it is to happen
in order for apple to compete it has to bring out an Iphone that is budget price (us $120 -299). the big problem with Iphone is that it's only on AT&T network. An unlock version will sell. Now there is a reason for that. The technology is too high. According to market theory , it's a new product of it's types and the 'Idealer' buy it first. It does not run applications such as an office suite or productivity software and apple will try to keep it's os close. AS i had said in an article earlier , i hope it's not like the apple pda, a great product but not market.
PS the thing that propaganda material do , especially in the us is to tell people what they think they want. for example the x box and the ps3, they are selling poor now . because after the idealer get the product, word of month determain weather the Achievers will buy the product. these person depend on opinion leader and the experience of idealers to determain if to buy the product.
already being available on one cell carrier is a big negative for the iphone