Holiday shopping for hot items at a bargain price took on a new form this week as rumors flew on the Web about a 4GB iPhone to be available at Wal-Mart for $99. That phone was initially to be rolled out at a $399 price tag.
the 8GB iphone full price is $399 (16GB full price is $599). i'm no scientist, like uschi and batman, but i'd think the 4GB version would be $199. and, if that's the case, that'd mean the price for new members or those ready for an upgrade would be about $99, anyway -- walmart, or otherwise.
Although leading mobile operators are subsidizing more smartphones to reach lower prices, they tie the device to two-year contracts with monthly data-plan rates, which remain too expensive for the mainstream user
that's the kinda-hidden catch for all these new smart phones. the phones, themselves, might be between $100-$500 or so, but they all come with $100/month usage charges. so even if you got one free, it's a $1200/year expense.
