On Jul 22, 8:21*pm, Mark Reinhold <ma...@mbrnet.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:41:29 -0600, David Moyer <dav...@world.com>
> wrote:
>

AT&T TAKES MORE SMARTPHONE CUSTOMERS FROM VERIZON AND OTHER TELECOS

In the first twelve days of the iPhone 3G's life, AT&T has shifted
double the number of iPhones it sold in the same period last year. And
remember, this is US only, and doesn't take into account the
international sales. Some of the factors are the same. Both the
original iPhone launch and this year's 3G launch have been plagued by
shortages. There has also been a lot of free publicity in the form of
media buzz, along with the official, understated ad campaign.

MAINSTREAM IS REALLY KICKING IN

The difference is the price. Sure, we know that over the course of a
two year contract, the higher price for data will make the iPhone 3G
more expensive than the old one even at the starting price of $200.
But people only see the price tag. They pretend the ongoing fees don't
exist. Last year the early adopters were just that, geeks who were
willing to drop $600 on a cellphone, this year the mainstream is
really kicking in. Remember: All smartphones cost a lot in monthly
charges. The iPhone is now priced just like a regular phone, and will
see at least the same adoption numbers as a regular phone.

GROWING INTO CULTURAL PHENOMENON

So yes, the price is likely to be the main factor in AT&T shifting so
many units. However, like the iPod before it, the iPhone is also
growing into a cultural phenomenon, and is already selling a lot
faster than the iPod did in its early years. We wonder if the iPhone
might end up with the same market penetration as the iPod has in the
MP3 player market. That would be just crazy.

AT&T [...] Says It's Selling New iPhones Twice As Fast As Old iPhones
[Silicon Alley Insider]