iPhone 3G - The Bad!

The much awaited iPhone finally arrives in India.

Haha. But the prices dashed it all. Prices in the US, for an 8GB iPhone are around $199. Add to that 3G subscription charges of $10 per month for a 2 year period. It comes to $439. Add to that subscription to MobileMe for $99 a year (This is optional). The total comes to $637. And given the fact that iPhone 2Gs are available in the market for around 20,000 Rupees, I was expecting the iPhone to be priced at around the 25,000 Rupees mark.

But the handset prices in India are Rs. 31000 and Rs. 36100 for 8GB and the 16GB models. And that is not the most surprising part. Airtel and Vodafone have formed a cartel to dupe users collectively. Both their prices are exactly the same. I wonder if that qualifies for some legal action under trade restrictive practices.

For the price, iPhone 3G in India just does not make sense. At a price tag like this its drawbacks become that much more glaring.

• The iPhone 3G has a plastic back – Unlike the sleek brushed aluminium back on the 2G – I am guessing it would be prone to smudges and scratches
  
• The back is rounded so you can’t keep it on a table and use it – It keeps rocking
  
• No multimedia messaging – You have to purchase 3G services and send emails instead
  
• No video recording
  
• 2 MP camera without a flash
  
• No landscape keyboard
  
• No voice dialing
  

So is there an alternative? Yes. For all those Nokia lovers out there, Nokia is coming out with a full touchscreen model. If the price is right, it would be the best iPhone killer on the market. And it should be out by the year end. Look out for it.

Here is some more info on the Nokia 5800. Check it out. I think it would be worth the wait.

Link: http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=X7swGAs6Ad8

Link: http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2008/04/21/new-nokia-5800-tube-xpressmedia-hands-on-video-review-specifications/

Link: http://technokia.com/nokia-tube-5800-specifications/11/04/2008/

Our very own Mt.Rushmore?

I clicked this very interesting cliff at Matheran. You can distinctly make out the jawline, nose, eyebrows, eyes, lips, mustache etc. Any suggestions on who this can be?

Bread will come from Infrastructure!

In one of my earlier posts (Inflating Inflation in India) I had said that the inflation rate in India was more than what it should be. And this was primarily because infrastructure was woefully inadequate in the country. A low-inflation high-growth scenario is only possible if there is an underlying infrastructure to support real economic growth.

I am happy that Laloo Prasad Yadav also thinks the same. Amusing, though he may sound, his grasp of economics is firm. “Roti – Infrastructure se ayega” (Bread will come from Infrastructure – I am not sure how the translation sounds!). Nevertheless his point is valid and well accepted. And I am glad that he is in the Parliament! I would like to see him as a Prime Minister someday. Maybe he could turn this country around like he did with the Railways!

This is the link to the video on YouTube. It’s a must watch. The part where Laloo brings out the infrastructure issue, is about 4:45 minutes into the video. Enjoy.

Link: http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=VTh2dVarKd4&feature=related