I don't know if I agree strongly with either the "we were screwed" folks or the "get over it" folks. I can see how both sides would feel that way. But I find it fascinating that the people who are angry about Apple's greed in charging them $600 would be happier today if Apple had been greedier and reduced the price at a later date or by a smaller amount.

If Apple sent a message to its customers with the steep price drop -- "Don't be an early adopter" -- look at the message we're sending them: "Don't reduce prices too quickly or we will be angry!"

Personally, I am glad to have the $100 rebate, but wouldn't have lost any sleep if I didn't get it. I had already determined that the iPhone would pay for its own hardware cost in reduced monthly payments over two years. Also, a one-third price drop for a cell phone is not quite enough to get me upset. If they started giving the phones away, I would certainly be asking, WTF?

I'd be very interested in seeing similar precedents for this kind of price drop in the cell phone industry. Ken@18, the link you gave doesn't work -- can you fix it?