Here's why Android will win the OS wars...

[Pliablemoose]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/01/t-mobile-comet-sends-9-99-shot-across-the-bow-of-dumbphones/

$9.99 after rebate.

A smartphone for the masses, and a ton of consumer data for Google.

 

[AstroManLuca]

You still need cheap data plans for phones like this to be any good. Luckily T-Mobile has cheap data plans available.

 

[Deeko]

You still need cheap data plans for phones like this to be any good. Luckily T-Mobile has cheap data plans available.

T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T are all offering cheaper, limited data plans now. Granted T-Mobile undercuts them (like they do everywhere). Definitely a plus for the data-enabled cheap phone.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Plus they make a killing on the overage fees...

 

[MrX8503]

I think this phone coupled with a 200MB plan will pretty much kill off the dumbphones. I still have a very large group of friends who still uses dumbphones/feature phones and it still kills me every time I still see them use it, lol

On the flip side it kills me to see a longtime dumbphone user pulling out their iPhone and only to ever use it to make calls. No apps, email, internet, etc, just phone calls.

 

[Raduque]

The LG Optimus T is also in featurephone pricing territory: $29.99 after rebate.

I'm also wondering how much the Optimus T is going to be off-contract. Somewhere in the Engadget comments, it states the Comet is going to be $159 off-contract. That's cheaper than most featurephones.

 

[zerocool84]

I think this phone coupled with a 200MB plan will pretty much kill off the dumbphones. I still have a very large group of friends who still uses dumbphones/feature phones and it still kills me every time I still see them use it, lol

On the flip side it kills me to see a longtime dumbphone user pulling out their iPhone and only to ever use it to make calls. No apps, email, internet, etc, just phone calls.

My mom has an iPhone. Doesn't do anything with it other than text and call and check her eBay auctions on it.

 

[Kanalua]

This would be the perfect solution for a guy I know. His current phone (older style windows mobile device - with a stylus and all) just crapped out. Only uses his phone for calls and emails. He wants an upgrade, but I don't think he'd benefit from the latest and greatest Android device.

Unfortunately he's on Verizon, so he can't really go the iPhone or the T-mobile route.

 

[kaerflog]

Sorry I don't see cheap dumbphones that still require data plan as the reason for Androids winning the OS war.
Most of the smartphones can be had for $99 or lower just months after release so I don't see why it would be the determine factor.

Lets look at ATT as an example as they offer $15 data plan for all the phones.
If that phone was offered at ATT for $9.99, I don't see why would the mass would chose that Android phone vs say a $99 iPhone 3GS.

 

[rudeguy]

Sorry I don't see cheap dumbphones that still require data plan as the reason for Androids winning the OS war.
Most of the smartphones can be had for $99 or lower just months after release so I don't see why it would be the determine factor.

Lets look at ATT as an example as they offer $15 data plan for all the phones.
If that phone was offered at ATT for $9.99, I don't see why would the mass would chose that Android phone vs say a $99 iPhone 3GS.

People are much more concerned about how much a phone costs up front than they are about their monthly bill. I sold a few hundred smart phones by giving people a BlackBerry or HTC for $50 instead of the $100 it would have cost for a decent dumb phone. They didn't care that it was going to cost them $35 more a month.

 

[maniac5999]

The reason that Android's going to win the OS war will be phones like this: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-phones/samsung-intercept-phone.jsp Another cheap 6 month old smartphone, but this is on Prepaid for $250 and then $25/mo for 300mins. and unlimited data. Apple can't do this, It'd dilute their brand, they 'have' to be a halo product. Meanwhile, Google has no problem putting Android on any phone that'll run it. It does make the Android experience uneven, as like computers, some phones are just more powerful than others, BUT Google's willingness to let Android run on anything will probably lead to Windows style dominance.

(Disclaimer: I own an Intercept on Virgin)

 

[Patranus]

BUT Google's willingness to let Android run on anything will probably lead to Windows style dominance.

Pretty sure that it has more to do with the fact that they are giving it away for (almost) nothing.

 

[Deeko]

Pretty sure that it has more to do with the fact that they are giving it away for (almost) nothing.

Isn't that an extension of what he just said? It runs on anything - including cheap handsets.

 

[ElFenix]

there are big phone makers out there that service just the 3rd world that are about to start pushing android hard. android phones for under $100 total cost, not a subsidized plan.

 

[vshah]

there are big phone makers out there that service just the 3rd world that are about to start pushing android hard. android phones for under $100 total cost, not a subsidized plan.

definitely going to see what interesting things I can find under $100 next time i go to india.

 

[WelshBloke]

I think this phone coupled with a 200MB plan will pretty much kill off the dumbphones. I still have a very large group of friends who still uses dumbphones/feature phones and it still kills me every time I still see them use it, lol

Dumbphones still have a place, if I'm going camping I'll swap my sim into a dumbphone as the battery life is hugely greater than any smartphone.

You can still phone/text/email, play music etc, on most dumbphones. I really need to get a new one.

They also last for ever.

 

[lupi]

man, if i could cheaply clone my sim card i'd get one of those for when i wasn't in work.

 

[vshah]

battery life is hugely greater than any smartphone.

this is the biggest draw of dumbphones to me. my mom had an old nokia that could last a week.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

people wont buy that when word gets around that you cant get 3g from tmobile outside major cities

 

[cronos]

I think a lot of you here are confusing dumbphones and smartphones without touch screen.

 

[zerocool84]

Dumbphones still have a place, if I'm going camping I'll swap my sim into a dumbphone as the battery life is hugely greater than any smartphone.

You can still phone/text/email, play music etc, on most dumbphones. I really need to get a new one.

They also last for ever.

I think a lot of you here are confusing dumbphones and smartphones without touch screen.

Well dumbphones that have email/web ability, almost on every carrier you're going to need a data plan on it anyways.

 

[MrX8503]

I normally categorize phones as dumb phones, feature phones, and smart phones. Dumb phones has no data, feature has minimal data, and smartphones using the most data.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

arent phones like pre and curve free already. it isnt as if other smartphones cant be $10 also, they just dont need to be since most people dont mind paying right now when they sign a contract

 

[MrX8503]

Smartphones on launch are normally $200 on contract. A lot of people aren't too privy in paying that much plus data.

Also if the smartphone is popular, it stays at $200 for awhile.