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Foreigners getting shafted on the Iphone
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jonpurdy

Joined: 08 Jan 2009
Location: Ulsan

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:13 am Post subject: Re: Foreigners getting shafted on the Iphone

black spring wrote:

jonpurdy wrote:

The only reason I carry my iPod touch around is for the Korean dictionary (since my Korean phone is really really bad and doesn't even have that).

Just out of curiosity: which Korean dictionary app do you use on your touch? I've noticed a number of korean/english dictionaries in the app store but have been wondering about the quality of the entries...any recommendations would be great.

I use "Korean English Dictionary by Cole Zhu". It's so-so but I'd like something better. Most Korean phones have built-in dictionaries that are better than it. If someone can suggest a better one I'd definitely buy that.

crossmr

Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:17 am Post subject: Re: Foreigners getting shafted on the Iphone

kangnamdragun wrote:

black spring wrote:

jonpurdy wrote:

The only reason I carry my iPod touch around is for the Korean dictionary (since my Korean phone is really really bad and doesn't even have that).

I use the YBM one.

which one? I think I noticed a couple from YBM (or maybe that was another company)

Does it allow clickthrough on words and does it do a close search if there isn't a match? for example adjectives often end in 한 in the dictionary translation, but their entry is 하다 so when I go to do a reverse search, it will fail and claim no matches because it doesn't match the word entry. The cole zhu one which many people recommended was a giant waste of $6, and one of the reasons the iphone couldn't replace my cell phone. I couldn't use it without reverse translating to make sure I'm picking the right word.

Quote:

I actually exchanged an email with this guy. I think he's got a suite of dictionaries and just buys his content from somewhere and plugs it into a templated application. Its got a number of deficiencies compared to the cell phone dictionaries, like click through fail, and the fact that it provides no english translations for the verb endings is also frustrating, even something simple likeㅂ니다 (which even rank beginners know) doesn't have any english translation. My cell phone dictionary has probably got at least 50 or 60 of these translated, which can be quite helpful. He mentioned something vague about finding a new content provider, but who knows when that will happen. I also find it way too sensitive, trying to browse a definition usually results in my clicking through on something.

youtuber

Joined: 13 Sep 2009

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:52 am Post subject: Re: Foreigners getting shafted on the Iphone

jonpurdy wrote:

youtuber wrote:

Solution - buy a Touch. Same thing - without paying $100 bucks a month.

An iPod touch is not the same thing as an iPhone. The main reason for having the iPhone (for me and I assume many others) is the always-available 3G internet plus the phone. Without these I have to rely on wifi (which sucks and isn't everywhere) and having a second device (crappy Korean phone) in my other pocket.

The iPhone provides everything I need in one device. The fact that it does music and movies is useful but not even necessary for me. The only reason I carry my iPod touch around is for the Korean dictionary (since my Korean phone is really really bad and doesn't even have that).

Well different priorities I guess. I can do without always needing access to the internet wherever I go. And if I do want to use the wifi on the Touch, I can just go to a coffee shop that provides it. And the price you are paying for the data to use the internet is mind-boggling. There is a PC bang at every corner anyways for Chrissake.

An Iphone is an extravagant waste of money. Not so much for the phone itself, but for the monthly fees.

I mean why do you need "always available 3G"? Keep your msn messenger on 24/7? Why do you need the net all the time? If people want to contact me, they know my number.

jonpurdy

Joined: 08 Jan 2009
Location: Ulsan

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: Foreigners getting shafted on the Iphone

youtuber wrote:

When the iPhone first came out I thought I'd never need it. Though once I got one it was tough to come to Korea and not have it. It's nice to be able to look stuff up right when you think of it without finding a PC Bang or wifi.

I also send about sixty text messages a day. I haven't seen a Korean phone that's as good as the iPhone for inputting text messages. (I suppose I could've gotten a Blackberry here but I really don't like them).

I guess for me it's the combination of the superior texting interface plus the web browsing that hooks me the most. The apps and everything are nice to have, too. And I hated carrying two devices.

It's expensive but as the saying goes, "a luxury once sampled becomes a necessity". This holds up especially true for me. I'll be sure not to ride in any Ferraris or I'd end up saving my teaching salary for 150 years to get one Smile

jdog2050

Joined: 17 Dec 2006

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 8:02 pm Post subject:

crossmr wrote:

jdog2050 wrote:

crossmr wrote:

jdog2050 wrote:

Protectionism is the economic policy of restraining trade between states, through methods such as tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, and a variety of other government regulations designed to discourage imports, and prevent foreign take-over of native markets and companies. This policy is closely aligned with anti-globalization, and contrasts with free trade, where government barriers to trade and movement of capital are kept to a minimum. The term is mostly used in the context of economics, where protectionism refers to policies or doctrines which protect businesses and workers within a country by restricting or regulating trade with foreign nations.

That's from wikipedia. You can argue that I'm wrong here, but I'd say that the restrictions placed on foreigners is just a strain of protectionism. You can call it racist or xenophobic if you want...either way it's not really justifiable, especially compared to the completely smooth launches of the Iphone all over the rest of the world.

yup I was right. None of that has anything to do with not giving 2 year contracts to people only guaranteed to be in the country for less than 12 months with no other ties.

No; it has to do with having, basically, NO contingency plan for those people at all other than charging the full price for the phone, which, at 680,000 and up pretty much is a "no".

If you have issue with my usage of protectionism, whatever, but let's at least call it...stupid?

Where is the "risk" that KT claims when you're charging for a service like telecom...if they're a couple of months behind, shut off the service...problem friggin solved. But nooooooooo, the foreigners are always just trying to run away with Korea's money Rolling Eyes

There are only 20 or 30K people on E visas. They're a drop in the bucket, and frankly not that big of a market to worry about. The edit button is on the upper right. Almost 3 years, but you still can't find it?

So now 20,000 people is a drop in the bucket? Let's say 1000 E-Visa people want Iphones. If KT charged the regular price, that's 235,000,000 Won in hardware sales and, for just one year at 55,000 won a month...that's $660,000,000 Won per year in charges. Almost 950,000,000 Won a year JUST FOR ACCOMMODATING PEOPLE. It would cost KT almost nothing to do this since they already have English services. It's mind-boggling.

jdog2050

Joined: 17 Dec 2006

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 8:04 pm Post subject: Re: Foreigners getting shafted on the Iphone

youtuber wrote:

jonpurdy wrote:

youtuber wrote:

Solution - buy a Touch. Same thing - without paying $100 bucks a month.

I had an Iphone in the states for 5 months...seriously, if you've never used it on a daily basis, I guess what you don't know won't hurt you; but it really is the best phone I've ever used.

crossmr

Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject:

jdog2050 wrote:

Yes.
The population of South Korea is 48,379,392. People on an E2 visa are 0.04% of the population. This qualifies as a drop in the bucket. As someone already pointed out people not an F-series can get a phone they just have to pay full price since there is no guarantee they'll be here for the length of their phone contract, as they're not even legally permitted to stay in the country past their contract date without a new visa.

oskinny1

Joined: 10 Nov 2006
Location: Right behind you!

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:15 pm Post subject:

jdog2050 wrote:

OK, now subtract the money that they owe Apple for the hardware (it wasn't given to them). Now take away the profit sharing that Apple attaches to each service plan. They also need to pay the employees and infrastructure costs. That 950,000,000won is shrinking pretty fast.

I will agree that it is retarded not to sell a phone for the full price upfront.

Pikkle

Joined: 17 Jun 2009

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:10 pm Post subject:

[quote="crossmr"][quote="jdog2050"] The population of South Korea is 48,379,392.[/quote] Since when did recording populations get so accurate? Are you sure somebody hasn't died in the past minute? Or a set of twins born?

crossmr

Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:14 pm Post subject:

[quote="Pikkle"][quote="crossmr"]

jdog2050 wrote:

The population of South Korea is 48,379,392.[/quote]

Since when did recording populations get so accurate? Are you sure somebody hasn't died in the past minute? Or a set of twins born?

Its from wikipedia, I think that is the estimate off the last census. Whether its 392, 400, 500, it really isn't going to change that percentage and doesn't change the fact that E2 visa holders are a drop in the bucket.

Pikkle

Joined: 17 Jun 2009

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:19 pm Post subject:

crossmr wrote:

I get that, and I get the argument. I was just thinking the number was silly.

crossmr

Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject:

Pikkle wrote:

I get that, and I get the argument. I was just thinking the number was silly.

Yeah, I have to wonder how they estimated such a precise number.

I was just reading up on TOPIK and found this news article: http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2008/04/24/2008042461009.html
There are more Mongolians in Korea than there are E2 visa holders.

danxdan

Joined: 27 Feb 2008

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:17 pm Post subject:

dang it. i went to kt store filled out all the paper work signed etc. Then the salesman calls KT and they told me i wasn't eligible to get it. I have an f4 visa.

crossmr

Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:40 pm Post subject:

danxdan wrote:

dang it. i went to kt store filled out all the paper work signed etc. Then the salesman calls KT and they told me i wasn't eligible to get it.

I have an f4 visa.

That's unpossible. If that were true, this wouldn't be racism. You must be some kind of planted apologist.

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