Apple Turning Cell Phone Market Upside Down?

joek writes "This MacRumors analysis puts some of the iPhone/Cingular pieces together and suggests that Apple may be turning the the cell phone market upside down. Everyone assumed that Apple's $499/$599 prices for the iPhone was subsidized by Cingular. But, it appears that Apple is not allowing mobile carriers to subsidize the iPhone. Why? Because when Apple comes out with the Touch iPod, they don't want it compared in price to a discounted/subsidized iPhone. Add to that rumors that Cingular may heavily discount service (but according to a Cingular rep, they will not be giving away service, as previously suggested) to attract Verizon customers. Without kicking in $100-$200 against the price of the phone, Cingular can discount the service as an incentive. Other cell phone manufacturers will certainly be interested in the outcome of this new model."

Re:Snowball's chance.....

[__aaxwdb6741]

It's just a fad, I think.

Re:I much prefer...

[mustafap]

>Do you mind if others make calls through your autopatch?

Not at all, go ahead.

Re:While I would love an iPhone

[plantman-the-womb-st]

I find it interesting that no one wants the freebie phones. I mean, why not? They make and receive calls just like the expensive ones. Oh yeah, they don't have web access or really annoying music ringtones or wallpapers or nifty games. So what? who surfs the web while driving? These phone don't do anything I want a phone to do.
Here's what I'd like to see in a phone:

flashlight (white and red (for those night sails));
compass (not GPS, compass);
built in lighter;
retractable mirror;
built in usb flash drive;
audio recorder (separate from the camcorder function);
AM/FM/Marine radio receiver;
personal PA (Public Address System);
thermometer/barometer (note, not a feed from a weather site); and
powered micro screwdriver with detachable heads.

Give me all that and I might start thinking the non-freebie phones are worth it.

Re:While I would love an iPhone

[MPHellwig]

You should add to that list:
Floats in water
Emergency Locator

And wile where at it:
Microwave
Kitchen Sink
Shark cage
Sail repair station
Resin resevoir
Docking station (for your boat)

Re:While I would love an iPhone

[iluvcapra]

You left out LISP interpreter, and that would just about cover it.

Re:I much prefer...

[Y-Crate]

What about Nextel's push to talk features? I was under the impression that was a direct handset to handset signal.

No, that *CHIRP* "WHERE YOU AT?!?!?!!?" is directed straight from hell.