This makes sense to me and I think it would be good for Apple. A cheaper phone opens up a new market. No web capabilities mean cheaper hardware AND cheaper phone plans. You could get a $249 with a $29 or 34.99 plan or even PAYG. I don't see a mention of video capabilities, seems like that would be easy.

It's all about the Money. Our money grubbing Governor Ric Perry loves this kind of stuff. I live north of Dallas and the state just signed a contract to sell the rights to our tollway to a Spanish firm for around 3 billion, THEN when they realized they could get more they backed out and are taking other bids.

It is all about the MONEY and they keep dreaming of new ways to collect and spend it.

Great feature set, and I agree with Harold, VGA would be nice. And yes it should be $400

Nick,
Thanks for the clarification. What will T-mobile charge for minutes over WiFi? I guess it uses the T-mo hotspots. I think I would rather run Skype for less money. AT&T lets me use their wifi spots for 1.99/month. It would be nice to have one number/voicemail etc.

Someone has already done it. Google it and you will find a guy that overclocked and SDA and runs Skype on it. I am currently using an iPaq 6315 that has T-mobile service. I have been able to tweak it to also run Skype. I bought it unlocked and stuck my T-mobile pay as you go simm in it.

I hate Apple. They make a commercial with the tagline "Macs don't crash" it's like they're advertising to retards.

I bought a Nano.

Why? because I was able to buy the accessory that connects it to my head unit. I would have been plenty happy with witha Creative Zen or many others but I wouldn't have the same functionality. Other maker need to learn the power of accessories.

You're right on about real HD. At his point the bandwidth is not really there to support downloading .ts file. Mine run about 8gigs per hour. However I think there is real promise for full res H.264 files.

MaestroJAL,

It's obvious I touched a sensitive spot. As soon as I started to talk aboud real world tools that comprise an HTPC you run from that argument and tell me to get lost.
When someone calls the MacMini the ultimate HTPC then I start to ask about flexible infared control, image postprocessing and extensive monitor flexibility.

I'm only trying to point out that there is much more to a HTPC than just an HDMI connection.

Also the smiley face was referring to the iPod HiFi headline...An yes that was in jest.

It's not my intent to turn this into a Mac vs PC batle. I started on Macs and used them exclusively for 15 years. I still use a Mac st work. About 5 years ago I got interested in HTPC and I built my first PC. At that time the Mac was unable to do anything HTPC related. Thee Macs have come a long way but they are still behind the PC.

I do take issue with Mac fanatics claiming the Apple has invented the ultimate (insert new product here) everytime they announce a new product. Most times these people do not own or use PC's so they are not qualified to judge either way. I use both and I choose the best tool for the job and at this point that is a PC. Show me the OSX versions of Powerstrip, Girder, FFDshow, etc, I could go on and on. Today I have a 4 tuner server that records NTSC and ATCS, schedules recordings, burns them to discs plus distributes gigs and gigs of stored content to just about every room in my house.

I love these gadget sites but if if I keep reading this kind of uninformed crap I will go elsewhere.

I like your site but dodn't you just publish the article proclaiming the MacMini was the ultimate HD HTPC?

Please try to keep your inner Fanboy under control and add some unbiased opinion to your reports.

Ahhhh...to be a blogger with a Mac, it must be so exciting and liberating.

You call the MacBook pro the "Ultimate HD Machine", funny you don't call it a DVR or PV or TV or HTPC or even worstation. So what exactly is an "HD Machine" used for?

As for the MacMini being the ultimate HD HTPC, I notice it has a tiny hard drive, no PVR software, and no tuning or capture cards of any type.

I can hardly wait for tomorrow's headline: iPod HiFi - the ultimate audophile sound machine.

:)