iPhone 3G's Achilles Heel is still AT&T

@ Dipsh t Admin: Here's what you said: "while the same iCabal will liken him to being a part of the iCabal when it suits their purposes (murdocdv I'm looking at your)" It's not my purpose to include Paul in the iCabal, he's just letting the term fly anywhere and everywhere. He even, perhaps accidentally, included himself in the iCabal, that was my point. Read johnpapola post after your's that contains that quote. The inclusion of iCabal in Pauls various posts and articles just started as a non-sequitur, without any explanation. My problem with Paul inventing a term like iCabal is that it's just as childish and silly when Linux partisans use M$ or Paul gets called a Microshill. Whether you use Linux, MIcrosoft, Apple, Google, or anything else, outlandish generalizations like iCabal (sorry, there is no secret society of people acting together on Apple's behalf against Paul) only serve to divide those groups into more polarized camps, and sorry, but that's not what I am looking for, and I don't think it helps make your points better than reason.

"They want a simple to use cell phone that makes and recieves calls and can send an occasional text message. That is their opinion.. For you to brush them off as not having an opinion is conceited at the very least...another example of you feeling that you are better than those that disagree." They do have an opinion - about what kind of phone they want. (a very limited function one). That's fine. But they don't (very likely) have an opinion about what smartphone has the best UI. They don't even own a smartphone - so how would they know? In other words, they don't have an opinion on what we are talking about.

Regarding Verizon's superior network (compared to AT&T) - it's very likely that this superior network is why Verizon has felt it has the power to restrict/curtail/remove features from its phones. It's not the underdog, that's for sure. AT&T does not have the better network. They needed something that was "better" than what Verizon had. Since they couldn't offer a better network (at least not at the time, now or in the immediate future), they could offer a better smartphone with the iPhone. That required giving in to STeve's demand for near total control of the phone. Verizon really had no incentive to do this.

"We were talking about phones in general, not specifically smartphones up to that point." We were talking about a number of things, including whether the iPhone had a better user experience than Verizon's locked-down offerings. When comparing things, you are obviously comparing things that are alike. What sense would it make to say that one white wine is better than some other red wine? You would need to compare two whites or two reds, really two of the same grape variety, to say which was better. You're taking about a completely different product - a phone that's just a phone. What sense does it make to compare the iPhone to that? That's not a product category apple is even in. It's a fine product to buy. It's just a completely different product than the iPhone or its competition.

pthurrott said: "I'm more concerned with your equally unfair characterization of my relationship with Apple products. I use the iPhone, despite the crappiness of AT&T. I have several iPhones, which I use over the Zune, and happily. I have an Apple TV. I use a Macbook every single day. I'm not anti-Apple. In fact, most of my Apple product reviews are 4/5 and 5/5 stars. What you're saying is provably false. What I *don't* like about Apple are the tunnel-visioned Apple". fanatics, what I cal the iCabal: these people can't stand *any* criticism of Apple, even when its deserved. I refuse to be that partisan, sorry. I call it like I see it. Paul, you can spin this anyway you choose to. I will continue to call out "shenanigans" every time I see them. Your continued assertions that you are a "fair observer" of Apple's products. Your site is dedicated to Windows and its ancillary products, ergo your view is already suspect from the beginning. You don't like the Wii? Fine, everyone has different tastes, and I won't try to convince you otherwise. However, since you are so big on market share, spin your way out of 2-1 sales over the PS3 while kicking the crap out of the (now) far distant 3rd now that is the X-box. Oh thats right market share measures are only important for stuff that you like and when it works in your favor. Next: "Apple has shown the way, which Paul being Paul we know what exactly he is waiting for: Someone ("cough", "cough" Microsoft, "cough", "cough" "Anyone but Apple" "cough") to come along and provide him the "iPhone Killer" or iPhone experience itself he wants, sans the Apple logo." I still maintain this is your position. You'll never admit it, but as soon as one comes out on Verizon... Enough said. Next: Apple has its faults, but isn't even in the same league as MS or Verizon for being scumbags. People love to throw out "Apple is every bit a monopoly as MS" BS. Apple has always tried to make cool, innovative products. They realized that long ago when Steve came back to the company. Take care of that first, and the rest will follow. They don't do this for altruistic reason, they are every bit a business as any others. However this is a fundamentally different approach then most other companies. You can argue the semantics of this till the end of time. This is in direct opposition to being a predatory, abusive monopoly, that has lied, cheated and stolen to get to the top. Released vaporware after vaoprware and cast a spell on the Windowscentric press that makes the RDF look like a mere blip on the radar. Sad state of affairs when people feel that MS should be applauded as and example of great business acumen (as I often hear) when they are nothing innovatibe merely "Me too". Apple deserves to be called out when warranted, but not being on Verizon's network??? Talk to Verizon on that one. Lastly: Your assertions that the "iCabal" (whatever that is), is out there waiting for you or anything anti-Windows/ pro-Apple is nothing short of paranoid, better tighten the band on the tin foil hat and start watching for the black helicopters... they should be along any minute.

Your assertions land you in the realm of troll or fanboy (you choose) when you use "toyPhone".

Amos- Thanks best laugh I had all day. Continue to prove me right. The "quality" of my previous post? Stop your killing me here, Almost spit my soda all over my screen I laughed so hard.