iPhone competitors: if you want me, i'll cost you $237

I'm not bound by tradition. I'm able to switch sides in the smartphone wars.

But my allegiance comes at a price.

For example, if you look at my SMARTPHONE RANKINGS, a handful of the HTC-Android smartphones are scoring closer and closer to the iPhone. Now, this does not include a ranking of the upcoming iPhone 4G, but let's just assume there's an HTC-Android smartphone that scores close.

Would I switch?

Nope.

As I said, you have to buy my loyalty. Thus, if it's an equivalent network, equivalent contract terms and conditions and priced comparably, I still wouldn't. Because I've invested too much in my iPhone apps. In fact, based on a back-o-the-napkin calculation, it's been over $100. But I like these apps. I know how they work. I use them for my work, my personal life, my family.

It's gonna cost Verizon/HTC/Google more than $100. Based on my math, everything else equal -- and it never is -- a strong iPhone competitor will need to fork over $237 *and* have a damn good app store available at my beck and call.

What's that?

What's the price of my video and iTunes music?

Crap. Forgot about my media. Ok, more math. Dang. It's gonna cost that iPhone competitor a lot!