Sunday, August 31, 2008

The cost of the iPhone is not the real cost of ownership!


After an initial spell of problems when I first got my White iPhone, the baby is now working as it should. As I relive my experience with the first generation iPhone, followed by the Samsung Omnia as I am using my new iPhone, I can tell that this is the phone that offers the best experience so far! In terms of user interface, screen flows and user-friendliness, the new 3G iPhone tops in all departments.


It is therefore not surprising to find that it is easy to develop an affection for the iPhone - a strange thing to say, but true. The affection is one where there is a strong consciousness to want to protect it from "harm" - scratches, drops, fingerprints... and continuously look for ways to enhance the already gorgeous experience. Apple probably knows that too well. A whole iPhone accessories industry has developed as a result of the product. A peek at the COMEX 2008 that concluded today will attest to this. There are 10 different types of screen protectors (fingerprint resistant, mirror effect, sensitive to touch - more like condom ad), iPhone protectors (leather, front protector, casing of 100 different types and materials from many many vendors), iphone carrier (dizzying array again), earphones, etc etc etc. To the iPhone owner, once you own the baby, there is nothing that you will stinge on to protect it. Here is the problem, $38 for iPhone back protector, $18 for finger-print screen protector, $59 for a leather iPhone holster, $630 for a B&O bluetooth earpiece and the cost high rockets.


This does not include the occasional $0.99 for a song or two on iTunes, $1.99 for a photo-twister on the Apps Store, $9.00 for a iPhone bible, etc ... and the cost add up some more!


So, don't kid yourself that the price that you pay for the iPhone is the true cost... But who is complaining :-)

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