Upgrade

A new iPhone was introduced today. I'm not usually — that is to say, I'm not always eager for the-next-big-thing, not unless there's some real, tangible benefit to be had. In this case, there is: among other improvements, there's a better camera, with better control over focus, white balance and whatnot. This, of course, appeals to me greatly, for obvious reasons. You know, I've never understood the complaints about the iPhone's built-in camera — it's a cel phone camera, fergoshsakes, so expectations ought be limited, and anyway, I've been pleased with what I've been able to accomplish with it. (Mine seems to have this persistent sort of pinkish hue in the center, under certain conditions — you might be able to see it in the last picture in the series of this set, in the raised letters — but perhaps that's just a quality of this particular iPhone.)

There are other improvements, as well — a faster processor, better battery life, and an oil-resistant coating (my iPhone screen is inevitably covered with fingerprints moment after I clean it, so I'm curious as to how well that will work).

Then there's the question of "upgrade pricing." Many existing AT&T customers (of which I am one) are irritated that they are not able to purchase a new iPhone at the same low (subsidized) cost as a new customer, based on whatever metric AT&T is using to decide who is and isn't eligible. I bought my iPhone 3G only last August, and I had thought that this would rule me out for the rest of the year, at least — but it appears I'll qualify for the upgrade pricing in early August. (My wife, however, will have to wait for January of next year, which will undoubtedly be a source of discontent.) I don't understand why or how, but I'm too afraid of ruining my good fortune to ask.

(Check back in about two months, and we'll see if it all worked out.)