Jobs Didn't Screw You: A Contrarian View

Don't get me wrong. The price drop for iPhones seems to be a slap in the face for early adopters, as has been advanced in glossy headline all over the Web (Apple Snubs AT&T, Hoses Early iPhone Buyers, Apple announces new gear; Screws early adopters, Poll: iPhone price drop blues).

Why are the early buyers sniveling? Two days ago they weren't complaining that the price for the device that so many of them love was too high. And they didn't bitch when they were in line waiting to get the brandy-new, shiny device.

It's just a weird psychological dissonance, a sense that they have been jilted, been fleeced: like some out-of-town rube being played by a sharp taxi driver.

But it just ain't so.

The price cuts are intended to move product, and clean out the stock of this generation of iPhones, so that new devices can be rolled out. Did you think that your early purchase came with some price guarantee? Don't you know that prices drop once production steps up in most products?

Personally, I am waiting for an iPhone that is smaller (yes, I want a Nano iPhone), and one that has a better camera. Likely will take a year or so. IPhone is a phone that wants to be a computer, but my MacBook Pro is too good a computer to be matched by today's iPhone. And the camera? Don't ask.

My Nokia N95 is just too good a camera phone to walk away from: it has radically changed my life because of its vitamin-packed five million pixels. The other breakthrough phone product of 2007. It's a phone that wants to be a camera, and does a pretty good job of it.

Technically, I shouldn't say I am 'waiting' for an iPhone, since I received one yesterday at the Office 2.0 conference reception, but I am not planning to switch to the phone.

But after yesterday's announcements from Apple, I am ordering an iPod Touch: an iPod that wants to be a web device -- no phone -- and that is an interesting fusion. Good for music, movies, and wifi built in. Safari, address book, calendar. And that awesome interface. More to follow. They ship on 28 September.

[Update: The USA Today interview with Steve Jobs is getting a lot of buzz, and he addresses this issue.]

[Update 4:40pm 6 Sep 07: Jobs offers a $100 store credit to all (almost all? Most?] iPhone buyers.]

Comments

[Greg]

I agree "mostly" with what you say Stowe, although, it was painful to hear that my 60 day old 4GB iPhone is now discontinued. I'm sure service will still be available, that doesn't worry me. On the upside, I was planning on buying the 8GB and hand-down the 4 to the wife which just became easier to swallow.

If you don't plan to use the 8gb, I know someone who will take it off your hands. hah!

Did I hear you say once that your phone has a flash for the camera? That would be extremely handy!

[patmcgraw]

Having suffered through a similar experience when I bought an iPod Mini, I can only say that I understand the rational reason that you have put forth. But emotionally, I felt violated - as if in response to my support, I was bitch slapped. It sure took the joy out of my purchase and has led me to recount my experience at several dozen opportunities. You got me as a customer, Mr Jobs, but not a very loyal one and definitely not as a raving fan.

[Michael Clarke]

I agree about the price cut - twas ever so with Apple. My aging Powerbook was the most powerful etc etc in its class for all of three months - until Apple rolled out another one.

Not convinced by the iPod Touch, though. Beautiful but on a collision course with redundancy when they get the iPhone right.