I have just read on AppleInsider that O2 will not be implementing Visual Voicemail in Ireland. Thats just nuts. One of the few features that might have kept me wanting a legit is gone.

Two things happened in the last two days. This morning the iPhone was announced for Ireland, as I pretty much expected O2 got it, they had it in the UK so it made sense.

However, also as you would expect the prices are a joke. €399 for the 8GB and €499 for the 16GB. It sells at these prices elsewhere in Europe so I suppose no surprise there.

The other thing that happened was that the Euro reached a new high against the dollar, $1.51. So €399 is now $602, and €499 is $753.49. In the states these two handset models sell at $399 and $499. So even accounting for VAT, we are still looking at over a $100 premium on the handset alone.

Then there are the tarrifs which are as follows:

Additional Data 2c per MB

Voicemail 15C

Well the 1GB data limit it clearly a joke, I don't think much needs to be said on that. We get ripped off for mobile data in Ireland unless you get one of their broadband modems. But if I can buy the modem and get 10gb for 24 euro I don't understand how they couldn't work that into their 100 Euro price plan.

Currently I am on the Business Time 500 plan. For €70 I get 500 minutes talk time, 150 anytime minutes or 250 texts, extra calls are 17c and extra texts 8c.

So price wise the €65 iPhone plan would be the equivalent plan. However, for the privilege of paying out a few hundred for a phone, I would have 150 minutes less talk time, 100 less text and actually pay MORE!! for additional calls and texts.

Only in Ireland.

It has to be said the idea of sticking to my existing plan, getting in a phone from the states, unlocking it and ignoring the fact that I have mobile safari on the phone is still looking like a viable option. Its still likely I will end out getting an iPhone but with these plans they have hobbled the use of a great device.

Now lets get this straight. I am a bit of an Apple fan boy. Not the rush out the door every time they release a product type, nor the type who gets overly excited when the store goes down but I really like their machines and software. I have personally converted several people to be apple users as well.

However, the one thing that constantly annoys me is the price difference between Ireland (or generally europe for that matter) and the US.

The new Apple TV is $229 in the US. By google magic this is €157.46. On the Apple Ireland site, €299!! Almost twice the price.

Now I can understand that Apple can't keep up with currency variations on a day by day basis but this is ridiculous. Come on Apple get your act together.