Why did Apple show a price of $199 in its keynote?

Question

I feel it is deceiving that Apple did not mention the actual price of the phone in the keynote
As a loyal iphone user, I can not get the phone at the $199 price.
I want to know why Apple would not state the actual price of the phone rather than the discounted price.

Answer 1

I don't think its a question of "why didn't they mention the price in the keynote", I think what you really wanted to say is what all of us are thinking and I'll say it for you and the rest of us.
I remember a time when I was with Nextel. I remember leaving them to start a new life with AT&T. Not because of customer service, or the coverage they had... but because the I,Phone was coming out in 6 months and I wanted to be ready. I even paid a pretty hefty cancelation fee. But that didn't matter to me cause I was getting someting that was going to change the way we all looked at cel phones... I was getting an I,Phone. I remember waiting in a long line eating pizza the AT&T store purchased for everyone outside. It was a great experience... it was fun. I remember that feeling when I turned the phone on for the first time. It was a rush.
I remember standing at the counter in an Apple store some time later just to upgrade my phone to a larger GB space. That meant more videos.... more music... more fun.
I remember one year later waiting in another long line for hours just to recreate that rush. I was getting the next generation I,Phone. This was great! The rush recreated all over again. I even renewed my contract with AT&T for another two years just so I could claim the discount. Even though my new statements didn't reflect the claim was twice as fast at half the price. Even though I was paying more in the long run, I didn't care.... I had the best phone on the market.
I remember standing yet again at a counter of an Apple store to increase the GB of my phone. This time.... more apps! more movies! more music! more FUN!
All year long I couldn't wait for that next keynote hoping that all the rumors were true. I remember how disappointed I was when they didn't mention a thing about the new release. Oh my GOD.... no phone this year? I remember coming home from work just to turn on my computer and get the biggest surprise of my life. Sometime during the day, Apple hits us with it.... the new I,Phone 3G S. I'm so there... ready to stand in line as I did before. I even called the Apple store just so I could get the exact time they would be opening so I knew when to be there. BUT, as I sit here now reading... I finally realized something. I realized that what I believed was Apple's number one priority (taking car of those who supported his company, who made the stocks what they are, who stayed reliable customers) was not Apple's priority at all. BECAUSE, if that was the case.... we wouldn't be charge what I'm going to pay next week while standing in line, again, for what I believe to be the best cel phone on the market. Even though I know that all the upgrades and new phone purchases mean nothing to Apple. Even though I know I could say "I'm leaving" and it wouldn't hurt them in the least.... I'll be there waiting to pay the price cause it's what I want and they know it. Thanks Steve