Shane, you raise a very interesting point in how user’s expectations are often molded by the industry… I went through 4 RAZR’s,6 Nokia’s, and 1 random manufacturer (mistake) cell phone models over the course of 3 years and at the moment of owning each of them, I was thrilled. Maybe it’s the gadget guy in us all, maybe it’s our subconscious trying desperately to protest us from buyer’s remorse, but I really do think we’re conditioned to expect “less than perfect” as you suggest. I’ll also say that I think this is OK (to a point). That lack of perfection is what drove Apple to make a phone that breaks the paradigm of how consumers think of cell phones… and it’s what will drive Apple or any other cell maker to create something even better.

On a lighter note, I got my PS2 this past summer… I’ll say one thing for ultra late adoption, the abundance of $10 games is pretty nice and since you haven’t been primed for the mind-bending graphics of the PS3, it doesn’t feel like buying 2 year old games. Picking one up for under $150 is pretty nice too.

So, this early adopter thing has been an adventure for me… but it’s actually been kinda exciting just because of all the buzz surrounding the product. I can literally draw emotional responses from people just by pulling it out of my pocket in an elevator… which is weird… and slightly disturbing… but kinda cool nonetheless. Anyways, I’m happy to do your beta testing for ya

The interesting question is the user’s tolerance level.

Is it changing? Are we learning to accept that all our electronics will be buggy or break? After all, none of us ever expect the hamburger to look as good as the one in the picture. We have had our expectation molded by the industry.

@Susan – I am so stoked- I finally bought a PS2! (clearly not an early video game adopter) I’ve always wondered why people buy a game system early since it takes time for them to come out with good games. That said, if no one did it they wouldn’t have the games, so my sincere thanks!

@Alice – Welcome to our blog! (hi) Thrilled to be your beta tester. I “played” beta tester for the ford focus svt, not realizing you NEVER buy the first year of a new model. I knew the name of each and every person in the ford service department. Good think I lived 4 blocks from the dealership back then. Now he has had all his kinks worked out and ducer (his name) is in prime shape. hmmm never thought of this – are car years about like dog years? That would make my car 36.

I don’t agree that testing has lessened. I believe complexity has increased.

Testing is not trivial. It’s difficult. How often has a client been the one to report a css bug in your code? Considering how often we miss that kind of bug, isn’t it miraculous that apple was able to build a pocket sized computer with a truely innovative interface?

I see the iphone as a mini computer. I dont think my laptop could fare any better if it was subjected to the challenges my phone has been through.

Not that this is some kind of “Hah, I knew better” note. You’re looking at the girl who bought a 360 at launch and got the red ring of dead a few months ago. I’m such an addict I didn’t wait for Microsoft to replace it for me…I went out and got a 360 Elite instead.

Right. So I spent $499 an a unit that died a year and a half later, and then did it again for a nicer unit. Go figure.