Brain Dump: A Web-o Blag

Apple to AT&T: WTFBBQ?!

First, an excellent perspective on the Apple-encouraged AT&T booing is found at http://tr.im/ozGW from Jason Snell. Having attended the WWDC key note as well as the entire conference, I can attest to the fact that yes, Apple is indeed being brutally honest and public about their disappoint with AT&T’s lack of supporting “new” iPhone features. I use new in quotations because every single phone on AT&T;s network is able to send and receive MMS and at least all smartphones have tethering. Jason also makes the case that it could be two big companies rattling sabres to try to get the better deal out of the other side. But let’s think about that for just one minute. If one company (Apple) has - at last count - US$40+ billion in cash, no debt, millions of users that now cannot imagine life without their iPhone and a developer community that - dare I say - the likes of we have never before seen for a mobile platform, is that not the company who will win?

Second, Apple has a proven product. It is the reason that millions of people switched to AT&T. This is the perfect time (and reason) for T-Mobile, Verizon and/or Sprint to rapidly build out their 3G & 4G networks and find a way to make the iPhone work on their networks. Does Apple have a device that will work, out of the box, on those networks? Maybe, for T-Mobile. I imagine that Apple certainly has at least one development prototype / proof-of-concept that works on the CDMA cellular networks. It must if there are rumors of Apple talking to Verizon. Even if the rumor is to get AT&T to give Apple a better deal, a working prototype would be an excellent negotiation tactic. Also, isn’t Apple’s exclusivity contract with AT&T is up soon? So why wouldn’t Apple be working on the option to offer a CDMA-enabled Son-of-God phone?

Third, this USA-only 2-year subsidized phone / contract-lock-in nightmare might be proving itself to be a little messed up. There needs to be some sort of “easy to switch your phone” plan. First carrier to offer that service gets me to willingly open my wallet and give you this bag of money I’d like to give you in exchange for the phone of my choice, excellent service and all of the features that phone supports.