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Wal-Mart to Sell $99 4GB iPhone?
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I wonder if this would work for upgrades? At least have a discounted price for upgrades like $150, etc..?
Mmmm.... interesting take!
But, I am sure that Apple wants to get $ for their hardware/software investment in the iPhone: whether subsidized (all or in part) by the providers of the pipeline or the content.
I think there will be other solutions for low-cost, high-bandwidth pipeline than what we have today... so I'm not sure that the pipeline is where the profits are.
Now, convenience, content and delivery-- that's another thing!
Many apps in the app store are free because they provide access to content or services that offer profit potential to the provider.
From this perspective, the iPhone, computer or kiosk is the enabler. Its cost could be subsidized by the providers of the content and services.
upkeep
personally I'd love to buy a 4gb iphone for 99 dollars. I've already got an ipod so probably wouldn't keep much music on the phone in the first place though there are a bunch of apps I could use.
But, the reason that I haven't boughten an iphone to date is not because of the purchase price, but rather the upkeep costs. My current cell phone has unlimited text, unlimited local and long distance, and unlimited data with which I can tether. The cavet is that it is a MetroPCS which means I only have service in pocket cities, of course since I hardly ever end up anywhere that isn't covered it's not an issue.
What is an issue is that for me to retain the unlimited calls and text and data (but drop the tethering) I'd go from about 55 a month to about 120 a month last I checked. Which if I'm not mistake is MORE than the purchase price of the phone every month.
personally I'd love to buy a 4gb iphone for 99 dollars. I've already got an ipod so probably wouldn't keep much music on the phone in the first place though there are a bunch of apps I could use.
But, the reason that I haven't boughten an iphone to date is not because of the purchase price, but rather the upkeep costs. My current cell phone has unlimited text, unlimited local and long distance, and unlimited data with which I can tether. The cavet is that it is a MetroPCS which means I only have service in pocket cities, of course since I hardly ever end up anywhere that isn't covered it's not an issue.
What is an issue is that for me to retain the unlimited calls and text and data (but drop the tethering) I'd go from about 55 a month to about 120 a month last I checked. Which if I'm not mistake is MORE than the purchase price of the phone every month.
it is very rare for Apple to step back on products, but it's not impossible. take the shape of the nano. they dropped the square and went back to something a kin to the previous model. although they did double the storage so it wasn't a complete reversal.
that said, I don't see them creating a 4gb just for walmart. and there's still the issue of the pricing plans. ATT ain't gonna cut prices since they claim they need that extra $10 to pay for more 3g coverage etc.
ah yes, the new iPhone Shuffle. you click the button and it randomly calls someone in your address book. Only you don't know who until they answer, cause there's no screen to read.
Sure...
because getting basic supplies at the local stores is completely linked to premium products...
I have an iPhone. I pay my bills, and I have gotten myself OUT of debt.
But I do shop at Walmart. maybe not for cell phones and TVs and such, but they sell a lot more than that. Like paper towels, extension cords, light sporting and automotive goods, basic hardware supplies, things like that...
Why shouldn't I? They are a business that sells things like that, and they tend to have decent, if non-specialist inventory, and decent prices.
The snob factor beyond the bounds of realistic evaluation is a bit higher than usual in this thread.
If a lot of you want to buy expensive perfumed lavatory tissue at huge markups from boutique stores, that is your prerogative... but since when is it so 'icky' to buy general household supplies at Walmart?
Would you rather I dump my used motor oil on the ground? Walmart was the only place that had good economical used oil jugs in stock, that I needed to get, to be able to transport my used motor oil to the recycling location. Nobody else had anything appropriate for that use at less than double Walmart's price.
There is nothing wrong with iPhone being more available to more people. Some people don't want to order things from websites and wait for shipping, and try to activate a cell phone plan on their own. Some people want an iPhone in leu of their current phone, but a high price for the phone up front, with an expensive contract, when others are free with similar contracts, might be a hard pill to justify putting up from a just comparative standpoint.
I think it would be smarter to drop the price on the 8GB, and upgrade the AT&T store, and AppleStore versions to 16-32GB versions, at current higher price points. Taking one step backward to 4GB might save a little cash, but NAND flash prices are going down, so it might not even be necessary.
The After Christmas deal may be to coincide with MacWorld iPhone spec bump, and price point adjustment. MW isn't too long after christmas. Otherwise, I would think Walmart would want these on the shelves YESTERDAY for holiday sales.
More iPhones on the market means better market support. Cheaper products in higher numbers with better economies of scale, and more app software development for a wider audience. Perhaps lower prices on Apps, too.
Apple is not Bentley or Rolls. Limiting themselves needlessly may create an impression, but not limiting themselves needlessly will make them money, and help the company.
Now, if they would realize the same thing about computers, and start offering more for more people, we'll really be talking. Bring on the headless dual-monitor-capable small desktop, and HTPC capable machine!!!
So combined with the 32 GB rumors, this means selling 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB models? That's just too many in my mind.
I think 8 GB at $99/ £70 would be a sweet spot, it's just enough to store a fairly decent music library, a couple of videos and some apps. I know many people still have libraries just a couple of GBs big (it's why iPod shuffles and nanos sell), but flash memory costs so little nowadays, it would be silly not to.
Besides if Apple wants to aggressively price, then a $99 4 GB model means the 8 GB would have to remain at its current price for even longer as there's no breathing room, definitely not aggressive.
I think 8 GB at $99/ £70 would be a sweet spot, it's just enough to store a fairly decent music library, a couple of videos and some apps. I know many people still have libraries just a couple of GBs big (it's why iPod shuffles and nanos sell), but flash memory costs so little nowadays, it would be silly not to.
Besides if Apple wants to aggressively price, then a $99 4 GB model means the 8 GB would have to remain at its current price for even longer as there's no breathing room, definitely not aggressive.
uh, yeah. there is 32gb ipod touch. released with the new nanos and the resized classic
My point is that it's so pervasive that it's not even wrong anymore. Everyone should be aware of this by now. The only thing that would change if hard drive manufacturers started to implement correct measurements is that prices for hard drives would go up proportionally to the increase in storage. I'm just saying it's a good thing that they all do it the same way. This prevents confiusion.
I don't like Walmart, but I like the idea of a $99 4GB iPhone. The economic climate is right for this product introduction.
I would get one, but am still too cheap to pay for a data plan.
I would get one, but am still too cheap to pay for a data plan.
Maybe Apple still have plenty of the 4GB memory for the supposedly 4GB 4G nano, and this is just a way to get rid of inventory? Considering the yearly refresh coming soon in 2009, maybe this will end up being the 8GB getting the price slash.
Even at $99, it's still a locked phone. I can't fathom why people want to pay for a locked phone. I mean think about it, after 2 years, you don't get any reduction in your monthly bill, considering you already "fullfill" the "full price" of the phone. If Apple want to lock me on AT&T, give the iPhone for free. If not, sell it unlocked.
Considering the yearly refresh coming soon in 2009, maybe this will end up being the 8GB getting the price slash.Even at $99, it's still a locked phone. I can't fathom why people want to pay for a locked phone. I mean think about it, after 2 years, you don't get any reduction in your monthly bill, considering you already "fullfill" the "full price" of the phone. If Apple want to lock me on AT&T, give the iPhone for free. If not, sell it unlocked.
add to that Walmarts record for openly opposing the unionizing of their employees despite the illegality of that opposition.
that's not the issue. it's that labeling it as a 8gb phone implies that I can pull 8gb of my stuff on it. when it fact almost a full gig is taken up by the OS and (as I recall reading) space set aside for sms messaging and other phone data
it's up there with the whole 'twice as fast' ads that don't blantantly say 'provided you in an area with perfect 3g coverage, which almost no one is'
oh please. a responsible company would have made such demands from the start. not after tons of bad press etc.
a responsible company would have demanded that every store have adequate security measures in place on a huge shopping day like Black Friday and not have a temp employee killed by a mishandled (in this case unhandled) mob that anyone looking outside could see was forming hours before the trouble happened.
WOW are you dense? I shop at walmart. Im typing this on my Mac Pro while i watch wall-e in bluray on my 50 inch pioneer elite plasma, my GlassBook Pro is charging otherwise id be on my leather couch typing this. I drive to Walmart in my 08 Infinity g37 all the time. I sure hope they lower the att monthly plan because no way in hell can i afford a 90$ a month phone bill being a walmart shopper.
I would like to clarify my statement about feeling physically ill inside walmarts. I obviously shop there from time to time so I'm not judging people who do. I dislike the company and the way they operate. I don't like the mentality that bigger is always better and I wish there were a different way to save money. Because of it's large size wal-mart offers certain advantages that other stores can't match. I'm sorry that you mistook my comments as elitist. I admit that I feel superior to other people but that is because of my striking good looks and off-the-charts IQ.
Apple isn't getting just $100. They're getting that plus $250-$350 in upfront subsidy from ATT.
Nowadays, Apple could care less how many contracts ATT sells. They no longer get a piece of that action.
Reading the responses from the elitist fan boys are entertaining. There was one time the iPhone was exclusive, that was the first week the iPhone was released and quickly sold out. Those people would show off their iphone, getting the attention they want and when Apple lowered the price of the iphone those same people whined and cried, that's what you get when you are one of the first people who buy a new product, price drops are to be expected. If this story is true, selling iphones at wal mart wont diminish the brand. My contract with T Mobile ran out last month and now I will just wait and see if this rumor is true and if it is I will buy an iphone so I can be cool like everyone else. I wonder if the people who are whining and crying of this rumor are the same ones who whined and cried when Apple lowered the price of the iphone.
I'll buy a 4gig 3g if they let me keep my current monthly rate 0f $70, including the 200 free text
wow! are you a pretentious ass? you could have made your point with out going through all the luxuries you currently posses.
you are either lying or confused about how the game works.
I deal with the iphone on a daily basis and have for weeks but feel free to ask ATT if you doubt this information.
the game goes like this
if you are a new ATT wireless customer you will receive the subsidized price.
if you are a current ATT customer with an original 2007 release iphone on your line and your account is in good standing (not past due etc) you will receive the subsidized price.
if you are a current ATT customer with another phone with a contract that is eligible for upgrade (which typically means it's been at least 20 months since your last upgrade but that varies a little by the phone in use) and your account is in good standing, you will get the subsidized price
HOWEVER
if you are a current ATT customer with a 3g iphone on your account, you won't get another subsidized phone until you finish your contract
if you are a current ATT customer with a non iphone but the contract is not completed, you won't get the subsidized price.
if your account is not in good standing, you won't get the subsidized price. although you can pony up the missing cash and pay off your account (anywhere but an ATT store and you will have to call in with a credit card) and about an hour later your account should reflect your updated standing.