http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8278073.stm I'm not a fan of the handset personally (mainly because of issues I have with the way Apple do business, rather than that many issues with the handset itself), but the end of the O2 exclusive deal is certainly an interesting change in the UK mobile market.
Sweet Mother of Jesus! I wonder how much the contract will be, and how long. My orange upgrade is due, might hold out!
Whilst I am happy on one hand, on the other hand, I have no faith with Orange and the branding they insist on putting on all their phones (I hope they leave it well alone and let it be a vanilla handset). It's going to be interesting to see what they insist must be on this handset and also if the data bundles will be as aggressive as O2 have given with the Iphone.
Interesting point. They do always apply their custom GUIs *edit Although having looked through the Orange HTC Hero thread it appears they only put a few Orange related bookmarks on it, and a logo on the back. I'd imagine they'd treat the iPhone similarly.
https://interest.orange.co.uk/default.aspx For anyone that wants to be updated with information as it becomes available.
And slapping a silly little orange logo on the handset somewhere. This is only interesting if Apple don't force upon them the same pricing strategies as O2
I don't know, going from the network with the worst 3g coverage in the country to the network with the best will count for a lot for some people.... http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=118816
I'd love a 3GS, but won't pay the current price for a droppable/bashable item I'll carry all the time. So I'd love to see some decent competition in the market. However I have no doubt whatsoever that Apple will have locked the pricing options tighter than Beth Ditto in a size zero rubber catsuit</shudder>. Still, it's got to be good news for anyone upgrading on an Orange contract. Andrew McP
That's interesting. Didn't realise O2 were bottom of the pile in 3G coverage. But to be honest it doesn't surprise me at all. I have a work colleague who always has a 3/3.5g signal on his N71 on the three network. I still get mildly excited when the 3G symbol pops up on my iPhone it's that infrequent.
Stick your iphone, I'm rocking the Hero and it's sweet as! Although I do love my ipod touch, I couldn't be without the smooth touchscreen on the Hero now
Is the Hero amazing? Cause I also have an iPod Touch that i love, so an iPhone would really only be an addition, i wouldnt transfer my music on to it. Ugh. What to do!
So do we think that O2 will be able to unlock existing iPhones when the contract is up now?? I just wish it had gone to all networks, I am now with Vodafone phone having sold my iPhone 3G due to the poor network performance of O2. David
I've had an ipod touch since they came out but I like to keep my music seperate from my phone. The Hero is excellent and the android market is fantastic. (the only reason I would have wanted an iphone for really)
Im pretty certain, in part of the contract orange wont be able to adapt the home/menu screens to anything other than apple would want
I really like the Hero having had a play with it, likely to be my next upgrade unless something spectacular comes along in the meantime.
I don't understand all the fuss about Orange branding. I have been an Orange customer for more than 7 years now, I love Orange. The branded GUI is fine, if you don't like it then it's easy to change it.
I won't be getting one - I just don't like iPhones, but I hope for those that do, Orange don't put it through their 'Unique' service. From the Unique service official small print: Basically if you're using a data connection via your own wifi point, you pay Orange for the privilege. A 'unique' rip-off.
