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Apple of the eye?
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The Apple iPhone is the year’s hottest buy, but is it worth the trouble?
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Photo: Reuters
MOBILE MANIA The iPhone has become a rage
It can go from iPhone to iBrick in the blink of an eye. Yet, it’s this year’s hottest item. Macintosh products, created by Apple Inc., did have a fiercely loyal, if relatively niche, following. However, after the iPod and its successful h
alo effect, which boosted sales across the world, the company began to be seen as hip, individual and distinctive.
Unfortunately, the iPhone has been locked into a two-year service agreement with service provider AT&T in America. Which means Indian users will have to wait at least another year for their iPhones, in theory. In reality, you’ve probably already seen a number of smug iPhone owners. It currently costs about Rs. 2,000 to get an iPhone unlocked. “But you can do it yourself,” says Vishal, who just unlocked his friend’s newly-imported phone, “You just need to do some research on the Net. Then, all you need is a wifi connection…”
The phone made its furtive debut in India only in September as it took two to three months to unlock. Dealers, however, have been flooded with queries ever since it was announced. In fact, a single dealer says he’s already sold a whopping 60 phones, despite the lack of any warranty. The iPhone was initially selling for Rs, 45,000 in India, even though its actual price is only about $399 (around Rs. 15,600). It’s currently selling at around Rs. 25,000, and prices are expected to fall further.
Sales show no sign of slowing down. Jayan Mamman, who bought his phone from New York’s Apple store says he was asked to buy it on his credit card so the company could ensure no user buys more than two phones in their lifetime, to prevent reselling. Jayan has experienced only one instance of his unlocked phone hanging so far. “
According to the Mac Forums, the iPhone will be out in India by March.
SHONALI MUTHALALY
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Puducherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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