Google may sell tablets direct to customers this summer

3. bruindog posted on 29 Mar 2012, 18:29 6 0

I think everyone is. I don't like settling for ebook readers with android installed on them.

8. denney posted on 29 Mar 2012, 19:52 3 1

I'm currently under a service contract with t-mobile on a "value plan" which provides me the same service as their normal plan, but I do not qualify for any upgrades. When my contract expires (may 2013) I will have paid ~$900+ less in service fees (over 2 years) and be locked in at my price of ~$85 per month for 2 lines. the additional ~$900+ I will have saved over 2 years, every 2 years, will more than merit the purchase of 2 off-contract phones when I need them. That is how I can justify the purchase of an off contract phone on a great network. That is how I wrap my head around an unlocked phone.

9. MichaelHeller posted on 29 Mar 2012, 20:12 3 0

Denny hit the first point.

2) If customers demanded unlocked devices without contracts by supporting those carriers, even for a short time (because you won't have a contract, of course), Verizon and AT&T would add better options for non-subsidy plans.

3) The LTE version of the iPad starts at $629, and the Asus Transformer Prime was $500, or $650 with the keyboard, so yes, people are primed to spend $500-600 on a tablet purchase.

11. remixfa posted on 29 Mar 2012, 20:37 2 0

smack down!

So far T-Mobile is the only one that gives a cheaper plan for a full retail phone. If people were smart and in a good coverage area, they would jump on that plan as its better than everything from the other big 3 carriers. That would also make the others take a hard look at the practice and hopefully start some pilot programs.

My hope for this would be that they showcase every tablet.. and phone, carrier unlocked that has the stock "with google" logo on it. The way that google is integrating Play into its PC suite as well as its near monopoly like status as "google search" could really push a lot of hits to the site, which hopefully means more stock - unlocked phone sales. My hope for that is the unrealistic hope that the manufacturers/carriers get the hint and start making more "with google" devices that have direct update capabilities.

Why have just 1 "nexus" when they could change the "nexus" from a brand to a fleet. Instead of saying "with google" on the back of the device, it could say "with nexus", meaning it gets all its updates direct from the big G like iphones do from apple... bypassing the carrier completely. Granted, thats what they do now, but instead of it being a single showcase phone, it could be done by all manufacturers at any time. Choice rules.

Ok, im done rambling. lol

12. atheisticemetic posted on 30 Mar 2012, 08:32 1 0

or if someone wants to use international service? that might be an american who wants an unlocked tablet

food for thought