Russell Beattie

I know it's "September" and the iPhone was launched in "June" but I'm counting just 67 days before the massive price drop of the 8GB model from $599 to $399. I'm sure the rest of the world will be waxing lyrically about all the new gadgets and the new price point, but to me today's announcements are a clear sign that Apple's original segmentation wasn't working and they are scrambling to adjust their model. Good for them that they're flexible enough to move with the market so rapidly, however without compensation, those of us in line a couple months ago just got bent over and rammed up the kazoo to the tune of $200.

Happily screwing the early adopters and rewarding the laggards is something only Apple can do with a smile, no?

Hey wait... an iPhone without the phone? With a touch screen, a calendar, a notepad, calculator, email... hmm... Isn't that what we used to call a PDA? Or maybe a "web tablet"? Whatever, as long as you don't call it "Newton", I'm sure Jobs will be happy.

-Russ

Update: It seems that John Gruber feels privileged to get screwed by Apple and thinks those of us that feel otherwise are jackasses. Ahh, the bliss of zealotry. Personally, I think losing $200 and not caring about it because you're a super-fan of a mindless corporation is the real jackassery, but that's just me and I'm broke nowadays, so it probably feels worse than it is.

Repeat after me: "Thank you Jobs, may I have another! Thank you Jobs, may I have another! Thank you Jobs, may I have another! Thank you Jobs, may I have another! Thank you Jobs, may I have another! Thank you Jobs, may I have another!"

-R