Apple Unable to Find iPhone Partner in Europe?

[emotion]

As much of a Apple fan as I am I have to say that even if the iPhone were to be offered on my current network (3) in the UK I would prefer a Nokia N95. The iPhone does not offer any features, apart from the magnificent interface, that my current Nokia doesn't have already. And yes my Nokia can browse the normal internet, not the sorta kinda internet as Jobs made out that it would, and unlike the iPhone I can do it at high-speed thanks to 3G+WLAN.

Very good point the iPhone is weak specs-wise on paper. The Apple difference and power lies in the way the software will work.

I'm not saying that Apple will get this right (I'm not an apple fan, as such) just that that is why there's a lot of fuss over this device. It could be as important as the now ubiquitous iPod and the mac all rolled into one. Which in some respects is exactly what it is.

 

[SkyBell]

Why does this thread have more positive votes then negative?

 

[Compile 'em all]

And it is absolutely, positively, undoubtedly impossible for Apple to make any changes to the iPhone, right?

I didn't say that. All we know for _now_ is that the iPhone uses EDGE, and O2 for _now_ has no EDGE. So yes, O2 can't carry the iPhone. I would be happy if Apple starts in Europe with a 3G iPhone.

 

[Philsy]

the arrogance!!

Do you think the only the americans can have like a union of states? It is called the United States of America just like the European Union. Well brussels is the capital of that union just like we refer to washington as the capital of america what is ofcourse not correct because America is a continent and not a country.

Just get to the facts, no iPhone in Brussels is the same as no iPhone in Washington.

Actually, North America is a continent that consists of two countries - the USA and Canada (the big bit on the top!).

Yes, the USA is made up of a number of states (51 I think) but it is still very much a single country with one leader.

Europe, though, is very much a continent that consists of a large number of countries, some of which are part of the EU, each has its own leader.

 

[dartzorichalcos]

Why does this thread have more positive votes then negative?

Where do you find the positives and negatives of a thread?

 

[i0Nic]

I think the same thing is going to happen in Australia, the aussie telecommunications industry is similiar to Europes and I don't think they're going to accept Apple's terms on the iPhone.

 

[Compile 'em all]

Why does this thread have more positive votes then negative?

Because If Apple fails to get a carrier it will have to sell the iPhone unlocked sim-free through its retail stores. Which would be awesome.

 

[Compile 'em all]

Where do you find the positives and negatives of a thread?

here

 

[sishaw]

Because If Apple fails to get a carrier it will have to sell the iPhone unlocked sim-free through its retail stores. Which would be awesome.

Or Apple could just not sell it in those countries at all.

 

[kovarianssi]

I think actual streamed TV on phones is a little limited in it's appeal.

Sports. Think waiting on the side of the road during Tour de France. Also nice for some motor sports, like WRC or F1.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-H

 

[dartzorichalcos]

here

thanks.

 

[wackattack]

Don't do this. This thread is about the iPhone in Europe, so let's keep it this way.

Yes we have seen you and we are discusing the iPhone in europe so stop being annoying and centre to the iPhone in europe. I was just stating that it would be impossible to introduce the iPhone in europe and not being able to sell it in brussels because it is the capital of europe. A very huge statement for those in the european union. Because the place they discuss laws and stuff would be a pure example that not every european would be able to buy an iPhone.

 

[EricNau]

Why does this thread have more positive votes then negative?

It may be a negative for Apple, but it's definitely a positive for the customer.

Basically, with the iPhone, Apple has not been acting in their customer's best interest, and that needs to stop.

 

[emotion]

Because If Apple fails to get a carrier it will have to sell the iPhone unlocked sim-free through its retail stores. Which would be awesome.

...and somewhat unlikely.

I'm just hoping they have enough of a feeling for the market in Europe (and let's not forget Asia, that's a massive, very technological market) that the device that ships will come with 3G off the bat and not some update when the initial adopters are 4 months into the 2 year nailed down contract.

 

[emotion]

It may be a negative for Apple, but it's definitely a positive for the customer.

Basically, with the iPhone, Apple has not been acting in their customer's best interest, and that needs to stop.

Since when did anyone in the mobile phone industry operate with the best interests of it's users in mind?

Sports. Think waiting on the side of the road during Tour de France. Also nice for some motor sports, like WRC or F1.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-H

Good example. Real time TV. I agree that has benefits over the iTMS download model.

 

[sishaw]

Actually, North America is a continent that consists of two countries - the USA and Canada (the big bit on the top!).

Yes, the USA is made up of a number of states (51 I think) but it is still very much a single country with one leader.

Europe, though, is very much a continent that consists of a large number of countries, some of which are part of the EU, each has its own leader.

Um, three countries, at least. Mexico is in North America. Also, I believe that there are some island nations that are considered to be part of North America.

The US has 50 states, also some territories and possessions.

 

[dartzorichalcos]

I find it quite interesting. Are they just going to sell the iPhone without phone capabilities if they don't find a partner soon?

 

[dork]

accede

I think the correct word is accede, not concede. One concedes a thing, not "to" a thing. One accedes to a demand, an agreement, etc.

Your friendly neighborhood grammar and vocabulary pedant - ;-)

 

[Philsy]

Um, three countries, at least. Mexico is in North America. Also, I believe that there are some island nations that are considered to be part of North America.

The US has 50 states, also some territories and possessions.

Whoops, sorry - I thought Mexico was part of South America. What are the island nations?

 

[Compile 'em all]

I find it quite interesting. Are they just going to sell the iPhone without phone capabilities if they don't find a partner soon?

Yeah. So you basically buy the iPhone, then pop in the SIM card and you are ready to go. If the network doesn't support some iPhone features then they will be disabled or grayed out.

 

[rjwill246]

Funny how most stereotypes of European "arrogance" is always in a German or French accent.

Why not? They are the perfect example of arrogance... though I would have opted for a stuffy Brit had I been able to convey that in text.

What the poster fails to realise is that the mobile phone market in Europe is VERY flexible and in general can give the user what s/he wants. You want a good phone on PAYG and are willing to pay upfront? You got it. Want a basic phone, but make a lot of calls, so want a contract Not a problem. Want a super duper piece of kit on PAYG Not a problem mate, provided you're willing to pay.

Actually, I understand the European market well. And you pay dearly for your services. My US plan is far better than the Aussie or British ones I have. Though I tend to use my phones for phoning and email, rather than music or SMS (which I detest!)

To me it sounds like Apple is trying to force a less consumer friendly deal in the interests of getting a share of the monthly. How is that in my interests?

An assumption, my dear... and you have answered it well below

If this is the model that Apple adopts in Europe, I will not be getting one, on principle alone - no matter how good it is. I'll stick with Sony Ericsson, who do very good phones.

Thus DO NOT buy an iPhone... it certainly would not suit you from what you describe. It is odd how you guys keep weighing in on Apple, with NO info on how the company proposes to work, you assume that the European operators are the ones who want you to get a fair plan (that flies in the face of their preposterous gouging) and then conclude that you won't get one anyway. Why bother to comment?

and in addition---- so, blow the iPhone off for all you will but the real wind is going in quite another direction....
see this quote, just published:
iPhone demand in UK 7M strong
British demand for the iPhone is very high despite its limitations, new research published by M:Metrics shows. The company's study points to about 56 percent of the over 5,200 respondents being aware of the device; approximately 28 percent of those have "strong" interest in buying the handset as is, the analysts say. An extrapolation by the firm estimates that the figure would amount to almost 7 million of all cellphone users in the country, or almost 16 percent of the entire field.

 

[verniesgarden]

Actually, North America is a continent that consists of two countries - the USA and Canada (the big bit on the top!).

Yes, the USA is made up of a number of states (51 I think) but it is still very much a single country with one leader.

Europe, though, is very much a continent that consists of a large number of countries, some of which are part of the EU, each has its own leader.

we have 50 states and 1 district and several territories, each having an independent government that is also under a federal government, thats one of the things that makes the US unique is that we don't really have a ruler or even a leader, yes we have a president, but the president doesn't make decisions like you think. that is what the break down of the government is for the house and senate, which actually do a lot of the decision making, the president is really more like a spokesperson or like a front man to a band, he really doesn't make the calls that people think he does. so saying bush did this and bush did that... well kinda placing blame unfoundly. place it on the house and senate.

 

[bilbo--baggins]

It may be a negative for Apple, but it's definitely a positive for the customer.

Basically, with the iPhone, Apple has not been acting in their customer's best interest, and that needs to stop.

It will be a negative for me if it delays me getting an iPhone. I'm having to put up with a Sony Ericsson M600i that still isn't supported with iSync. The sooner I can be rid of it the better.

By the way, what will people with 2 year contracts do if Apple brings out a new improved model? I wonder if they will offer upgrades during the contract?

 

[verniesgarden]

Whoops, sorry - I thought Mexico was part of South America. What are the island nations?

Cuba and Jamaica that i know of

 

[dartzorichalcos]

Whoops, sorry - I thought Mexico was part of South America. What are the island nations?

Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Anguila, Cuba, British Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saba, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Trinidad.