So Apple launched the iPhone 3G last night, and it quickly became clear that this launch was less about adding whizz-bang new features – 3G and GPS are really the only new additions – and more about selling (and this is a technical term) a shitload of iPhones. The price cut and the move to subsidised, traditional mobile phone revenue models (no revenue sharing, in other words, at least with AT&T that we know of) means that Apple's stated goal of 10 million iPhones sold in 2008 begins to look positively conservative.
The really big news, though, is how well we in the UK are doing out of the deal. Here's why:
- At least on the surface, we're getting a proper dollar-to-pound conversion: $199 in the States has translated to £99 here. Hurrah.
- Existing iPhone owners on O2's £45 or £75 per month tariffs get handed the new iPhone free. That's it; all you have to do is sign a new 18-month contract. If you're on the £35 contract, you can upgrade to the 8GB model for £99 and the 16GB model for £159. Americans only get a free upgrade if they bought the phone after May 27.
- However you upgrade, you get to keep your existing phone and either migrate a friend onto a contract with O2 or pop in a pay-as-you-go SIM. Initial reports suggest that in the States, you have to give your old iPhone in if you're claiming the free May 27 upgrade; that's not the case in the UK. Double hurrah.
- While with AT&T in the States the contract is going up by $10, here in the UK, O2 has kept the existing tariffs the same, and even added an even cheaper £30 option. It's not particularly good value compared to the others (125 texts and 75 minutes versus 500 texts and 600 minutes on the £35 tariff), but it's great to have that option. Hurrah and huzzah.
So there we go: UK in 'not getting ripped off' shocker.
What are you most excited about with the new announcement? Me, it was the on-the-quiet news that TomTom is developing its software to run on the iPhone. I already own a TomTom One, but the idea of using my iPhone's GPS with the peerless software from Tom Tom for proper turn-by-turn directions is really exciting. Oh, and Super Monkey Ball. I love me some Super Monkey Ball.
See you in a queue on July 11?
