Posted by carkitter
iPad coming to NZ in July according to an Apple press release.
Details on pricing and plans yet to be announced.
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
You getting one carkitter?
Man the prices at Expert Infotech fall like crazy! X10 was $924 a few days back, now its $885. Nearly a $40 drop. In a few weeks anybody will be able to afford one!
Posted by carkitter
I did see the X10 for $895 before the price changed to $924. Odd that.
As for the iPad - I have no use for one at present. I think the 3 main target groups are:
1) Children - books, movies, games, internet and no need to navigate Windows or OSX has got to be a big plus for parents.
2) Seniors - for the same reasons as above but add Photo Album, Facebook and TradeMe to the list.
3) Business travellers - the sort of people who already are interested in eReaders and can easily afford the device plus a data plan.
If all goes to plan an I am employed in the IT industry before Xmas, then an iPad would make a great present for the kids, especially as the ex has just bought a Mac.
I'm quite intrigued by the rumoured HP tablet running WebOS. I'm quite partial to the WebOS UI and would love to try out a Palm Pre or the afore-mentioned tablet. As always the available content will decide which device is best and I think Apple might have this sewn up.
Posted by carkitter
Wow! Some crazy SE pricing on the Vodafone site at present.
Posted by chunkybeats
Thanks guys with the advice, but my W995a doesnt like my O2 uk sim card. It does work on my old W810i but on my w995a it shows it as a inactive sim. A bit strange, I dont think it supports GSM sim cards while roaming in NZ. Im only worried about my old uk sim card because it still has credit on it from 2 years ago and I was using my old w810i to check, but my other half has my w810i so I dont really want to bother her much!!! Maybe i will just save for an x10 and sell my w995a
.
As for the ipad discussion, I already saw a guy in a pub on Friday night with one (yes in a pub!, get a life!) and it made him look ridiculous really! He was struggling to hold it in a busy pub and having to hold the beast. A stupid device to be honest and really anything from Apple is stupid. Although I still have my old ipod video but its due to die any day now so need to think of a replacement!!! (Hopefully the X10
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
On 2010-05-09 14:49:09, carkitter wrote:
Wow! Some crazy SE pricing on the Vodafone site at present.
Good prices! I saw the $29 and was ready to click on it! Then I realised...
Still, they are good, especially Naite, but I feel that in today's market, Naite is just a bit boring.
Posted by carkitter
@M-O
I think the styling kinda 'peaked' with the V640i as far as the 2MP/3G range goes. Still the features hidden away inside are pretty good for $147
@chunkybeats
If you get an X10 wouldn't you upgrade the Mrs to the W995a and retire the W810?
I always thought the W810 was outdated even when it was new, with the saving grace being that A/F camera.
SE was already making 3G phones by that stage and A2DP came along not much later.
In fact, few ladies would turn down an iPhone in my experience... the spec list doesn't bother them, they just like the excellent screen and the simplicity.
Best replacement for an iPod is another iPod I think, probably a 64GB iPod Touch to take advantage of the apps and games.
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
On 2010-05-11 02:03:22, carkitter wrote:
@M-O
I think the styling kinda 'peaked' with the V640i as far as the 2MP/3G range goes. Still the features hidden away inside are pretty good for $147
I agree. Definitely a great phone for the money, but style-wise there are many other phones that are going to attract people's attention first for sure.
Best replacement for an iPod is another iPod I think, probably a 64GB iPod Touch to take advantage of the apps and games.
Completely agree here. Wouldn't plant my money on an iPod Classic these days... They must be about ready to be retired from Apple's line up. iPod Touch memory sizes are just going up and up too, 64GB would keep me sorted easily until I next upgraded. Very very happy with my X1000 Walkman though, but wouldn't recommend it to anyone simply because of the cost!
Posted by carkitter
Rumour on TUAW about MobileMe becoming free in the near future (currently US$99 per annum). This supposedly the reason that Apple is building a $1bn data centre in the US at the moment. I've always wanted to subscribe to MobileMe but could never justify the expense. I'll definitely sign up as soon as it's free.
Posted by carkitter
X10 officially announced (in NZ)
$1399, available in June.
Yes you read that right. I'm apoplectic with rage. I went postal on SENZ here and here.
[ This Message was edited by: carkitter on 2010-05-13 01:19 ]
Posted by carkitter
I've received word the price will be not be $1399 nor has it been announced, officially.
[ This Message was edited by: carkitter on 2010-05-13 05:48 ]
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
I can't read the NZ Business Review one because it's subscriber only, but if that price turns out to be correct, SE may as well start making iPhone apps. Absolutely ridiculous pricing. I know I'll be getting mine from Expert Infotech as soon as the price drops below $800!
Posted by carkitter
Vodafone officially launches X10i.
$1099 RRP
Black only
Available on Smart plans including data but subsidies not as good as the iPhone.
First 300 orders get a free PSP!
Delivery from May 17.
Good to see Vodafone bring out a great deal for this phone. No word from Telecom yet.
NBR have gone silent on the X10, I wonder what happened yesterday. Chris Keall got the info straight from SE's head office so it's hard to understand how the wrong price came out. Maybe he was given the OTT Sony Style price by mistake. Vodafone have done a good job in damage control over this.
[ This Message was edited by: carkitter on 2010-05-14 03:27 ]
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
Meanwhile... Another $10 drops off the X10 price at Expert Infotech... Keep going!
Posted by norman1nz
"I saw the $29 and was ready to click on it"
At $149 i clicked it - i think its perfect for money as backup phone..
The only thing I dont like about my c901 is battery life (I suspect it may have been demo and not charged properly when I bought it cos I can't get more than 2 days standby) - so this supposed 10 days standby is enough to make me say ohhhyeah - clearance so gona buy tomorrow...
Is these online only or first mobile etc?
Posted by carkitter
Not sure but don't be fooled by JB Hifi's $147 Naite on a 24 month plan deal.
Posted by norman1nz
Rat shit i ordered it and paid online on evening of 18th.. But they ring today saying they screwed up and have none left in stock so have to refund my money..
They won't do any other phones at similar price and say they can't get stock from other non-online stores...
Sooo gutted
Posted by carkitter
Sorry to hear that. Even EI has nothing at that price.
Posted by norman1nz
yeap guttd cos i really wanted this one too..
Are there any other SE's that are this small, light, cheap?
Don't nd any fancy features cept conversations (so released within last ~18 months)
Posted by carkitter
Let's see... into the pot goes a mixture of low price, SE only, sourced from EI, and a dollup of Conversations, simmer for an hour and the result is...
C510 - on special now for $239
[ This Message was edited by: carkitter on 2010-05-21 02:12 ]
Posted by norman1nz
Well its not been good week for me with timing.. I went to EI and ended up buyin the Naite cos little cheaper, lighter, better batt life and same batt as my c901, and didn't like the feel so much of c510, but they didnt have in stock so gota wait til next week..
Got vodafone Sim and credit and went to load talk 200mins for $12 add-in but they've pulled the pin on it 2 days ago!!
Im sure they were advertising this on TV only a couple of weeks ago - dont see how they could take it away so quick.. Seems pretty dodge..
Though apparently if you've bought it before you can continue to use until august urg
Posted by carkitter
That add-on got Voda in a lot of hot water with the Commerce Commission (ComCom). It's all to do with Mobile Termination Rates (MTR's):
When a Telecom customer makes a call, they pay Telecom for the cost of that call. If that call is made from a Telecom customer to a Vodafone customer, then half the call uses Telecom's network, and half the call uses Vodafone's network. Therefore Vodafone says "We want to charge Telecom a fee for terminating that call on our network." That fee is the MTR and all companies charge each other for terminating calls and txts.
So then -
1) It's cheaper for each network if the call (or txt) starts and terminates on the same network. This is called On-Net.
2) 2 Degrees has to pay a lot of money to Vodafone and Telecom because they have so many customers. This makes MTR a barrier to new networks like 2 Degrees starting up in NZ and increasing competition.
Increasing competition is where the ComCom comes in. The ComCom wants Telecom and Vodafone to reduce MTR's from 15c to 3.8c per call and from 10c to 1/2c per txt immediately but the networks have offered a reduction to 6c per call by 2014 and if txt numbers remain roughly comparable then the networks will accept zero MTR for txt. The ComCom did an investigation into MTR's and recommended the Govt go with the networks model - for now. But then Vodafone released the new On-Net Talk add-on which 2 Degrees and the ComCom saw as anti-competitive and so the ComCom changed its mind and told the Govt to regulate MTR's. Vodafone tried to plead it's case, but has decided to withdraw the Talk add-on and replace it with Simply Prepay.
So Vodafone get criticised by 2 Degrees for creating the add-on, then get criticised by 2 Degrees for withdrawing it. Go figure.
MTR's are wholesale rates and within the scope of the ComCom. Add-ons are retail pricing to customers and are not supposed to be part of the ComCom's field of view and therefore this opinion they expressed to the Govt is quite controversial.
One more thing:
Vodafone has a deal with 2 Degrees allowing 2 Degrees customers to roam on the Vodafone network where 2 Degrees own reception doesn't reach - outside of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. As such, Vodafone has done a special MTR deal for 2 Degrees which is less than 1/2 of what Telecom and Black & White have to pay Vodafone in MTR fees, and yet they (2 Degrees) still complain that MTR's should be reduced to zero in their opinion (zero MTR's are called 'Bill and Keep' and are not popular overseas as they usually lead to having to pay to receive a call or txt).
[ This Message was edited by: carkitter on 2010-05-23 12:49 ]
Posted by citysoldier
Im so tempted to get the Xperia X10 Mini Pro. That battery is shit though. Its also not getting updated till later. Have not found a phone I want to upgrade from my K750 yet. This might be it but well see. Hopefully its not too expensive
Posted by carkitter
On 2010-05-24 08:37:25, citysoldier wrote:
Im so tempted to get the Xperia X10 Mini Pro. That battery is shit though. Its also not getting updated till later. Have not found a phone I want to upgrade from my K750 yet. This might be it but well see. Hopefully its not too expensive
Welcome back!
I have to ask... How do you know what the battery is like on a phone that's not released?
Posted by citysoldier
Obviously I dont know. But from specs it is very limited in talk time. If you use it a lot for anything Im sure it will drain quick. Theres is the task manager to kill applications and stuff which supposably will help but yes will need to wait and see. Atleast the battery is removable
Posted by carkitter
2 Degrees has reduced its data charges from 50c per MB to $6 per 50MB with no limit on how many $6 blocks you can buy. This is a precursor to On Account deals and the release of their 3G network. 2D says it's staff are all connected to the 3G network already and it's nearly ready for public release. 2D have also said iPhone owners should wait for 2d's talk/txt/data plans before resigning with Vodafone for the iPhone 4G - plan prices may drop as much as 20%...
I've been thinking about Telecom's position today and I think it could be quite precarious.
Suppose:
1) Apple releases a CDMA iPhone for Verizon Wireless and/or Sprint Nextel in the US. That would mean Telecom have 2 iPhone compatible networks and no iPhone.
2) 2 Degrees gets an iPhone supply contract. Telecom will look like morons.
3) Apple releases an iPhone with 900MHz/2100MHz 3G as well as the current 850MHz/2100MHz 3G iPhone. Vodafone and 2D will supply the 900MHz version and Telecom will lose its ability to tempt iPhone customers across from rival networks.
If these things happened, Telecom would be the laughing stock of NZ Telecommunications and it would be hard to recover any credibility among high-end and business customers. Telecom needs to get an iPhone supply agreement now.
Apparently the NZ smartphone market is completely owned by Apple with daylight in second place. In fact most of the mid to high-end feature phone market has defected to Apple too. Figures I saw last year put Apple as the fourth highest selling manufacturer in the entire NZ cellphone market.
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
I would say Apple is probably higher than 4th now too. It's ridiculous how many iPhones I am seeing around these days. I remember being amazed when I saw a rich guy pull up in his Merc holding an iPhone to his ear, now 1 in 3 people I know seem to have one!
Posted by carkitter
Just in case you were wondering which mobile plan(s) in NZ were the best, I can tell you it's the Vodafone iPhone plans, closely followed by the Vodafone Smart plans.
Why? Because they are the only plans I am aware of that get improved during the 24 month term and the improvements apply to existing customers. Usually one finds a better plan comes along later but your stuck with what you signed up to, but not here.
What has prompted this? Increased competition.
When XT made a play for Vodafone's iPhone customers, Vodafone added 3GB extra per month free for a year.
Now 2 Degrees is hinting at competing for iPhone customers, Vodafone has added more minutes an txts for no extra cost. My iPhone 40 plan just went from 20 mins to 30, and txts jumped from 100 to 300 any network.
This is why iPhone rules in NZ.
Posted by yea g
Well I'm now on 2Degrees! yay! now I can actually afford to use a small amount of data per month. The new 2degrees data plans have tempted over people I know with iPhone 2g's (yes, people still have them) so yea, and its cheaper as I send nowhere near enough txts to get the value from txt2000.
I should really read this forum more often, but I dont really find Sony Ericsson's devices all that interesting anymore (especially since I can never afford them
)
Posted by carkitter
but I dont really find Sony Ericsson's devices all that interesting anymore (especially since I can never afford them
I know how you feel. Apple has completely monopolised mindshare since the iPhone 3G and Android as an OS is competing well but
is not. Being 3 OS versions behind is not helping the X10 at all.
Vodafone said they would have 21Mbps 3G in October 2009.
In October 2009 they did demonstrate the technology working at 19Mbps for journalists at a press conference, then said they were starting field trials using 100 lucky customers.
Still no sign of 21Mbps.
Since 2 Degrees seem to be waiting for the 4th Generation iPhone announcement to release their 3G network and Telecom are quietly waiting to re-release XT with a 21Mbps upgrade that was due last Xmas, something fairly exciting could be coming from Vodafone to try an retain all those high spending iPhone customers.
It's been hinted to me that a multi-SIM data plan is coming soon which would be great for Vodem+iPhone+iPad use and for including WAGS (wives and girlfriends). How many more iPhones could Vodafone sell if couples could share data plans?
It's looks like the stakes are being raised and it will be interesting to see who jumps first with their 3G data announcement. Whoever goes first may have to revise their offer as Vodafone is very aggressive at holding onto iPhone customers. When XT offered a $600 credit to iPhone owners who buy their way out of Vodafone plans, Vodafone came back with a year of 3GB data and 1000 Pxts free per month. When 2D said recently that they could lower Vodafone customers costs buy 20% Vodafone added 50% more minutes and 200% more txts to some plans (including mine).
There is a big game of brinksmanship going on...
Posted by carkitter
Expert Infotech now has:
X10 Mini Black, White $579
Vivaz Pro Black, White $699
Hazel Black, Red $403
X10 reduced to $862
Vivaz reduced to $635
Satio reduced to $715
Aino reduced to $590
C905 reduced to $395
Bargain of the moment would have to be C903 in White, 5.0Mp A/F camera, aGPs, HSPA $273
Posted by carkitter
No-one seems to know when the iPhone 4 will be released here with some media claiming July and some speculating about September. Either way Vodafone are saying very little at present.
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
On 2010-06-07 13:40:05, carkitter wrote:
Expert Infotech now has:
X10 Mini Black, White $579
Vivaz Pro Black, White $699
Hazel Black, Red $403
X10 reduced to $862
Vivaz reduced to $635
Satio reduced to $715
Aino reduced to $590
C905 reduced to $395
Bargain of the moment would have to be C903 in White, 5.0Mp A/F camera, aGPs, HSPA $273
They're all bargains in my opinion! Still tempted by the X10 but I'd probably have to get an overdraft to get one so it's not really happening just yet. I also think I'll wait and see what Shakira and other forthcoming SE phones turn out like first, as I know they'll be cheaper and they might even have a later Android version.
On the new iPhone, I'm surprised Vodafone isn't advertising as much as possible with it. It is their main selling point. Possibly they haven't announced anything because they are trying to sort a deal still. iPhone 4 certainly looks nice but I think I'm gunning for an Android handset next time I purchase.
Posted by carkitter
iPhone 4 in NZ by end of July - Apple.
source
Posted by yea g
Yea, the question is how much.
Interesting that it supports quad band 3G, this must be one of the first phones with that. Hoping everyone will come out with micro sims when they release it here, and not have to try and cut up normal sims.
2Degrees 3g seems to be all ready, doing a network search on my phone will bring up 2degrees 3g aswell as 2g (won't connect to it properly though). Anticipating a launch soon!
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
Well Vodafone will have the microsims for sure. They can't release a phone without the sims to provide for it. Whether Telecom or 2degrees get them remains to be seen. I seriously doubt 2degrees will have them for a while though, they seem too small a company and too new a start-up to be getting into that. Especially when their phone range totals about 8 phones, none of which take the microsim.
And isn't it pentaband? It's the world's second announced phone with it, after the Nokia N8. The iPhone 4 should be the first released though...
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
By the way I'm now on Twitter as carkitter knows. I'm OJFBS if you guys wanna follow, I'll of course follow back.
Posted by carkitter
You can add a link to your Twitter account to your Esato profile, either in the dedicated Twitter listing, or as I did, under website which shows up below your Avatar as WWW.
Posted by Tsepz_GP
AFAIK iPhone4 is Quad band, N8 remains the only penta band phone.
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
This says otherwise mate.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/[....]second-announced-pentaband-3g/
No worries though.
Posted by chunkybeats
@Muhammad-Oli
I would say Apple is probably higher than 4th now too. It's ridiculous how many iPhones I am seeing around these days. I remember being amazed when I saw a rich guy pull up in his Merc holding an iPhone to his ear, now 1 in 3 people I know seem to have one!
The other reason is and don't quote me on this but isnt there also a huge influx of foreigners coming into NZ. So for example a lot of British are in the country and the iphone sold like hotcakes there so people are bringing their handsets with them when they immigrate here.
I do agree about the cons of Apples world domination, they are making the public broke and using credit cards paying apps, itunes etc etc and using that money for them to make more products to make more money and to make more people broke. I can see the next year handsets that are good price becoming popular, so I think Apples strategy is a bit strange.
I do think their innovations are good but I wouldnt pay that price for 2 years old technology. Remember to pay top dollar for technology you get latest technology. I do think Nokia have got it right with the N8. Especially with the usb hosting that is a fantastic idea. I hope others (esp SE follow suit). I love SE and I intend to support them!
Need to see about getting myself an X10
Posted by carkitter
On 2010-06-16 00:39:10, chunkybeats wrote:
...The other reason is and don't quote me on this but isnt there also a huge influx of foreigners coming into NZ. So for example a lot of British are in the country and the iphone sold like hotcakes there so people are bringing their handsets with them when they immigrate here.
Are UK iPhones unlocked?
The latest terms and conditions for iTunes from Apple says that you can't use your apps overseas, at least thats how I read it.
On 2010-06-16 00:39:10, chunkybeats wrote:
I do think their innovations are good but I wouldnt pay that price for 2 years old technology. Remember to pay top dollar for technology you get latest technology. I do think Nokia have got it right with the N8. Especially with the usb hosting that is a fantastic idea. I hope others (esp SE follow suit). I love SE and I intend to support them!
Need to see about getting myself an X10
Nokia smartphones are massively expensive.
N95 on release:$1699
N96: $1399
N97: $1600-ish
Nokia's high-end is more expensive than iPhone because Nokia puts in a lot of hardware features (which go out of date) whereas iPhone has software features which get better with firmware updates. Many high-end customers say they used to buy new phones every 2-3 months, now they just buy 1 per year (iPhone). Not to mention the plans which are the best value and highest subsidised on the NZ market and allow you to use online features which speed up decisions and save you time and money.
Hence iPhone is saving people money everywhere they turn, unless they blow it all on apps and music, which is not mandatory.
BTW,
A little bit of info gleaned from the NBR article on Telecom's announcement of the July 1 release of the Motorola Milestone Android phone:
The X10i should also shortly be available for Telecom, and will be followed by three more models from the Sony Ericsson stable.
Guesses anyone?
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
Vivaz Pro, X10 Mini, X10 Mini Pro?
Posted by carkitter
Vodafone announce the release of the X10 Mini Pro.
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
You got a link there carkitter? Price?
I'm glad they chose the Pro. Seems like a good idea to get some Androids out there with a hardware keyboard. I wonder if the regular Mini is on its way too?
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
Just updated the front age of this thread! It hadn't previously been updated since October last year! So sorry about that guys.
In the updates I changed my own location and mobile phone, carkitter's mobile phones, and I completely reworked the 'phones in NZ' list to show more modern phones and to be entirely up to date as far as I can tell. If there's anything else that needs a change, give me a message.
Posted by carkitter
On 2010-06-25 04:45:31, Muhammad-Oli wrote:
You got a link there carkitter? Price?
I'm glad they chose the Pro. Seems like a good idea to get some Androids out there with a hardware keyboard. I wonder if the regular Mini is on its way too?
Announcement on Vodafone forum.
Price - $599
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
Cheers carkitter. I'll be getting an X10 in the next few weeks I think. Had a play on one at the Vodafone store and was very impressed.
Posted by citysoldier
Hmm limited battery, no zoom (not a big deal), $600. I hope I dont regret it if I get this.
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
I don't think you will mate. Sony Ericsson seems to have got their Android phones pretty well the way they should be, and they'll only get better with the 2.1 updates.