iPhone losing it's edge

[Musky]

Interesting article:

iPhone losing it's edge

 

[jamor]

They are even getting pwned by Microsoft and companies alike in the mp3 player industry.

This company is in trouble - sell their stock while you can.

 

[TrumpetMan]

Android + 100,000 converts a day = Impressive

 

[Dmtalon]

Yes, but on the flip side... (Just switching from Iphone and x windows mobile user too)

iPhone has one HUGE thing going for it... They all use the same dock connector and have the same general shape and/or connector location. They will always win in the accessory market for that reason. That is unless Google requires some sort of similar standards in the future for connector location/and or pinout.

I can plug my iPhone directly into my Tundra and even control it via the steering wheel controls.

I can set my iphone in my Logitech speaker box and listen to / charge it. Or my Klipsch speaker box...

Like it or not, iTunes is far far more mature than anything android has (ya, its been around longer).

Me personally... I'm willing to trade these for a phone i have more control over and on a more open platform, however the iPhone is still a powerhouse of a device as a whole and I'm sure the updated hardware/software of 4.0 are going to keep the pressure on android to keep pushing to stay with/in front of it.

Just my .02c

 

[jamor]

iPhone has one HUGE thing going for it... They all use the same dock connector and have the same general shape and/or connector location.

Damn. That's huge man.

 

[FlyPenFly]

What does this have to do with the HTC Incredible.

 

[aleis]

they say the main reason people will not be converting to android from the iphone is the proprietary connectors and the amount of money they spent on their iphone apps. i say so what. let them be trapped in there place.
i like freedom sooo...im good here!

 

[Tony Touch]

they say the main reason people will not be converting to android from the iphone is the proprietary connectors and the amount of money they spent on their iphone apps. i say so what. let them be trapped in there place.
i like freedom sooo...im good here!

Who says this? I've never heard that.

 

[MisterMixelpix]

I've heard that, too. A little skeptical myself.

Dmtalon's right, though. It's not that the iPhone is better or worse (nor am I here to talk about anything of that nature), but rather the empire built around it is just WAY beyond anything Android has. Any and all iPhone accessories work and any and all iPhones (not counting the 1st gen thing). There's no worry with app compatibility in the way Android users fight with devices not using 2.1 or Sense UI. Everyone gets the updates. All iPhone users are together. Plus, yeah, the iTunes integration is pretty much second to none.

It's a trade-off. Homogeneity and security in compatibility for freedom and potentially power. Me? I'm Android all the way, but I'll never expect everyone to follow.

 

[Dmtalon]

Those things were certainly considerations for me. I am far from an apple fanboy, but the iPhone (which I had for 2 years) is a great piece of hardware. Its the whole locked down <Seve Jobs>Live in my world</Steve Jobs> that I grew tired of. Not being able to use Google products natively.

But having spent money on proprietary devices like car connection kits and speakers specifically designed for it are certainly things you have to think of...

Lets see... Jump in my truck plug my phone into the dock connector and go my marry way. vs. Jump in my truck. Plug in a 3.5mm jack to the headphone jack and my aux in. Then plug in the car charger to the car and phone. Have wires sprawled out everywhere...

I'm just saying there are certainly good things about how apple is doing things...

That said, I have an iPhone sitting in my truck right now using it only as a podcast streamer until I pull the trigger and port the number over to verizon and my Incredible.

I'm a geek and like tweaking my phone etc... I truly believe android fits me better, however the iPhone is just "easy"

I compare the iphone to a Tivo/DVR and android to an HTPC... You can do a lot more stuff with the HTPC, but it can certainly be more work...

 

[Asterdroid]

Those things were certainly considerations for me. I am far from an apple fanboy, but the iPhone (which I had for 2 years) is a great piece of hardware. Its the whole locked down <Seve Jobs>Live in my world</Steve Jobs> that I grew tired of. Not being able to use Google products natively.

But having spent money on proprietary devices like car connection kits and speakers specifically designed for it are certainly things you have to think of...

Lets see... Jump in my truck plug my phone into the dock connector and go my marry way. vs. Jump in my truck. Plug in a 3.5mm jack to the headphone jack and my aux in. Then plug in the car charger to the car and phone. Have wires sprawled out everywhere...

I'm just saying there are certainly good things about how apple is doing things...

That said, I have an iPhone sitting in my truck right now using it only as a podcast streamer until I pull the trigger and port the number over to verizon and my Incredible.

I'm a geek and like tweaking my phone etc... I truly believe android fits me better, however the iPhone is just "easy"

I compare the iphone to a Tivo/DVR and android to an HTPC... You can do a lot more stuff with the HTPC, but it can certainly be more work...

I basically made the switch you describe above. I like it though. I feel like a meatball in a giant bowl of wire spaghetti.

 

[Dmtalon]

I basically made the switch you describe above. I like it though. I feel like a meatball in a giant bowl of wire spaghetti.

There's a female dock connector -> 3.5mm cable out there (cablejive)... If we can just get one that has our extUSB on the other end to provide power and take audio out of that (i.e. one connector) I'd be golden!

 

[aleis]

Who says this? I've never heard that.

Question of the Day: Does Froyo Make You Want to Get an Android Phone?

"Speaking as an iPhone 3G user not entirely in love with AT&T or Apple these days, Android is looking like a more and more attractive option. There are still a lot of issues holding me back from making the switch, however. I don't want to have to pay for apps I've already bought twice, for example, and switching platforms will make me do that. And I'm sort of trapped to Apple's ecosystem to a certain point with stuff like the Remote app controlling iTunes streaming to my stereo connected to an Airport Express."

 

[confluence]

Really who didn't see this coming?

Below are pre 2.2 factors that helped this Android topple Apple....


Software:

Android = Open
iphone = Owned by Apple and not you the developer.

Hardware:

Android = Many different types and sizes of phones. (60 phones currently)
iphone = One single form factor and shape. (3 phones)

Android = Remove your battery as you please
iphone = Only 1 battery and it's stuck in the phone.

Ports and Storage:

Android = 3.5 mm audio jack, micro usb, and micro sd are all industry standards
iphone = Apple proprietary battery port, Apple proprietary audio port, No removable sotrage

Carriers:

Android = Verizon, At&t, sprint, t-mobile, us cellular, vodafone, etc...
iphone = At&t




And now with Froyo and all of it's glorious features... iphone is now definitely killed. In the mainstream, anyways. Of course you will still have your Apple fanboys who are loyal and true to their evil leader. Without Apple and Jobs who else is going to tell them what buy and what to develop?

 

[knowsomething]

they say the main reason people will not be converting to android from the iphone is the proprietary connectors and the amount of money they spent on their iphone apps. i say so what. let them be trapped in there place.
i like freedom sooo...im good here!

Yah, its believed that a person with 3 or more accessories for a device is 87% less likely to switch devices/carriers.

That's why reps always have to upsale those things. It decreases churn.

 

[prerunnerseth]

Lets see... Jump in my truck plug my phone into the dock connector and go my marry way. vs. Jump in my truck. Plug in a 3.5mm jack to the headphone jack and my aux in. Then plug in the car charger to the car and phone. Have wires sprawled out everywhere...

These things are going to change with time. As car audio manufacturers get on board and start to see the value in making things compatible with android they will. Ipod adapters are old school tech. Bluetooth audio / bluetooth control protocol are the new way. As manufacturers start supporting these protocols more you will see ipod adapter type control through bluetooth.

 

[vzwuser76]

iPhone has one HUGE thing going for it... They all use the same dock connector and have the same general shape and/or connector location. They will always win in the accessory market for that reason. That is unless Google requires some sort of similar standards in the future for connector location/and or pinout.

Actually, the mobile phone industry has been moving towards standardizing the charge/dock connector for about 4-5 years now. It used to be that each manufacturer had their own proprietary connector form factor. Now almost all manufacturers use micro usb. There have been a few mini usb's recently (Eris) and a few non usb (GzOne Brigade), but for the most part all are moving toward micro usb. I even read somewhere that Apple was considering the switch, but I doubt that IMO.

 

[TheBeardedMann]

Ford's Sync AppLink bringing in-car voice control to Android, BlackBerry apps -- Engadget

GM &#038; Google Negotiating Android-OnStar Sync Partnership

Now you don't even have to use those controls on your steering wheel. Basically, Android is catching up to and passing Apple in features and connectivity. Thank Apple for starting this revolution, but thank Google for continuing to improve this revolution.

 

[Dmtalon]

Ford's Sync AppLink bringing in-car voice control to Android, BlackBerry apps -- Engadget

GM & Google Negotiating Android-OnStar Sync Partnership

Now you don't even have to use those controls on your steering wheel. Basically, Android is catching up to and passing Apple in features and connectivity. Thank Apple for starting this revolution, but thank Google for continuing to improve this revolution.

Ya, but it's a lot easier to buy a $150 ipod connector kit for my vehicle, than to buy a 30k vehicle for my phone...

Don't get me wrong... I'm here because I want to be, and I'm loving my Incredible... I'm just playing devils advocate

 

[TheBeardedMann]

Ya, but it's a lot easier to buy a $150 ipod connector kit for my vehicle, than to buy a 30k vehicle for my phone...

Don't get me wrong... I'm here because I want to be, and I'm loving my Incredible... I'm just playing devils advocate

Mr Handsfree Bluetooth Genius Car Kit - Android Car Kits - Android and Me

Is this what you speak of?

 

[Dmtalon]

Mr Handsfree Bluetooth Genius Car Kit - Android Car Kits - Android and Me

Is this what you speak of?

That's very cool... I wonder how well it will work *with* the built in BT (calls only) that my truck has built in. I wonder if android can support doing handsfree from my truck and stereo BT to that device..

 

[Scblacksunshine]

Honestly, who cares? I hate Apple (actually just Jobs) with a passion but if all these lemmings decide to follow blindly and make Apple number 1 because of the "cool" factor, so be it...Personally, I am just glad there's an alternative for the tech savy people that does not force app developers to adopte Jobs' version of openess....Just because something is popular doesn't mean it's the best or the most innovative...IMHO, at least for now, Android is more innovative and more open and that's what I am really after...plus with the upcoming flash 10.1 it sure doesn't hurt right now to be in the Android camp.

 

[Scblacksunshine]

And now with Froyo and all of it's glorious features... iphone is now definitely killed. In the mainstream, anyways. Of course you will still have your Apple fanboys who are loyal and true to their evil leader. Without Apple and Jobs who else is going to tell them what buy and what to develop?

So true...people will always follow..some more blindly so than others...not a straight comparison but just remember even Hitler and Stalin had plenty of followers. Not saying Jobs is that evil (hope not..), but even with his esoteric, egocentric attitude, many will follow and call him the purveyor/advocate/innovator of an "open" market even though what he is advocating is complete opposite..

 

[gorenut]

I think interest in iPhone will return once the new phone arrives. Right now, there just isn't much iPhone users can tout about other than the "defragmentation" of the Android market or that they got more apps. This is an overgeneralized thought, but as a whole, it seems like Apple users like having much of their decisions made for them. Hence they're not too concerned with open market. They like feeling safe and not being left out - like they're a part of something. They have no worry about their newest iPhone having another iPhone beating it out 2 months later.. this is the trend I see. So with that market, Apple will always have their grips on. To a certain extent, I see the same phone worries in the Android market.. people already wanting to get rid of their Incredible for an Evo, etc... thats one of iPhones biggest market strengths - their users don't fear that.

I myself am not anti-Apple. I work on Mac OS on a Mac Pro and run an iMac at home. I think what Apple does do, is bring attention and healthy competition to the consumer market. So I welcome whenever Apple releases something, whether I purchase it or not, will be decided on whether its worth the price of entry. Example: there have been plenty of tablet devices available before iPad.. but general consumer attention wasn't on it until the iPad was released. Now we're seeing serious players manufacturing/developing slate/tablet computers... and running Android on them - which I believe helps other Android users.

As for my phone, I'm a carrier person, then hardware person. Apps, cool factor, etc, are tertiary. SO I will always stick with what I believe is the best carrier and will pay for the hardware that I think is worth my money... instead of just going with the phone for the cool factor (or can claim has the most apps).

 

[Tomoko]

Apple will remain a strong competitor, but I think they are not taking Android seriously enough. Many of the things that they said were "too complicated" for users are commonplace tasks now, and you can see them adding support for these tasks with OS4. The one thing I think is hurting them more than featureset is their app store policies, coupled with restricting the developer tools.