Yes, I know they have exactly the same web browser. That's part of my statement that that generation of nokia phones was inadequate when it comes to being internet devices. You're not disappointing me, you're confirming me. My E61i is also an inadequate internet device. That's why I don't use it anymore.

*laugh* look back in the list archives, I'm well aware of that hidden cost, and have been the one to explain it in the past. I'm well aware of how to calculate the true cost of my phone.

I paid less than $200 for my E61i, no contract subsidies/hidden costs. I paid for it completely up front.

With the G1, looking at the difference between what I'd be paying with and without the contract, summed up over 2 years, plus what I paid for it up front, is still less than $300. Even if you charge interest on the difference in monthly payments over those 2 years (ie. what I would be earning if I put that money in the bank instead of giving it to T-Mobile), I'm still paying less than $300 total for my G1. (in fact, it's less than $200)

The ONLY "hidden cost" I am paying for my G1 is that I'm committed to being on T-Mobile for 2 years. And, I could still make that change, pay the ETF, and still be comparable price range you estimated for the E70 (up front cost + monthly hidden costs + full ETF). After September, I could pay the ETF I'll have left, and _beat_ the price range you gave.

Even if someone didn't hit a sweet spot, have a certain need for a level of service that was identical on or off contract, nor get an early adopter type discount on the phone... the full price of the G1 is only barely higher than the price range you gave for the E70. Why on earth would I pay as much as $300-$400 for a phone that is, in my opinion, only useful for voice+messaging? Especially when I could pay barely more than that for a phone that is a complete internet device, in addition to being a phone and messaging device?

There is absolutely no cost analysis of the E70 that would make it worth my while to buy one, nor worth my while to have picked one over the G1. NONE.