Not only Apple does this sort of thing.. every mobile phone manufacturer gradually reduces the prices of their hardware over time. Granted, this "time" being just 2 months and week since launch..

The 4 gigger is now $299 for a limited time too (until supplies are depleted).

there are so many phones that do what the Iphone does as well or better for for less money that they had to drop it's price cus no one but the apple geeks were buying them, and they have more inventory then there are apple geeks.

now that it is reasonably priced, they might actually convince some non apple geaks to buy the thing.

Plus they want to get rid of these ASAP cus of the whole battery issue and lawsuit.

Question is what do people who paid full price feel about all this?

The iPhone was the top selling smartphone in the month of July: http://www.internetnews.com/wireless/article.php/3697751 outselling the blackberry by 10%.

I've seen TONS of people using these, and most of them are not Apple geeks at all.

The battery issue is plainly stated on Apple's website, even with the new iPods. This is an issue with EVERY phone, not just the iPhone. Apple gets the most publicity because they're the most visible, well known brand in the market (now). Nearly -everyone- knows who Apple is. If LG or Kyocera were having similar lawsuits pending against them, would nearly every household in the country know? Of course not.

As far as people who paid retail price prior to this morning.. well, thats just the way the world of electronics goes. Prices are constantly changing, so, caveat empor. It's the same as if I were to go out and buy an AMD processor today, and have the prices go down a month from now.

If people are willing to put out the $$$ in the first place, then it shouldn't be an issue. Obviously the product was desired, and they were willing to pay the current asking price for said product.

It was desired cus getting it was considered trendy and the cool geak thign to do.

most every phone apart from the Iphone has user changeable batteries, so not sure what you meant by the comment other phones have the same issue. Every rechargeable battery needs to be replaced sure but most don't require a factory return to do it.

And it was the top seller because it was something new and different.

We'll see what the august and September numbers say, comparing a product launch to an established product isn't really fair, it also is not indicating all the iphones that have been returned once people played with them for a bit

I don't necessarily agree with you on it being the "cool geek thing to do". If someone has the kind of money to devote to a multi-media device, as well as the contstraints of a 2 year contract, then let them.

I wouldn't go as far to say that its the "geeky" thing to do. Most of the people that I see buying these things are business people, professionals, doctors, etc. It's not just a toy to them, it's a tool. Sure it's shiny, and has more features than they'll probably ever need.. but it serves it's purpose for these folks.

And you're right about having to return the phone to the factory to replace it, that is a bit redciulous.. but par for the course if you -really- want the phone. People bought the phone realizing the battery was not user-replaceable, so, thats their bad if they're disgusted by that.

Getting locked into a 2 year contract is a pretty serious commitment.. from what I've heard, most iPhones have been returned due to some software glitches, that have since been repaired in recent firmware updates. I doub't anyone in their right mind would return a $600 phone, only to face another $200 early termination fee. Then again, if they have that kind of money to throw around, then maybe it's not such a big deal to them *shrugs*.

there is usually a satisfaction period , least I would hope so, and 2 year contracts are expected for any phone you buy pretty much, especially if you get a major discount on the phone. Now getting locked into a 2 year contract and not getting a device discount, thats ridicules.

The point still stands that if one is willing and believes it reasonable to shell out $600 for a phone, PLUS get locked into a 2 year contract, that was 100% their decision. Apple stuff has NEVER been 'affordable', but there is a certain degree of finesse and quality that comes with purchasing an Apple product, the iPhone being almost a supreme example.

I can defend Apple all day long, being a long time supporter and user, but I won't.. because its pointless. Do I have an iPhone? No. Do I think its reasonable to shell out $400 for a phone? No. Do I absolutely loathe AT&T/Cingular? YES. Do I think the iPhone is a very nice product? Absolutely.

My brother purchased one on launch, and couldn't be happier with it. Good for him, he had the money and the ability to make the commitment.

I, on the other hand.. am perfectly happy with my Samsung M610 and the EVDO network speeds I get :). I can pair it with my laptop and boom, have an instant "broadband" connection anywhere I need to go :) All that for $55 a month (including voice and unlimited data) Hooray! :)

So yeah... I'll most likely pick up an iPod touch, but I highly doubt getting any iPhone anytime in the near future.

how are you getting unlimited data for $55? They charge that almost for their evdo data plans alone with the pc cards.... their cheapest voice only plan is like $35. Who did you bribe? :)

Lol.. I'm friends with the divison manager here in this area (SF Bay Area).. so I got a good deal :)

Apple can't offer 3G on AT&T as far as i know though, so that means that the next Gen Iphone wont be offered via AT&T.

I don't want to turn this into a debate or an iphone bashing / reverence.

I disagree with a lot of apple's practices and have issues with them getting credit for a lot of things they do not deserve credit for. Many people hero worship apple for some reason and praise them beyond what I feel they deserve so i get touchy about them.

To answer your question, there are MANY phones that show web pages almost as well as safari (My Helio Ocean for example, or any phone that can run Opera Mini), and even safari shows you a comprised version of the page, there is no perfect internet browser, but it comes close. And surfing the net over EDGE is painful, while i have full 3G. the Iphone has a few things going for it, like their better youtube integration, but again over edge is painfull, Wifi is nice though.

the Iphone has no instant messaging, which is a joke, the lack of any keyboard concerns me,


For ~$299 the Iphone might be worth it, not for $500

There are TONS of after-market software add-ons to the iPhone that can integrate AIM. It's quick, and easy. Like most things, these features are not available "out of the box".

web based messaging isn't nearly as effective or reliable as built in clients, and i ment out of the box support for AIM/YIM etc. I knew it supported SMS it would be very sad indeed if it didn't, course it doesn't support video messaging, at least sending.

a touch screen is not a real keyboard, sorry :)

the same thing that people who pay full price for Apple's Cool New Toy 1.0 always feel.

So many reasonable choices!

Apple should send all of their iphone buyers a letter thanking for Beta testing their product, and informing that the iphone mark II will be out next spring for about the same amount.