How Apple blew it-- or what's wrong with the iPhone! (LONG)

[Paul Robinson]

Apple had a real chance to overturn the way the cellphone business is run and to revolutionize the PDA & tablet world. They blew it! (At least for now...)

Here's some of what's wrong with the iPhone:

1. Tie in with Cingular.

For now, you'll likely have to set up 2-year commitment for the phone. Worse, Apple set up a multi-year commitment "exclusive" deal with Cingular for using the device. The phone should have come unlocked ready for *any* wireless provider! That would have brought the European and international approach to cell phone buying to the U.S. (separate phones from service providers).

Did the Cingular exec pull a Gates on Jobs? Is this the Mac OS--Windows license biz all over again where Jobs has given up the keys to the kingdom? (Well, no because this affects who can buy it rather than who can copy it-- but the awful thing is that he's locked most people out for a couple of years! And that means smaller market share!)

Just imagine, for example, if Jobs and Apple declared that Macs & iPods could only be bought at Kohl's Department Stores and nowhere else. And that you could only buy a Mac or iPod there if you agreed to buy $700-1,000 worth of other stuff therer over the next two years! It'd be considered pretty ridiculous!

2. Closed architecture.

Closing it to outside developers (for now) is a big mistake. It could have been a really NEW platform and generated huge software development, great ideas, new programs, continuing buzz and utility, etc.

3. The price!

Imagine dropping the thing and the glass shatters! Lots of $$ lost to gravity. (Been there done that with a PDA.) Actually, $499 would be fine, if there were no Cingular tie in. But with that, you're talking real $$.

We're on Cingular now, but pay as you go. As much as I'd like an iPhone, we're not going to buy a $$ plan; and w/o PDA ebook/astro programs & outside development, it's not worth it!

4. Should have had a thin flip cover-- ala Clie SJ33, but thinner.

Who wants to scratch up their phone in their pockets or pocketbooks?

5. No memory slot for expansion.

6. ???

Please contribute your own "faults" with the iPhone!

Just think if Jobs had introduced this as an open, all buyers welcome device... and positioned it as an entirely new device instead of labelling it as primarily a cell phone/music player (could have used a different name than "iPhone") (how about "mini-Mac"?)(or iWorld?)(iUniverse?). The PDA aspects could have been highlighted, too.

The buzz would have been even more widespread and the impact greater and more *immediate* on changing the computing/tech landscape. Then, the masses could have gotten on board. Now it's going to take years.

What do you think? How else did Jobs and Co. blow it? What else should have been made part of the iPhone?

[Hook]

Lol! The device is 6 months away and already the honeymoon is over.

This is as silly as saying that the iPhone will put everyone else out of business. A lot can happen in 6 months.

I'm going to wait and see what does.

[Curious Cat]

The only thing I'm absolutely sure of is that everyone who is absolutely sure that they have it all figured out is absolutely going to be wrong. This applies equally to those that think Apple can't do anything wrong and those that think the phone will be a total dud. Coming out with the iPhone should motivate the industry to innovate and that's a plus, IMO, if nothing else.

Come to think of it, Hook, is absolutely correct.....

[BAB2000]

I am only a bystander observing the parade, and it is MY view, that MAC only announced the iPhone when they did, to measure interest, and excite the interest toward their arena, while the world was watching CES. And they did it well.

Yet, in the electronics market, 4 - 6 month wait time for final product, is actually a life-cycle of the product. Interest will dry up and look elsewhere.

Do not be surprised if other experienced hardware providers have alike product in development or final staging, will they be referred to as iPhone copycats, or originators

MAC also, needed to draw attention away from the OPTIONS issue, and remain focus on innovation, but who knows... for sure

just standing on the curb watching!

[berylrb]

I am only a bystander observing the parade, ...[/SIZE][/I]

Are not we all. We go the route of Paul speculating on doubt, or enthusiastically cheerlead. But the reality is we are all on the sidelines is it not?

It is fun to wax eloquently on forums, but until our money is involved, or involved in a competitor we're parade watchers. Or maybe the case is BAB2000 that you're at home watching the parade and the naysayers and cheerleaders are lining the streets as the parade goes by (I'm the latter).

The players (floats, eh?) are really Apple, Cingular, Cisco, Palm, Nokia, RIM and Motorola, (and assorted small fry), all trying to maximize profit through the illusion of meeting customers needs. If 2 billion songs are sold in 3 years, and iTunes surpasses Amazon as the 5th largest retailer, does that mean customers are satisfied? Mayber I'm wrong maybe there is another player(s), hmmm?

Again until our money is involved we're all sitting on the sidelines! The human nature in us tends to find the chinks in the armor of the visibly successful in the world, unless we're talking about Microsoft then rational thought seems to go out the Window, no pun intended.

[BAB2000]

Or maybe the case is BAB2000 that you're at home watching the parade and the naysayers and cheerleaders are lining the streets as the parade goes by (I'm the latter).

I do question Jobs' purpose to announce the iPhone at CES, with the amount of time involved before available to the market, not as a consumer, or a player, or a cheerleader, or even a naysayer. As a businessman, and investor with interest in MACs ventures, yes and practices as well.

Announcement of a product that will be revolutionary this early allows your competition to prepare, or it can create interest, like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming car, asking consumers to wait.

I saw Palm's purpose in the introduction of the Treo680 prior to availability, just before the holiday shopping season and it appeared correct.

I hope MAC has a hit, only question the real purpose of a June release in January, that is all. Consumer electronics have short life cycles traditionally from introduction to retirement, maybe 1 year, if good 18 months. For the iPhone the clock is ticking as the introduction has begun and competition will be setting new offences to prepare. Just confused, that is all.

PS: "wax eloquently on forums", thank you, but not intended

[rkevwill]

Ok, my 2 bits about this. Don't assume for a second, the phone will not have some type of cover, or case, or whatever. If not from apple, there will be tons available when it comes out from suppliers.

Next, I've been a treo 600 user since they came out. Didnt upgrade to the 650, didn't see the need. The 700p on the other hand, looks like a good upgrade to me.

Since I'm a mac user, the iPhone looks great......however, I have a few doubts about my own needs, and its ability to handle them. I receive faxes on my treo (although they view horribly). I assume I can view those via pdf and email on the iphone. I use Now up to date and Contact, and it looks like their newest version will sync with the iphone one way or another through sync services. ( a good guess, not a guarantee, since their new version will sync with address book and ical, so one way or another the info will get in the iphone)

The web interface looks wonderful. The form factor looks great. I do NOT think I am gonna like the virtual keyboard. I like the treo keyboard, and the tactile feel, and my ability to quickly type emails. I will have to see about that. My treo is my lifeblood in my workday world.

No 3G? I want 3G. I would NOT be surprised if it is delivered with 3G however, underpromise, over deliver.

Personally, I think I may go ahead and get a 700p, do a one year sprint plan instead of 2, pay more for the phone, try out the iPhone in an apple store when they come out and get the bugs worked out, and if I want one, sell the treo on ebay. Time will tell.

[mw22]

Hi


Wait for the 2nd generation iphone and then we will see what it really can do or if it will become an apple locked selling domain ??? and hence die a rapid death

I am very sure that Palm (if they are reading this forum - WAKE UP) has been served their WAKE UP call and now the ball is in their court.

They must have had an inkling that something was comming that was going to give them a run for their money because of the following:

1. perpetually licences os 5.4.9 + improvements there to
2. Announced new devices in between the lines of last quarter report (R&D)
3. Hinted at Jeff Hawkins "third device"
4. That the Treo 680 natively reads 8GB SDHC was surely not a "mistake" on Plam's part - they wrote the driver !!!! Who is to say it cannot read a 32 GB SDHC ????
5. Remember they have virtually kept all their programmers !!!!
6. I uspect a umpc type device with gsm connectivity comming soon.
7. Software R&D is going to be up in its spending !!!!

The only problem is Palm has now been offically served their WAKE UP call and

now the big thing is HOW IS PALM GOING TO RESPOND !!!!!

A definite wake up call if you ask me!

Remember release date for iphone 6 months away - What can Palm do in 6 months is the big Million dollar question ????


Go Palm Go

[berylrb]

OT, ... well Palm can be bought in six months, analysts are hinting at HP buying Palm, I always thought it would be Apple, so much for that, eh? ... back on OT

[mw22]

Hi

Sorry Ed also OT

HP bought ipags - down the drain
If HP buys Palm - well read the the bottom of the drain

Back from OT