on hard drives maybe, but not ssds
and the trend is going inevitably to tablets/convertibles with fixed not user replaceable or expandable memory, every extra gig stll expensive as hell
$.60/GB is expensive as hell? Thats $12 to store the current block chain. Your telling me that your financial security isn't worth $12?
The tablets issue is more of a point but then use an SPV wallet! An spv wallet is secure and no third party trust is required (yes they can modify the blockchain, not sure why they would and it would quickly be noticed but you still control all the keys so they can't steal your funds).
Convenience and security in the Bitcoin world are pretty much mutually exclusive so its up to you which one you pick. One guarantees that your funds can not be stolen but may be less practical and one may be more convenient but exposes you to the risk of being robbed. I know which one people who still have all their coins choose.
so unless you host a 24/7 running mini server for you wallet at home,
you hardly can avoid using spv or partially cloud hosted wallets
especially on mobile - most countries offer only small mobile data plans
Again then use an spv, infinitely better than a service that holds your keys or even worse holds your funds in the same place as everyone elses.
I'm not sure what your point with mobile data plans is. If your using an spv its not more of an issue than general data usage, unless your suggesting people are downloading the blockchain on their phone
at least for our “pocket change“ wallet we need this third party services
Why do you ? What is wrong with thin clients that is better on a hosted service ?
I think your really conflating the points that were being discussed. Pocket change was not what the original conversation was about, it was about using blockchain.info as your main wallet or storing significant funds on it.
Pocket change is an amount that shouldn't bring people out flapping and hysterical about their funds because a site went down for an hour, thats the issue. Its obvious that there are many people who store all their coins on blockchain.info same as with Gox, my point is that if your going to do that don't be surprised if your funds disappear.