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by **Farlsborough** » Jan 8th, '10, 00:39

Sadly, I suspect Apple do have restrictive limitations regarding the iPhone and the customer paying, because they are a premium brand and want to maintain that. iPods have always an expensive choice for an mp3 player... unfortunately, they're pretty much worth it. The same presumably goes for the iPhone - they don't want companies footing the bill and throwing iPhones around like smarties, because then, instead of "woo, you've got an iPhone!", it'll be "oh. Another iPhone."

Of course, this will happen anyway eventually, but as with the iPod (and iMacs), it'll happen in a way that convinces everyone they've bought a bit of slightly exclusive posh kit, rather than they've been mass marketed too :roll:

Still, I suppose I can't complain - it's a wicked handset, and my mp3 player is busted, so I'll make myself feel better by adding up the price of a shiny new phone with the price of a shiny new mp3 player. :lol:

by **Replicant** » Jan 9th, '10, 15:20

I think you're right Dr. F, but it still doesn't change the fact that Vodafone were insisting there was absolutely nothing they could do, which I think is untrue. If what you say is correct (and I think it is), then they could have asked me to pay the full price for the phone (Apple happy) and then given me 2-3 months free line rental. Once you start messing with line rental, I assume it then becomes a Vodafone issue and nothing to do with Apple, who have their money for the phone which the customer paid in full. The fact that Vodafone refused to do even that, tells me that it was their decision not to retain my custom. Constantly blaming Apple is just an excuse. There is always room for manoeuvre; whether they choose to do it or not is another matter entirely.

As I said, their loss.

by **Farlsborough** » Jan 10th, '10, 01:17

Hmm, yes. I'd love to stick it to Orange, but sadly it won't be happening. Much as I'd love to flip the bird and leave, If I don't get an iPhone from them, I'm paying my way out of 3 months contract and moving to another equally average tariff with another equally average provider. That or wait until May for the iPhone, which won't be happening either...!

I am going to write them a lovely letter in the meantime though about customer loyalty etc. It won't do a single thing but it'll make me feel better. :lol:

by **Replicant** » Jan 10th, '10, 16:44

Yeah, no point in cutting off your nose to spite your face if you've still got three months on your contract. So the iPhone 4G is coming out in May, is it? I thought it was more like summer/autumn time. No doubt it will have most of the features that the 3GS should have had. Apple have managed this whole iPhone business very well, with each successive model having features that really should have been present before. Clever.

Anyway, you'll love the iPhone. There are some very good medical apps that you can get, too.

by **pcwells** » Jan 10th, '10, 17:17

My experience of Apple (having dealth with them as a techie journalist for several years) is that they're extremely militant about the pricing of their goods.

They set a retail price and that's that. Retailers are bound to it, and have pretty much no wiggle room - not even with 'specials' and 'extras'.

So it's no surprise to me that you didn't get far with your network provider - or that there's so little difference in the deals being offered by different retailers.

The network providers will be getting a lot of frustrated calls from long-term subscribers over this.

Personally, I think my next phone is going to be a Nokia N97, but I'm open to persuasion.

Pete

by **kolm** » Jan 10th, '10, 18:32

Replicant wrote:Yeah, no point in cutting off your nose to spite your face if you've still got three months on your contract. So the iPhone 4G is coming out in May, is it? I thought it was more like summer/autumn time.

More likely June/July, if we take the release dates of the first three 'phones into account. So if you can wait until then Farlborough, maybe using a PAYG sim for a month or so, you'd have the top new version and a choice of provider

No doubt it will have most of the features that the 3GS should have had. Apple have managed this whole iPhone business very well, with each successive model having features that really should have been present before. Clever.

The iPhone was never really good enough feature wise until the 3GS. Out of interest, what sort of features are you after? I'm pretty happy with mine

Anyhoo, count yourselves lucky you weren't one of the group of people who bought an iPhone, upgraded to the 3G and then expected to be able to upgrade to 3GS. They were expected to pay off their contract if they wanted to do that, unlike the upgrade from the original to the 3G

by **IAIN** » Jan 10th, '10, 19:33

I'm still laughing at "upgrade my ass"...to what? what kind of fundament are you looking into? :wink:

by **Farlsborough** » Jan 10th, '10, 22:53

Iain: I suppose I'm happy enough, but I'd like a few more bells and whistles

Back to topic, I won't be waiting to get the 4G, but cheers for the tip Kolm. Life is a never-ending cycle of "if you just hold out a few more months" - if I hold off 500 months, no doubt I could get a far, far more technologically advanced phone...! Undoubtedly there are wise and unwise times to buy into things, but an 18 month contract goes pretty quickly actually. As long as the 3GS does the things I want it to, I'm not bothered by the fact that the month after I get it, Apple will undoubtedly release a newer, better version that is "how the original should have been", "irons out all the creases" and all that malarky. I've played on it, it's a darn good handset, that'll do pig.

by **Replicant** » Jan 11th, '10, 15:50

And if you did wait for the iPhone 4G, then what? Apple will undoubtedly release the 5G twelve months later, so why not hold out another year for that, seeing as you're waiting? And so it goes on.

You're right not to wait. If you spent your life waiting, you'd still be using one of these babies...

As I said, I'm very happy with the 3GS and the network provider. Sure, a 3MP camera with no flash is not exactly great on a high-end mobile phone, but it does a surprisingly good job and is ideal for taking snaps on the go. Besides, there are a number of camera apps that enhance the 3GS's camera - Camera Plus and Gorillacam to name just two. (Gorillacam is excellent and free, too!)

by **Robbie** » Jan 12th, '10, 17:28

If I ever bother to upgrade my phone, I'd like one with Bluetooth capability. Mainly because I really, really like this:
Mockia Retro Bluetooth Handset

Probably they all have Bluetooth nowadays, anyway. You'd be hard put to find one without. Just shows you how old mine is.

EDIT: Ooh, I just found a handset that plugs into the earphone jack, no Bluetooth needed. And it has a proper curly cord and everything! I might just have to get one of those.

(For some reason the URL isn't coming up properly. Google "Novophone retro handset".)

by **Farlsborough** » Jan 12th, '10, 22:48

Well, I emailed Orange (at their executive office address, not the trained monkey address). This is the reply I received:

Orange wrote:Thank you for your recent email regarding the above account. As I have been
unsuccessful contacting you by telephone, I have taken the opportunity to
respond in writing.

I understand you have recently tried to upgrade to the Apple iPhone and are
disappointed with the level of loyalty you have been offered. I apologise if
this is the case, however in this instance policy prevents me from assisting
you any further.

As you are already aware, Apple have imposed restrictions for the sale of the
iPhone and as a result we have teams in place to ensure these are being
followed. In the event that any offer was made above the standard iPhone
package, this would inevitably be removed.

Should you wish to upgrade to an alternative model to the iPhone, I am
confident we will be able to offer a package that meets your requirements.
If this is the case, I would be happy to discuss these options with you.

Although I appreciate this may not be the outcome you were hoping for, I
trust the above response is satisfactory.

Yours sincerely...

That last line is a good'un. "Although I know full well this makes zero difference; tough sh*t."

So, no one can do anything because it's "against policy". A darn nuisance these "policies" that seem to spring into being entirely of their own accord... :roll:

It did make me think though: are we subconsciously deflecting the blame here? I mean, we love our iPods and iPhones so much, perhaps we're casting a blind eye over the fact that it's Apple who are screwing us over.

by **Replicant** » Jan 14th, '10, 13:22

Orange's response is not surprising; I imagine that the other networks would have given a very similar response. I don't blame Apple for keeping a tight rein on the iPhone as I would probably do the same if I was them. That's part of the reason why they are as successful as they are. But I think that the networks can certainly do more to retain existing, loyal customers. I've already mentioned my Vodafone issues so won't repeat myself here.

Loyalty to a particular network counts for nothing. Zilch. That's why I'm constantly moving between them. They always end up practically begging me to stay, but offer nothing in return. I've been with Orange, Vodafone and O2 over the years and never had a problem with any of them so I don't care who I'm with. Perhaps one day they will realise that they need to put a carrot on the stick if they want to tempt existing customers to stay. Loyalty card, anyone?

(I won't be holding my breath).

by **flaw07** » Jan 15th, '10, 16:11

I"m assuming that the way these companies work in your country is different than mine, but in america you can only get the iPhone on one network, and when I got mine last year(year before I can't remember) I was using a Pantech Duo, and when I "upgraded" I not only got the better phone, but my bill went down about 20 dollars.

Either way, if you can't work out for an iPhone, wait until march and switch to Verizon wireless(or it's European equivalent) and get a Nexus One from Google. Or if they already work well in your country, T-Mobil, who currently have rights to the phone at a discounted price.

*You can buy the Nexus unlocked for any networks use, but it's appallingly expensive. On T-Mobile(and Verizon come march) you can get one for around 180 USD, plus shipping and handling. Or you can buy an unlocked phone that can be used on anyones network(Except AT&T's 3G) for around 600 USD plus shipping and handling.

by **Mark Waddington** » Jan 15th, '10, 16:37

Ive just upgraded to the iPhone 3Gs today. I rang up beause I was due an upgarde. I asked for the 3Gs and was told it would be £189 for the handset. I simply said "after 8 years as a customer I dont want to pay that". The lady put me through to someone else who said "usually its £189, but because of your loyalty, you can have it for free".

Top outcome!!!

by **Farlsborough** » Jan 15th, '10, 16:44

Mark - which provider are you with?!

By the sound of the email I received, they actually employ squads to march around making sure no one gets a penny off!

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iPhone annoyance, or "Upgrade my ass..."

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