The Iphone frenzy.. I still don't understand

So, the Iphone 3G has landed.. no we do not have a first look but will as soon as we get a hands on on the device. This story is related to something else actually.

Now, don't get me wrong.. I do not hate the iPhone 3G, I just do not understand the frenzy behind the device. I did see the phenomenon last year and see the same thing being repeated again.

I am not criticizing it nor am I making fun of the folks who stood in queue overnight to get hold of one as soon as it was launched. Infact, I might have one of them had the phone been launched here!

I am amazed at what a Brand name could do.. now to be honest, the iPhone does pack in a lot of features in that not so big frame. Most prominently, the UI. I am sure many have tried to ape the UI and many will in the future.... but the original is what it is.


Now, when it comes to capabilities, almost everyone knows it is a very capable smart phone... but is it the best? Well, its your say.. Basic functions like Bluetooth and FM Radio (for us folks in India :) ) are missing. We eat and prosper on bluetooth here and it becomes a prestige issue after getting a phone like this for a fortune the person decides to transfer a file and lo..! Where the freak did the "send via bluetooth" option go!? Thats where the Iphone owners ego (if he has any) gets hit hard. It sure isn't a funny sight when a friend offers to transfer you a file and you holding one of the most hyped phones ever blurting out.. "Are bhai.. baadme bhej.. bluetooth nahi hai"


For geeks, the iPhone would be an object of desire, curiosity and what not. The flaunt value is unparelleled... maybe only rivaleld by the likes of the N96 and the HTC Touch Diamond.

Now for another interesting angle, most people who use their initial previous generation iPhones here in India bought it from the flourishing grey market. However, this time round, the iPhone is slated to be launched here in September/October by Airtel and Vodafone. I seriously doubt people here will wait that long to get hold of one. According to latest reports, it would be only a matter of days when the iPhone 3G will hit the flourishing underground marketplace of South East Asia and eventually, India. From an initial Yahoo report, heres what shop owner Chris Lau had to say.
“We have already taken orders for the new iPhone from 40 people and estimated its arrival on the gray market in about a week. I’m not 100 percent sure the stocks we are receiving will be unlocked, but I don't think it will take long to crack it," he said, referring to the practice of hacking iPhones' computer code so they can be used with different mobile service providers.

Now, previous experience with iPhones availability in India not long after its International debut will no doubt heighten expectations about its availability here in India. The grey market is ready and raring to go. Albeit, Apple has taken precautions which include steps from tracking buyers and serial numbers, to auditing distributors and resellers, who are typically the biggest risk in the supply chain.

On a final note we know its launched.. but will it be here in India sooner than its slated to be? We will get to know very soon!