Poland and iPhones

[hollister]

I am curious how the introduction of the iPhone is going in Poland (and in Europe) in general.
For several reasons I did not want an iPhone but the major reason(s) were that it was locked and to use the dern thing I HAD to sign up for a very expensive contract with ONE carrier.

I know that Europe tends to be very set on the idea that the phone and the service is two very separate things.

My question is - is the iphone an the introduction of the American idea that once you have the cool phone you are locked into a contract that carried VERY stiff penalties if you do not meet the terms of the contract or want to get out of the contract before it has elapsed. If so< I pity the people who get suckered into this type of service.

As far as I see it, in the States we are willing slaves to our cell phone carriers

Thus endeth my rant for the day

[rdywenur]

Not me Holly, I have a great plan for my needs. (cheap) the only problem is the phone eventually becomes extinct and then they tell me that I must upgrade to a better phone which might/might not change my charge. I am not sure about Poland but I think that if you want to really know what to buy follow the Japaneese. They are always way ahead of the game.

I also found out just recently that Kodak invented digital photography. How is it they let the ball drop so badly. (shame on them) They have really restructured strastacally over the past feew years.

I think phones should be regulated somehow. You can buy a brand new phone and the minute you walk out the door all technology for it has changed and your phone becomes obsolete ...and prices have not gone down one bit since the explosion. I just bought an ipod last year (2gb) for 150.00. Now few months later the same ipod is 4gb for the same amount of money and with video. Do you don't think I am a bit pee oed. Grrrrr!!!!!!

[hollister]

Chris,
I was surprise at the attitude difference toward cell phones I found in Poland (and from what I understand Europe in general). You buy a phone (a LOT cheaper than in the US) separate than the plan. If you do not want to sign up for a plan you can buy the SIM chips in various amounts of time (a great deal for travelers). I bought the cheapest SIM card I could - I still had time left over when I came home and the card is good for 6 months. Oh yea, texting was free - Of course you had to get used to them sending you text ads in Polish!
And the help centers had ACTUAL people who answered your questions - (you did have to wait - but it was organized and a cultural experience)