Cellphone vendors could exit business if economy remains bleak

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  • Reply 141 of 349
    tbagginstbaggins Posts: 2,306member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    Yes, a much better description.



    We can just shorten that to an HF phone.



    Then we can stop the arguments, I hope.





    This thread really went downhill after I left, eh?



    Ah well, nothing new there. It's the AI way.





    ...
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  • Reply 142 of 349
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,723member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TBaggins View Post


    This thread really went downhill after I left, eh?



    Ah well, nothing new there. It's the AI way.





    ...



    But now that you're back...
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  • Reply 143 of 349
    jfanningjfanning Posts: 3,398member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    That's the way it is accepted.



    ok, you win, we will go with the definition from a trade magazine.



    "Hardware or software that provides capabilities and functions comparable to the most advanced models or programs of that category. "



    So how is that bluetooth support treating you? Oh? You mean you don't have bluetooth support comparable to the most advanced models in that category? Oh, that would mean the iPhone isn't full featured wouldn't it???
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  • Reply 144 of 349
    addaboxaddabox Posts: 12,665member
    Christ, I hate the fucking internet.
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  • Reply 145 of 349
    hill60hill60 Posts: 6,992member
    What is wrong with a subsidised phone?



    Who would buy a phone then not make any calls or use any data.



    It's like buying a car and not wanting to pay for gas.



    A TV and not wanting to pay for electricity.



    Either way you end up with paperweights.



    I was paying $70 a month for 6 years before I got an iPhone, I'll be paying $70 a month for the next two years of my contract and after that it's more than likely that I will be paying $70 a month well into the foreseeable future.



    You see I see a phone as something to use and I don't mind paying for that.
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  • Reply 146 of 349
    jfanningjfanning Posts: 3,398member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by hill60 View Post


    What is wrong with a subsidised phone?



    Well they can come with a number of restrictions such as being locked to one network, or being feature restricted.
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  • Reply 147 of 349
    hill60hill60 Posts: 6,992member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jfanning View Post


    Well they can come with a number of restrictions such as being locked to one network, or being feature restricted.



    I've been with the same network for 10 years, most of their other handsets have have just as many restrictions, some of those restrictions are very useful in using the phone companies website to buy content.



    Seriously the content I now access from Apple is of higher quality, it always works and there is a much greater range to choose from.



    With every purchase from iTunes an invoice is emailed to me, the one time they accidentally double charged me there was an email explaining the refund before I was even aware of it.



    It used to be really annoying to buy a game off my network provider only to be told it was incompatible with my handset AFTER the fact, then I'd have to wait until the charge appeared on my bill and then contact customer care to arrange a refund.



    After updating my handset I'd often go to purchase a favourite game only to find that it was no longer available, most of them were Java junk anyway which was readily available at various pirate sites around the web, you see I've got this strange idea that people should be paid for their work which is why I don't mind paying for content..



    As far as A2DP bluetooth goes, I've got 2 stereo bluetooth headsets (Plantronics Pulsar 590A and Plantronics Voyager 855) I got the first one 3 years ago the second a year ago, they both suffer from a problem known as cross body interference, where the music cuts out as the phone moves around with your body movements, believe me for the price you pay for them you are far better off buying a pair of wired headphones.



    btw I still use the 855 as a bluetooth headset with my iPhone as far as bluetooth headsets go it is excellent.
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  • Reply 148 of 349
    taurontauron Posts: 911member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by FuturePastNow View Post


    Let's hope other companies give Apple some healthy competition to keep the iPhone on the cutting-edge of both features and price.



    That is true, problem is no smartphone in current existence even comes close to the iphone. People are slowly realizing how much their phones suck arse... it is taking time but no matter how many clones come out (android, that *bold* turd, samsung joke phones...) the iphone has no true competition.



    It will take other companies several years and many legal battles to "get it right" because apple not only has a monopoly on all the good ideas (patents) but also a huge lead in technology.



    So yes, lets hope they all go to hell so a true competitor can emerge and give the iphone a run for the money because right now all smartphone companies are buttsecked.
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  • Reply 149 of 349
    stompystompy Posts: 414member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by addabox View Post


    Christ, I hate the fucking internet.



    http://xkcd.com/386/
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  • Reply 150 of 349
    tbagginstbaggins Posts: 2,306member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross


    But now that you're back...



    But I'm not, really.



    Seriously, I'm starting to understand the point behind those old stuffy exclusive New England/British men's clubs. Everyone knows each other, so they don't try to piss each other off. It's exclusive, so it keeps the riff-raff out. There's a certain collegiality. And they got great brandy and cigars, a'course.



    AI is more a mosh pit. And not in a good way.



    I mean, I can get into a 200-post debate over the proper meaning of a phrase here. A linguist's dream to some, an uber-anal nightmare to most anyone else.



    Ppl aren't here to exchange ideas or learn anything, they're here to win arguments. End o' story.





    ...
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  • Reply 151 of 349
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TBaggins View Post


    But I'm not, really.

    [...]

    Ppl aren't here to exchange ideas or learn anything, they're here to win arguments. End o' story.



    I disagree... and here is why I'm right.



    Seriously though, I don't know of any open, internet-based forum that uses pseudonyms that is void of these arguments. Even the etymology and non-computer tech forums I visit get it, though to a lesser extent. For an Apple-based forum AI is much better than every other I've frequented. *cough* MacRumurs *cough* I learn new stuff here so I keep coming back. Plus, there are more than a handful of posters here I do like. I even like yours and TenoBell's bickering; it's reminds me of sibling rivalry because neither one of you seems to ever take it to that "Oh no he didn't!" level lack of decorum that is so easily had with anonymity.
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  • Reply 152 of 349
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,723member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jfanning View Post


    ok, you win, we will go with the definition from a trade magazine.



    "Hardware or software that provides capabilities and functions comparable to the most advanced models or programs of that category. "



    So how is that bluetooth support treating you? Oh? You mean you don't have bluetooth support comparable to the most advanced models in that category? Oh, that would mean the iPhone isn't full featured wouldn't it???



    The feature is Bluetooth. It has Bluetooth.



    As Hill60 has said, stereo Bluetooth headphones don't work well. You may get luck, sometimes, but likely you will not.



    http://www.mobileburn.com/story.jsp?Id=2770
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  • Reply 153 of 349
    tbagginstbaggins Posts: 2,306member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by solipsism View Post


    Seriously though, I don't know of any open, internet-based forum that uses pseudonyms that is void of these arguments. Even the etymology and non-computer tech forums I visit get it, though to a lesser extent.





    "To a lesser extent" is the whole point for me. Every internet forum has nasty and/or pointless arguments, but AI seems to be worse than most.

    And, most annoyingly, consistently so. I also don't dig the whole 'follow the Apple party line or get flamed' aspect either... it feels like soft fascism at times.



    There are a few really good posters who are informative, interesting, and even open-minded on occasion, that's why I occasionally come back, but you just have to wade through so much crap.



    I dunno Solip... your experiences notwithstanding, there's got to be a better Mac community out there, somewhere. Law of averages n' all that. \





    ...
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  • Reply 154 of 349
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TBaggins View Post


    I dunno Solip... your experiences notwithstanding, there's got to be a better Mac community out there, somewhere. Law of averages n' all that.



    If you find one let me know.
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  • Reply 155 of 349
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,723member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TBaggins View Post


    "To a lesser extent" is the whole point for me. Every internet forum has nasty and/or pointless arguments, but AI seems to be worse than most.

    And, most annoyingly, consistently so. I also don't dig the whole 'follow the Apple party line or get flamed' aspect either... it feels like soft fascism at times.



    There are a few really good posters who are informative and interesting, that's why I occasionally come back, but you just have to wade through so much crap.



    I dunno Solip... your experiences notwithstanding, there's got to be a better Mac community out there, somewhere. Law of averages n' all that. \





    ...



    Good luck, because I haven't found one.



    The thing here is that the mods are very lay back. In some other sites, at the first chanch of contention, they come in with heavy sticks swinging.



    On some sites, such as Ars Technica, though they're a bit better now, at the first word said that disagrees with a mod, you are out. Period. No protest allowed. But the mods themselves run right over the other posters.



    So here, there is more freedom. That's both good and bad. But I'd opt for the freedom rather than the tight control.



    And it isn't just here that people get into frenzies. Go to RED's forums. If you even hint that something that RED does isn't just oh so perfect, not only do the fanatic posters dump hard, but so does the owner of RED, who is on the forums, and insults just about everyone who suggests in any way that RED isn't perfect.



    Or try some of the Linux distro sites. Even Windows sites can get that way.



    It's a matter of control, and censoring heavily, or lack of control, and allowing people to handle their own problems more.
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  • Reply 156 of 349
    tbagginstbaggins Posts: 2,306member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    Good luck, because I haven't found one.



    The thing here is that the mods are very lay back. In some other sites, at the first chanch of contention, they come in with heavy sticks swinging.



    On some sites, such as Ars Technica, though they're a bit better now, at the first word said that disagrees with a mod, you are out. Period. No protest allowed. But the mods themselves run right over the other posters.



    So here, there is more freedom. That's both good and bad. But I'd opt for the freedom rather than the tight control.



    And it isn't just here that people get into frenzies. Go to RED's forums. If you even hint that something that RED does isn't just oh so perfect, not only do the fanatic posters dump hard, but so does the owner of RED, who is on the forums, and insults just about everyone who suggests in any way that RED isn't perfect.



    Or try some of the Linux distro sites. Even Windows sites can get that way.



    It's a matter of control, and censoring heavily, or lack of control, and allowing people to handle their own problems more.





    Yeah, I know what you're talking about, Mel. A cellphone forum I occasionally frequent (HoFo), has great info but the most vicious, trigger-happy, Nazi mods of all time (yes, I used the word Nazi. Don't like it? Too bad).



    So HoFo often resembles the 'no fun league'. Still, the info's great, so ppl still come.



    I don't think the prob is so much the mods here (though maybe you could tighten up things a tad... there IS a middle ground between 'no fun' and total laissez-faire), but rather, it's the posters themselves. Too much fanboi-ism, too much vitriol, waaaaaay too much anal-ness, not enough comraderie.



    Yeah, a lot of other forums have their probs too, but that doesn't mean there isn't something better.



    So yeah, I will look around. But I'll check back from time to time, to see how things are going at the AI Zoo.



    ...
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  • Reply 157 of 349
    addaboxaddabox Posts: 12,665member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    And it isn't just here that people get into frenzies. Go to RED's forums. If you even hint that something that RED does isn't just oh so perfect, not only do the fanatic posters dump hard, but so does the owner of RED, who is on the forums, and insults just about everyone who suggests in any way that RED isn't perfect.




    QFT.



    As much as I admire what RED has done, the forums are at times embarrassing. Jannard is the soup nazi of digital cinema, always at the ready to start screaming "No 4k camera for you!" at the least hint of anything short of open worship. Then the other posters start trying to suck up all the harder, swearing that that bad person will be shunned so that "Jim won't get mad" and start canceling promised innovations or fail to drop tantalizing hints of whatever is in the pipeline.



    Compared to that, loyalty to chairman Jobs around here barely registers.



    More generally, as I've said elsewhere, the idea that AI punishes people for daring to say a single negative word about the glory of Apple just doesn't hold up to scrutiny, and generally is a strawman defense for poorly thought out criticism.



    For instance, Mel thinks glossy screens are A-OK, and I think they suck balls. Even though, in this instance, Mel is so completely and egregiously wrong it should disqualify him from being allowed the company of his fellow men, I have never seen him claim that the reason glossy screens rule is that Apple doesn't make mistakes, or some nonsense such as that.



    There are lots and lots of instances like this-- I hate iMovie '08, many folks like it, there were words exchanged, but, for the most part, people's reasons for liking '08 were anything but "Apple knows what's best, Jobs is my God" blah blah blah.



    However, if I were of a certain turn of mind, I certainly could have come away from that exchange muttering "stupid Apple apologists just like anything Apple does so wrong I'm right fanboys fanboys fanboys", but that would mean I was kinda full of shit.
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  • Reply 158 of 349
    tbagginstbaggins Posts: 2,306member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by addabox View Post


    More generally, as I've said elsewhere, the idea that AI punishes people for daring to say a single negative word about the glory of Apple just doesn't hold up to scrutiny, and generally is a strawman defense for poorly thought out criticism.





    My mileage here, both in what I've seen and in what I've directly experienced, definitely varies from that.



    Often you can have a thoughtful criticism, and still be attacked for it. When I first started posting here, I was often called a troll. I still get dismissed occasionally for being 'anti-Apple' or some amusing variation thereof on occasion. And I think I've been treated mildly compared to some.



    There is definitely some 'groupthink' at AI, but you can fight your way through it by having a tough-enough skin. Doesn't mean that it still doesn't suck, tho'.



    ...
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  • Reply 159 of 349
    addaboxaddabox Posts: 12,665member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TBaggins View Post


    My mileage here, both in what I've seen and in what I've directly experienced, definitely varies from that.



    Often you can have a thoughtful criticism, and still be attacked for it. When I first started posting here, I was often called a troll. I still get dismissed occasionally for being 'anti-Apple' or some amusing variation thereof on occasion. And I think I've been treated mildly compared to some.



    There is definitely some 'groupthink' at AI, but you can fight your way through it by having a tough-enough skin. Doesn't mean that it still doesn't suck, tho'.



    ...



    An open public forum is going to have all kinds of posters. The question is what the predominate tone is.



    I know a lot of long time posters here who have been extremely vocal regarding what they regard as misteps by Apple. They don't get shouted down, they get argued with.



    It's my opinion that, as Apple's fortunes have improved, we've gotten a larger number of people posting here that seem to just want to tell us what fanboys we are and how Apple's products are generally inferior, overpriced and underperforming. I have no idea what compels anyone to spend their days in this behavior, but based on post counts it appears that there really is a nontrivial demographic that gets off on being King of Apple Sucks on Mac Island.



    For instance, in the iPhone forum, there are more than few people who's entire oeuvre consists of repeated reminders that the iPhone is actually a terrible, crippled piece of shit that only sells in the numbers it does because Apple sheeple are easily swayed by shiny things.



    Some of those might have the germ of an actual argument, but you can't really be surprised if the response ranges from hostile to dismissive.
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  • Reply 160 of 349
    tbagginstbaggins Posts: 2,306member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by addabox View Post


    It's my opinion that, as Apple's fortunes have improved, we've gotten a larger number of people posting here that seem to just want to tell us what fanboys we are and how Apple's products are generally inferior, overpriced and underperforming. I have no idea what compels anyone to spend their days in this behavior, but based on post counts it appears that there really is a nontrivial demographic that gets off on being King of Apple Sucks on Mac Island.



    For instance, in the iPhone forum, there are more than few people who's entire oeuvre consists of repeated reminders that the iPhone is actually a terrible, crippled piece of shit that only sells in the numbers it does because Apple sheeple are easily swayed by shiny things.





    It's a good problem to have, actually. You'd know that Apple was in deep trouble if no one gave enough of a sh*t about the iPhone to critique it.







    Quote:

    Some of those might have the germ of an actual argument, but you can't really be surprised if the response ranges from hostile to dismissive.





    I think some of the hostility and dismissiveness comes from the perceptions/attitudes of the posters who respond that way. Too many of them tend to mistake honest critiques for attacks or trolling.



    That said, there are a few ppl who are out to troll. But I do wish ppl were better about distinguishing between the trolls and the honest critics.



    My memory is faulty at times, but weren't you the one who all-but-accused me of being involved in some sort of nefarious Euro-poster anti-Apple cabal based on my use of the word "roughshod" in a post? If not you, someone else did.



    And it's stuff like that that I'm talking about.



    ...
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