Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Temptation



Once in awhile, a technology device is unleashed on the public where it is received with a collective "Holy *&^% !!". I can think of the iPod Touch, the HDTV LCD, and the Aluminum iMac. Of course, with these three things, temptation was too great and I ended up buying one of each, leaving me to stammer out a lame justification to the wife:

HDTV: "Well dear, HDTV has 16 times the definition of standard TV. So when the kids watch educational programs, they will learn 16 times as much!"

iPod Touch: "Um, well sweetie, this new iPod can receive email when in a Wi-Fi hotspot. So its as if I'm closer to you when I'm away."

iMac: "I bought an iMac. You don't like it. TOUGH! Now get me a beer!"

(Note: one of the three above is based purely on fantasy, I'll leave it for the reader's dissemination)

The latest device is the iPhone. Once it was launched, it was met a Canadian outcry not seen since the "Hockey Night In Canada" theme was dropped by the CBC. There are petitions, protest sites, media stories, and reports of public uncontrollable weeping.

So, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I visited the Rogers' website and proceeded to order an iPhone, going as far as I could without actually clicking the "Purchase" button.
I began with selecting the 16GB iPhone then proceeded on to the voice and data plans, the source of the public's wailing and gnashing of teeth. I scanned the list of voice plans and took the cheapest: $35. The data plan was a no-brainer at $30 for 6GB (which is basically unlimited). This brought my monthly bill to $65. Now I click "next". I now see a "Value Pack", which I skip through, as I want the cheapest possible plan.

After the system access and 911 fees, I end up with a before tax rate of $72.45 per month.

Now I realize that the iPhone is the current reigning "it" device, the ultimate piece of consumer electronics technology. The features and daily uses of the thing are mind boggling. It is the coolest of the cool. But I have to collect my thoughts, wipe the drool from my chin, and decide is it worth it?

It is not cheap. Then again, it is not completely out of reach.

Decisions, decisions.....

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