No. WP7 is version 7 in name only. It's actually a complete re-write making it version 1.

I'm sure that WP8 will be better than than WP7 but it will likely still be deficient in some way. Historically, Microsoft has a weird ability to start to get a product right at about it's third iteration. If this pattern holds, then I expect WP9 to be a success.

Here are my reasons for waiting; which to you, makes *me* a "superficial" prick that you don't want to associate with:

1. His (black) and hers (white) iphones. Having them in different colors means that we both won't accidentally take each others phones. (we don't like covers.)
2. I'd rather wait so I can purchase them together because I would rather only have to sign 1 new two year contract to get the subsidy, as opposed buying a black one now and having to re-up another 2yrs again whenever the white one shows up and I buy hers. (plus she'd be unhappy that I bought one for me and didn't get one for her.)

If you have alternatives, why are you worried about this? Stop spreading BS for the sake of spreading BS and buy whatever makes you feel good.

Um, Check your sources please. Recent versions of adblock for chrome does block elements from downloading now.

No, that makes you nostalgic. Like me.

And there's my gripe with Android. Why should I have to root/ROM my phone to get it to my liking?

I want to jump on android but all I ask is that:

1. The phone should be stock. No carrier/mfr customizations & lock-downs. (I'm watching the G2.)
2. The phone can upgraded for at least a couple of major versions, provided the device can run it acceptably.

Is this too much to ask?

Can you cite one or more examples of this "bullshit"? I still don't understand your gripe.

Printing. finally, a limitation. that's going to be addressed in 4.2. I can visit any website on my iphone. whether they work or or not is dependent on whether they use flash. In which case, if they do, then I leave and don't go back.

What is it that you're looking to do that the iPad (and conversely, Apple) doesn't allow? Not trolling, I'm genuinely curious. I don't own an iPad, but I do have an iPhone. With the exception of tethering, which at&t disallows until they receive their pound of flesh, it does pretty much everything I would want a phone to do.

I hadn't thought of that. (promptly disappears in a puff of logic.)

Thanks for mentioning it and not providing a link

You make very good points. And I agree with you that you should vote with your dollars. Unfortunately, your comment doesn't address the reality of the market forces and competition between the big 4 telcos in the US.

The reality is: There is no competition.

1. Look at the txt messaging rates between the big four. They basically charge the same rate. when one raises their price, the others follow shortly thereafter.

2. Look at the ETF's for the (usually, 2 year) contracts you sign. they're all very high. so high in fact, that they don't really reflect the unsubsidized cost of the device which is the reason the ETF exists. And as with TXT mgs rate, when one raises it, the others follow.

3. Verizon I believe was the first to require a data plan if you wanted to get a smartphone. at&t later made that a requirement. (I'm not sure about T-moble and sprint but they probably have a similar mandate, if they're not working on on behind the scenes and haven't announced it yet.)

PAYG is not a solution for some, as the device you want to use may be not be "authorized" by carrier.

Dumped? Not quite. aptitude is a user front-end to apt-get. apt-get was never intended to be the front end for package management.

It doesn't even have to be like that. All apple needs to do is to post an HCL (Hardware Compatibility List) Which consists of HW that is known (or certified by apple) to work. Anything not on that list will result in a dial tone if you call apple about it to report a problem. Other Vendors such as Vmware (for ESX) and Oracle (formerly Sun) et al do this.