06-27-2007, 03:51 PM
I'd like to answer the question of "how did Dear Leader get sucked into this exclusivity deal" with AT&T.
There was nothing "sucker" about it. AT&T agreed to do the following things:
1. Co-develop the "visual voicemail" technology and other aspects of the interface
2. Upgrade their entire network (in stages, both voice and data, no it's not all done -- in fact they've barely begun)
3. Create a special plan that a) is reasonably priced, b) includes AYCE data and c) integrates with iTunes
And this is just the parts we know about. OF COURSE they get an exclusive deal for five years. The above list represents a MULTI-BILLION $$ INVESTMENT. Hello.
Does anybody here actually think that if Apple had signed an agreement with, instead, let's say Verizon, that we wouldn't be flooded with people saying "forcing me to use Verizon is a dealbreaker. THEY SUX0R!!" ad nauseum. Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?
Spare me.
There was nothing "sucker" about it. AT&T agreed to do the following things:
1. Co-develop the "visual voicemail" technology and other aspects of the interface
2. Upgrade their entire network (in stages, both voice and data, no it's not all done -- in fact they've barely begun)
3. Create a special plan that a) is reasonably priced, b) includes AYCE data and c) integrates with iTunes
And this is just the parts we know about. OF COURSE they get an exclusive deal for five years. The above list represents a MULTI-BILLION $$ INVESTMENT. Hello.
Does anybody here actually think that if Apple had signed an agreement with, instead, let's say Verizon, that we wouldn't be flooded with people saying "forcing me to use Verizon is a dealbreaker. THEY SUX0R!!" ad nauseum. Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?
Spare me.