The iPhone may not be a rational investment

Posted on July 2, 2007
Filed Under Gadgets |

iPhone Last weekend the technology world went crazy triggered by Apple’s release of the much anticipated iPhone. The iPhone is part mobile phone, iPod, digital camera, organizer, mobile computer and Internet device. That’s a lot of promised functionality for a single device so it is no wonder that people lined up early outside Apple stores to make sure that they get one before it is sold out.

The iPhone is well designed with a sleek look and thin factor. Not to mention of course the large, brightly colored and multi-touch screen that eliminates the need for a mechanical keyboard. The wonderful gadget will set you off $500 or $600 depending on your choice of two models; in addition, you have to buy a 2-year cellphone plan with AT&T (the exclusive iPhone carrier) which should cost you an minimum of $40. Expect, however, to pay more than $40 per month, especially if you talk much on the phone or you plan to spend lots of time web browsing.

And this is really what makes the iPhone an irrational purchasing decision. Some people estimate, that to own and operate this device will cost you nearly $2,000 for the first year. It will probably be even more if you already have a contract with another carrier and you have to pay a huge penalty to get out of it.

Second, the iPhone’s battery is only good for 300-400 charges. In other words, it is specifically designed to be used for a maximum of 2 years just as your AT&T contract will be expiring. And you can’t buy a new battery and replace it yourself or even walk down to your neighborhood’s AT&T or Apple store and get it replaced. Apparently, you have to mail the device back to Apple to replace the battery. Not very convenient.

iPhone and handThird, the on-screen keyboard may be very cutting edge, but it will make writing text messages a real big pain in the butt. There is absolutely no haptic feedback since all the buttons on the screen feel the same. You will have to stare at the screen when typing a text message. Not very convenient at all.

Fourth, surfing the web with the iPhone is going to be slow. Even Steve Jobs admits that surfing is not as fast as he wanted it to be on the iPhone. The problem has to do with AT&T’s network and not so much with the phone itself but it will still make using the device as a portable web device not so user friendly.

Finally, if you buy an iPhone and hope to use it as an music or video iPod or just a web device taking advantage of it’s build-in Wi-Fi capabilities then you still have to pay for the 2-year mobile phone plan with AT&T. You must unlock the device before you can use it and the only way to do that is by signing up for the 2-year contract. Bummer!

Unless you are a huge fun of Apple or you are interested in the WOW factor of the iPhone then I would steer clear from it for the time being. Wait until the 2nd revision hits the market; it will probably be out in a few months as the early adopters essentially beta test the device for Apple.

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