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Technology Stocks : Apple Inc. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Road Walker who wrote (134758)	6/4/2012 2:23:25 PM
From: Frank Walker	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 213182

I think in Britain people can just buy a SIM card from a wireless company for a relatively low rate and use it in their already-owned phone. They get a low wireless rate cost because their phone is not subsidized. Maybe there's an opportunity for an iPhone leasing company. Something like leasing a car. Lease an unlocked iPhone from someone and use it on a wireless company of your choice and have more flexibility in switching. Upgrade to a new iPhone whenever you want, subject to your deal with the leasing company. People might get a better "trade-in" value from their old iPhone and it would be less hassle than selling it themselves.

To: Road Walker who wrote (134758)	6/4/2012 3:13:47 PM
From: Doren	1 Recommendation Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 213182

> to see if the American consumer is willing to fork over $500 for a 16 GB iPhone 4S in order to save on a monthly data plan compared to the $200 that the post-paid operators are charging. That would be me, if the numbers work out. I was thinking Android but off the top of my head after doing just a little shopping the iPhone is looking just as thrifty as Androids and of course owning an iMac better. (iMac halo effect.) We skinflints are the minority, but we are definitely out here. I look at the price over the life of the device. Long ago I read a very good book on investing. The author pointed out that before one invests, one should use loose cash to save money. He pointed out that savings are neither risky nor taxed. So if I buy a 50lb bag of popcorn and save 50% that saved money was earned without risk and its untaxed. Pretty tough to do that in the markets. My Uncle was the same way, a millionaire on paper we were all stunned when he bought a new truck (with cash of course and he was very careful to get the best deal.) He'd been driving around the same old beat up truck for 25 years. Off to buy an antique cracked ice kitchen table this afternoon. The table is worthless, the chairs are nearly impossible to find. It will help me sell my craftsman home, look nice and if I ever sell it, I'll make a profit. Been looking for this baby for 4 years.

To: Road Walker who wrote (134758)	6/4/2012 3:27:56 PM
From: slacker711	3 Recommendations Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 213182

Apple could be using Leap through its Cricket Wireless brand as a guinea pig carrier to test if American consumers are ready to pay full price for their iPhones, according to BTIG analyst Walter Piecyk. If that’s the case, the implications could be enormous: Apple could shed the mortal coil of the operators and start selling its iconic smartphone directly to consumers It is nice to know that some things never change....Piecyk is still an idiot. Apple doesnt want to sell unsubsidized devices. An unsubsidized market would mean that competitors could easily undercut Apple on price instead of having basically all of the high-end models selling for around $199. It would also mean that consumers would upgrade their handsets far less often. The current system makes it a no-brainer to upgrade your handset every two years or so. That upgrade cycle would slow down dramatically if consumers had to pay $650 for their new iPhone. Leap is just about adding options for consumers. It also provides a nice check on the carriers unilaterally raising iPhone prices without also lowering plan prices. Slacker

To: Road Walker who wrote (134758)	6/4/2012 5:54:51 PM
From: Cogito	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 213182

Is Apple Testing the Waters for an Unsubsidized iPhone Push? There may be more to Apple’s new deal with Leap Wireless than meets the eye. Apple could be using Leap through its Cricket Wireless brand as a guinea pig carrier to test if American consumers are ready to pay full price for their iPhones, according to BTIG analyst Walter Piecyk. If that’s the case, the implications could be enormous: Apple could shed the mortal coil of the operators and start selling its iconic smartphone directly to consumers. I think people are making a mistaken assumption in looking at the deal with Leap Wireless if they don't think Leap is subsidizing the phones. Obviously, they are picking up less of the tab than the other carriers, but I don't see any reason to believe that Apple has agreed to sell iPhones to them for less than the other carriers are paying. It's highly unlikely that they would do that, as it would piss off their many long-term partners.