[IxDA Discuss] iPhone 2.0 Game Over? I think not!

[Joe Sokohl]

No worries--and my  note wasn't a rant, of course.

My connectivity needs go beyond just 911--but you are right, sir. And  
that's actually one of the wonders of telecom now. I'm quite pleased  
with that aspect.

As a motorcyclist, though, I want to be able to call for a tow if I  
get a flat and don't want to fix it...or if I'm in a wreck that  
doesn't call for 911. Too, I want to be in touch while I ride--my wife  
would like to know I'm ok. So coverage is critical. If the company  
can't or won't build the towers to cover where I really need covering,  
then I won't choose that company. Sometimes companies try to build  
towers but meet with community resistance (for whatever real or  
imagined reason). Other times, companies simply decide that revenue in  
area A doesn't warrant investment. No worries--I understand. But I  
still need to choose coverage area as a more important reason for  
choice that device features.

The fact that VERY VERY VERY few phones in the US aren't tied to  
specific services is, well, a fact. Doesn't make it a good thing, and  
it certainly degrades user experience, but I agree with you--the US  
has simply not caught up with the rest of the world.

When we do, I will jump at an iPhone (and, no, I don't wanna hack  
one). I want one, I'd love to have one, but the ATT/Apple biz  
decisions have compelled me to avoid one for now.

joe



> Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 11:50:31
> From: dave malouf <dave at ixda.org>
> Subject: Re: [IxDA Discuss] iPhone 2.0 Game Over? I think not!
> To: discuss at ixda.org
> Message-ID: <20080503185031.C2FF0CC724 at otto.dreamhost.com>
>
> Point of clarification, Sir Joe.
> If 911 is your concern. "coverage" is irrelevant. Put the phone on
> roam and you can ALWAYS dial 911. In fact, you can take a phone out
> of service (like I just did) on any phone and it can ALWAYS dial 911.
> When you donate a phone to the police dept. They give it to homeless
> people for just this purpose.
>
> As to the rest of your rant. How do you know that Verizon didn't
> turn down Apple first?