Spoiled by the Gadget's all-in-One - New York Times

Some proponents of the consumers and politicians are condemned this as a mobile great own enrichment on the backs of U.S. consumers. And while it may be true, however, we will continue to pay, because mobile operators know, and we also know that you for many of us, our smart phones have become invaluable.

He is no surprise why: the smartphone contains great power in a portable package. It is connected to a global network of data that moves to another at the speed of light words, sounds and images from one end of the Earth. It is changing the world of communication, trade, politics, entertainment and many others.

An increase in the rates of the United States in line with many other countries. Currently, the United States is one of the most profitable mobile markets in the world. In the past five years, they have decreased costs per minute in the United States 50%, according to Chetan Sharma, a mobile analyst. In countries such as France and Italy, the decline has been only 20 per cent.

Roger Entner, an analyst who follows the cellular market, said: "the Americans are enjoying cheaper in the industrialized world." "Now, we don't know how good we have it".

Consider what makes a smartphone, and devices that replaced, and increases its value. A refurbished iPhone 3GS is now on sale for AT & T $19. With less expensive data and voice and a two year contract plans, a client would pay about $1,800 for 24 months, including taxes and duties.

But to do all the things you can do a smartphone without buying one, that same consumer would have to buy the following:

A cell phone (at least $ 800 more than 24 months: $20 for a device, as well as $25 or more per month on a prepaid plan, higher taxes and fees).

A mobile email reader ($ 430: 9 Peek, an email reader, is $70; two years of service costs $360).

A music player (iPod Nano is $149).

A camera from point-and-shoot (about 200 dollars).

A camcorder (about 200 dollars).

A GPS unit (they start at $80).

A portable DVD player (they start at $60).

A recorder of voice (about $40).

A clock (about $30).

A calculator (around $10).

Total cost: $1999

On a smartphone, all devices are reduced to the software. They are a tap away, and new features or services can be downloaded in seconds.

One of the side effects of this is that it is difficult to appreciate the value of things. We are complacent because we now have huge capacities that we can access easily (even those of us who are technophobes). Louis C. k., comedian, made this point when he appeared on "Late Night with Conan or ' Brien" in the fall of 2008. "Everything is amazing and nobody's happy," he ranted about the pampered nature of the American consumer.

Consider the possibility of what used to be forced to buy a camera, or a GPS unit or any other kind of gadget: had to investigate what model to buy. Time was spent in going to the store or waiting for the device come in the mail. There was hardware: packaging and a piece of equipment: inside, all the signals that had work of someone who is. And because of those signals, ascribed value to the object and they were willing to pay for it, sometimes generously.

Compare that with the smartphone experience. A camera or GPS unit is already probably included in the device. Add new things, as a special application alarm, is a process of 20 seconds of searching and downloading. Many of the tracks of the physical world, touch of mass, time,-are absent. Without them, he hit to our sense of value out of its moorings.

The price of apps reflects this new territory. App of the Zagat Guide restaurant, for example, includes a year of access to each guide the company publishes a year.

Added features include a database, the ability to find restaurants near you using GPS, images of dishes from restaurants and the ability to make reservations online, directly from the application. It costs $10. The 2011 Zagat guide printed to restaurants in New York, which is limited to five districts and has none of these characteristics, costs $16.

And they will be more expensive mobile plans. And because complaining about the phone company is before the arrival of the smartphone (and because mobile operators continue to give us so many reasons to complain), there will be a lot of grumbling and grousing, but people will continue. In a few years, many people have taken to smartphone fully and completely to return. And in the context of what you can do the smartphone, yet seem a bargain.

Posted in gadget

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