With Android on the rise, do you think that Apple's iOS is dying?

[Storm613]

My personal opinion is a big YES. And rightfully so.

Apple says that their customers are putting the 'deathgrip' on the new iPhone4 (You know, the whole antennagate thing...), but really Apple seems to have a deathgrip on their own products. The iPod Touches, iPhones and iPads, namely. They have a ridiculous app approval process for programmers, and they are quite hostile toward third party software. They brick (on occasion) jailbroken devices, and they do not offer a way for their users to download and use third party software without jailbreaking. Android does. (Haha, get it? DROID DOES. Haha.) Also, the iOS is only supported on devices MADE by Apple. Like I said, Apple has a deathgrip on their product. And I don't think it will be too long before it backfires.

Also, The Android Market and Android Customers are growing exponentially. Do you think the fall of iOS is near?


Aaaand... With your response please don't say something like "Yeah android pwns apple suxx", be a little more detailed than that

EDIT:

Let me rephrase my actual question. I don't think there is any way that Android will completely remove Apple from the market, but do you think that Android will eventually take the throne from iOS as top smartphone?

 

[Weazol]

I honestly think the whole iCrap thing is a fad. It will end soon, don't worry

 

[Swizz]

No.

While it may or may not decline in terms of numbers, it wont be going anywhere for quite some time. The market for smartphones is increasing by the day; and as a result, just because Android's numbers are on the rise doesn't mean we are going to see a decline in iOS users.

And quite frankly, we had better hope it doesn't. Competition breeds innovation. If the river that feeds a lake dries up, it becomes stagnant.

And what Android needs to shoot for is the true big fish: RIM.

 

[Tangent]

I doubt iOS will fall any time soon. They only have a tiny share of the computer market, so no matter how big of a smartphone percentage they have they'll be viewed as the anti-corporate hero, and that's a huge draw for trendy hipsters. In a sick and twisted way, it won't matter how much Android might eventually dominate the market. Think of it like Ford vs Ferrari. No matter how many more cars Ford sells, it won't make the slightest bit of difference to Ferrari or their customers. As superior as Android might be to iOS, there are legions of paying customers that will always view Apple as the best despite all logic. It's very much like a religion. The more heretics (Android users) there are in the world, the more fiercely the faithful (Apple users) will defend and support their beliefs.

 

[Storm613]

I doubt iOS will fall any time soon. They only have a tiny share of the computer market, so no matter how big of a smartphone percentage they have they'll be viewed as the anti-corporate hero, and that's a huge draw for trendy hipsters. In a sick and twisted way, it won't matter how much Android might eventually dominate the market. Think of it like Ford vs Ferrari. No matter how many more cars Ford sells, it won't make the slightest bit of difference to Ferrari or their customers. As superior as Android might be to iOS, there are legions of paying customers that will always view Apple as the best despite all logic. It's very much like a religion. The more heretics (Android users) there are in the world, the more fiercely the faithful (Apple users) will defend and support their beliefs.

Great point

 

[Weazol]

I doubt iOS will fall any time soon. They only have a tiny share of the computer market, so no matter how big of a smartphone percentage they have they'll be viewed as the anti-corporate hero, and that's a huge draw for trendy hipsters. In a sick and twisted way, it won't matter how much Android might eventually dominate the market. Think of it like Ford vs Ferrari. No matter how many more cars Ford sells, it won't make the slightest bit of difference to Ferrari or their customers. As superior as Android might be to iOS, there are legions of paying customers that will always view Apple as the best despite all logic. It's very much like a religion. The more heretics (Android users) there are in the world, the more fiercely the faithful (Apple users) will defend and support their beliefs.

That is because the people that go "ohh its shiny" have the money to waste on that crap.

I wouldn't compare it to ferrari though.. Ferrari can outperform a ford. While Apple does not outperform Android (or pc if we are talking about that battle)

 

[Baldilocks]

Actually as an owner of both an Android and an iPhone 4, I can say that Android STILL has a long way to go to become as polished, user friendly, intuitive and smooth as iOS.

Argue all you want, Android is very good for a lot of the tech types, but for people who just want something that does what it's supposed to the first time without much thought -- well, Android isn't that OS.

It's asinine to say one is superior over the other though. They both serve different needs and cater 'usually' to different types of customers. I love my Android phone, but until it performs as well as my iPhone and until the same apps are on par with their iPhone counterparts, I can't say that Android has dethroned iOS. Another way to look at it is this: As long as people are looking for an iPhone killer, that must mean it's still on top.

 

[Weazol]

Actually as an owner of both an Android and an iPhone 4, I can say that Android STILL has a long way to go to become as polished, user friendly, intuitive and smooth as iOS.

Argue all you want, Android is very good for a lot of the tech types, but for people who just want something that does what it's supposed to the first time without much thought -- well, Android isn't that OS.

It's asinine to say one is superior over the other though. They both serve different needs and cater 'usually' to different types of customers. I love my Android phone, but until it performs as well as my iPhone and until the same apps are on par with their iPhone counterparts, I can't say that Android has dethroned iOS. Another way to look at it is this: As long as people are looking for an iPhone killer, that must mean it's still on top.

2 smartphones? what are you a drug dealer

anyways. Apple has always been known for looks and user friendly, even in the Macs. But what makes PC better is the ability to have control over more things. The same thing the android brings to the table.

 

[Tre Lawrence]

No.

While it may or may not decline in terms of numbers, it wont be going anywhere for quite some time. The market for smartphones is increasing by the day; and as a result, just because Android's numbers are on the rise doesn't mean we are going to see a decline in iOS users.

And quite frankly, we had better hope it doesn't. Competition breeds innovation. If the river that feeds a lake dries up, it becomes stagnant.

And what Android needs to shoot for is the true big fish: RIM.

Well said.

 

[Alieno]

Apple's iOS could be classified as soaring (like like the way their smartphone sales are soaring) but to suggest it's dying? Not a chance.

As it stands now, Apple is ~steamrolling~ the smartphone market in terms of sheer number of units being sold and the current 3+ week long waitlist for those who pre-order the Iphone 4. Their incredible numbers are a testament to the Iphone and iOS's excellent quality and overall consumer satisfaction. Most people would not buy an Iphone if it was garbage, buggy, or faulty, because they want to get their money's worth. I am one of these people, I am not an Apple fanboy or anything of the sort, as the only two Apple product's I've ever owned are the Iphone 3G and Iphone 4. But I chose the Iphone because they are of excellent quality and good phones all around.

It's disingenuous however to chide the Iphone 4 in its entirety due to some complaints about "antennagate", because if that's the route that some people want to go, then it's likewise also possible to browse these very forums and find countless upon countless of user complaints (hardware and software related) with all the different kinds of droid phones. I personally don't have any problems with my Iphone 4, and neither do any of my friends / co workers who I have asked. Regardless, all phones have problems, none are perfect. But the enormous hype surrounding the Iphone 4 has deluded some people into thinking that it SHOULD be perfect, which of course is unrealistic and silly.

But perhaps the most pathetic aspects pertaining to this whole "iphone vs android" make-believe-war are the petty generalizations and mischaracterizations of their users. For the record: Iphone users are not moronic computer-illiterate dolts that simply want a "Shiny" phone to "waste their money on".

A phone is a phone is a phone. It comes down to personal preference, that's it.

 

[Tangent]

That is because the people that go "ohh its shiny" have the money to waste on that crap.

I wouldn't compare it to ferrari though.. Ferrari can outperform a ford. While Apple does not outperform Android (or pc if we are talking about that battle)

The Ferrari comparison is a crappy one if you're talking about performance, just focus on the sales numbers bit of it.

 

[PhoenixFx]

A large percentage iPhone users don

 

[Weazol]

OMG did you here apple is coming out with a new rock.. I am totally gonna buy it. its so cool and it has the apple logo on it. It even has this cool feature if you throw it then it will hit the ground eventually. It comes with an app to see how far you can throw!

 

[Baldilocks]

OMG did you here apple is coming out with a new rock.. I am totally gonna buy it. its so cool and it has the apple logo on it. It even has this cool feature if you throw it then it will hit the ground eventually. It comes with an app to see how far you can throw!

Well, at least they will be able to throw it more smoothly and using less steps than if they were trying to throw a Google rock.

 

[Bnice]

The iphone reminds me of Air jordan back in the days, every year a new design came out and all this commercials and news buzz just pouring out and how is the best selling shoe etc.etc.but eventually all that buzz and hype will come to pass.I keep hearing how easy the iphone is to use but what's so hard about Android?

 

[Weazol]

Well, at least they will be able to throw it more smoothly and using less steps than if they were trying to throw a Google rock.

Yea but you can customize the weight on a google rock for further or shorter throwing

 

[ashykat]

I definitely would not say it's dying at the moment. They sold 3 million in 3 weeks. It's the best iPhone launch they've had yet. I said it in an old thread, and it's a Steve Jobs quote. When he came back to a dying Apple in '97 he said during a Macworld, "We need to let go of the notion that for Apple to succeed Microsoft has to lose." The same is true of Android. For Android to succeed (and it is succeeding), Apple does not have to lose.

 

[Baldilocks]

Yea but you can customize the weight on a google rock for further or shorter throwing

But by then, it could be too late if you had to throw the rock for something important. Just saying.

 

[ThreeDog]

i have both a i-phone and a android in the form of a HTC desire. and while i am loathe to say it ios is not going any where any time soon as already stated in this thread it just works and thats what a lot of people want, some thing that just works with no fuss and no hassle. personally though i prefer the android os as it allows me to get me geek while giving me full customisation of my phone.

@ Weazol i have 2 smart phones and no i'm no drug dealer either, just a hard working bloke who likes to spend his hard earned money on things i like.

 

[grainysand]

I definitely would not say it's dying at the moment. They sold 3 million in 3 weeks. It's the best iPhone launch they've had yet.

All other points aside, this needs to be addressed: 3 million in 3 weeks were mostly 3G/3GS users upgrading--especially since AT&T offered everyone an early upgrade that'd let them keep their unlimited data plan, which led to everyone scrambling to grab that before AT&T moves to tiered pricing.

3 million in 3 weeks doesn't mean a direct increase in market share. Just thought you should know. On which note, a lot of 3G/3GS users were so pissed off at iOS4 crippling their devices many of them ran for Android. Going by Engadget/BGR commentators, they never looked back.

 

[Intervenient]

My personal opinion is a big YES. And rightfully so.

Apple says that their customers are putting the 'deathgrip' on the new iPhone4 (You know, the whole antennagate thing...), but really Apple seems to have a deathgrip on their own products. The iPod Touches, iPhones and iPads, namely. They have a ridiculous app approval process for programmers, and they are quite hostile toward third party software. They brick (on occasion) jailbroken devices, and they do not offer a way for their users to download and use third party software without jailbreaking. Android does. (Haha, get it? DROID DOES. Haha.) Also, the iOS is only supported on devices MADE by Apple. Like I said, Apple has a deathgrip on their product. And I don't think it will be too long before it backfires.

Also, The Android Market and Android Customers are growing exponentially. Do you think the fall of iOS is near?


Aaaand... With your response please don't say something like "Yeah android pwns apple suxx", be a little more detailed than that

Not even close. They just sold 3 million plus iPhone 4s in just a month of release. Add in the number of older iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads and you get a massive number of devices. Not dying anytime soon. Apple is at a point where it's stuff is selling like hotcakes. In fact, anything that sells even close would be described as selling like an iPhone 4.

Yes, Apple has a stranglehold on it's users, but most people forget that most Android phones have not one, but TWO, outside entities have a stranglehold on their devices, that being the cellular provider and the hardware manufacturer. Also, a lot of Android devices don't allow 3rd party software unless they're rooted, which is the same thing as jailbreaking on the iOS. It's also beneficial that Apple makes all they're own hardware, because you're secure for updates, and you know that all applications in the app store will work. That's some comforting security.

Android market also may be expanding, but there is no denying that most apps don't have that same amount of polish that iOS apps have.

I believe that Android is the superior OS, but there is no denying that iOS has it's own strengths that can't be denied. I like tinkering with my phone, so I'm an Android fan. My mother likes things that work out of the box and continue to work and remain relevant for more than 3-4 months. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Citronbull]

I have 2 coworkers who dropped their iphone 3gs from 3 feet and the screen cracked. They both said they would buy on iphone 4 if they could....People are just less informed about android and its cool features.

 

[Baldilocks]

I have 2 coworkers who dropped their iphone 3gs from 3 feet and the screen cracked. They both said they would buy on iphone 4 if they could....People are just less informed about android and its cool features.

Any phone with a large screen can crack from a fall of ANY height. That has nothing to do with one phone being better than another - that's just physics.

 

[A.Nonymous]

People would be crazy to write off iOS at this point. It's still got a slick user interface and very well polished apps. Even without the huge hype machine it has behind it, it's a very nice platform.

Apple lost the desktop war more than a decade ago. I think they learned lessons there that they're going to take over to the mobile world. I would be shocked if you saw one platform with a 95% share in the mobile world.

 

[Tre Lawrence]

LOL @Weazol and Baldilocks re: rock throwing.

A lot of people in my line of work do buy the iPhone for the cool factor.

I like the iPhone. I think it is overhyped, and I detest iTunes, but all in all, I think it is a smokin' device. And I like the competition it engenders.

The longer iPhone is around, and doing well,the better for us consumers. As I have said before, I am a self-centered consumer. When Ilook for a new device, I look for the best fit for my needs. If Apple puts out that product, than so be it. I don't have a logo branded on my chest. When they make changes, it forces competitors to raise their game. That's why I adore Android, and feel it is a better fit for me than iOS.

Long live Apple!