Comments on: Why Wal-Mart is key to iPhone domination

Move will make Apple's popular mobile phone available to millions of more customers and ensure that RIM and every other company trying desperately to compete with Apple simply can't.

[john55440]

For a "price tag of just $197 or $297", you get a nonfunctional piece of hardware. To actually use it, requires a pricey AT&T data contract.

[geofbrewer]

Actually, it's not that pricey considering the data packages of all the carriers in a comparison. You are correct though in regard to the "requried" aspect. Can't sell an iPhone through Walmart without it. You'd be surprised at the number of people who get Palms, Blackjacks, Blackberrys who don't buy the data packages. They just want to text.

[henrystamp]

This is about the most poorly researched article I've ever seen:

"when you consider Wal-Mart's size and importance, along with its decision to ignore devices from every Apple competitor, "

With a cursory bit of actual reporting the author would have known that Walmart has already been selling T-Mobile's G1 for months, meaning perhaps the biggest competitor with iPhone for 2009 (Googles Android OS) is actively being pushed by Walmart already.

Oops, there goes your lead. Nice job Cnet.

[DanielDaly]

"Don Reisinger is a technology columnist ..." Greek for crappy journalist, perhaps? Kinda like how Technical Institute means crappy school!

[geofbrewer]

I hope someone reads this. Walmart is egalitarian in pushing product to all markets, whether a market can support the product or not. Granted the price of the iPhones will attract some customers, but some markets are simply not right for the iPhone. I got some advice from a longtime Walmart employee who received training on the iPhone. "It has an excellant GUI, easy to navigate. I would buy one if I had a use for it." Apple will be sorely disappointed in the lack of sales. Walmart will write it off eventually like Germany, and find convenient whipping-persons to lay blame.

[maeckg]

Steve...you lost your cool! Now the iphone at Walmart means Apple is in trouble. It does not mean iphone domination, but iphone deterioation. Walmart will be the winner in this, not Apple since they are the harder traders. Walmart has opened so many stores that it is competing with itself, thus it needs gimmicks like the iphone. Jobs must be trying to monetize the iphone...to exit the business?

While you [Don] are completely correct about Wal-Mart's effect on an industry, you are unbelievable wrong about the following:
1) "... its decision to ignore devices from every Apple competitor..." Wal-Mart has been carrying the T-Mobile G1 since Nov. 3rd for $148.88.
2) "...I simply don't think the entry fee will stop anyone from heading to Wal-Mart to pick up an iPhone." People go to Wal-Mart to save money. That means they stand a VERY good chance of keeping $50 and picking up a G1 that is arguably better.
3) "... iPhone has become the single device that can be found beyond the auspices of the carrier's building." The G1 can be bought at T-Mobile shops, a Best Buy, online, and, ta-da, Wal-Mart.

This article obviously lacks research. I hope CNET isn't wasting too much money on you Don.

[bmn_1213]

I don't get the hoopla,,, who cares where you can buy an Iphone?

Are there that many people itching to sign a $1200/yr cell phone contract but only if they can buy the phone along w/ orange juice, bullets, and a diamond ring at 2 in the morning?

Are there small towns out there with no AT&T store but great 3G coverage and a a tech-savvy high-disposable-income population?

Being on wal-mart shelves is important if you're selling vacuum cleaners, toys, or toiletries, but I can't think of a scenario where an iphone purchase decision would be influenced by its availability there.

[Shadowbat]

"...that the iPhone will be coming to Wal-Mart store shelves on Sunday has changed the face of the cell phone industry."

My, he sure gets excited, doesn't he? Calm down, Skippy. I don't think this will be quite as life-changing as, say, Y2K.