WiFi technology is useless without being in proximity of a network. There's two parts: Part A, the WiFi technology and Part B, a network close enough to access. Both have to be present or who gives a damn -- What's great about the iPhone is that AT&T (theoretically) provides at no additional charge (!) UNLIMITED (!) email/web. Of course, this scenario is based entirely on AT&T's ability to deliver the internet to the device.
I don't believe an iPod with WiFi is going to "make those on the fence buy the iPod instead of the iPhone". And here's why:
The iPhone is a PHONE. The iPod is not a PHONE. If someone is in the market for a phone and they're on the fence, it's not because of a music player that occasionally has access to email and the internet if they happen to be in just the right spot. It's because of (a) cost of the iPhone; (b) cost of the AT&T service; (c) the service provider being AT&T; (d) limitations of the iPhone itself; (e) the competitions' great phones; (e) the competitions' great service; (f) the competitions' great pricing; (g) an expensive fee for breaking a current contract -- or a combination of two or more of these things.
What we know is that the iPhone is getting rave reviews on most every aspect. Most believe that the pricing is great and starting at $59.99*, I have to agree. If there's anything that's keeping people from buying the iPhone it's AT&T's coverage and service.
Is it the money? Well, considering your scenario, it's not money, because the would-be buyer has money for either the hardware: the iPhone or the iPod. Also, since the service contract is pretty good and right in line with most other providers and since we've kind of established that this person is in the market for a phone, it's really not an issue about money for the service.
You spoke of untold millions that AT&T and the lost revenue lost to Apple and their products? Honestly, who cares besides AT&T and their stockholders? Apple has a contract with them that prohibits them to sell the iPhone (and more likely than not, any other type of phone either) to another telephone company. Certainly, it shouldn't include a portable device that gives intermittent access to the internet. Apple already sells those: they're called laptops. Considering the iPod will run OS X, there's no reason that they won't load as much technology as they can into these things, and AT&T darn well knows this. They just care about the phone part.
And so do the fence-sitters.
--------
The following quote is from a article written by John Gruber. It details an OS X-based iPod and is an awesome read. Highly recommended...
* 450 weekly minutes *Unlimited email & web Built-in visual voicemail 200 texts 5000 nights & weekend minutes Rollover minutes Unlimited mobile to mobile
sorry bud, i just think a wifi iPod will hurt iPhone sales. This has nothing to do with what makes apple more money. Maybe having a wifi iPod will increase Apple's revenue, more so than not having an wifi iPod. I just know that:
WIFI iPod will dip into iPhone sales.
Proof:
-If Apple releases a wifi iPod, I won't buy an iPhone.
-If Apple doesn't release a wifi iPod, I will buy an iPhone.
therefore, WifI iPod dips into iPhone sales.
I can't imagine a scenario wherein a wifi ipod boosts iphone sales...that doesn't make any logical sense whatsoever...unless...
there is someone out there willing to say, honestly, that:
-If Apple releases a wifi iPod, THEN i will buy an iPhone.
-If Apple doesn't release a wifi iPod, THEN i won't buy an iPhone.
Take all the people that will buy an iphone if the new ipod does not have wifi, subtract them from the people that feel the opposite, and you have your total number of iPhones not sold (or xtras sold) thanks to the WIFI iPod. so far, we're at (1-0=1).
You just can't seem to accept that this could be, in any shape or form, a factor now can you? Hehe...it's a basic truth. I feel how I feel, and you aren't going to change that.