Many folks take it for granted that because Apple was so successful with the iPod, it will easily duplicate its success with the iPhone. I beg to differ.
Most of us agree that the iPod was successful because it was a very elegant combination of device backed by the iTunes service. Those two components worked over an open network, the internet. While it's design is top-notch, the iPod would not have enjoyed the success it has without its counterparts. Most importantly, Apple solved a problem that no either device manufacturers nor service providers came close to solving; making music portable. If anyone tried running a non-iPod music player, you know what I mean.
iPhone shares some key attributes with it's older sibling, iPod. They both have beautiful software and hardware design combined with a great UI. But the iPhone lacks the seamless connected service and instead is tied to a closed network of a wireless carrier.
Key point here is that Apple's iPhone failed to solve the problem that mobile consumers were faced with. iPhone does combine the iPod with a phone but this was not really a problem but a nice-to-have. We already have lots of nice phones available to us (Treo, BlackJack, HTC, Nokia N95, etc). Sure not all of them have the sophisticated UI like the iPhone but they are packed with advanced features which include the ability to play MP3s. Yet despite all the advanced features on these phone, their end-user experience is crippled by the carriers. And by offering the iPhone tied to a carrier, Apple failed to solve the problem that could make iPhone a runaway success.
Apple still has a chance with the iPhone but it will require drastic changes. See previous post.
October 8, 2007
Apple's iPhone mistake...
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1 comments:
Hey David - remember way back when we had the old Mac vs. Windows debates?
Anyways, I have to disagree with you here (yes I own an iPhone.) You're easily taking for granted the heart of why iPhone is successful and why others have failed - and that's the UI. It's easier said than done (just ask Microsoft and that hot selling Zune).
I know more people who have given up on the "advanced features" of their phones because it's too complicated to navigate to them - the iPhone eliminates that with the touchscreen (and guess what, Apple has the patents).
iPhone is already a runaway success... I noticed that when t-mobile is attacking it in the ads. I notice it in TV shows. Apple is making plenty of money having it tied to a carrier and while it's not ideal for the consumer (no complaints here), I don't hear of any negative reports where a consumer has quit the iPhone because of AT&T.
BTW - the iPod is also tied to a closed network (iTunes).
p.s. Did you upgrade to Windows Vista?
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