Bye-Bye iPhone

[Scott G. Lewis]

Anybody ditching an iPhone for the iPad/iTouch combo? I just did.  
Between the $89.99 voice plan, $20 text plan and $30 Internet plan I  
was at $140 + tax from AT&T. Getting a 3G iPad would add another $30 +  
tax or closer to $200!

I bought a MiFi (BEFORE anybody talked about that Verizon leaked memo  
suggesting they market MiFi to iPad customers, mind you). Once the  
iPad came, I spent about 3 minutes with it, and decided it was  
ABSOLUTELY fantastic. Within a day or so, a smartphone screen starts  
to hurt - you just miss that HUGE screen, and the new App UI paradigms.

So now, I have an iPod Touch (for when I need something quick), an  
iPad (for most other Internet based tasks), a MiFi serving 3G wireless  
to both 5 hours of battery at a time (plus I carry a small 1800 mAH  
battery that can charge any of the above). That's $60 a month + tax. I  
got one of those MetroPCS phones for $40 a month tax INCLUDED. A $30  
phone (Samsung candybar, weighs ... nothing), that has voice dial and  
bluetooth support, so I never have to look at it. One USB connection  
later and a quick run of the free BitPim and my contacts are there,  
granted they don't sync via MobileMe, but it's not that bad), and I'm  
saving close to $100 a month. I also now can get wireless off my  
MacBook in hotels without the $10 to $15 a day charge too, as a plus,  
and service at those pesky airports (only half have free WiFi). Oh,  
and Boingo can now suck it, with their monthly charge except for  
iPhones and iPads that have a SECOND monthly charge. :)

Having just paid the pro-rated (slightly) iPhone 3GS cancel fee, I'll  
make it back within 2 months of not paying $200 a month, and as an  
added benefit, when the next gen iPhone ships that's too cool to avoid  
buying, I won't have a contract anymore, and can get it at the  
subsidized price, and start this nasty cycle all over again.

No, I don't know why my wife thinks I'm insane.