The iPhone succeeded because it’s elegantly simple to use and Apple is a master at marketing. Nonetheless, I notice how many iPhones breakdown, how tethered iPhone users are to outlets (it’s humorous to see them rushing for unused sockets), the fragility of the iPhone (my wife dropped her E71 into the deep end of our pool and it continues to operate), and wonder if a product ever had class action lawsuits filed against it so quickly after release as did the new iPhone.

Yes, Americans (in general) are badly informed and hold opinions fed to them by the “authorities” of the media (this is my experience and frustration as an American), and are utterly unaware of Nokia’s strong presence outside North America (in addition to being ignorant of the subtleties of more important issues like history, politics and economics). It’s up to Nokia to develop a sustained marketing strategy (perhaps including an ad for the “swimming pool test” – how would an iPhone fare at the bottom of a pool?) to re-establish itself in the U.S. and to overcome self-inflicted wounds like the N97. My stock portfolio will suffer the consequences until Nokia regains a significant American presence.

Most Americans make the wrong choices every day of their life. The kind of choices that lead to debt, unhealthy living and little to no education. Unfortunately for the rest of the world, THESE are the things that we have done so well promoting to them and these bad habits are why Americans are looked down upon so often, and rightfully so.

Most Americans do not know how to “live without” – they feel entitled to everything regardless of their financial, work or personal situation and that has given us a very bad reputation as countless people all over the world go without every single day of their lives. No money? Put it on credit! No job? Let’s go out drinking and party! Relationship not “just working”? Break up and move on to the next, always another fish in the sea!

I will bash this country until it wakes up if that is what it takes to get its citizens to use a little COMMON SENSE in life and stop being selfish, immature, whiny babies that think they are entitled to having everything their way or else they are going to sue.

Jay, John – Feel free to delete this comment if you choose. My idea of being an American requires me to respond to Dennis, even if he never reads it, I tried my best to stand up for what I know is right and have no regrets about my actions, that’s how I was raised and it really saddens me to know people are unable to accept the truth sometimes simply because of how it is said. Beating around the bush and tact, are unproductive traits that have made comfy homes in America and elsewhere, because people always fear the truth and don’t know how to handle it.