I understand Apple’s approach to Verizon here. Just like the initial iPhone needed one carrier to get things right, 5G infrastructure testing will be like that. It is in Apple’s best interest if their users experience 5G as best as the current infrastructure allows (which isn’t great yet, because it will take a decade for a full rollout). It makes sense to have the carriers bend over backwards to see who gets to be t…
The real prices of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
131–140 of 416 posts
Re: The real prices of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
#132Earlier quoted context omitted.
Over the past couple of decades, our elected representatives have prioritized the welfare of corporations over the welfare of human beings. Price transparency laws harm corporations and benefit consumers; therefore, they are unlikely to be approved for law by the elected representatives.
At the same time price transparency & monopoly restrictions is fundamental for a working capitalism. Without that there will be no proper self regulating marked and all the points why capitalism is supposed to work will not uphold anymore.
Re: The real prices of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
#133Phone subsidies are bad and should go away. Showing the post-subsidy price is dishonest.
If I grant the second premise, could you explain your antipathy to the first? If I want to have a mobile phone, I need a mobile phone plan to go with it. What's wrong with bundling those services for a slightly lower total bill? It strikes me as pretty standard business logic.
Re: The real prices of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
#134Why doesn't the US have universal laws that cover price transparency in general? There are so many industries that get into shady territory: rental cars ("facility use fees"), hotels ("resort fees"), internet access ("mandatory equipment rental fees"), even SF restaurants ("SF mandate"). I'm saying Apple is wrong, and so are many other companies, and shouldn't we have fixed this with a law by this point?
Adding to the industries that get into shady territory: universities. Campus fees, "activity" fees, etc. Now apparently COVID-related fees too [1]. [1]: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/20/college-students-get-hit-wit...
Re: The real prices of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
#135I bet that they won't be milking the cow for so long.
Re: The real prices of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
#136Everyone is talking about the $30, but the real story is that iPhone 12 is at least $100 more expensive than iPhone 11. The $30 thing seems almost like an intentional distraction from a huge price increase during a global depression and pandemic.
> The $30 thing seems almost like an intentional distraction from a huge price increase during a global depression and pandemic. Apple's customers are largely not lacking for purchasing power. That's why you won't see their quarterly sales tanking through this mess. In the US, the iPhone buyers as an economic class have not seen a large and sustained unemployment spike, as they did during the great recession (which s…
Re: The real prices of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
#137Earlier quoted context omitted.
A lie that involves charging someone more money is still a lie even if it's $30 (not insignificant! the cost of a good meal or ~half a tank of gas!) instead of $300
What part of "starting at $699" is a lie? You will be able to exchange $699 for an iPhone 12 Mini.
Re: The real prices of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
#138Earlier quoted context omitted.
I asked straight up before seeing the doc about the cost and nobody knew. They finally estimated "about $1,500" and my total bill was around $5,000. And if I refuse to pay it, they send me to collections. It's insane what they are allowed to do.
I've always wondered which part of the medical supply chain is causing healthcare prices to rise so rapidly. There's no way these are natural market rates being driven by supply/demand, it's gotta be something artificial. My guess is something along the lines of medical device companies colluding to prop up prices to hospitals.
Re: The real prices of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
#139Now most people will use their old chargers, which will not support fast charging.
Re: The real prices of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
#140Earlier quoted context omitted.
Adding to the industries that get into shady territory: universities. Campus fees, "activity" fees, etc. Now apparently COVID-related fees too [1]. [1]: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/20/college-students-get-hit-wit...
> COVID-related fees That's a dark phrase.