[quote author=“Zeke”]I have to believe that SJ had an escape strategy in mind all along.

Without doubt. They learnt how valuable it was to have a plan B (and plan C) with their CPU switch from Motorola to IBM to Intel. You can imagine that SJ went into any agreement with AT&T already having several escape routes in his back pocket.

As a general proposition, CEOs of major corporations don’t say things to reporters by accident.  To my thinking it was not Stephenson’s statement, but the stupid press reaction to it which has caused the problem (if there is a problem).  As has been pointed out here, he said nothing that SJ (and Munster) have not said before.  The idea that this represents a crack in the relationship is a crock.

And to expand on Lumi’s point AT&T is in a commodity business, as Stephenson put it “moving zeros and ones” around.  Apple is as far to the other end of the spectrum as can be.  Historically the handset has been a commodity; the iPhone has changed that.  Apple should not want to get into commodity businesses and Telephone should not want to get into tech innovation.  This circumstance should make for productive, if not always peaceful, cooperation.

Couldn’t you just sell your iPhone after they introduce the iPhone 2?  You might want to wait awhile to see if the iPhone 2 has got any problems.  It doesn’t seem that the iPhone will be antiquated in six months time even though it lacks a number of hardware features.  If it’s well-built it should still be useful.

Do you think there might be a market for used iPhones in less affluent countries?  Shame Apple doesn’t accept trade-ins to newer models.

I think this is a mistake.  First, it’s probably MORE than 6 months away.  Second, you’re just denying yourself a lot of pleasure with every feature this phone has.

As others have pointed out, EDGE works perfectly well for:

Stock quotes
Weather
Google Maps
Mail
Google Reader

It’s no ball of fire for full-blown Web pages with lots of graphics, but I use it all the time for Web access for E*Trade and other sites.  I love sitting in a movie house and reading Google Reader while I wait, for example.

The problem with tech (not just Apple) is that there is ALWAYS a better product coming up in the future, either cheaper and/or with more features.  In a sense, you’re always buying in at the wrong time.

That said, I LOVE my iPhone.  I’ve had it for two months now, and I have absolutely no regrets about buying it.  Enjoy!

3G does not have-to be better. I can be better, but is not always better. It depends on the location, circumstances and on the network. Wifi hotspost are however ALWAYS better -and, they are ALWAYS increasing in numbers and areal coverage. So in my view:  3G is mission non-critical.

Thee is nothing like a real broadband, and version 1+2 iPhones have it, and it just works.

Those who wait, well, they just wait! It’s a free world.