The latest AT&T
They wind up at an AT&T store, pitching the $29 price.
"I can afford that," the jealous friend realizes -- and the commercial ends.
Can he, though? Once again, the myth of cheap smartphones is beginning to permeate the airwaves.
When Apple
Free? Well, not exactly. The $29 Impulse 4G and the "free" iPhone 3GS are tied to two-year contracts. An early termination fee of $325 -- minus $10 for every month already completed -- applies to AT&T buyers that suddenly realize that they may be in over their heads with these "cheap" devices.
It's a fair fee, since wireless carriers are subsidizing these smartphones to the tune of hundreds of dollars apiece. However, shouldn't this all be disclosed more prominently?
Between voice, data, and messaging plans, don't be surprised if these buyers wind up forking over close to $2,000 over the course of a two-year contract. AT&T and Verizon
Sprint Nextel
Smartphones have become the record clubs of the new generation. You remember those clubs where you would get a dozen CDs for a penny, but then were saddled with months of unwanted discs at list prices?
Don't get me wrong. Smartphones are great. They're not some cheesy scam. However, allowing the marketing emphasis to rest on the low entry price instead of the actual cost of ownership is as wrong as it is deceiving. My critique is genuinely free, and you won't have to put up with me for the next two years if you don't want to.
If you want to see how the smartphone war plays out, follow the relevant companies by adding Google and Apple to My Watchlist.