Sprenzy Shopping Blog: Category Cellular Phones

iPhone Price Cut, $100 Apple Store Credit and AMEX Credit

Chuck — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:58:00 -0400

Yesterday, Steve Jobs announced that Apple was cutting the price of the 8 GB iPhone to $399 from $599. I was shocked at the 33% price cut, less than 10 weeks after its initial launch. Even though I was surprised by the price reduction, I wasn’t mad at Apple and just wrote it off as the penalty for being an early adopter of tech gadgets.

It turns out that a lot of early adopters were extremely upset and flooded Apple with complaints via email and on the Apple iPhone forum. In another surprising move and in response to the customer backlash, Jobs wrote an open letter to iPhone purchasers offering a $100 store credit…

“Third, even though we are making the right decision to lower the price of iPhone, and even though the technology road is bumpy, we need to do a better job taking care of our early iPhone customers as we aggressively go after new ones with a lower price. Our early customers trusted us, and we must live up to that trust with our actions in moments like these.

Therefore, we have decided to offer every iPhone customer who purchased an iPhone from either Apple or AT&T, and who is not receiving a rebate or any other consideration, a $100 store credit towards the purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store. Details are still being worked out and will be posted on Apple’s website next week. Stay tuned.

We want to do the right thing for our valued iPhone customers. We apologize for disappointing some of you, and we are doing our best to live up to your high expectations of Apple.”

I’m surprised that the Apple marketing machine didn’t anticipate the negative customer reaction to the $200 price cut. But, I applaud Apple for listening to customer complaints and offering a $100 store credit, which is fair mea culpa. I can’t recall any other company who offered a credit to early adopters after a product price drop.

If the store credit isn’t enough for you and you purchased your iPhone using an American Express card, you have another option to recoup your $200. Call the AMEX Return Protection Program at (800) 297-8019 and ask to file a claim. Although AMEX’s price protection program expired October 2006, they are making an exception for the iPhone and will price protect it. There’s one caveat, AMEX is not guaranteeing they will accept your claim. However, if you are a customer in good standing, they will most likely credit your account $200 plus tax. Depending on the authority level of the AMEX rep you speak to, you may be able to get credit within 24 - 48 hours, otherwise you’ll have to wait 2 weeks for the claim review.

I have filed my claim with AMEX already and anticipate getting a $200 credit on my next bill. Coupled with a $100 Apple store credit, I’m a very happy iPhone owner, whose iPhone net price will be $300, not bad for being an early adopter?!?

iPhone - A Simply Amazing User Interface

Chuck — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:26:00 -0400

iPhone… Overhyped? Overpriced? Poor business phone? Bad network? Maybe. Is it the ultimate all-in-one converged device? I think it’s the best one available right now. Say what you want about the iPhone, just make sure you test one out to really appreciate its simple, elegant and absolutely amazing user interface (UI).

I have owned a Windows Mobile 5.0, a Pocket PC and a Palm device and it always took me a few days to completely figure out how to use the phone and operating system. The iPhone’s UI is so well designed, it only took me a few minutes to understand it. There’s truly no need for a user’s manual.

I can’t say enough about the iPhone’s interaction design and functionality integration (between the phone, iPod, Internet, etc.). Using your fingers to scroll, zoom and navigate is pure joy and puts a smile on my face each time I use the iPhone.

Here’s a review roundup:

Apple’s iPhone: an initial (but in-depth) review from AppleInsider
Apple iPhone review by PC Magazine
Review: Apple IPhone Rocks, Rolls, and Doesn’t Disappoint by Wired
iPhone Review at Engadget

I love my new iPhone, but it’s not without flaws, which are highlighted in most reviews. Despite these flaws, it’s still hands down the best and most entertaining phone I’ve ever owned. The beauty of the iPhone is that its deficiencies can be fixed through software updates. The only thing that can’t be fixed with the iPhone is 3G data connectivity.

I didn’t plan on buying an iPhone and was going to wait for the 2nd Gen phone. But after reviewing my Verizon bill, the $50 a month I pay for unlimited data and 250 text messages is a complete ripoff. So on Saturday morning, I went down to the Apple store in San Francisco and picked up an 8 GB iPhone. I’ll be saving $40 a month by switching to an AT&T plan, which means I’ll break even in 15 months compared to sticking with Verizon’s overpriced data plan.

Sorry Verizon and Motorola Q, it was fun, but there’s a better and cooler gadget that you can’t come close to competing with… Hello iPhone!

Samsung BlackJack - Free After Rebate

Chuck — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 02:16:00 -0500

Looking for a thin, stylish smartphone? Well, Amazon.com is offering the Samsung SGH-i607 BlackJack for free after a $75 rebate. The offer is good for new customers purchasing a 2 year service plan. The BlackJack is a super slim, feature rich smartphone that competes in the same category as the Motorola Q. The key differentiator of the BlackJack is its multimedia capabilities.

PC World reviewed the BlackJack and noted…

“The new Samsung BlackJack i607 from Cingular is the spitting image of the black Motorola Q. While the two PDA/phones look alike, the BlackJack features a lighter, narrower design and more-robust multimedia capabilities (such as streaming music and video). Overall, the BlackJack plays a good game, but it could use a performance boost and a few design tweaks.

The BlackJack’s major selling points include multimedia features that other PDA/phones in this class lack. Unlike the Verizon Wireless-based Q, for example, Cingular’s BlackJack streams XM radio (for $9 a month), as well as video content from CNN, HBO, and more (fees vary). One disappointment, though: Cingular doesn’t offer an over-the-air music download service. You can transfer songs from your PC, and then store them in the BlackJack’s meager 64MB of RAM. You’re better off buying a MicroSD card for music, video, photo, and other file storage.”

Additionally, Mypocketpcmobile.com has a detailed review of the Blackjack that compares it to the Motorola Q, T-Mobile Dash and the HP iPAQ hw6915. They conclude…

“The Samsung Blackjack is a slim, compact and stylish smartphone. It is a very good choice for those who want a mobile device powered with Windows Mobile 5.0 that has a design similar to the normal cell phones. It has 3G support and the user can experience the great advantages offered by Cingular’s 3G services like Cingular Video and Cingular music. The battery life can last for 5.5 hours talk time and 11 days standby. The price of $200 is very attractive.

On the negative side the Cingular Samsung Blackjack has not built-in Wi-Fi; the screen is small (2.2 inches), the expansion slot is a MicroSD, and the camera is only 1.3 mega pixels.

From the 4 devices we have seen in this review the Samsung has the smallest and lightest structure. The Motorola MotoQ has the most attractive design, the T-Mobile Dash has a built-in Wi-Fi but no 3G and the HP iPAQ hw6915 has a much more bulky design but with a complete set of connectivity options including a built in GPS receiver. The choice is up to the user”

And if you need a third opinion with more phone comparisons, check out MobileTechReview.com’s BlackJack review.

It’s unfortunate all these super slim PDA/phones are offered exclusively by only one carrier. I would prefer buying unlocked phones at reasonable prices and then using it on the carrier of my choice. It’s a shame that I have to switch carriers to be able to use the Samsung BlackJack or the Apple iPhone. Unfortunately, that’s the ~~business model~~ game the cell phone providers want to play to lock subscribers into long term contracts.

Enough of my mini-rant on cell phone providers. If you’re interested in the free Samsung BlackJack, make sure to read the fine print (2 year contract and Conditional $250 Equipment Discount). The $250 conditional discount basically states that Amazon has the right to charge you $250 if you don’t keep your Cingular account in good standing or terminate your service before a 181 day period. Don’t worry, I’ve bought multiple cell phones from Amazon without any issues.

Personally, I’m still happy with my MotoQ. I would have no complaints if the iPhone wasn’t just announced. It’s funny how such a cool, hip phone by Motorola can become instantly passé. Thanks a lot, Apple!

iPhone - Gadget Holy Grail?

Chuck — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 02:05:00 -0500

After watching Steve Jobs’ Macworld keynote address and introduction of the iPhone, all I can say is… wow, brilliant, amazing, spectacular, fantabulous… there aren’t enough superlatives that I can give the iPhone. The user interface and design are simply beautiful, intuitive and elegant. The iPhone consists of three devices rolled into one.

A widescreen iPod with touch controls
A “smart” phone
A mobile Internet device

If Apple released these products individually, each device would be revolutionary. Words cannot describe how cool and mind blowing the iPhone is. To truly appreciate this gadget, you’ll have to watch the 2007 Macworld keynote address. If you can’t watch it all, skip to 01:23:20 in the keynote address or 00:57:00 in the iPhone introduction video to see Steve Jobs demonstrate a real world example of iPhone use… music, phone call, photo, email, web browsing, end call, automatically back to music… wow!

Unfortunately, the iPhone won’t be available until June 2007. Pricing is $499 for a 4 GB model and $599 for an 8GB model. Both require a two year contract with Cingular, the exclusive iPhone wireless carrier.

I’ve had a bad experience with Cingular in the past but I’m completely ready to drop Verizon and my Motorola Q come June. As you can tell, I’m super excited about the iPhone but I’m just as psyched for future Apple products using multi-touch technology.

Is the iPhone the holy grail of gadgets? I don’t know, but it comes pretty darn close. Maybe Apple can add 3G, wireless iTunes synching, GPS, over-the-air HDTV antenna, a heart rate monitor…

To get a complete overview and specs of the phone, go to Apple iPhone.

Update 01.17.2007: Added an entertaining video from Dave Pogue of the New York Times.