That Apple is releasing its iconic iPhone in India and that too via Airtel and Vodafone is probably known to all. Only the dates were in doubt, but not anymore since I have received an email from Vodafone confirming the iPhone is being released on August 22, 2008. No word yet from Airtel though about when they will be releasing the iPhone. However, what’s really surprising news is the exorbitant pricing of the iPhone. Vodafone states “it (the iPhone) will be available in 8GB & 16GB models, priced at Rs 31,000 and Rs 36,100 respectively.” Whew! That took my breath away. It is way too expensive especially considering the iPhone 3G is priced under $200 which translates to Rs. 8000 even at an exchange rate of Rs. 40 per USD.
What this means of course is that it puts the iPhone out of the reach of many consumers who would have otherwise immediately upgraded to the iPhone. It even makes the HTC Touch Diamond look a lot more appealing especially when you consider the HTC Touch Diamond has a much better 3.2 megapixel camera compared to the iPhone’s 2 megapixel camera, and runs on Windows Mobile 6.1 and is on par with the iPhone in all other features considered like 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc.
As for me, I think I will ask my sister to bring an iPhone 3G at under $200 from the United States and then jailbreak it…
So did you finally buy it
The new 3G iPhone must be fun to use especially as GOI and TRAI has decided to 3G enable all networks soon.
Cheers,
Ajith
Ajith, I am on the lookout for a good camera phone so very unlikely I will get the iPhone as my main phone. Plan to get it after the cost comes down for a secondary phone, but I want a good camera phone like the Nokia N96 so I can start blogging more in pictures…
I am not a big fan of upgrading to digital devices
Usually I am the last one in any of my groups (family, friends, colleagues…) to buy the next phone and on an average I use a phone for about 3 (Used five cell phones ONLY from 1997-98) – this despite having worked in the mobile technology related programming area for a while…
The case is the same with other digital devices as well. I still do not have a home theatre system and yet to upgrade from my CRT TV
Am I outdated?
Cheers,
Ajith
Rajiv,
Another th wanted to clarify is about your CPC ads. You have AdSense, AdBrite, Bidvertiser – all of them – on the same page! Are all of them earning? I am not talking about the figures but are they converting clicks? I had some problem when AdSense was co-existing with Bidvertiser on the same page with same style. Then I stopped AdSense.
Right now, I have removed Bidvertiser completely to run a month-long AdSense exercise again to see which is better by what %. Will run AdBrite after this experiment.
Cheers,
Ajith
Certainly not. Each to his own I guess. I hardly have any interest in new clothes etc. and never run after the latest fad or fashion.
Ajith,
AdSense converts the most, but AdBrite does convert too. Bidvertiser does not convert much for me and I am thinking of replacing it with something else. But the answer is yes, all do bring in revenue, but AdSense brings in the most as of now.
Congrats on your iphone …its an expensive gadget in India
Thanks. It is expensive, but certainly rocks as a mobile phone and an electronic gadget. The browsing is the best I have come across on any mobile so far.
Take care,
moserw