Apple’s iPhone has been able to do no wrong. For two years, it monopolized the industry and has been upheld as the best smartphone out there. Consumers, developers and technology bloggers were enamored.
But in an almost indescribably turn of events this week, the tides shifted and the platform’s problems — that have always been there — started eating away at its super smooth touchscreen exterior. It seems that in more numbers than ever, consumers are speaking out against AT&T’s network problems and developers are complaining about Apple’s and AT&T’s inconsistent policies on which applications get approval. That in turn, created more unhappy customers.
So, we ask, is the honeymoon over? Evidence points to another handset — the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre or one of the many Android devices — getting time in the spotlight.
If indeed the iPhone begins to fade over the next few months, we can trace it back to this week and one event alone. Who knew there would be one catalyst, and the tipping point was going to be the rejection of Google’s Voice application?
Clearly, it wasn’t just AT&T’s network problems. They have been well documented for months, and it seemed dropped calls alone wasn’t keeping many from owning the device (well, perhaps other than GigaOm’s Om Malik very public ditching of the device). This week, what got everyone upset is the rejection of Google Voice, which gives you one number and one voicemail box for all of your phones. The problem is that in order for it to work well, you need an app. Among other reasons, when you call someone, the person receiving the call won’t see your phone number — in today’s caller ID world, that’s not going to fly.
The rejection turned into a media firestorm. Blame was placed on AT&T, then on Apple, and then back on AT&T (NYSE: T). You’d be hard pressed to find any sort of official statement to clear up the matter. Simply put, the application was rejected because it “duplicates features that come with the iPhone.”
That’s when people got mad. Really, really mad. TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington wrote today that he’s quitting the iPhone. “It wasn
That Steven Frank is finally pissed off influences me a lot more than anything Arrington could say.
Especially in the Mac community Frank has a very good reputation.
The way Apple has handled the app store though has been a disaster. And what appears to be happening is that the issue is beginning to snow ball. Sucks that it has to happen but ultimately its a good thing. Apple isn't stupid and if enough people come to the same conclusion as Arrington and Frank they will have to change their ways.
The problem for me is that I've tried the other solutions, Pre, and Android and I really couldn't find anything in them that made me want to go through the trouble of switching. My iPhone (except for the incessant dropped calls) fills all of my needs pretty perfectly.
Are you guys kidding? i dont know the actual numbers, but i'm guessing that of all the iPhones sold, about 1% are being used by industry type people or these so called "influencers" – to whom their audience, in the grand scheme of things is small (example although i read these websites, i have no idea who writes them and i dont care) Therefore, the rank and file consumers who buy the iPhone, mainly do so for far more shallow reasons, and couldn't give a toss about the politics around this AT&T/Apple/Google soap opera – i know i dont. I love my iphone and accept all the myriad foibles and shortcomings regardless. About 9.9 million other consumers so far agree with me and will be lining up again to buy the next gen iPhone in a years time.
you see, most cellphone consumers chose their handset the same way they chose their clothes, their cafes, their friends, their cars, etc with emotional and completely un-objective reasoning (why else would you buy a Prius for example?)
But seriously, i dont care how technically clever Android or Palm are, anyone who choses a Pre or a G1 over an iPhone has too many pens in their shirt pocket and probably thinks wearing bright colored socks is a trendy fashion statement.
now what really pisses me off is that this comment box functionality doesn't auto-correct for capitals when i start a new sentence or when i type i … :P
This issue of controlling the "walled garden" has to be one of the most fascinating issues facing our industry, and our society. The battle for control of what goes into the air-waves and on to a person's handset has been raging for a decade now. Same battle, different platform… At least the pay to play days are gone… :-)
The $99 3G price point is compelling and driving new subscribers at a high rate. The iPhone has received the highest smart-phone ratings in terms of loyalty, satisfaction and interest among first time buyers. Not sure if those in the tech elite churning out, protesting against Apple, make much of a dent.
Call quality is a major issue for Apple/ATT. Does anyone know if all of these high-data consumption devices are eating up ATT's spectrum?
LOL. "But seriously, i dont care how technically clever Android or Palm are, anyone who choses a Pre or a G1 over an iPhone has too many pens in their shirt pocket and probably thinks wearing bright colored socks is a trendy fashion statement."
Right there dude, you convinced me I would never fit in with the iPhone users. You're right, I own a G1, and no I dont have a pocket full of pens, a pocket protector, or a pocket on my tshirt at all. I'm a construction worker. But at the same time I love computers, cellphones, and technology in general. I'm not a follower, I dont do what is hip, I do what is in the best interest of me. I choose a platform that fits me, and that is designed for my google centric life I live. I dont like being told what I can do, or what I cant do. I use PCs because I can choose what hardware I want in there, I could go AMD or Intel, ATI or nVidia, Asus or MSI for my mobo. Then I can choose which OS to install. Windows XP, Vista, 7, Ubuntu, LinuxMint or gOS the list goes on.
I dont like how apple has become a dictator and tells you what you want and what is good for you. But apparently the guys who are still in high school thinking that this is still a "I'm cooler than you" race think the iPhone is the only way to go. You know I know 3 iPhone owners, and each of them have told me, "Why dont you just get an iPhone?" while I've been using my G1 next to them. I just flattly tell them, "Cus the iPhone sucks." and they have no response they sit there slack jawed as if I slapped their mother on her a**. Because the whole reason the iPhone is good is because of hype, because its the popular thing to do. The owners dont have enough smarts to tell me why its better they just know its the cool phone to have.
To assume people who use the Pre, or Android are the pocket protector nerds you've showed how invalid your point is. Because to a real technology minded person they realize the iPhone is nothing but a touch screen dumbphone with a bunch of applications on the store. Your phone sucks, you're not cooler than any other of us adults, you're not smarter than a nerd with a pocket full of pens, infact you're probably stupider than they are being you buy a phone that cant even be a good phone because you're so hard trying to be cool.
I probably just got trolled, but you still suck iPhone fred, I hope you continue to buy more iPhones, and your calls continue to get dropped to where your shallow friends get tired of not being able to talk to you about how cool they are and they stop being your friends. You'll be alone rubbing your iPhone all over yourself wishing its coolness could rub off on you so you could find more people to look up to you for having an iPhone. Then you'll die of lonliness clutching your iPhone, the few people left who like you will talk about you after your death about how much of an hero you are for your love of your iPhone. Thanks for reaffiriming how suck some iphone owners are, and how they still need to grow up inside. :)
Hey Doax, I wasn't actually trying to offend you or anyone who doesnt use an iPhone. i was trying to use some satirical humor (obviously failed) to point out how shallow society is – a point you echoed in your comment. anyway, the main point i was trying to make is that there are many more issues than some conspiracy theory about Apple, AT&T or anyone else for that matter is trying to "control everyone" – they are just trying to gain economic advantage. you buy it or you dont. and seriously, who cares? its all horses for courses. you are clearly a more than an average "construction worker" who has diversified interest and enjoys your tech – and you make your own choices – good on you. you are clearly more tech savvy than me and i work in the mobile phone industry ! – which explains why i'm reading this and not doing something more interesting – but i digress, iPhone, G1, SE, LG – lifes all about choices and we shouldnt all get so hung up about it all. the market will decide, not the regulators. PS: the iPhone is just a safe choice for me becuase i am actually a bit of anti-tech person if the truth be known – so i dont miss all the things it should or shouldnt do – and as for dropped calls etc – i havent had a phone yet that didnt do that and i have just about every major brand out there. if you ask me, they all suck to some degree.
Thank you Doax that was the greastest response ive ever heard…..oh yea and G1 is a much better phone with more options than most on the market today, and just for the record why dont iphone fanboys stop reviewing better phones like the G1 cause we all know what the out come is going to be, get a life fred…i mean get a G1 already
I love my iphone -but not sure my carrier does ! I only use it for making phone calls- its WIFI and the App Store for everything else I need, neither of which the carrier has a piece of . Ha ! Ha !
Hello guys,
One thing that is easy to forget is that its extremely early days in the wireless industry. The iPhone has a paltry global marketshare of 1.9 percent, according to Strategy Analytics. So, does this spell the end for Apple? No. This is reality. The battle for the dominant smartphone will be long and drawn out. One platform wonât be a break away winner overnight. Developers and consumers will flip-flop, and it will be a very competitive landscape for all handset makers.
Thanks in advance!
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