What a difference 24 hours (or less) can make.

* I’m Phil.
* I’m a Mac user
* I’m around wireless networks virtually all the time (at work and at home).
* I love music and have it running non-stop...at work and at home
* I’m not an iPod owner
* I’m not an iPod Touch owner
* I miss not having music with me all the time, but I can easily take a break from it

In fact, I’ve not bought many of those things above because I’ve been waiting....and waiting...and waiting....for something that suits my needs and is all in one.

In short, I’ve been waiting for the iPhone.

But here’s the thing....

* I’m not one to make many phone calls
* I send the odd text or two when I’m not near a computer
* When I’m not near a computer, I rejoice at being away from my email
* I’m a prepay customer with Vodafone

In fact, I’ve been a big fan of Vodafone for a long time....even to the point that I’ve had furious arguments with those on other networks. I love Vodafone, but the reality is...I’m not much of a customer to them....and I’m probably never going to be.

I’ve not been waiting for a phone to match the network it sits on and the desire of that company for us to use their network for data. I’ve got my networks...I just wanted a system that combined all the things I wanted in one simple but stunning unit and integrated with my life, my computers and my music.

That’s what the iPhone meant, and means, to me.

The decison by Vodafone NZ to not offer the iPhone on prepay upsets me greatly. It shows that the reduction in costs that many will get when buying is because of the fact that you will be tied into creating revenue for these companies by other methods. In short, they'll get their money from you via plans.

But I would willingly pay more and not be subject to a plan...I have no need of one, and I object to the concept of having to pay monthly for a service I don’t intend to use.

It leaves me wondering what to do.

I leaves me wondering why (it would seem) that the iPhone will be available elsewhere on prepay, but not here.

It leaves me (sadly) thinking about what my alternatives are going to be.

I emailed a friend about a technology I introduced into the University today that looks as though it is going to be centralised and available to everyone in the institute. I said that “my baby” was all grow’d up and learning to walk by itself and that it was time for me to cut some of the apron strings....even though that’s a tough thing for me to do.

It’s funny how a piece of technology can become ingrained in to your life so much that you feel like you own it...that’s it’s yours or that you claim some sort of ownership of it.

It’s a bit like that with Macs. I’m not trying to suggest that us long-time Mac users are smug or anything (we probably are...going, I admit it) but more that I just love meeting people coming onboard with this new technology that are as excited as we often are, whilst at the same time, hearing them say things you’ve known for years.

Take the iPhone for example...it’s not even here yet (temptingly close) but I already (having only held one for a couple of days) feel like I know what others are about to find out....just what an amazing product it is.

Jump forward 3 or 4 months and you’re going to find everyone using a technology that many of us know now, that is going to impact the mobile market like never before.

It happened with the iPod and music...it’s a part of our culture and our heritage and became so almost effortlessly. The iPhone will do the same thing. So quickly will it become “the norm” in mobile phones that I can’t see what others can do to keep up.

But the thing that amazes me about it, is that it’s not just about the product. It’s about the approach Apple takes...to everything. I’m not trying to sound geeky when I say that even opening a box containing an Apple product is an event in itself...it’s just the detail and attention they go to that is so staggering.

And they’ve done that with the iPhone. How many complaints about iPhone interaction have you heard? Very few from my perspective, even a year down from the first version. Issues with AT&T? Sure! Things we’d like to see in the new version? Yes...but the interaction, the ability to use it easily and effectively...that’s what Apple is all about.

It’s a great day for those like me desperately keen to get their hands on a phone. The only down point...the amount of hours it’s taking to see changes on the Vodafone site and get some indication of price. I don’t care what it costs...I want to order....now!!