Apple iPhone coming to O2 UK on the 9th of November

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Apple iPhone coming to O2 UK on the 9th of November

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WoD

Sep 18 2007, 17:15

Post #1

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iphoneonlyono2.jpg ( 15.07K ) Number of downloads: 106

Remember, remember the, uh, 9th of November for celebration, geek talk and plot. The iPhone's release, and I'm sure you'll agree, will hurt Britain's wallets a lot.

Yep. It's official. The iPhone is coming to the very provider I've just abandoned in favour of T-Mobile (O2 if you didn't read the title) and it's coming in time for Christmas.

O2 UK are exclusively offering the iPhone starting the 9th of November and available on a very limited range of somewhat pricey tariffs. But if you're an Apple fanatic and iPhone early adopter that's not going to worry you one bit, is it?

Moving on to the nitty-gritty the available tariffs will be unimaginably titled O2 iPhone £35, O2 iPhone £45 and O2 iPhone £55. These offer between 200 and 1200 inclusive minutes, 200-500 inclusive texts, unlimited data (yes, you read that correctly... kind of necessary for the iPhone) with a fair usage policy caveat, free voicemail and "special roaming rates with ITS" which I'd wager are still going to burn a hole in your pocket. The iPhone itself will still set you back a whopping £269 on these pricey contracts which are more than likely to be 18 - 24 months, a far cry from the price of most HTC devices.

The iPhone will be available at Apple Stores, Carphone Warehouse and O2 stores both brick 'n' mortar and online; there's a limit of two per customer to keep the ebay-o-holics to a minimum.

Apple's reasons for going with O2 cite the usual PR mumbo jumbo of shared company values, good coverage and customer service and high customer satisfaction levels. Some of this may be true, but I'm thinking perhaps O2 were the only UK phone provider willing to hand over a large chunk of their profits to get the iPhone onboard.

If you want to find out more, or relentlessly refresh a product web page until November then you can visit the O2 iPhone page or Apple's very own iPhone page.

And, yes, I'm as tired of all this iPhone news as everyone else.

proindigo

Sep 18 2007, 17:53

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WOOT can I be first to

Pay 300 bucks for a phone with less features than my 1 year old tytn (admitedly with MUCH better interface)
Pay 35 bucks per month for (no joke) 200 minutes talk time and 200 text messages)
unlimited (but secretly limited ) data plan

Wait for generation 2 people coming next year... or wait till end of next year for microsoft to bring out a pretty good copy that crashes all the time.....

If I was apple I would put a GPS in, put 3g, HSDPA in, and allow full sync with outlook, plus add a better quality camera and let tmobile sell it here in the uk
Bang there you have it ladies and gents, a real dream phone.

WoD

Sep 18 2007, 18:42

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It's Apple we're talking about here, we're on the 6th Generation of iPods and they still don't even make a real mp3 player by most peoples standards. I'm one of the many who went iPod, though, and I don't regret it.

iPod touch and iPhone are, in my opinion, a very large and very cruel practical joke played on a lot of consumers some of who should know better.

Take the iPod Touch, it's a device that makes changing a track so unnecessarily fiddley that as a result people might get killed when they pay more attention to the shiny screen than they do the road. With the iPod I can one-handedly adjust the volume, play/pause and change tracks through my OPAQUE standard slip case without even an inline remote.

Then the iPhone is to phones what the iPod touch is to iPods. The most simple button-clicking operations now become reliant on the touch screen and where competing and CHEAPER devices have a QWERTY keyboard the iPhone asks you to abandon all tactile feedback and squeeze your thumbs onto a couple of inches of finger-print magnet screen to type anything.

I'm not getting the appeal here...

chucky.egg

Sep 18 2007, 20:21

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Engadget are reporting 1400 pages per day would break the Fair Usage limit. I don't know how much that is in Mb, but if you have that much spare time I'm jealous.

QUOTE(Engadget)

10:24 - Q: What's the contract length, and does unlimited usage truly mean unlimited?
Matthew: "18 months contract. There is a limit: 1,400 internet pages per day would break the deal as part of fair usage agreement." Wait, what?

Source

As for the iPhone itself. I really don't think I care any more. I won't get one (at that price? you're kidding right?) but I don't have anything against it. I doubt many WM or Symbian users will defect, but people with the Nokia/Moto/Samsung MP3 phones might.

shadamehr

Sep 18 2007, 22:13

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I'm genuinely NOT seeking to promote my blog here, honest.

But I did spend this morning writing what I personally think (well I would, I wrote it), a lengthy yet informative discourse, on the cons of the iPhone as it stands, as an EDGE and Wi-fi only device.

As such, it seems mad to repost the entire topic here, but more sense just to link to it, for those of you interested in this.

Please note I am not an Apple basher - indeed after watching some videos of the iPhone's interface today, it genuinely does have some truly amazing interface touches and features.

But EDGE only... nah, no way, not today, not any day.

And given that O2 thought EDGE so Yesteryear until the iPhone tie-up, they are miles behind with an EDGE network - so much so that AT LAUNCH, nearly two months away still, they will even then only have a 30% coverage of a Yesteryear technology that is slow anyway.

And to think it takes a minimum £899 of your hard earned, to take advantage of that too.

Feel free to read my own Blog post for more info on the EDGE coverage issues etc.

It's HERE

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mikeeey

Sep 19 2007, 03:22

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i feel sorry for the people in the UK that will be tricked into buying this phone, thinking it's the greatest device ever..atleast...thats how it was in America.

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xorangefirex

Sep 19 2007, 04:02

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QUOTE(mikeeey @ Sep 18 2007, 23:22)

i feel sorry for the people in the UK that will be tricked into buying this phone, thinking it's the greatest device ever..atleast...thats how it was in America.

If they spend half as much as they did here in the US on promoting this phone it will probably be just as overly anticipated in the UK sadly. I just hope that with the abundance of tech-savvy people in the UK (as opposed to the US where it seems only the mentally challenged are allowed to choose our phones) will realize what a mild piece of over-priced trash the iPhone is. And as usual I feel bad for the UK as they are getting the iPhone (the same iPhone) at a hefty markup (around 140 USD by my calculations (about 70 GBP)) on a two year contract. I actually had the phone for a short period of time and found it so basic that I had to take it back, so sadly...I speak from experiance. Also, if O2 ends up similarly to how AT&T did here in the states the phone will not be able to be used by people who have a business account (aka anyone whos business pays for the account or if you use your own businesses name as opposed to your own). For some unknown reason apple has a problem with not having every person's name who owns and iPhone. It really is sad that the world (or at least Americans) can be duped with pure eye candy and slick marketing techniques. My hat's off to whoever apple highers for their advertising. Fantastic work!

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mikeeey

Sep 19 2007, 04:07

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QUOTE(xorangefirex @ Sep 18 2007, 20:02)

too basic! i like that! it is just like any phone out there now, the only thing that makes it "unique" is the touchscreen, otherwise, everything else it does is just the software.

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kl1wdr

Sep 19 2007, 08:16

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I got a confession to make:

I ordered myself an 8GB iPhone

While I understand some of your concerns I have to disagree with others. How many of you have actually had a play with an iPhone yet? I had and I gotta tell you that the "user experience" is far ahead of ANY windows mobile device!!

Don't get me wrong, I am still in the windows mobile camp but GUI-wise Apple really set the marks. While I personally don't see the sense of GoogleMaps without GPS, or being able to see the latest Stocks I love to have a FULL iPod with the so much beloved CoverFlow-Interface.

I personally DO NOT need push e-mail (too expensive in Switzerland anyway!) and UMTS (same over-the-top prices). All I need is a phone which is easy to use, has an eye-candy-interface, does phonecalls and takes care of my contacts, messages and appointments. Additional features like the - if you ask me - very first USABLE browser in a mobile device (don't tell me PocketIE is the same) and the 8GB flash memory in combination with the iPod make the device even more attractive.

The iPhone can fully live up to MY expectations (only GPS is missing for me and some more storage is ALWAYS welcome, ain't it?

I heard many say that they expected me to like it as I am an aesthetics junkie.

But yes, I agree...it IS expensive...but, come on...since when does this prevent you from getting one?

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chucky.egg

Sep 19 2007, 09:56

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You are right - the interface is great. I've played with a friends US device and loved the way it worked. But what it does "out of the box" is all it will ever really do.

For me the real killer is that the keyboard is awkward, and QWERTY is now a requirement for me.
I DO need Push Email and 3G is nice (not essential by any means)

There's plenty for MS (and others) to learn from, but this is "just" a consumer phone. Not the sort of device I need.

Expensive is one thing - my imported I600 cost about £275 SIM-free, that's not cheap in my book - but £270 for the phone PLUS at least another £630 for a contract is just a rip off. We all know it will sell, but we all also know that it's not value for money.

shadamehr

Sep 19 2007, 10:31

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QUOTE(xorangefirex @ Sep 19 2007, 05:02)

<snip>
Also, if O2 ends up similarly to how AT&T did here in the states the phone will not be able to be used by people who have a business account (aka anyone whos business pays for the account or if you use your own businesses name as opposed to your own). For some unknown reason apple has a problem with not having every person's name who owns and iPhone. It really is sad that the world (or at least Americans) can be duped with pure eye candy and slick marketing techniques. My hat's off to whoever apple highers for their advertising. Fantastic work!

CONFIRMED.

The O2 website makes it clear that it is NOT available to Business Customers, and no plans to do so, and apologies for that fact. But then goes even further, suggesting Business Customers might still want to change tariffs in order to get the phone.

Wow, that really IS desperate marketing indeed.

This post has been edited by shadamehr: Sep 19 2007, 10:32

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shadamehr

Sep 19 2007, 11:02

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QUOTE(kl1wdr @ Sep 19 2007, 09:16)

Having seen the videos, that alone was enough for me to KNOW that the user interface is AMAZING. Truly so. But just as I say in my Blog post, it's STILL a Ferrari F50 with a 750cc Smart Car Engine, given the EDGE issue (again more in my Blog post).

Additionally, have YOU actually had a play with the iPhone yet... If so perhaps you would offer comment as to the lack of MMS/Picture Messaging it allegedly suffers. And I'm thinking something a bit more productive than "not everyone uses mms".

Even to those who can madly, and foolishly ignore that it has no 3G, as it does have the slower EDGE, so CAN still go on the net (just, at slow speeds, in only 30% of the UK by population density on launch), ask yourself is it right to have a phone that does not have certain PHONE features such as MMS?

No, the interface is amazing... but that can only paper over the cracks so to speak, so far, as to the underlying technology issues and omissions the phone possesses.

QUOTE(kl1wdr)

Don't get me wrong, I am still in the windows mobile camp but GUI-wise Apple really set the marks. While I personally don't see the sense of GoogleMaps without GPS, or being able to see the latest Stocks I love to have a FULL iPod with the so much beloved CoverFlow-Interface.

I don't see the sense of it either. And if you love it as an iPod, get yourself one - the iPod Touch (the same basic device without the phone features), is to launch BEFORE the iPhone itself in Europe. So it sounds to me by what you are saying, that an iPod Touch, is far more suited to what you want.

QUOTE(kl1wdr)

I personally DO NOT need push e-mail (too expensive in Switzerland anyway!) and UMTS (same over-the-top prices). All I need is a phone which is easy to use, has an eye-candy-interface, does phonecalls and takes care of my contacts, messages and appointments. Additional features like the - if you ask me - very first USABLE browser in a mobile device (don't tell me PocketIE is the same) and the 8GB flash memory in combination with the iPod make the device even more attractive.

Switzerland must be different to many other Europe markets then mate. Because certainly in the UK, the base Data Bearer Technology is NOT charged dependant upon what is offered... Users pay per MB, or pay for a Data Plan at a certain price. But they DO NOT pay more for UMTS than they do for GPRS, or EDGE, or HSDPA (in some respects - though T-Mobile prefer you to be on Web n Walk Pro for HSDPA).

So in the UK, if the iPhone WAS 3G, or 3.5G, then users would not pay a penny more for 1GB of HSDPA or certainly UMTS data, than they would for 1GB of GPRS or EDGE data.

So no reference to "same over the top prices" apply in the UK, nor most other countries in Europe as far as I was aware.

As for the Browser in the iPhone, it is OSS, or Open Source Safari... Yes it's brilliant, but its the very same base browser used on my 3.5G HSDPA Nokia N95, or 6120c. The difference is that on the iPhone, the screen is bigger resolution, so you can see more. But it takes five to ten times as long to load on the iPhone, as it does on my HSDPA N95, or 6120.

And I know which one of those two I prefer, bigger screen, or ten times faster load...

Additionally, I can easily connect my N95 up to my TV or monitor, and see it full screen. So that argument is put to rest.

And Finally, even though the iPhone does have that lovely large screen, as it says in my blog (and it's starting to sound too much like a plug for my blog), then what use, and what a waste, of such a great screen, when you can't even stream video to it well over EDGE.

You say the interface on the iPhone is much better than PPC. True perhaps. But "An Interface" does not a phone maketh - not really when it really comes down to it - sell phones, perhaps, but MAKE the phone, nah, not likely. Features do that. And watching all my PVR Sky+ recordings on my HTC Hermes over 3.5G HSDPA on the decent sized screen, using SlingPlayer, is just one of the myriad examples WHY the iPhone is all flash, and little feature... Certainly that's something you won't ever be able to do on your snazzy looking but feature limited iPhone.

Yes it has wi-fi... but again as that blog of mine mentions, the idea of a MOBILE device, is to have you connected, wherever you are, NOT for YOU to have to be dictated to where to go. If I am going to be dictated to as to where I go to access the net on my device, I might as well find a web cafe, and use a REAL monitor to do it.

And what use is SlingPlayer over wi-fi on the iPhone, if ever eventually possible... how does that help my partner who was in hospital for three days last week, and could watch all her tv on her phone, without paying the extortionate fees for in the in room tv service.

Wi-fi would not have been much use to her now would it.

QUOTE(kl1wdr)

The iPhone can fully live up to MY expectations (only GPS is missing for me and some more storage is ALWAYS welcome, ain't it?

I heard many say that they expected me to like it as I am an aesthetics junkie.

But yes, I agree...it IS expensive...but, come on...since when does this prevent you from getting one?

The iPhone will live up to a LOT of people's expectations, not just your own mate - many more will be happy with its limited features.

The point is, those people clearly only have a specific or limited set of expectations.

And whilst normally there would be nothing wrong with this (horses for courses, as we say), in all past cases, if you only require a certain limit or level of features in a device, that device therefore has not cost you very much.

Those happy with the limited features of the iPhone will be paying a UK premium of AT LEAST £899 for that limited feature set though.

Finally, whilst my comments are spoken as if to you yourself, rest assured, they are actually aimed at Apple as it were, and you are merely a platform for me to point out these things - rest assured I have absolutely no gripe with yourself over this.

Finally, for those interested in any aspects of what I raise above, my Blog Post about this is > HERE

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Kallisti

Sep 19 2007, 12:59

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3G Vs. EDGE: I almost always have HSDPA/UTMS/whateverthehellitscalled turned off on my Vario II. It sucks battery life at an unacceptable rate. Mind you, because Pocket IE is so awful, I'm a little restricted as to what I can view anyway, so I guess 3G just doesn't do it for me.

Apple Vs. Rest of the world = nil all

Push email/business features: Yes, ball dropped here. Though personally I expect Apple to have these on the phone sooner rather than later.

A:ROW = 0:1

Visual Voice Mail: WHY OH WHY hasn't someone thought of this before. I don't know about anyone else, but pressing keys to sift through voice menus for my voice mail is a complete pain in the ass.

A:ROW = 1:1

Expense: OK, this is an odd one - it doesn't seem much different to me (Eg, Kaiser is over 240 on similar priced tariffs and that's WITHOUT the free WiFi and data). Why do people think it's soo bad? I guess it's problem is that it may not be making it to the general re-sellers to allow them to make ever more narrow profit margins.

A:ROW = 1:1

Interface: Apart from it's actual features, the killer app for me is the pure fluidity and speed of response. Apple just 'got it right' on this one. You do something on the screen and it happens instantly. No clock timers, no juddering, it just does it.

A:ROW = 2:1

MMS: I honestly didn't know anyone used it. I've never received one.

A:ROW =2:1

Stupid design faults: OK, it's stupid to have a non-replaceable battery. Mind you, I've never replaced a battery on one of my phones before either. I guess this is Apple trying to dictate an End Of Life for the devices in about 3 years (it won't be worthwhile to pay to have the battery replaced). I do think they should be hung drawn and quartered on environmental grounds though.

A:ROW = 2:2

All in all, I don't get the bashers and I don't get those who are hyping it. I do think it's new and innovative, I think they've made some sensible design decisions (battery life over 3G, especially given their ipod experiences), but also some silly ones (battery accessibility). But other than that, it's one of the most stylish phones you can buy and it's a step forward in reducing the number of devices people feel the need to carry with them.

I won't be buying one now, but if push email and full exchange sync comes to the party, I'll certainly consider one.

chucky.egg

Sep 19 2007, 13:40

Post #14

Did I say that out loud?
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I tend to agree with Kallisti on this

3G does drain your battery, and for my requirements (and I suspect many others too) GPRS is adequate. I don't dock Apple any points for that.

MMS? Nobody, but nobody uses MMS! If you're docking points for that you should dock points for no EMS either.

Somebody really should write a blog about this stuff...

Rob.P

Sep 19 2007, 16:04

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See this is why I like this site, a reasoned discussion on the iPhone. I'm no Apple lover (use'em for work along with PC's) but I'm an Apple status symbol hater, which is much of what the marketing is based on.

As a phone I do think Apple have definitely hit the nail on the head with the interface, but missed a few tricks elsewhere. Some of the tricks they have missed are only due to what I'm used to with my device and 3G is one of them, I rely it on it a lot now that I have used it. Some of the other tricks just smack of a company that's just started in the phone business, they will come with time, 2nd or 3rd gen of the iPhone will probably be v.smart and slightly less locked down (installing 3rd party apps and such like).

At the present time though, I'd rather go for an iTouch and save myself nigh on £700 (when you take into account the tariff and such like).

Last point being I hope this doesn't backfire for O2 as it looks like a rather desperate deal on their part and they have conceded a lot in terms of contracts. Orange refused the iPhone due to the contract Apple was negotiating.

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Interesting Times

shadamehr

Sep 19 2007, 18:07

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I like a reasoned debate mate, but some of the things you state below , you have just blatantly discounted relevant facts - let me explain...

QUOTE(Kallisti @ Sep 19 2007, 13:59)

You sound life Steve Jobs on this one mate, with his excuse why we don't have 3G in the iPhone, as it would affect the battery life too much.

But that's a nonsensical excuse when really thought about, as at the end of the day it's up to Apple to sort out the battery. And even then, being fair to them, Nokia were not really able to do anything with the battery of the N95, which we ALL know is poor. HOWEVER exactly like you say, i can if I wish, elect to TURN off 3G and GPS and Wi-fi, or any combination of these I like, on my N95, and get far better battery, saving certain times only for periods I might need one of these things.

The difference here - I have a CHOICE, and can use them as and when I like. The iPhone has no choice on these.

(I can also install far better browsers on the device than IE, which everyone knows is poor, BTW to also help redress that point you made)

So I am sorry, but being more honest, I score that one as follows:

A:ROW = 0:1

QUOTE(Kallisti)

Push email/business features: Yes, ball dropped here. Though personally I expect Apple to have these on the phone sooner rather than later.

A:ROW = 0:1

At least you score it honestly, but you also forget something else - if they DO ever add this, don't forget BUSINESS users can't even have an iPhone, unless they are the specific named individual, AND forgo a Business Tariff too. Apple have not allowed O2 UK to offer the iPhone to anyone not individually identifiable, for some weird reason well talked about elsewhere, nor have O2 allowed them on Business Tariffs etc.

So I score this not only a 1 for push email to the ROW, but another 1 to ROW for anyone being able to use their none apple business phones on business accounts etc.

So with the amended score from item 1 about the CHOICE of 3G, which a user can turn on or off, exactly like you mention yourself, then the current score in my book is now:

A:ROW = 0:3

QUOTE(Kallisti)

Visual Voice Mail: WHY OH WHY hasn't someone thought of this before. I don't know about anyone else, but pressing keys to sift through voice menus for my voice mail is a complete pain in the ass.

A:ROW = 1:1

I like the idea of this too, if the UK nets can support it, as I suspect O2 are going to have teething problems rolling this out so quick to adhere to Apples standards. Nevertheless, kudos to Apple, point to them

A:ROW = 1:3

QUOTE(Kallisti)

Expense: OK, this is an odd one - it doesn't seem much different to me (Eg, Kaiser is over 240 on similar priced tariffs and that's WITHOUT the free WiFi and data). Why do people think it's soo bad? I guess it's problem is that it may not be making it to the general re-sellers to allow them to make ever more narrow profit margins.

A:ROW = 1:1

Except on tariffs of £35 a month as the Apple iPhone will be, I don't know where you are getting the figure of £240 from for the CHEAPEST contract based Kaiser mate. Sure SOME might be charging as high. But it only takes ONE place to sell it much cheaper, and your argument then holds no sway.

And as I have already, in just five seconds Googleing, found a site doing it from FREE dependant on contract (and certainly on a £55 a month one, like the Apple iPhone is still £269 on), then this point is completely false.

Example Tariff Deal Link

The Kaiser can be had for FREE on roughly equivalent monthly cost tariffs, and can also be bought SIM free from £399. The iPhone CANNOT be bought SIM free, and thus £899 really is the minimum total price you can acquire one for, irrespective of whether this gets you included service or not - the point is you don't even HAVE a choice. Additionally, it has been hinted that come 9th Nov and the new O2 tariffs, OTHER users with OTHER devices, can elect to take out this tariff that includes free wi-fi too, with OTHER devices. Thus if it proves true, means that the Kaiser etc could easily be used on said same tariff.

So you are really NOT understanding the price issue of the iPhone here it sounds mate. in the UK, as I am not sure where you are at, the cost of a handset at £269 AND with an OBLIGATORY 18 month contract, is unheard of, and extremely pricey.

A:ROW = 1:4

QUOTE(Kallisti)

Interface: Apart from it's actual features, the killer app for me is the pure fluidity and speed of response. Apple just 'got it right' on this one. You do something on the screen and it happens instantly. No clock timers, no juddering, it just does it.

A:ROW = 2:1

As already stated, I like the interface. I even like the keyboard and it's intelligent learning features, even though most other people slate the lack of real qwerty buttons on it. So I score this to iPhone too.

A:ROW = 2:4