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

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
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http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/01/t-mobile-comet-sends-9-99-shot-across-the-bow-of-dumbphones/

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$9.99 after rebate.

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

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AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
You still need cheap data plans for phones like this to be any good. Luckily T-Mobile has cheap data plans available.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
81
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.
 

MrX8503

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2005
4,529
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0
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

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,140
138
106
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.
 
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zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
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

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2001
4,860
2
81
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

Golden Member
Jul 23, 2010
1,899
4
76
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

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
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

Senior member
Dec 30, 2009
505
14
81
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)
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
81
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

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,398
8,566
126
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

Lifer
Sep 20, 2003
19,003
24
81
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

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
32,904
11,040
136
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

Lifer
Apr 8, 2001
32,539
260
126
man, if i could cheaply clone my sim card i'd get one of those for when i wasn't in work.
 

OBLAMA2009

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2008
6,574
3
0
people wont buy that when word gets around that you cant get 3g from tmobile outside major cities
 

cronos

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2001
9,380
26
101
I think a lot of you here are confusing dumbphones and smartphones without touch screen.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
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

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2005
4,529
0
0
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

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2008
6,574
3
0
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

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2005
4,529
0
0
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.