (which I happily am). With my discount, the total for the EM plan comes to $1811, but that doesn't apply to everyone.
The problem here is that most people are spoiled by the subsidized prices of phones. What they're not realizing is that they're paying for that subsidy in the form of more expensive plans...and then some, as my illustration above clearly proves. If T-mobile allows us to finance unsubsidized phones for 20 months on EM+ plans, then this works out to be more manageable for consumers. Either way, though... people need to consider total cost of ownership (TCO)... not just monthly cost and initial cash outlay for the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Expanding on this and assuming no discounts...
Option A) Buy the phone for $180 subsidized and the 500-minute plan for $80/mo, signing a contract to pay $2100 total over 24 mos.
Option B) Buy the phone for $530 unsubsidized and unlocked and choose the comparable 500-minute plus unlimited text/data Even More Plus plan for $60/mo for a total cost of $1970 over 24 mos with no contract.
So over two years of the phone and contract, you save $130 by going with option B.
But will you really last two years? Let's see what happens if you want to change phones after one year, which is entirely possible given the rate at which mobile technology is moving.
Option A) Early reports indicate a $350 early termination fee imposed by T-Mobile during the first 120 days, but no details have been learned about the fee past that window. Let's assume it reduces linearly to zero over the remaining life of the contract, meaning your fee for leaving early would be $210 at the one year mark. This puts you at $1350 to get out free and clear from the phone and contract.
Option B) You have no ETF, so you'll have paid $1250 at the end of one year.
So, even after just a year you still spend $100 less buying unsubsidized. Further, your phone will already be unlocked and unbranded, ready for quick sale on E-bay.
Pretty simple choice for me. Less money & easy to move on = no-brainer.
any idea on this, im desparate for this phone
mox123 said:
any idea on this, im desparate for this phone
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Click to collapse
Well it's a CDMA phone so let's hope it never finds it's way to the UK!
I'm currently in the US for 3 months and my partner has just picked up the EVO and I have the HD2 (UK model using it here on t-mobile US edge data system) and the device is good, but, having "played" with it for a good few hours there are serious shortcomings with the Android OS (and that's compared to the Winmo 6.5.X on my HD2, YIKES!).
There is a tackyness compared to the solid feel of the HD2. Battery can drain before your eyes (don't know why that is as the unit is 1500mAh). Tried for 2 hours to sync with HTC's PC Suite, but, couldn't get it to work (and I'm no novice! But, I'll get the bXggXr to work). Micro SD slot under the battery. Yes I said UNDER the battery so no card changes on the fly! It's thicker than the HD2. Etc, etc.
I didn't mean this to be a review, but, I'll keep my HD2 for now.
The killer is that it's CDMA.
This phone is junk when you finish with it. It can't be recyled or unlocked for use on other carriers. It's becomes a very expensive piece of waste matter! Oh and the cost $299 with a $100 mail in rebate on a 24 month contract at $110/month (that's 135 pounds after rebate and 75 pounds a month so you pay 1935 pounds in total over the 2 years!!
My Hd2 cost me 10 pounds and 41 a month over 12 months with mobile broadband included on an upgrade.
BTW the telecoms industry here in the US is nothing short of a joke with consumers being ripped of at every opportunity. The problem being that the market is very immature and the consumers don't know any different so they go along with it.
If the US carriers had to compete in Europe then at least 50% would go under very quickly. We don't know how lucky we are.
Nokia doesn't even have a smartphone in the marketplace here!!!!!!!!!!!
pa49 said:
Well it's a CDMA phone so let's hope it never finds it's way to the UK!
There is a tackyness compared to the solid feel of the HD2. Battery can drain before your eyes (don't know why that is as the unit is 1500mAh). Tried for 2 hours to sync with HTC's PC Suite, but, couldn't get it to work. Micro SD slot under the battery. Yes I said UNDER the battery so no card changes on the fly! It's thicker than the HD2. Etc, etc.
I didn't mean this to be a review, but, I'll keep my HD2 for now.
The killer is that it's CDMA.
This phone is junk when you finish with it. It can't be recyled or unlocked for use on other carriers. It's becomes a very expensive piece of waste matter! Oh and the cost $299 with a $100 mail in rebate on a 24 month contract at $110/month (that's 135 pounds after rebate and 75 pounds a month so you pay 1935 pounds in total over the 2 years!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tackyness? The Evo is built like a tank, and weighs just as much as one. The only thing you could consider 'tacky' is the fact that the battery cover gives a little when you push on it. I've never held an HD2, personally, but I do know that the Evo is ridiculously solid, or at least mine is.
Battery life all depends on how you use it. If you keep all of the radios on with maximum screen brightness with all of the apps running, you're obviously going to get some poor battery life. However, there are people who have kept their phone off the charger for over sixty hours without dying.
The Evo isn't the only phone with a microSD card under the battery; HTC did this because the phone is so tightly packed.
Some people like having a thicker phone. I personally enjoy it. As for the etc, etc, I can't imagine what that's referring to.
Even if you don't use it as a phone, the Evo is still an outstanding media player. With Wifi connectivity, the Android marketplace, and a 4.3 inch screen, it beats most portable media players out there.
The cost is $299 with a mail in rebate if you order it from Sprint. Every other store sells the phone for $199 without any rebates involved.
$110 a month? Only if you need the Hotspot functionality, which is easily duplicated by other apps in the marketplace. You don't NEED to pay those $30 a month. Besides, the Overdrive costs $60 a month to use as a hotspot, and that's it's ONLY function. The Evo is only $80 a month to own, which is still much less expensive than an iPhone.
To answer the OP's question.
No, you cannot change sims. No this phone cannot be used overseas. And No, nothing like it has been announced for Europe as of yet. Sorry for the bad news!
As for the above review, I completely disagree. I love the EVO and I paid the full $450 price tag (not eligible for upgrade/new contract.)
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, no matter how wrong it is.
Oh, and $110 a month is probably unlimited data, calling, and texting right?
I pay $65, 450 minutes, unlimited calling to other mobile phones, unlimited data, unlimited texting, and wifi hotspot thanks to rooting. Hell of a good deal to me! I use about 20 minutes a month (non-cell phone calls.)
I also get about 24 hours on a single charge with moderate use. I swap my battery for a fresh one each day at about 20-30%. So yeah, bad battery life? Sure, turn everything to on and to max and play a video for 6 hours and it'll be dead, but I don't do that and get over a days usage.
"Even if you don't use it as a phone, the Evo is still an outstanding media player. With Wifi connectivity, the Android marketplace, and a 4.3 inch screen, it beats most portable media players out there.
The cost is $299 with a mail in rebate if you order it from Sprint. Every other store sells the phone for $199 without any rebates involved.
$110 a month? Only if you need the Hotspot functionality, which is easily duplicated by other apps in the marketplace. You don't NEED to pay those $30 a month. Besides, the Overdrive costs $60 a month to use as a hotspot, and that's it's ONLY function. The Evo is only $80 a month to own, which is still much less expensive than an iPhone"
I'm guessing you work in the industry or very close to it!
In any case my comments, which are of course purely subjective, were for the benefit of the OP who if I am not mistaken is from the UK (as I am) and as such I believe he is better placed to understand the basis of my comments.
Even at $80 a month which equates to $1920 over the 24 month term + $199 up front (total $2119), that's a rediculous amount to pay for a phone you will have to throw away when you are done with it! Even if it is cheaper than the xPhone!
pa49 said:
Even at $80 a month which equates to $1920 over the 24 month term + $199 up front (total $2119), that's a rediculous amount to pay for a phone you will have to throw away when you are done with it! Even if it is cheaper than the xPhone!
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Click to collapse
Doesn't the UK typically have cheaper phones? So if this was released in the UK it would likely cost less than it does here in the states. Then again, if you're looking at importing a US phone because it's the fastest Android phone on the market with the biggest screen and a freakin kick stand, then who gives a crap about how much it costs (I sure didn't.) We all buy what we can afford, only the stupid people buy what they can't afford (hence why most American's, and Greece, are in debt. Yes, I just called a country and most American's stupid.)
Hold on there! What's made you all so jumpy about this issue/phone?
My comparison was with my UK eye and I was simply relaying my thoughts to another UK member who probably has a similar eye.
I've been in the states long enough to understand the US perspective on all this, however, trust me when I say it's alien to us europeans.
That doesn't make it wrong or right, just different.
And I understand just how a good quality kickstand plays it's part as well as the difference in the cost of equipment that each market can sustain/support.
But, this phone would not be entertained anywhere else but the US (and I think some carriers in AUS) so that really ends it all right there, doesn't it?
BTW I hope all you Sprint customers are liking the headsets you got with your EVOs!
Only kidding cos I LUV GOLDEN CORRAL and we've got nothing like that!
pa49 said:
Hold on there! What's made you all so jumpy about this issue/phone?
My comparison was with my UK eye and I was simply relaying my thoughts to another UK member who probably has a similar eye.
I've been in the states long enough to understand the US perspective on all this, however, trust me when I say it's alien to us europeans.
That doesn't make it wrong or right, just different.
And I understand just how a good quality kickstand plays it's part as well as the difference in the cost of equipment that each market can sustain/support.
But, this phone would not be entertained anywhere else but the US (and I think some carriers in AUS) so that really ends it all right there, doesn't it?
BTW I hope all you Sprint customers are liking the headsets you got with your EVOs!
Only kidding cos I LUV GOLDEN CORRAL and we've got nothing like that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UK plans and price point will be completely different than the US if they were to have this phone as well right? (Complete hypothetical here, since we know the UK isn't getting this phone, yet.) Plus it would likely be a phone with a swappable sim.
What else about the phone would someone in the UK not like? The 4.3 inch screen? The 8MP rear camera and the front facing camera? The 1ghz Snapdragon processor? The FM Radio? The kickstand? The smooth glass surface? Dual LED flash? Android 2.1? Next generation internet connection?
So the only real negative if it was in the UK, would be the micro SD card under the battery (I've never needed to hot-swap my SD card.), the battery life (mine is over 24 hours a charge with medium-high usage, including hours of streaming Pandora) and the HTC Sync. I've never used the software myself, but I think that there has been an update since release, you might want to give it a go.
Oh, and you knocked Android as an OS as a whole, comparing it to Windows Mobile 6.5 that even Microsoft thinks sucks and has since dropped it. I love the Android OS personally, over BB, WM6.5, and iOS.
Don't try to make him feel better by knocking the EVO because he can't get it in the UK. We know that's what you were trying to do and the thought was nice and all, but the EVO really is the perfect phone.
(Yes, there was sarcasm in there and a jab at fanboyism.)
http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/02...pher-talks-android/?section=magazines_fortune
Author thinks that "[atrix price] seems very agressive". WTF is he smoking?
I wouldn't call it aggressive but I'd call it competitive, given the larger market. They could have asked $299 instead of $199 and they'd have gotten it.
Consider the GalaxyS phones which were still $199 a month ago, and the Atrix is supposed to be more phone (i.e. fingerprint security and a working GPS<G>). Sure, today there are retailers selling the GalaxyS unlocked and off contract for $199 and the cellcos are asking anywhere from a penny to $49...But that's the nature of smoke and mirrors.
I expect, or at least hope, the resellers will be asking $149 to beat AT&T's $199. Not aggressive, but not as piggypiggy as they normally are, either. For an AT&T employee, anything less than "Your firstborn and your wallet" is probably a radical concept.
Remember, they're still trying to convince us that phones which wholesale for $100-200 really cost them $600. (Don't you love the new math?!)
Author thinks that "[atrix price] seems very agressive". WTF is he smoking?[/QUOTE]
He is smoking the highest quality crack rolled up in our hundred dollar bills. "Aggressive"? Yes it's aggressive towards our wallets. If att doesn't straighten out their billing philosophies they will be losing customers like mad. I really hope verizon puts out some cheap unlimited plan and they steal as many iphone users as possible.
I still don't understand the "aggressiveness" over the pricing. $200 is reasonable - it is what I had paid for iPhones every year in the past, and I believe At&t is pricing the Atrix similarly because it is a direct competitor for the iPhone 4.
As far as the laptop dock pricing goes, who cares? The laptop dock is essentially a useless bell/whistle. How many of you own laptops? (most of you probably do) Your laptop is much more powerful than this webtop os. Motorola is just showing what the phone can do. It's an uneccesary extra, especially since the laptop dock requires the tethering plan... when you can just tether to your actual laptop.
Nerds are all up in arms because it's going to cost $500 to showcase their coolness with the latest and greatest piece of redundant technology.
I'm ok with the phone pricing and can't wait for it to come out. I gladly sold and shipped out my iPhone 4 for this beauty. March 6th can't come soon enough.
acPIZZA said:
I still don't understand the "aggressiveness" over the pricing. $200 is reasonable - it is what I had paid for iPhones every year in the past, and I believe At&t is pricing the Atrix similarly because it is a direct competitor for the iPhone 4.
As far as the laptop dock pricing goes, who cares? The laptop dock is essentially a useless bell/whistle. How many of you own laptops? (most of you probably do) Your laptop is much more powerful than this webtop os. Motorola is just showing what the phone can do. It's an uneccesary extra, especially since the laptop dock requires the tethering plan... when you can just tether to your actual laptop.
Nerds are all up in arms because it's going to cost $500 to showcase their coolness with the latest and greatest piece of redundant technology.
I'm ok with the phone pricing and can't wait for it to come out. I gladly sold and shipped out my iPhone 4 for this beauty. March 6th can't come soon enough.
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-_-
Paint with a narrower brush next time. I don't think anyone scrolling through XDA has any ground to call someone a nerd in a derogatory way.
irishtexmex said:
-_-
Paint with a narrower brush next time. I don't think anyone scrolling through XDA has any ground to call someone a nerd in a derogatory way.
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I apologize if it sounded derogatory. I'm a nerd myself - and a huge one at that.
My implications were, that the dock is essentially nothing more than a keyboard and screen, and it seems silly to piss and moan over a $500 price point. Is it overpriced - Yes. Does the tethering plan tack-on make sense - eh, maybe. Do we need this accessory for any reason other than to show it off (assuming you own a laptop/netbook) - absolutely not. To me it seems more like a no-brainer, and if it evokes any response/thought it is that I am almost glad it's $500 - at least I wont be tempted in the store when I go to pick up the Atrix.
acPIZZA said:
I apologize if it sounded derogatory. I'm a nerd myself - and a huge one at that.
My implications were, that the dock is essentially nothing more than a keyboard and screen, and it seems silly to piss and moan over a $500 price point. Is it overpriced - Yes. Does the tethering plan tack-on make sense - eh, maybe. Do we need this accessory for any reason other than to show it off (assuming you own a laptop/netbook) - absolutely not. To me it seems more like a no-brainer, and if it evokes any response/thought it is that I am almost glad it's $500 - at least I wont be tempted in the store when I go to pick up the Atrix.
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I agree. The only thing I might buy is the multimedia dock with keyboard/mouse, that way i can use it to mess around with what (hopefully) can be a full linux distribution on a phone and make it a second comp of sorts that I can have at my desk.
acPIZZA said:
I apologize if it sounded derogatory. I'm a nerd myself - and a huge one at that.
My implications were, that the dock is essentially nothing more than a keyboard and screen, and it seems silly to piss and moan over a $500 price point. Is it overpriced - Yes. Does the tethering plan tack-on make sense - eh, maybe. Do we need this accessory for any reason other than to show it off (assuming you own a laptop/netbook) - absolutely not. To me it seems more like a no-brainer, and if it evokes any response/thought it is that I am almost glad it's $500 - at least I wont be tempted in the store when I go to pick up the Atrix.
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That's what all the pissing and moaning is about though--that just a screen and a keyboard costs $500. However, being quick to dismiss it and its potential use is what I was referring to when I made the "painting with a broad brush" remark. So, apologies for coming off snarky. I don't mean to bring about any conflict here.
However, I ask you what kind of laptop do you have, and what are its primary uses? I have an HP HDX16 which is a 16" 16:9 laptop workhorse that is a nice do-everything machine when it comes to gaming, media, and graphic design. However, one thing it is not great for is internet surfing. My battery lasts 2 hours tops, it's a larger sized laptop, and while I don't consider it heavy, it is certainly much heavier than the Atrix's lapdock. Maybe you need to carry such a machine with you everywhere you go, but I have a ****ton of textbooks I need to carry in my backpack and the only thing I need to use my laptop for on campus is to surf the web and write notes in a word processor. The Atrix nails that, and makes me salivate at the thought of not having to take a charger with me/8 hours of battery life.
I'm just saying that there's more practical uses for it than just surfin' the internet while you poop.
No, it isn't aggressive. I think 200 should be the limit for subsidized phones; hell it costs around that fir them to buy it anyway (from China or wherever it is made).
If it were really aggressive, the laptop dock wouldn't be more than 150 since it is just a screen and a battery; keyboard.
They also wouldn't charge for tethering. That would actually make it a real threat to other phones.
With the pricing now, I can only see business people and maybe small enterprise or serious bloggers picking this up.
Captivate 2.2.1 Paragon
150?
Some of you guys are kidding yourselves regarding the dock. 150 makes little sense. First you have a dock so lets say $60 then a keyboard say $40. Then a HD led screen $150-200 on its own easy. Yes the dock is to expensive, but I would say that it should cost between 200-300 regular. Maybe if ATT was being generous they would make a bundle with the dock costing 150 and the phone 150 with the purchase of the tethering plan. Thats just my .02.
agreed with acPIZZA. I've had a netbook for about a year now. It's nothing special but gets 7-9 hour battery life and allows me to do basic computing tasks on it. Getting the laptop dock would be redundant.
ram8704 said:
Some of you guys are kidding yourselves regarding the dock. 150 makes little sense. First you have a dock so lets say $60 then a keyboard say $40. Then a HD led screen $150-200 on its own easy. Yes the dock is to expensive, but I would say that it should cost between 200-300 regular. Maybe if ATT was being generous they would make a bundle with the dock costing 150 and the phone 150 with the purchase of the tethering plan. Thats just my .02.
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Your pricing is so out of wack I dont' even know where to start.
The laptop dock probably costs them $100 to manufacture. I've put projects like this together, so I'm pretty confident in this cost structure from a CM perspective. This is just them gouging the early adopters. It will probably come down to 2-300 pretty fast, and probably under 200 toward the end.
Squeak22 said:
Your pricing is so out of wack I dont' even know where to start.
The laptop dock probably costs them $100 to manufacture. I've put projects like this together, so I'm pretty confident in this cost structure from a CM perspective. This is just them gouging the early adopters. It will probably come down to 2-300 pretty fast, and probably under 200 toward the end.
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How much does a good laptop battery go for nowadays?
Ultimately, they're here to make money. Of course it's going to be "high" compared to their production price. =/
Milkshakes00 said:
How much does a good laptop battery go for nowadays?
Ultimately, they're here to make money. Of course it's going to be "high" compared to their production price. =/
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I never said it wouldn't be. My point was that the previous poster was putting together consumer products and making an incorrect assumption.
The phone is priced at a steal, the accessories not so much. If you're looking for just the phone this is a great deal.
... Sprint is supporting the Playbook but not the Xoom? Wow! The Playbook to tablet is what the Echo is to smartphones... utter crap!
Sprint, if it wasn't for the EVO, you guys would not be around. Let's just hope they can redeem themselves this summer. I, for one, wont' hold my breath.
There's a HP event tomorrow. Hopefully we get to see some Web OS tablets for Sprint
Good Luck paying $800 for the Xoom AND $35 to Activate it on Verizon's Network (IF you want WiFi to work you have to Activate it which costs $35 AND get a monthly plan (lowest is 1gb for $20)). Yes, you have I think 3 days to cancel that monthly plan (and still use the WiFi). Bottom line, to use the Xoom you will be paying roughly:
$800 (Price of Device)
$35 (Activation Fee)
$20 (1st Month's Data Service, which can be canceled)
$80 - Tax
Total - $935 out of the door (This is the price of a MacBook Air). I have an Acer laptop that was $500 and it's way more powerful than the Xoom. Really dumb decision
Since CES I was really looking forward to the Xoom. They should have come out with a 16gb WiFi only version for $499. Now you are tied to Verizon (who will Anally Rape you and Nickel/Dime you to death). The Playbook seems like a very good alternative. My wife had a Palm Ore and WebOS is an awesome OS (better than Android and iOS). If they implement it right, the Playbook could be a huge success. There is also the LG Slate Tablet OR you can purchase a Nook Color for ($250) and root it to get Honeycomb (which is what I may end up doing if the Playbook is crappy). The Xoom is doomed to fail before it hits store shelves with that price and being tied to Verizon. Supposedly LTE will be added later (some have speculated for a fee, knowing Verizon this does not surprise me one bit). You CANNOT enter the tablet market with a device that is more expensive (by $300) than the iPad, especially when the iPad 2 is around the corner. We may get specs on the iPad 2 in a couple of weeks and that may also be the path I follow. Really wanted the Xoom, but Motorola really Effed that up.
I find the $800 (or ~$935) to be truly comical. Who would buy these things besides the most die hard, obstinate anti-Apple fan? What a shame for Android - this surely doesn't help it compete with Apple in the tablet market. :/
ghodzilla5150 said:
Good Luck paying $800 for the Xoom AND $35 to Activate it on Verizon's Network (IF you want WiFi to work you have to Activate it which costs $35 AND get a monthly plan (lowest is 1gb for $20)). Yes, you have I think 3 days to cancel that monthly plan (and still use the WiFi). Bottom line, to use the Xoom you will be paying roughly:
$800 (Price of Device)
$35 (Activation Fee)
$20 (1st Month's Data Service, which can be canceled)
$80 - Tax
Total - $935 out of the door (This is the price of a MacBook Air). I have an Acer laptop that was $500 and it's way more powerful than the Xoom. Really dumb decision
Since CES I was really looking forward to the Xoom. They should have come out with a 16gb WiFi only version for $499. Now you are tied to Verizon (who will Anally Rape you and Nickel/Dime you to death). The Playbook seems like a very good alternative. My wife had a Palm Ore and WebOS is an awesome OS (better than Android and iOS). If they implement it right, the Playbook could be a huge success. There is also the LG Slate Tablet OR you can purchase a Nook Color for ($250) and root it to get Honeycomb (which is what I may end up doing if the Playbook is crappy). The Xoom is doomed to fail before it hits store shelves with that price and being tied to Verizon. Supposedly LTE will be added later (some have speculated for a fee, knowing Verizon this does not surprise me one bit). You CANNOT enter the tablet market with a device that is more expensive (by $300) than the iPad, especially when the iPad 2 is around the corner. We may get specs on the iPad 2 in a couple of weeks and that may also be the path I follow. Really wanted the Xoom, but Motorola really Effed that up.
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That pathetic price point makes me ecstatic I got my archos 70 in December. Of course better is around the corner, but for what I want/need out of a tablet, it's perfect.
Excuse me but I believe that I have accidentally slipped into an alternate reality.
See, where I come from, a company named Apple produces nice quality products but restricts user control over the customization of these products. Apple then charges an absurd premium for these devices and enjoy quite a cult following among millions of users.
Other companies compete with Apple by producing cheaper products and allowing more user control over the device. Some of these companies actually started using an operating system by the name of Android. This OS is opensource and therefor free to download and customize. This contributes to these companies being capable of producing quality products and selling them for far less than comparable Apple products.
Now I'm sure that you understand my dilemma. I would really like to get back to my home dimension where this is still the case.
Would any of you kind citizens please point me in the right direction to get me back to reality?
TheMatrixx said:
I find the $800 (or ~$935) to be truly comical. Who would buy these things besides the most die hard, obstinate anti-Apple fan? What a shame for Android - this surely doesn't help it compete with Apple in the tablet market. :/
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Why is that? The device can be upgraded to 48+GB with SD card, which puts it on part with Apple's iPad for those storage capacities.
Hang on, so you need to pay a monthly fee even for just Wifi? That doesn't make sense. I doubt that's the case.
akarol said:
Why is that? The device can be upgraded to 48+GB with SD card, which puts it on part with Apple's iPad for those storage capacities.
Hang on, so you need to pay a monthly fee even for just Wifi? That doesn't make sense. I doubt that's the case.
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You need service if you wanna buy one.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/06/verizon-locking-wifi-on-motorola-xoom-until-you-buy-one-month-of/
akarol said:
Why is that? The device can be upgraded to 48+GB with SD card, which puts it on part with Apple's iPad for those storage capacities.
Hang on, so you need to pay a monthly fee even for just Wifi? That doesn't make sense. I doubt that's the case.
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I guess you have NOT been keeping up with what's going on then. You HAVE to purchase one month's of data service to UNLOCK WiFi (this is a slap in the face, you have to pay to use something that's already on the tablet OR it becomes a $935 paperweight). Enjoy grabbing your ankles with NO Lube.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/06/verizon-locking-wifi-on-motorola-xoom-until-you-buy-one-month-of/
akarol said:
... Sprint is supporting the Playbook but not the Xoom? Wow! The Playbook to tablet is what the Echo is to smartphones... utter crap!
Sprint, if it wasn't for the EVO, you guys would not be around. Let's just hope they can redeem themselves this summer. I, for one, wont' hold my breath.
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The playbook is utter crap? You should cancel your plan now.
ghodzilla5150 said:
I guess you have NOT been keeping up with what's going on then. You HAVE to purchase one month's of data service to UNLOCK WiFi (this is a slap in the face, you have to pay to use something that's already on the tablet OR it becomes a $935 paperweight). Enjoy grabbing your ankles with NO Lube.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/06/verizon-locking-wifi-on-motorola-xoom-until-you-buy-one-month-of/
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That is pretty ridiculous. Doesn't make sense. I won't consider it until they skip this non-sense. I'm sure they'll get a lot of backlashing for this and will have to sell Wifi-unlocked Xooms soon. Hopefully by my birthday at the end of April.
p0rkguy said:
The playbook is utter crap? You should cancel your plan now.
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Yes, utter crap! Look at the hands on videos. Just like any RIM device, this new, unreleased 'gem' is already obsolete.