Dvorak: Apple should pull the plug on the iPhone
By Thomas Ricker 
posted March 29th 2007 8:38AM
posted March 29th 2007 8:38AM
Prepare to have your feathers ruffled Apple fanboys, John Dvorak -- a name synonymous with curmudgeon -- has called on Apple to "pull the plug on the iPhone" and pass it along to some other "suckers" before it's too late. His case? Essentially, as a newcomer "there is no likelihood that Apple can be successful in a [cellphone] business this competitive." Echoing similar sentiments already shared by Palm's Ed Colligan. Of course, we've already witnessed a newcomer step into the mobile handset business, which Dvorak describes as a "buzz saw waiting to chop up newbies," and emerge as the boutique, go-to provider for high-end handsets -- heard of HTC? Hell, you don't have to be a fanboy or even an iPhone fan to feel the retch of nonsensical nausea welling within. Look, we're not saying Apple's success is guaranteed by any stretch, but let's call this rant what it is: shameless attention whoring. Well, he's got it.[Photo by Jason DeFillippo]
well.... after reading all those comments the only thing i can make out is that....
DVORAK'S a dumbass
Right because AT&T isn't the main exclusive carrier. Right because even if only asking about, half is a reasonable number of buyers. So 500,000 x$600 for just AT&T not including Cingular. Right.
I think he is only half right. The sales will be very brisk initially but will soon taper off until the price can come down by $200 or so. The fact that it’s locked into one network is also a limiting factor.
Apple will do better than most newbies but they are in no way going to corner the market, it’s a niche phone and should do well as one.
By giving him the attention he wants (and it's the only thing he is looking for), you all become his puppets...
Oh come on - you'd think the guys at Engadget wouldn't make such an obvious error in comparison.
HTC was the primary maker for PocketPCs and Windows Mobile Smartphones for many other companies before they got into it themselves. In fact, they'd built up a solid rep because eventually it got to the point where sites like this one would cross reference various phones back to the original HTC models they're based on.
And HTC made lots of different phones and PDA.
It was natural for HTC to eventually just release their own phones and PDAs since almost everyone else's were just their units rebranded, especially when there were companies like iMate which were nothing more than an HTC reseller.
The iPhone, on the other hand, is an entirely different situation. Apple has just one product in this space. It's in one configuration and size. It's relatively limited in features. It's expensive and it's tethered to iTMS.
It's telling that Microsoft has decided to turn over their new phone concept to a spinoff company rather than risking keeping it in-house, but that's because Microsoft want to promote a new technology.
In the case of the iPhone, Apple is trying to commandeer an existing market - one which has quite a few big names and a lot of product diversity and innovation and a huge amount of product churn.
I'm not saying the iPhone won't be successful enough - but I think Apple is seriously walking into the propeller blades here. The market dynamics are nothing like what they're used to.
Why the hate? It's because he's masqueraded as a journalist for years and years when he's simply been a troll all that time. (MacUser gave him the "end of magazine goof-ass humor" slot, you'll recall.)
I'm an Apple partisan to be sure, but Dvorak riles me not because he "maligns my platform" but simply because he's a BAD journalist.
I think Dvorak is on the money with this one. I'm a Mac user and have been for many years, just like Apple TV, iPhone will sink to the bottom of the ocean just like the Titanic did and it will just be another page in history for Apple. I really don't think everything "Steve" touches turns to gold like lots of people I know think....... just my 2cents woth!
I don't think the iPhone will be a success. That said, Dvorak loves to piss off the Apple lovers. It's great!
There's a reason why Dvorak spends his time telling other companies what they should and shouldn't do. Its because he is an idiot who's wrong 99% of the time, and if he were to try to run a company like Apple he'd fail before he could comb his hair.
The iPhone looks more like an incremental innovation (better/faster/etc) to me than a disruptive innovation which changes the basis of competition.
BUT if the iPhone evolves as a laptop replacement, that would be very disruptive.
More details on the iPhone and its B- Disruption Score:
http://www.ondisruption.com/my_weblog/2007/01/apples_iphone_l.html
Mike
www.OnDisruption.com
He may be exaggerating, as he usually does but, that the iPhone is overrated? From a PC standpoint? Yes. From a Mac standpoint? No. Why? Who in their right mind, owning and operating a PC think of replacing their WM5/WM6 device with the iPhone? It's far too limited. Now, I could see why Mac users are salivating for the release of the iPhone. I own a Mac Pro and I would love to not have to keep using Parallels so that I could properly sync my WM6 8525 (HTC Hermes100) with Money. It's really the only reason why I need Parallels (mostly). Now, if the iPhone were to allow me to sync Quicken (Mac version) to it and give me the same functionality that Inesoft's Cash Organizer gives me with Money, then I would probably consider it. But then again, iPhone is a closed architecture phone. At least from what I've heard so far. It won't allow one to run 3rd party programs like WM6 phones do. I don't think I can live with that. I mean, really, would I have to buy all of the programs which I currently use in my 8525 again just so that I could have the iPhone? As widgets? Will they even be available? Along with that, pay $599.00 for the phone as well as re-up a 2 year contract with AT&T? Are you kidding me?
What I would probably do is get the iPod's replacement, if it looks like the iPhone, but to replace my WM6 with it? At this time, the answer is no. Is Dvorach right with his article? Perhaps too extreme. But as it stands now, the iPhone to me is kind of irrelevant, expensive, and an unjustifiable expense. If they open it up to 3rd party apps and relax the price a bit or at least make it $599.00 but with no contract extension, then I would more than likely buy one. Just my 2 cents.
He sure looks like Dwight Schrute in that photo.
I'm not saying this as an Apple Fan Boy, but as a regular member of the human race.
Why does anyone give a rat's A$$ as to what Dvorak says, regarding anything? You hear less grumbling and nonsense around a shuffleboard court.
If you've seen the iPhone in action, like at macworld in january, then you already know that this device is going to make waves and sell millions. People seem to forget how clunky their current phones are. This device is at least four years ahead of other phone companies interfaces and works like a dream rather than a struggle. The form factor is impressive as well. Who cares if it's not bleeding edge. This is their first phone and some of those features could likely be enabled in software upgrades. I am a bit woried how much control the Record Indutstry and ATT will have over Apple though. Anyway, it's hard to be mad at Dvorak since this is his only way to make money. It's sad, but I guess it works for him.
Free iPods for everyone!!!!!!!!
Agggh.
Sure, Dvorak; Apple should definitely abandon a potentially lucrative field, because its paradigm-changing product is too damned easy to use / expensive / new and the competitors are just too ferocious.
The cell phone market is enormous. There is plenty of room at the top end for a new competitor, even if the phone costs $600, because there are plenty of early adopters and techno geeks and luxury-minded executives and Apple fanboys to soak up as many iPhones as Apple can churn out.
Sure, there are features that everyone would like the iPhone to have: faster networking, video streaming, infinite battery life, and on and on. But the simple fact is that this phone will do 90% of what people want, and it will do it far, far more easily. I have a Blackberry right now, and as much as I enjoy its functionality, I won't hesitate to get an iPhone because although the Blackberry is very functional, it is also very very clumsy.
People who think top-end high-margin products shouldn't even be produced also think everyone should be driving a Ford Focus without the air conditioning option. Hey, all you need is something that gets you from point A to point B, right?
Please remove my photo or give the appropriate credit.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpdefillippo/79559586/in/set-1702511/
I really expected better from Engadget...
There will always be someone to say that you "can't do something". You go Apple!!!
Sigh...
You do know that AT&T and Cingular are the same firm, don't you? Are you assuming that people who wouldn't buy the iphone because it was originally a Cingular exclusive will do so now that AT&T will offer it as well, even though the two are the same firm?
Also, let's look at where that "one million" figure comes from:
http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-service/specials/iPhone.jsp
So you think that 500,000 people that enter their email address into a submission field will buy the phone? Hell, even I entered my email address and I have almost no intention of buying the damn thing.
50% is an incredibly naive, and, well, just plain stupid projection.
I'm not saying only 500,000 iphones will be sold, because we all know there are way more than 500,000 self-serving and pretentious "art school" hipsters and high schoolers with tons of disposable income that will all want to impress their friends.
"Right because AT&T isn't the main exclusive carrier. Right because even if only asking about, half is a reasonable number of buyers. So 500,000 x$600 for just AT&T not including Cingular. Right."
Ummm - Cingular and AT&T are one and the same.
I stopped reading at "Dvorak." I honestly had no idea that you could turn trolling into a profession, but, well, there you go.
I'm not sure what gives you the end all of predictions to say what the iPhone will or won't sell. That's is nativity as it's most potent. I'm not saying the iPhone will sell 500,000 units, I'm not saying it won't sell 1 million. It's an Apple product and like the iMac and especially the iPod, many ignorant know it alls have all laughed at and mocked the success of said products only to look like the ignorant uninformed anti-Apple cronies they are. I'm not saying Apple has the Midas Gold touch, but as a long term user, I have seen this all before and Apple was the last one laughing 95% of the time. Given the coverage, the early buzz and Apple's modest hopes at the slightest of market share goals, I see no reason why this would need to be canceled as Dvorak laments.
Look, we're not saying Apple's success is guaranteed by any stretch,
--
Wanna bet?
"600 for an 8GB video iPod" This is an asinine argument.. obviously if you ignore 85% of the phones features then kindly shave 85% off the price too, dickwad.
Ah no, enlightened by early news reports LOL. 1 million interested with just AT&T, THAT'S NOT COUNTING WHAT BUSINESS THE MAIN EXCLUSIVE RESELLER CINGULAR DOES.
You have surpassed Dvorak's level.
"Do you know how much I hate business people? I don't think you do. "
Aww, It's OK to be jealous. Hope you enjoy your Barrista shift.
"The problem here is that while Apple can play the fashion game as well as any company, there is no evidence that it can play it fast enough. These phones go in and out of style so fast that unless Apple has half a dozen variants in the pipeline, its phone, even if immediately successful, will be passé within 3 months."
I think that this might be one place that Apple could do well - by selling software gadgets that take an essentially good phone/convergence design and giving added value every few months or so, they can keep the hardware from being "passé". I think the phone market is so upgrade happy because frankly, most phones out there suck/are a compromise.
Still, until they app unlock it and add wifi - even if they have to make it bigger to do it - I will not buy the device.
Not cool taking Jason DeFillippo's photo and not respecting the CC license. You guys should give him credit or take it down. By not complying with the right holders reuse stipulation Engadget is illegally using another’s art to make your own service appear somewhat better. I'd expect more from you guys.
Was an accident of haste, have added the credit! We definitely have no intention of taking any credit for Jason's work. Thanks for pointing that out!
The URL didn't make it through:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpdefillippo/79559586/in/set-1702511/
Credit him. You're violating the CC license.
Cingular and AT&T are the same company, but I can't comment of the 1 million was the sum interest for both companies or not. However, that's still a huge number that can't be taken lightly given the 30 million or so mac users who are drooling over this.
OK, you do know apple wants to sell 10 million of these things by December 31, 2008, right?
That one million on Cingular's website is trite. I'd be terribly surprised if there are, say 50,000 sales that come from those that sign up for mere email updates on the thing.
The imac and ipod are not good comparisons. The imac appealed to people for its cute aesthetic, but wasn't horribly overpriced (even for a mac), like the iphone is. The ipod was, admittedly, so advanced for its time that getting the lion's share of the relatively new DAP market at the time was a cinch. The cell phone market is a different story. Firms like Motorola and Nokia sell 10 million units in a matter of weeks, of one particular model. Not to mention that for the price, there are much better phones available. Yeah, their market share hopes may be "modest", but moving 10 million units of anything, including an overpriced fashion accessory, is not easy, especially in a deeply-entrenched market.
And didn't apple want a cut of every iphone users monthly Cingular/AT&T bill? Doesn't exactly instill confidence, does it?
And my, how the fanboys are quick to forget the early and mid-nineties when apple almost declared bankruptcy a few times. Their computer saturation is 8% at best, and they are always behind the technology curve (insert fanboy rants of "we have intel processors too!" or "vista just copied off of osx!"). Yeah, I'm sure they were laughing pretty hard back then. "nativity" indeed.
But hey, I will give the firm kudos. Most DDM growth models have them pegged at around $55-$70, even under the most absurd economic and industry conditions, so they've convinced the market that their firm is worth anywhere from 33% to 69% more than what it's actually worth. I'll just say that the markets are cyclical and leave it at that.
But, as I said before, there are probably a few million pretentious fanboy hipsters who will have to have the iphone, no matter how underwhelming and lacking it seems, at least on a technological basis (no removable battery, no removable storage, no productivity apps, and where's the SIM card?). These are the same people who feel superior in the coffee shops because their laptop has a white glowing apple on it and costs a premium over similarly-spec'd Windows-based counterparts.
He just missed the action on the stock thats why he is bashing it all the way so that he can catch the next big wave! When the stock hits low enough, he will hop on the bandwagon! I bet he did some taking around 2:30PM today.
Well, in cse youy didn't know, since your anti-Apple sentiment drips badly, Gates settled out of court with Apple over copyright infringements concerning Apple's OS. Part of that settlement was Office for Mac and a 80 million or so investment. So, rant? No. Fact.
That 'superior' label you loosely slap on mac users is greatly misinterpreted. It's a feeling not of elitism, or superiority, it's nirvana. It's knowing that our computer won't crash. It happiness in your activity because you aren't struggling with driver updates, virus scanning, loss of data, dealing with spyware that hacked your messenger services. It's piece of mind. It's knowing 3 years from now, your $2k computer will fetch $1200. It's about value. It's about stability. It's about function. That fact that it looks sharp next to ugly boring pc's is purely a bonus.
I'm sure there are quite a few non Apple fan boys that will pick up the iPhone. Since you don't know Apple, you have no base from which to even project. Let's see what happens once the phone has been released, meanwhile go play with your privacy stripped, OS X copied, Vista :)
LOL OK I think you may have just replaced my former model apple fanboy: "It's a feeling not of elitism, or superiority, it's nirvana." That's so precious. Thank you so much for saying that, it made my day.
I'm not familiar with the suit you speak of, but $80m is a drop in the bucket to MSFT. Business as usual. Move on.
And my God, it doesn't matter what platform you use, if you abuse your computer and treat it poorly, physically or otherwise, the thing will suffer. Take my little sister, for example. God bless her, she fucks up every computer she touches within 6 months. That's why I have a Norton Ghost image on DVD of each of the two PCs I have at home so the family can easily "start from scratch". Now granted, those PCs are a P3 733 and a P4B 2.4 running Windows 2000 and were in great shape when I left them when I went off to school, but in my absence she did a number on them. Which is why I was concerned when she went off to school her self. The prestigious art school in New York she attends "requires" apple hardware, despite the fact that all the software they use has a Windows counterpart. So my dad drops around 3 grand on a top-of-the-line 15" g4 powerbook, and sure enough, when I come home from Christmas after her first semester, the thing has slowed to a crawl and takes around five minutes to boot.
So yes, Windows is more privy to security problems because its users outnumber mac users to an enormous degree. With the Holy Trinity of ZoneAlarm, Windows Defender, and AVG Antivirus (all free), I have had no "security" issues on my PC for several years. And I don't think you're going to fetch 60% of your initial investment for a three-year-old computer, I don't care who made it.
And about "playing". That's something apple has never been able to do well. Yes, bootcamp. That's great. No DirectX10 support, and no high-end cards. I'll just go play all my high-end games with two 8800GTXs in SLI on my mac now. Oh, wait...
And sure Vista has problems. It's practically brand new, and the bevy of hardware and software combinations MSFT has to deal with with each new OS it makes is not even comparable to the amount that apple has to deal with when it releases a new service pa...err, I mean OS. It's not even close. So when Vista SP1 drops in a few months I may pick it up, but I've been happy with XP Pro since it came out and don't see an immediate need to upgrade.
Your welcome. I figured I'd share what you'll never be able to experience.
I never insinuated the 80 mil hurt, M$, just that in a court of law before settling out, admitted to stealing from Apple's OS and implementing features and technology.
Real artists use macs, it's really quite obvious why. Just like gamers use PCs, artists use macs. When you want to produce and work without interruption or deal with non essential headaches, you use a mac. My duo core Intel MacBook Pro was $2100 and boots in 24 seconds. Your dad can pop that powerbook on eBay and get some cash for it. Unlike PCs, macs retain value like Hondas and Toyotas. I do this every 3-4 years. I get about 50% or more of the value and use that towards my new mac. Don't believe me, go and look on eBay. I've done this 3 times. Check it out, I don't care if you believe it not, it's fact.
I would never claim the mac to be a game platform, that's not it's goal. I play games on my PS3 and use my mac(s) for productivity/work.
Again, you mention service patches, again, you have no idea to which you speak of. To thinky uo guys have to have securities updates weekly (sarcasm) Windows 95 or 2000 had 10,000 documented bugs, you have absolutely no right to comment on mac OS updates. That's the 'pot calling the kettle back', and it really makes you look foolish.
We can argue all day about mac vs pc, it's really quite futile. It's too early to say a product should be killed when it's 1) not yet out 2) has buzz 3) solid core base 4) meets current needs for some. So for Dvorak to open his yap, he really needs to keep to his hole.
You apparently don't like Apple or it's products, I get that. But to argue with you when you feel about Apple the way I feel about M$ is endless. So, we'll agree to disagree. Agreed? :)
I've heard the same BS for years. "Real artists use macs, it's really quite obvious why." OK, why is that obvious? PCs have the same or similar software that macs do and run it faster. The entire Adobe suite is available for Windows. Avid Xpress Pro HD is a much more robust offering than final cut and is available for PCs and macs. I always hear this same sentiment, yet there is usually little to back it up.
And why would you game on a PS3? The library is weak, Sony's once-abundant exclusives are drying up and the online experience is a joke. Xbox Live simply has no peer and there are much better games on the Wii.
About bugs. Yes, Windows has its share. That's what happens when your platform supports billions of hardware/software combinations and you support over 90% of the world's computers. I honestly feel for people who used Windows 95/98/ME and didn't move to NT/2000/XP. It's too bad MSFT fumbled around with DOS-based systems for so long, but even the most jaded apple fanboy will admit that XP is a huge improvement over its predecessor, Windows 98. And at least MSFT is relatively diligent in its service packs and updates. It's pretty simple to double-click the little yellow shield in the taskbar whenever it shows up. Because people fail to do does not mean it is a flawed system, it just means that people aren't as diligent as they should be. And the new firewall and Windows Defender are great additions too, once properly configured.
And I don't think the iphone shouldn't be made, as that will stymie product innovation, which is not good for consumers. It's just clear that it's main selling point is the apple logo on the back of it. There are better phones already out there that are cheaper and much, much better phones for the same price.
It's not BS, if you were an artist, you'd know. I am, so I know. When you want to create, you don't want to have to update drivers, or run virus software or worry about spyware and bugs, etc. You just want to work. You want your computer to function and not get in the way. Macs don't get in the way. They are simple. The UI is simple. Windows does to much, controls too much, gets in the way too much. Trash a file on Windows and 5 programs fail to work. That doesn't happen on the mac. Drag and drop simplicity we've had for ages. Windows works in windows, or walls where as macs never go full screen with the windows, it wasn't meant to. You were menat to see all the windows. The user moves opens, drags, etc. No dock to control open windows, just click on the windo you want. The Adobe apps are NOW on the PC. What aboiut 10 years ago? You think the ;arge nubmer of professionals are goign to drop their macs because PCs now have the same apps? No. Quark was an indurty starndard, they didn't have a PC version back then. Also, most apps for mac were just easier to use, less cluttered adn complicated compared to PC versions dripping with unneeded features.
Let's not talk about plug and play. Plug it into a mac, use it immediately, natively. With a pc (may not be current) you have the famous "you need to search for a driver". Sorry, that won't work when you have a deadline or are feeling creative.
I could honestly care less that you feel it's BS. I would not expect someone of your background to understand, you are not an artist and you use PCs so it's a never ending argument because you are defensive and uninformed concerning areas that macs are 'superior' to pcs (sorry, had to use it:) )
I hope Sony goes bankrupt. I have he PS3 for HD games and BRD for my HT. Otherwise, it's a waste of money. Games will come out, but until they do I don't use it much.
I don't see how the iPhone would stymie innovation, quite the exact opposite. The iPod brought about counterfeit copies in DRONES. They all sucked and failed. Then, they had to try and out do the iPod, add extra features, try different designs. That's ENCOURAGING innovation. The iPhone will do exactly the same IF it sells. I don't think they should pull the plug, and I have no intention of purchasing one. Honestly, you are so against the iPhone why do you even care? There are other phones, not necessarily better, that's opinion, and cheaper because phone companies are robbed by carriers (stated as much as to why Apple phones are not free or cheaper with contract) so still, why do you care? Why do you feel compelled to continue broadcasting your disproval over the iPhone? It will not affect you, it will not kill PCs, or wipe the Earth of Windows, why do you care? It's main selling point, I guess you missed it, is the total touch control (which I guess you are unaware) has not been implemented in a phone as Apple has. Please don't comment that other phones have touch screen, that's not what I said. I'm saying that Apple has done one up on current touch screen interfaces. So, the logo have nothing to do with the selling point and it's ignorant to even say such a thing, especially when you add in Google maps, uTube, iTunes music and videos, downloading movies, mac apps, blueberry emails with Yahoo, etc. Quite the trite assertion.
I mean I hate M$ and all of it's products, but I won't go around to M$ related topics and voice my displeasure over an unreleased product. It's not productive.
Sigh...you did not really address any of my points. I'm sorry, how does running a virus scan at 3am when I'm sleeping at all conflict with my PC usage? How does running a firewall that only notifies me the first time an app tries to access the internet "get in the way"? I'm confused. It's not like I'm constantly scanning my PC for viruses or spyware. However, if I was, I think my 3.0Ghz dual-core processor and 2GBs of memory could handle it, even when I'm creating stuff (gasp)!
So if I erase a file, 5 programs will stop working? Really? That's quite phenomenal. I've erased several files, and typically it does not result in any program, let alone 5 programs, not working. The only situation I can even closely correlate that to is when I installed the Myth II demo back in oh, say, 1998 or 1999 and a known bug in the uninstall program of Myth II (which was later rectified and of which I was unaware of at the time) which removed some files from the "system32" directory. The results weren't catastrophic, and that certainly isn't the fault of MSFT, but Bungie, the maker of the game, who admitted as much.
OK, so, a user can only see one window at a time under Windows? I don't understand. So those two browser windows and the Excel document I had open, each in its own window and not overlapping one another, is a bug in Windows? Well, maybe MSFT was scared off from the whole overlaying windows concept when apple sued them when Windows 1.0 came out. High-res 24" LCDs are cheap these days. Heck, I may buy another one. Working in and around multiple windows is not something exclusive only to macs. And how is the mac UI simpler than the Windows UI? Are two mouse buttons too much for you? I'm not an expert, but hasn't "drag and drop" been around on Windows since the earliest days of Windows?
OK, let's be honest. If a user has enough know-how to get "creative" with high-end professional apps, I think he can install a driver here and there. I mean, this isn't Unix. You're not writing your own drivers. Yes, some hardware manufacturers are slow to get drivers out for new OSs. That's another reason I haven't upgraded to Vista is because nVidia hasn't ironed out their drivers yet. I'm OK with waiting. And it's not as if MSFT can just write new drivers for existing hardware. It's not their responsibility.
I don't understand. I have used a mac before, even mixed a few home movies with Premiere (whose content was transferred effortlessly to my PC via a 16GB USB thumb drive, by the way). I don't really have anything against macs except for the high price and lack of hardware customization options available to user which makes them unfit for gaming.
You didn't explain your PS3 situation very well. You hate Sony, yet you purchased their flagship console, will support them through the purchase of blu-ray movies, and apparently only play the games because they're HD? While I do value graphical innovation highly, a game with good graphics and shitty story/gameplay are not worth my time (see most if id's catalog). If you want to game, pick up the forthcoming 360 Elite which features a 120GB HDD and an HDMI output and has the best online experience of all the consoles, bar none, a Wii which is simply a blast to play, or even a DS Lite, which has some really amazing titles and free online play. Or, if you're really serious about gaming, pick up a PC and a few games such as Battlefield 2, World of Warcraft, or Company of Heroes. I have a plethora of recommendations that even the hardware in your mac under bootcamp may be able to handle, albeit probably not that well.
If you'll read my post, I said "I don't think the iphone shouldn't be made, as that will stymie product innovation, which is not good for consumers." Sorry for the double negative. And don't lecture me on all the features. I've seen the keynote. And speaking of phone companies robbing carriers, apple wants a piece of each AT&T/Cingular customer's bill who has an iPhone. The unofficial rumor is that apple first went to Verizon with the same offer and Verizon essentially told apple to fuck off.
You can't honestly tell me that the fact that the iphone is an apple product and looks shiny will have no bearing on its popularity. People will blindly pick it up because it's been perceived as "cool" and will not even look at other phones. You can't tell me there is not a demographic that goes out to buy shit just to impress people they perceive as their friends. This wouldn't be a problem if the damn thing wasn't $600. That's a little too high a price to look cool for most people to stomach, in my opinion. For many people, "cool" costs up to about $200, which is what the black RAZR cost when it came out. However, for all intents and purposes, the RAZR is a shitty phone (I've had mine for 2 years since I got it free from Amazon) that just looks cool and is socially acceptable. It makes and receives calls and has bluetooth. That's about it.
If the iphone were maybe half its price, I would consider buying one, as my contract is up for renewal about the time it drops. But I just don't have that kind of money to waste on a phone with no removable storage, no removable battery, no productivity apps and no (apparant) SIM card. Oh, and no 3G. These are things that are standard on phones half the price. These are my core requirements, so much so that I don't even think about them anymore. When I go phone shopping, I automatically assume that almost all phones above $200 have these features. I can't value something highly (certainly not at $600) if it doesn't meet extremely basic criteria for a high-end device.
Sign, I did address them, just maybe not to your liking. For the examples of virus scanning, firewall, etc I was merely pointing out the average user would not run into anywhere near the number of issues on a PC as they would on a mac due to the simpler UI and lack of viruses, spyware, hackable security holes, etc. They need to worry less and can therefore be more productive. There are so many reports, studies, findings, etc where IT pros state the spend less time servicing macs compared to PCs. I won't expand anymore on that in fear of dragging that topic out.
Windows, at least 2000/'95, etc uses shared files. Not all files obviously, but uninstalling a folder belonging to an application won't simply uninstall that program. If it used a shared file a few other apps can be affected. It happened to me a long time ago, and it's happened to friends a few times to where they knew not to delete anything and to only uninstall thru windows. This same occurrence is highly unlikely on a mac.
I was stating the use of windows in windows vs Apple's implementation and Apple's is more intuitive. You can only see a non full screen window, usually pretty small in the finder and apps do not take up the entire window covering the desktop and other windows (by default) and is therefore easier to see and control your workflow. I know you can see each window smaller and move them around in Windows, but that's not the default way to use windows, they focus on windows that fill the entire screen and thus need to start menu to click between screens. Just more clicking and moving around.
I've a 5 button mouse from the beginning, Apple assumed the single button was easier, and for novices it was, however they finally saw the light. They have 2 button and scroll wheel bluetooth mice now.
On the PS3, I'm slightly hypocritical, more bitter than anything. I dislike Sony, they are what I hope Apple never becomes, throwing about nice looking crap, even if some decent and then over charging. Apple hardware isn't cheap, but it isn't as expensive as you make it seem. Price out comparable Dells to the G5 and get back to me. You can't compare built your own to Apple obviously. So Sony PS3- I like consoles, I've had every PS, and wanted the BRD player IN CASE it wins the format war and goes mainstream. I don't think it will and I hope it loses to HD DVD. However, I wanted HD gaming, can't get that on a mac and I have a distaste for M$ so the xBox was a far distant choice. I want HD games, and that's it. I don't buy BR movies, I rent them every now and then. I will not invest in a format that may join SACD in the failed Sony product library. But, should BRD take off, I'm covered. I'm not a serious gamer, there are maybe 4-5 games I'd buy. But those I would pick up my wife and I play, Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, etc type games. My mac is to work, if I play games I'll play it in my HT room with the large HD and sound system, not on my 23" monitor. Tho I admit, the xBox elite is tempting with the ability to run media center on it and that M$ live downloading HD movies.
The iPhone will sell, it has it's core users without doubt. It will sell because it's Apple. It will sell because it looks cool, not debating that. That is one of the reasons that I think it will sell and that Dvorak is wrong. However, I also don't think even mac users are as blind as you think, look at the cube. $600 is a bit high, but it is on par for features in it. However, I neither desire nor need HALF of the features in it. It's more function than I need. The RAZR was nice, was tempting, then I found out it's limited storage. So, style took precedence over function so it was a no sale for me. The 3G I think is slated for later. The phone isn't out yet, so they can very well have updated it a few times before June. Especially if they hear all the mumblings.
I'm more curious to see if Apple changes how carriers deal with phone makers, if this will set a precedence. I could carer less about Verizon, they rank last in customer service and opinion polls, so they can fuck off just as well :) I do think Apple needs to offer some incentives, or let the carriers offer them, if they plan to do this long term.
It's way to early to say either way, and that's why I don't think they should pull it. Let them put it out, see the numbers, get feedback from owners and carriers and go with it. Who knows how it turns out, but my Apple stock has been doing well lately :)
Hi,
Just wanted to cover 2 issues.
1.) If you think this guy (J.D.) is spewing rubbish then why give him attention? I'd recommend not linking to him nor using his full name so he doesn't get picked up by google. At this moment, google has him at about 1,380,000 hits. Not bad !!! Because of all his links and usage of his name he becomes a valuable writer regardless content value. All of you who are raising an issue and using his name are only creating more name value for him. I'd say he is laughing all the way to the bank because of all these rants against him!!!
My personal opinion of him doesn't matter.
2.) Is he right or wrong about the iPhone?
I'm going to say that he is short sighted. He is expressing his opinion that probably only is relevant to 1 market. The US one.
I didn't know what HTC was until this article. Of their phones that were listed on the page from the link above only the P5550 would sell well in Japan. The others would be a niche market at best. Where as the iPhone will sell much better if it has the palm print that I'm expecting it to have. If it is much bigger than an iPod ... then I'm going to bet against it.
I tend to think that Apple is aiming for a much larger market share than just the US. the iPhone has a huge chance to break into the Japanese market even with NTT/Docomo so strong. Regular keyboard type of phones just don't sell, even those after market keyboards!
I'm thinking that the iPhone won't steal the market like the iPod did but it is going to do something more than the iPod did for Apple. It's only the beginning of more to come ... what is that? Only Apple knows!
Please, everyone - before commenting, WATCH the youtube video of dvorak explaining his attention-whoring tactics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAWDYaWAVQQ
Dovorak often makes a fool of himself! Not worth reading any of his crap!
you mac zealots are freaking hilarious, and a little like magpies with the shiny shinies
it is, and always will be, just a computer. a tool. have you ever heard people arguing that "my screwdriver is better than your screwdriver"?? no... of course not
is apple wasting it's time with the iphone? quite possibly. regardless, i've had a laugh at all the job's followers....
so glad i've got a macbook pro, running windows. lol.
I am so sick of mac fanboys. That 'nirvana' comment was hilarious.
I think Maddox did a great job summing up mac users:
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=macs_cant
Okay, John Dvorak gripe is that the iPhone does not have an option to rearrange the keys as Dvorak Simplified Keyboard?
Why does any of this matter?
Real reason to use the iphone:
*Thinner than a RAZR
*It Makes Phone calls! (gasp!)
*It's an iPod, so I have one less device to carry!
Those are the selling points that everyone can understand.
Everything else is just frosting on the cake.