First of all, yeah, that's why I said I don't consider an iPhone for myself. And I guess the article was about the slow European uptake of the phone, wasn't it. I'm a little geeky, I was in the T-Mobile store the first day, so yeah, I was interested. But the price/performance ratio just is not right.
So I'm fully acknowledging my right not to buy the iPhone. If Apple doesn't care about my money...well so be it. Bad for me as a shareholder, and even worse for my cash waiting for some new gadgets.
Considering File sharing with friends and a computer: Well, my iPhone first of all should double as portable data device. Heck, nearly every Bluetooth capable phone on the market allows me to pair it and access the filesystem.
Second my phone generates data. I currently have 2GB in my Nokia phone. Nokia has a damn good Windows integration, so every soundclip, video and pic I CREATED (caps for emphasis) with my phone get downstreamed to the Windows comp as soon as pairing occurs. I also do this by hand on Mac OS X. So just for novelty sake I attached a pic I made with my Nokia, I wouldn't want to miss (my new car

).
And Data tethering is actively promoted by o2 in Germany, when they sell you the phone. E.g. they actively promote their o2 Connection Manager for OS X (current version 2.1), which allows for easy tethering.
But, Mock Turtleneck, you are definitely right. In current performance, the iPhone is not meant for me. Basically I could use an ugly brick, as long as its killer app is working properly. And that is making and receiving calls with great battery time (Nokia 6310 anyone?).
Maybe iPhone Rev. B will make me buy. Currently I'm in the process of terminating my contract, so in 3 months I have to buy a new phone. Well, maybe o2 Germany will give me an offer, I can't resist. Maybe Apple will.
In short - these are the reasons why Apple lost my money. I consider myself a rather typical European mobile user. So I'm a perfect example as to why the iPhone does not sell in Europe.