3G iPhone: Who cares?
December 7, 2007 by Jayvee Fernandez
Filed under 3G, Apple, iPhone
If the iPhone rumors are true, we will be seeing a 3G capable iPhone by June not just in the West, but in Asia. Does this make it any more attractive for consumers? Most might say yes – especially if you’re from the West. But with crappy 3G services from places like the Philippines, 3G and HSDPA are actually non-selling points in product consideration.
Back here, the primary concern for buying mobile phones isn’t about connectivity speed but it has more to do with whether the telco is offering the phone at a subsidized price and secondly, whether it can be unlocked afterwards. Cheating the system is an open secret. I find it funny how Apple reps come to the Philippines and say “oh no the iPhone isn’t available here” during a press conference when in fact half the room of media folk already have them in their pocket.
I dunno. Frankly, until I see BlackBerry email in that thing, I’m sticking to what I have. But that’s just me. When the iPhone makes its landing in Asia, expect not only a massive unlocking undergound economy, but really weird accessories as well.
