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Or maybe you figure you've already gotten $400 worth of enjoyment so aren't worried that you paid through the nose?

Your attitude to falling prices is probably a good indicator as to whether you're a real "early adopter" or not.

Early adopters are those people who just have to buy the latest gadget or gizmo no matter what the price is -- while the rest of us wait until we can afford it.

Manufacturers and retailers must love early adopters -- they're so easy to sell to and they provide the seller with massive profit margins right from day one.

However, I suspect an increasing number of us are wising up to the fact that, when it comes to technology-based products, waiting a few months can save us a small fortune.

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A good example of this is the humble PC.

If you want to buy the latest box with the fastest currently available CPU and state of the art video card then you may be paying 50%-60% more than if you're prepared to settle for something just a fraction slower.

That PC which was state of the art 6 months ago has, with the launch of newer, better, every so much slightly quicker versions, been slashed in price -- yet it's still just as fast as it ever was.

Now, perhaps the latest bit of gadgetry aimed and priced with a view to attracting early adopters, is the new round of cellphone technology.

Depending on which "gee whiz" unit you buy, your cellphone is now a PDA, still-camera, video-camera, MP3 player, Game-boy alternative, GPS receiver, web browser and email client.

Oh yeah, and if you're a nostalgia freak, you can even make voice calls with it!

However, if you're like me, you're still using the analogue beige brick Motorola cellphone you bought in 1989. But I'm afraid that now I may have to break ranks and become one of those early adopter types.

It would appear as if some of the features and services offered by Vodafone's new Vodafone Live system may well be indispensable to anyone travelling abroad.

The prospect of spending 28 hours doing nothing but sitting in airports and cramped cattle-class airline seats could make the games worth their weight in gold -- and what better way to navigate the streets of an unfamiliar city or find the nearest ATM than with a location-sensitive map that appears on your cellphone's screen.

This all sounds pretty good -- but is it really worth the early adopter price?

If I weaken and decide to give Vodafone Live a try, I'll document my experiences while I'm away in the UK next week and on my return the week after.

If any Aardvark readers have an opinion on today's column or want to add something you're also invited to chip in and have your say.

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