BBC Blog Network

User Profile

GadgetStylist

Listed below are comments made by GadgetStylist between Tuesday, 9th September 2008 and Tuesday, 9th June 2009.

«Newer
Older»

Apple - angering the fans? 1:58pm on 09 Jun 2009 Why can't O2 run a trade in programme for iPhone customers?

Trade in your iPhone 3G as part of an upgrade programme, refurbish the old iPhone and sell it on as such to PAYG or cheaper contract customers, thus increasing their customer base and keeping existing customers happy?

Apple already does brisk trade in refurb'd laptops and iPods via their online refurb store.
Apple - angering the fans? 12:04pm on 09 Jun 2009 Who on Earth is going to sign up to a 24 month, £45 contract to get a 'free' iPhone knowing they will have this problem next year? O2 have killed their own tariff and are encouraging customers to sign up to a shoter 18 month contract at most.

O2 have let their customers down in several ways:

They've silently changed the rules on upgrades causing customers to feel cheated.

They've significantly upset the early adopters who switched to O2 especially for the iPhone. All their loyalty has been wiped out.

Other phones are announced months ahead of launch (e.g. Nokia N97) so potential buyers know to hold out rather than sign up to a new 18 month contract. How many people bought an iPhone 3G in the last 3 months based on O2's store staff advice that no iPhone is coming (I was told this 13 days ago!)

12 month product upgrades, 18-24 month contracts with no fair upgrade path and Apple 'fanatics' is a recipe for disaster.
Immigrant Song Contest: Day Two 11:29pm on 13 May 2009 I've thoroughly enjoyed and learnt from the Immigration Song Contest. It's an engaging, innovative way to discuss immigration issues that really caught my attention. Better than just listening to the views of men and women in suits (sorry Jeremy P!)

I loved all the acts! Some fantastic cover versions and it's really hard to pick a winner. I particularly liked Ya Freddy because his cover was vibrant and creative, particularly given the song they had to cover. Font were pretty awesome too. I'd love to know more about how they manage to keep up with their favourite bands from Iran.

If only the real Eurovision had 1% of the sincerity and creativity of this mini-contest.
Monday, 24 November, 2008 11:10pm on 24 Nov 2008 The point everyone is missing on the VAT decrease is that all the retailers will simply put their prices up and absorb the VAT to build a slightly larger margin. I've (reluctantly) working in Pricing departments before and I know the mindset. It's naive to think they'll pass on the savings to consumers. Lots of 'rounding up' will happen.

The benefit will be for the likes of Tescos and their shareholders and not to the general public. The cash will leak straight out of the UK economy into the countries where all the big retailers are based, for tax reasons.
BBC iPlayer on Nokia N96 mobile phone 3:54pm on 09 Sep 2008 Good point by AP Ferguson - watching iPlayer over a 3G connection could cost you a fortune if you don't sign up to a suitable data tariff - unless you use wi-fi of course. I hope the BBC make consumers aware of the potential charges to prevent horror stories of huge bills for catching up with Dragons Den on your mobile.

Lots of moaning about formats I see! Just goes to prove you can't please everyone.

For what it's worth I'm pretty certain that sales of the Nokia N96 will outsell Apple TV in the UK for... ever.

Cracking mobile is far more important than any other platform given there's 74 million mobile subscriptions live in the UK it's clear that virtually everyone has access to at least one mobile phone for the majority
of their day. Most of us only get close to our TV or home PC/Mac in the evening. I'd love to be able to get access to any BBC content (for which I pay a licence fee) in a way that is convenient to my lifestyle. I'm sure the lessons learned on the N96 will lead to a rapid roll out across devices with suitable screens, battery life, wi-fi and stable platforms.

Other than mobile I would expect we'll see 'connected' Freeview boxes with iPlayer/Kangaroo/VOD in the near future as long as BT's archaic network can handle it...

BTW - don't forget that Virgin Media have already launched the iPlayer on their cable platform if you're lucky enough to live in a cable area.

«Newer
Older»

^ Back to top

BBC MMVI

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC.co.uk

BBC Blog Network

Find and talk to the BBC's bloggers.

User Profile

GadgetStylist