Hackers tune in to 3G as UAE awaits tech marvel

[Magnus]

David Light writes an article in Khaleej Times on the iPhone 3G. He talks to a few people in Dubai about the new iPhone.

Zunair Akbar, a student, said: “I think it is a complicated issue and that is why it is not coming here. Really I am not waiting with much anticipation for the new iPhone because there is still a lot of improvement that needs to be done.“The camera is bad and emails are just as easy to send from a Blackberry, I also think it’s too big.”

Sure, the camera is not the greatest and it can't record video, and Blackberry might be better on email in some ways, but "it's too big"?

Avinash Dhar said: “I’m going to pick mine up when go for a trip back to India. I didn’t bother with the old one because I was wary about getting it on the grey market here.

So Avinash will unlock it when he gets back to Dubai, then? Or pay high roaming charges after the trip?

Maria said: “I really like the new iPhone and think it is fairly priced which is nice. It will cost a lot more here because sellers will charge what they want.
“It would be nice to see emails on my phone and it’s a shame it is not on sale officially here at a set price.” What makes the iPhone 3G special is an increase in features including the ability to make video calls, better web surfing facilities and a new GPS system to name but a few.

I think David is confused, there is no function for video calls on iPhone 3G.

The new iPhone which is retailing for less than half price of the original in parts of the world where there is a distribution agreement will have a substantial mark up if sold by traders in the Emirates. According to arabianbusiness.com, sellers in the UAE will place almost a 200 per cent increase in price from the set $199. This will inflate the price to that of the original iPhone when it was released last year for around $599 thus cancelling any saving for* those who waited for the updated version.

Perhaps not confusion but at least an omission, the $199 price is with a contract. If you want one SIM-unlocked and without contract the iPhone 3G is more than double that price.

In France iPhones are sold unlocked as a result of their strict anti-competition laws so why not here?

Indeed, Apple and TRA, why not?

[medopal]

yesterday i went out to ask about the old iPhone for a friend, the device that used to be sold at 1800 Dhs for 8GBs, is now being sold for 2500 Dhs. i was really surprised with the new price, and asked one of the sellers y is that, he replied "there is a lot of demand with very few devices" it will sure raise!!

hope the 3G comes soon, BTW, on souq.com u can find many 3G's there!!!!

[fangpyre]

I think people need to compare it to other phones like the Nokia N95, N90 or the sort.
I tried sending / replying to email and it was faster (overall) than the N90 even though typing was faster on the Nokia, I had my mail out faster.

No phone can compete with the bundle that comes with the Blackberry.

I like the way iPhone handles emails, but it requires a data plan or wifi.
I hope the new one can download headers.
But the problem is the phone was designed with a service plan in mind.

[sMACked]

i just wish that darn thing is here as soon a possible....