Mobile OS shootout: iPhone OS 3.0 enters the fray

As soon as Apple rolled out its preview of iPhone OS 3.0, the comparisons to existing (and forthcoming) mobile OSs started flying. While the major update isn't exactly a done deal, it's pretty far along, and we've been able to glean quite a bit from our time with the developer beta we've been checking out. iPhone OS, Android, webOS, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, S60; if you're in the market for a new smartphone, your choices have been getting exponentially more complicated lately, and 3.0 won't make the selection any easier. Luckily for you, Engadget is here to make sense of a frightening and uncertain landscape. Read on for an in-depth look at the similarities -- and differences -- between modern mobile operating systems.

Basics | User Interface | Core Functionality | Third-Party Development

Basics

When it comes to OSs, it's generally true that you're only as good as your kernel, and these days, there's no shortage of options in that department. Comparing core systems is difficult -- each one has its own strengths and weaknesses, but we'd be lying if we didn't say that the underlying structure of the iPhone OS is pretty robust. Since it's built atop OS X, which in turn is built atop Unix, it tends to be fairly sophisticated and stable (even if Apple has managed to lag it up with its UI). Android is Linux based, though its basic functionality is sandboxed in a particularly healthy variation of Java. S60 and Windows Mobile may be more mature, but that age doesn't always work to their advantage, and while RIM has done a tremendous job at updating its look and feel, the OS -- which is based around a proprietary kernel -- still showcases some of its ugly, underlying Java from time to time.

As you can see in the chart below, the basics slot these devices into fairly specific categories, though it's obvious that Apple is trying to nudge its way into the enterprise world (the company went out of its way to cite business customer satisfaction at the preview event). Of course, we don't expect to see the BlackBerry OS and Windows Mobile leaving that space any time soon.

Basics						Return to Top
	Android Cupcake	BlackBerry OS 4.7	iPhone OS 3.0	S60 5th Edition	Palm WebOS	Windows Mobile 6.5
Kernel Type	Linux	Proprietary	OS X	Symbian	Linux	Windows CE
Platform Adaptability	Excellent	Good	Poor	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Platform Age	Young	Mature	Adolescent	Mature	Young	Mature
First-party Enterprise Support	None	BlackBerry	Exchange	Exchange, Domino, BlackBerry	Exchange	Exchange, Domino, BlackBerry
Wireless Technologies	GSM, WiFi	GSM, CDMA, WiFi	GSM, WiFi	GSM, WiFi	GSM, CDMA, WiFi	GSM, CDMA, WiFi

User Interface

Apple nailed it out of the gate with many of its UI ideas. Gestures, lists with inertia, and plenty of touch-friendly sliders, wheels, and buttons generally make the iPhone OS a pleasure to navigate. While Android borrows some of that functionality, its uneven UI still doesn't match up (though Cupcake certainly makes a few welcome improvements). Windows Mobile and the BlackBerry OS have made some gains here over the years, but they still suffer from inborn deficiencies that are clear the moment you start using them (especially the Storm's 4.7 implementation), and S60 has a long, long way to go before it's up to speed. The only real competitor in terms of user-experience right now appears to be the Palm Pre, which capitalizes on many of the gains Apple pioneered and throws in a few tricks of its own, like those cards as well as a bigger emphasis on gestures.

A key innovation over the past couple years has been the emergence of capacitive touchscreens in mobile devices, which allow for lighter touch, greater display clarity, and true multitouch at the expense of stylus compatibility. The iPhone, webOS, and Android have all embraced the technology, but Windows Mobile and S60 aren't quite there yet, largely because they still make use of UI elements too small to accurately press with a human finger. To keep up, they'll need to get cranking on this over the coming versions. Of course, all of these platforms (save for webOS) can sport a virtual keyboard of some sort -- a technology particularly suited to a capacitive screen -- but we've yet to see a single one pull off a typing experience as solid as what Apple offers.

As good as they may be in stock form, both Apple and Palm leave users hanging if they want to customize -- hell, changing font sizes is taboo with the iPhone, much less a total reskinning of the interface. If you're into making your device all your own, Windows Mobile and BlackBerry are where you want to be; customization isn't just allowed with these platforms, it's practically encouraged. In fact, Microsoft pretty much touts the flexibility as a feature nowadays (a quick glance at this year's MWC offerings is proof of that).

User Interface						Return to Top
	Android Cupcake	BlackBerry OS 4.7	iPhone OS 3.0	S60 5th Edition	Palm WebOS	Windows Mobile 6.5
Screen Gestures	Yes	Yes	Yes	Limited	Yes	Limited
Screen Technology	Capacitive	Capacitive	Capacitive	Resistive / Capacitive	Capacitive	Resistive
Multitouch	Yes (unofficial)	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
UI Skinning	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
Input Methods	Virtual keyboard, physical keyboard	Virtual keyboard	Virtual Keyboard	Virtual keyboard, T9, and triple tap; character recognition; physical keyboard	Physical keyboard	Virtual keyboard, character recognition, physical keyboard

Core functionality

Now here's a category where the operating systems really start to show their colors. While Apple is finally adding the promised -- but delayed -- push notification to its devices, it's still lagging far behind in some pretty important areas. First off: multitasking. Much like an original Palm OS device, Apple seems stuck in the past with its open-quit-open app switching scheme, which it claims is in the interest of preserving battery life. Windows Mobile, S60, Android, webOS, and BlackBerry all handle true multitasking, allowing you keep multiple apps open in the background. The push notifications will help, but nothing beats being able to return to an active app, particularly if you're doing something like loading a web page or using a map to get around.

Palm is smartly introducing a web-centric functionality called Synergy in its webOS, which allows you to pool contacts and calendars from disparate sources, while the iPhone OS, BlackBerry OS, Windows Mobile, S60, and Android still present mostly siloed options in that department (without some third-party involvement). Apple has made strides with its new calendar functionality -- CalDAV support, for example -- but it still doesn't present anything as revolutionary for dealing with scores of contacts. We do give the company marks for finally, mercifully, allowing users to share contact cards, however.

A big problem that Apple has yet to address with OS 3.0 is its obnoxious, obtrusive notifications. Where Android and webOS slide a handy "tray" into view to let you know you've got something incoming, the iPhone regularly piles on one notice after another, leaving you with a stacked, productivity-stalling, ugly mess of pop-ups. Apple, you kill this kind of annoying garbage in your browser -- why do you think users want it in their phone? Even older systems get this one more right than Apple does -- both Windows Mobile and the BlackBerry OS use a mixture of pop-ups and background notifications. It's perplexing that a company so concerned with usability and simplicity has done nothing to address the situation in three iterations of its software.

Still, Apple has certainly answered the call (no pun intended) on a lot of user-requested features. Stereo Bluetooth support, MMS, that new Spotlight homescreen (aka global search), tethering capabilities, unlocked Bluetooth support for the touch, turn-by-turn direction capability, and a whole lot more. The sad part is that these additions only really bring the OS to speed with almost all of its competition, making this update a victory, but still kind of a bummer if you take the long-view.

And don't even get us started on copy and paste.

Core Functionality						Return to Top
	Android Cupcake	BlackBerry OS 4.7	iPhone OS 3.0	S60 5th Edition	Palm WebOS	Windows Mobile 6.5
Notification Style	Tray	Pop-up, background	Pop-up	Pop-up	Tray	Tray, pop-up
Contact Integration / Management	Google	BES, BIS	Exchange, ActiveSync, Mac OS Address Book	Exchange, Domino, BlackBerry, iSync	Synergy	Exchange, Domino, BlackBerry, ActiveSync
Multitasking	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Copy / paste	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Media Support / Ecosystem	Amazon	Non-DRM iTunes	iTunes	Ovi	Amazon	Windows Media Player / None
Global Search	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Firmware Updates	OTA	Tethered, OTA	Tethered	Tethered, OTA	Unknown	Tethered, OTA
Browser Engine	WebKit	Proprietary	WebKit	WebKit	WebKit	Internet Explorer
Tethering	Yes (unofficial)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Stereo Bluetooth	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Third-party development

This is where Apple really shines. While Windows Mobile and S60 have had thriving developer bases for a while, no one has brought applications and app development to the forefront like Apple. It goes without saying that the company has revolutionized the way devs do business, and torn down dozens of barriers to entry in the process. No single company has made it easier for developers to create work (and profit from it) on a mobile platform. The new version of the iPhone OS seems designed to stoke that system, introducing 1,000 new APIs and allowing developers to offer things like in-game commerce and peer-to-peer networking.

Of course, the system isn't without its negatives, and Apple has endured more than its share of (deserved) critics of its opaque and sometimes unfair application approval process. While they say 96 percent of apps receive approval, we're fairly confident what gets left on the cutting room floor is hurting end users. Just think, with its current policies, you'll never see an Opera or Firefox browser for the device.

Regardless, other companies are currently playing catch up to Cupertino's game, with all of the major OSs offering some version of an application store now or in the near future. To date, none have been remotely as successful as Apple's outing, but none have the luxury of being tied to a pre-existing revenue stream like the iTunes Store -- and with the exception of Android's Market, they really haven't had time to marinate with the public. Only time will tell if companies like Palm, Google, and (gasp) Microsoft will be able to turn on the fire hose of development and go toe-to-toe with Apple.

Third-Party Development						Return to Top
	Android Cupcake	BlackBerry OS 4.7	iPhone OS 3.0	S60 5th Edition	Palm WebOS	Windows Mobile 6.5
SDK Availability / Support	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Official App Store	Yes	Coming	Yes	Coming	Yes	Yes
App Availability	Medium	Medium	High	Medium	Low	High
Native Applications	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
On-Device App Management	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Good

Wrap up

Ultimately, there are loyalties and preferences that no chart can help you navigate. We won't go as far as saying it's a matter of choice -- we believe that the newer, younger operating systems offer far more than the aging ones can at this point (unless you absolutely need something like BES). In particular, the improvements Apple's made in its forthcoming update speak to many of the issues we've had since the platform's launch in 2007, patching a slew of flaws in its mobile OS, and making the advantages of something like Android or webOS (what we know of it) a little less obvious. That said, you won't find the open source freedom of the former, and there are a handful of innovations in the latter (yet to be roadtested, but extremely promising nonetheless). One thing is sure regardless of what side you throw your lot in with: the hype Apple created with its devices has spurred a space race in smartphones, and the end user is reaping the benefits.

Galleries

iPhone OS 3.0 hands-on	Microsoft announces Windows Mobile 6.5	Palm Pre: official UI shots
Android Cupcake	BlackBerry OS 4.7	S60 5th Edition

Special thanks to Chris Ziegler and Ross Miller for their work on this feature.

[theshade89 Posted Mar 19th 2009 6:49PM]

Despite owning both an iPhone and N95, I've always found myself drawn back to using the N95. I want to like the iPhone, I really do...but the inherent lack of useful apps (Slingplayer, Skyfire, Joikuspot, Symella, etc.), the inability to tether on a non-tethering plan (shhh), lack of multitasking, lack of video recording, and lack of bluetooth openness are unacceptable in my book. Oh yeah, and that small little detail of being able to use apps that don't have to brave Apple's ridiculous approval process; as long as you want to tap your screen and make your phone fart, okay, but don't even THINK about using a different browser or an app that might use too much bandwidth.

Sure, the default S60 interface is essentially ugly as sin, but if you value the aesthetic aspect of of an OS (more specifically the implemented UI) more than its core functionality, perhaps pure productivity platforms like s60 and WinMo are not the best choice.

[CJ Posted Mar 19th 2009 7:28PM]

MEDIUM S60 Application availability?!

As far as I can see, by your own charts, S60 is the clear winner when you take everything and find the average.

[nac300 Posted Mar 19th 2009 7:50PM]

True dat. If only S60 had as much exposure in the states, then I'm sure its capabilities will be much more recognized.

Not only is the number of all S60 apps ever made and created greater than WinMo/BlackBerry OS (possibly comparable to the iPhone library), but the number of apps that are inherently useful is way better than the number on the iPhone (WinMo beats Apple here as well).

BlackBerry is presently the superior messaging and e-mail OS, WinMo is the best for mobile office, Symbian is an excellent all-rounder with a plethora of useful hardware features. I have in my room the Blackberry Storm, HTC Touch Pro, and Nokia N85 to support this. I can't speak for WebOS. The iPhone OS is great if you like messing around and having fun, and love an excellent implementation of the basics (e.g. browser) without a concern for higher-level functions that actually make use of your hardware (e.g. GPS chip). But at the end of the day, I want to get business done at my office and not look like a tool.

[jamesey Posted Mar 19th 2009 9:57PM]

I'm not going to read through 250 comments to see if someone else already made this point, but...
While I realize that the Storm is BlackBerry's current darling, you kindasorta neglected to include 'physical keyboard' under BlackBerry OS 4.7's 'Input Methods' capability. Maybe it goes without saying that BlackBerry can also support a physical keyboard, but it should probably be stated anyway just for consistencies' sake.

Aside from that, this is a really nice comparison you guys have written up here... It's going to be fun to compare all these devices when they've all properly launched! As of March 9th I'm eligible for an upgrade on AT&T, hopefully there will be some new hotness soon that's worth nabbing on contract...

[Menos Posted Mar 19th 2009 10:52PM]

rock99rock...

i sent back the X1 too... nice to know im not alone

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2009 11:11PM]

One thing I've noticed is that all the mobile OS's in this article seems based on touch screen technology. If I didn't know any better, I would assume that in order for a phone to be a smartphone they must have touch screen. This is quite unfair because some of the best smartphones are non-touchscreens and not everyone prefers touch-screens. For example, Blackberry's bread and butter is from their qwerty devices (like the curve, bold or upcoming niagra) and not from their Storm. Symbian S60's (which is mainly Nokia) bread and butter is their E and N series, which are also non-touch screens (aside from the N97) and not in their Express Music phones like the 5800.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2009 11:55PM]

Exactly, the writer of this article is not only biased towards Apple's OS, but dislikes Symbian for not given it proper credit on various comparisons. Further I agree, why he made comparisons on OS's that aren't even out yet. I think WebOS is a great new OS from what has been released about it, but I've yet to make an opinion considering no publicly available unit is out yet. And, how is display technology comparable only in resistive/capacative style and not brightness/colors presentation such as LCD and OLED?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 12:50AM]

I'm glad this post was still rather more informed that the stupidity shown on Gizmodo.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 12:13PM]

@skyward03: Except that you can go and get iPhone OS 3.0 right now. There are plenty of developers already running it, so its not vapor. webOS is vapor because it does not exist outside of a few controlled tech demos we've seen.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 12:59PM]

android is endorsed by celebrities

http://current.com/items/89890064/rikki_herricane_endorses_t_mobile_htc_g1.htm

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 9th 2009 8:09PM]

That made me lol
Thanks for the laugh

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 3:20PM]

i think companies that focus on selling their devices globally are still using resistive screens. not only have resistive screens come a long way. people have to remember for some languages its easier to input thru a stylus rather then alpha numeric pad. you can see that the devices using the capacitive screen technology dont support character rec. a little side note i have seen some demo of the nokia registering muliti touch. im not sure if its real or not since i thought it was physically impossible but nokia has been known to have a couple tricks up its sleeves.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 21st 2009 5:20AM]

Ugh. Bad article. Author seems to do his best by bashing the iPhone, the article is very one-dimensional. Author doesn't seem to know a lot about operating systems.

MacOSX bad platform adaptability? Depends on how you look at it. Being it proprietary isn't a bad thing. It's a Unix like operating system that runs on ARM, PowerPC and Intel. Being proprietary means that I don't have to deal with lots of distributions and I have the advantage of a consistent interface (Linux is a mess in this regard).

Not multitasking? MacOSX is multitasking! It's just that they don't expose it to the user.
Mail is still receiving mails when you are browsing, applications can run at once.
Smart move from Apple not allowing multiple apps running, because on a phone it can be confusing interaction-wise.
Don't forget Apple is a company that chooses to leave out options, so that means they won't please every user out there, but in the end their software is easier to use. That's why my 24" Apple LED monitor does not have a power button :-)
I don't want to run my browser and calender at once. Why would I want that? If both applications boot fast, I simply close app A and launch app B.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 22nd 2009 10:31AM]

I think this article does a good job at scratching the surface of this debate. As many have already pointed out, there are a number of things left out, incorrectly reported, or simply wrong. IMO, the iPhone 3.0 OS will bring much of the lacking functionality to the iPhone. Things like MMS, Cut-n-Paste, etc. that Windows Phones have had for many versions already. The iPhone's biggest strengths are it marketing and it's UI. Straight OS to OS iPhone does have the best UI experience hand down at this time. Yes, you can get an HTC Windows Phone or a Sony Windows Phone, but those UIs are built on top of the OS and not part of the OS...which is why they were not pointed out in the article.

Yes, iPhone has an appstore with 20k+ apps in it. Yes Windows Phones do not have an application store...yet. However, as many have already said, there are a number of applications that are just plain dumb. So, if you whittle it down to truly usable applications I would imagine the number will fall more in-line with the Windows Phone applications number...which had already been whittled down to truly useful apps over time.

@P.A.C. Man: Productivity is in the eye of the beholder. So while you may claim to be more productive on your iPhone, I definitely would not. WIthout cut-n-paste, without push mail, etc. I could not be anywhere near as productive as I am with my Windows Phone. I don't argue your point, just saying that some people are more productive with Windows Phones while others are more productive with iPhones. I would venture a guess that most of those that are more productive with their iPhones are not business users though.

All in all it is truly a great time to be a mobile phone user. iPhone 3.0 will be a nive update to the iPhone and provide much needed enhancements. Windows Phones are getting a much needed facelift that will make it a force to be reckoned with as the UI gets a major overhaul. The Pre is on the way and will bring even more competition. To each his own, but to me my Windows Phone!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 22nd 2009 5:50PM]

So why exactly does the article mention in the table that Windows Marketplace for Mobile is available instead of just "Coming"? Windows Marketplace for Mobile has been announced, but not rolled out yet. This really needs to be corrected.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 24th 2009 10:35AM]

The poor perception of Symbian S60 is surprising. Working in an IT department supporting handhelds has provided me experience with most on the market and S60 is, by far, the most advanced, stable, and modern operating system intended for pocketable devices. Other mobile OSs are inefficient and generally based on older software that was never intended for devices with limited power requirements. Until reading this article I was unaware anyone thought differently. S60 (especially Nokia's E series distribution) provides the most robust set of functionality and the most efficient interface available.

S60's functionality can easily be discussed in an article by itself, but, in short, it offers functionality akin to a full computer system via a system designed from the ground up for pocketable devices. Having access to a real file system, working with many file types, printing, ability to connect to SMB file servers, choice of full office suites, robust e-mail support for working with both RTEN and push, outdoor readability via high-contrast outdoor modes, system wide automation to change how the device operates based on time of day, location, or other parameters, and advanced tools to assist support teams in getting support to end users are only a small fraction of the total functionality. Complete sync features such as integrated SyncML and the easiest vcard/vcal importing of any devices today enables seamless integration with existing systems sometimes without making any changes to existing configurations. In addition, a fully configured device can easily be backed up and even imaged for quick reload if necessary. Our last update to the S60 devices we support, for example, included 97 new programs and could be deployed by a single FTP download that could simply be copied to the handheld requiring only a few minutes in total.

Being designed for devices with limited batteries, S60 provides the most efficient power use without compromising functionality. Power drain, for example, is hardly noticeable, even with 15-20 applications running that may be doing everything from CID call routing to various mailboxes and third-party phone numbers, monitoring location for location-prompted settings, downloading files, listening for instant messages, providing turn-by-turn navigation via on-device maps (no network support needed), and other applications that one may want to keep open for easy access such as the contact list, alarm clock, displaying e-mails, spreadsheet program, word processor, file browser, and a couple of web browsers.

All of this ability is accessed via the most efficient and thorough interface available that never lags even with all of those apps running. The interface is, at times, so intuitive that one can accomplish their task without giving any though to actual operation; the option or feature one is generally seeking in a particular area is usually right there waiting for you. For those times when you can't look at the screen the entire interface is switched to voice-prompt mode that allows control over the primary functions (including basic things like getting the time) without having to look at the display. Making an internet call requires no additional application; simply dial the number and press select and your prompted to choose voice, internet, or video-call. If you know someone's SIP address simply add it to your contact list list and direct SIP calls are as easily as making a cell call.

S60 devices are more than phones and possibly most appropriately referred to as palmtop computers. For the most robust, useful, and efficient pocketable computing device available today, S60 is the best choice.

[AshanPro Posted Mar 25th 2009 6:34PM]

Where in Nokia do you work?

hehe great comment. You might want to zip up your jacket as your true colors are showing!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2009 1:37AM]

Iphone has already made its value in the market, it's so hard to beat apple now

http://www.nextedit.com

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 26th 2009 6:44PM]

Ashan, I actually don't work for Nokia or anyone else who licenses Symbian; I am just lowly tech support supporting most handheld types on the market. Thank you, however, for reading the comment.

[oringal Posted Mar 31st 2009 7:20AM]

How come s60 is medium with app availability. It has has probably the largest selection of apps. the hard thing is that you have to go on the internet to find them.

[serialtoon Posted Apr 6th 2009 2:23PM]

Android DOES have native apps. Fix.

[Jive Turkey Posted May 19th 2009 6:26AM]

@P.A.C Man
"The iPhone's App Store currently has 28,600 apps, which is more apps than Windows Mobile."
WM may only have 20000 apps in the new store, but that is not all the apps. First of all, there's multiple stores for WM as well as vendors that operate on there own. Aside from the official store I can think of at least three others, each with thousands of apps (pocketgear has 19972 apps). There's overlap so it's impossible to give an exact number, but clearly there's more than 20,000 WM apps.
No-one's even mentioned freeware yet. I've been using WM for 5 years on 3 different phones and have used hundreds of apps that were free, e.g. at the moment I have 39 apps installed and only 2 cost money.

As an aside, does anyone know how the Android Market compares? I remember reading that it had 3 times the number of apps than the iPhone BEFORE the first Android phone was released. I found that interesting at the time, but it was a while ago.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 9th 2009 8:18PM]

App market is NOWHERE near the *SIZE* of iPhone but I let my friend use my g1 for a day and he said that there are better apps on the g1 than on iphone wich he is currnetly using

But there are between 15 - 30 new apps everyday for the g1 so its growing pretty fast. It has alot of cool apps like where wich combines movie tickets and showtimes, yelp, traffic, and yellow pages into 1 app.

Android is deffinitly a solid os and I see a good future for it.

I think this article should be re-written once webOS is actually out.

Dont know much about s60 4.7 or wm as i never had any but ive heard good things about 4.7 and s60. WM is good for business people as one person brought out so i think for people who use their phone for stuff that isnt business wm isnt good for them wich is why they complain.

BTW if anyone comments that my post is invalid cause of my poor spelling and grammar they will die...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 15th 2009 2:54PM]

STOP CALLING IT OS X!
ITS NOT MAC OS GODDAMNIT!

[vlad786 Posted Apr 18th 2009 4:43PM]

I think Allaboutsymbian.com did this same exact comparison a while ago!

[niZmo Posted Apr 23rd 2009 3:12PM]

Everything the iPhone got a bad rating on you can do with a jailbroken iPhone. And if you have an iPhone and don;t jailbreak it then what the hell are you doing. And yup I have an iPhone lol

[(Unverified) Posted May 1st 2009 1:19AM]

I was just thinkin about how similar the situation is with the iphone and nintendo wii. It seems that the competitors of both devices operated under the impression that bringing consumers the best tech specs for their money was the way to go. But both apple and nintendo sacraficed much in the conventional tech dept to focus on UI/ User's overall experience/ intuitiveness (which imo can translate to greater productivity and efficiency). Thus, x-box/ps3 owners and blackberry/WinMo owners look down upon wii and iphone users because their devices ARE inferior in many ways.

Also, perhaps I am just one of those naive people out there. BUT, while i had not ever really considered purchasing a Wii or iphone before using them (wanted a 360 and a BB just as much if not more), when my friend brought over his wii, I had to get one, and when I was given my first Iphone 2g as a gift after the 3g had been released, I fell in love w/ it.

I am not a fanboy of apple (never owned a mac) or nintendo. I think that apples proprietary bs sucks and that they do ride too heavily on marketing. I never understood why anyone would want an ipod other than they were hip. Other than the touch, I still dont. I HATE itunes and never wanted to HAVE to use it. But, I put up with it now.

What i think i am getting at is; there are, imo, many similarities between what apple and nintendo must have intended to do when designing their devices (the afforementioned sacrafices) and between how the user communities have responded to them. And, judging from sales, the sacarfice has worked for apple and nintendo. my questions are; does it NEED to be a sacrafice, or is it just that it was in these two cases. Do competitors just try to copy the devices and just fill in where they are lacking? Like "hey look. I can make something just like an Iphone, but you can skin it and it has a 8 MP cam!" and "hey look, you can have an avatar and accelerometer with yur 360/PS3." OR, do they adopt the new focus on on UI/ User's overall experience/ intuitiveness in a more original/innovative way?

I am really interested in what you guys think as I know many of you are much more knowledgable than I in all of these areas. And I cant be the first to think of the comparison so send me some links too. I am gonna do sum googlin in a bit to see what I can find. I just hope I dont (but KNOW i will) find an article that covers the topic in a much better informed, more articulate way! If you know of one or find it first, get at me plz!

[(Unverified) Posted May 1st 2009 1:24AM]

srry bout the novel. got caught up in a moment

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 4th 2009 6:54AM]

Should I point that while we say "(Gasp) Windows" for the opening up the market floodgates for indie developers, they do have the whole XNA Creators Club thing rocking, so it wouldn't suprise me a whole load. People are making fairly large sums of money from Microsoft, via XBLA.

Just my two cents.