I saw this and just decided I had to write about it.  In the UK we are used to buying a phone at a cost, or for a lower to zero value with a contract.  As I understand it, the iPhone will cost $499 in the states when tied to a contract.  Wow, so I obviously just don’t get it as that is not up my street at all.  Then I saw this and almost balked “realize that free mobile phones are worthless”.  They are not free though – they are tied to a contract, so cost money each month.  I found this offensive – obviously just getting sensitive in my old age.  I still love my Windows Mobile phone J:

Apple Expects Huge Demand for iPhones

Apple's COO predicts that 10 million customers will pay at least $499 to buy an iPhone next year because they will realize most free mobile phones are worthless.

I then saw this and it made me smile a little:

Eight Reasons to Think Twice about Buying an iPhone

With its hefty price tag, restriction to a single carrier, and departure from many traditional smartphone features, buying the iPhone requires careful forethought.

Ttfn

David