Its a smartphone, does not have 3g, no bluetooth sharing, no a2dp, no copy paste, no video recording, locked to your cellular operator, loads of problems with overheating and bad data network, non impressive 2 MP camera without a flash, no replaceable batteries, has awkward keyboard to type and costs Rs 36k. You might think I am talking about a failed product, but surprise surprise I am referring to the most admired and sought out product human race has ever seen. The Iphone. Only an Ipod comes second to the hype that iphone has generated.
So Fianlly the iphone makes its entry into Indian markets (well legally). Airtel and Vodaphone will be selling it initially for 31k(8 GB) 36k(16 gb). Its not yet clear if these companies are willing to sell iphone with any of their plans or if they have a special contracts (read more Rs.) that has to be purchased with Iphone. Two things are clear, you can use your existing number, atleast with airtel and India does not have 3g networks, so you will have to live with GPRS and if you are lucky EDGE. I have closely studied the iphone 3g, the phone needs a good internet connection to work correctly and show off its awesomeness. Without an internet connection the phone is a brick using which you can only pick up and answer calls.
Although I really admire Apple for what it has achieved in the last one year, from a company that never build phones managed to build the most popular phone ever. wow. hats off to that. Some say the cellular companies are charging too much for the Iphone. Well the fact is Airtel of Vodaphone does not decide the cost of the Iphone, Apple does. Although people are people are probably never going to realize this and will blame the cellular operators for cheating them. Besides the Iphone in US is not cheap. They have a brilliant business plan that if applied in India, people would cry foul and go on a hunger strike. The iphone 3g sells for $199 in the US, but you cant just buy the iphone, even to power it up, you need a data plan from AT&T. So $199 for the phone plus 18 months x $59 equals $1261. So eventually the iphone costs $1261 since a 18 month contact is compulsory and they charge a hefty fees if you want to cancel the contract! and they have loads of restrictions like 200 sms per month and what not. In India the fees is being charged upfront. And besides the prices will come down eventually, so don’t be surprised if Apple puts on an Indian turban and decides to celebrate this Divali with a hefty discount.
The iphone has a great and a revolutionary interface, and although very limited, its actually great for what it can do. So all hail the IPHONE which will cure the world of hunger and bring peace and prosperity to the world. Amen.
) . There are a lot of kernel improvement, which I have not talked about here. Overall Ubuntu Hardy is something I will be keenly waiting for in the coming months.