Apple's Share of Worldwide Smartphone Ad Requests Hits 50%

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/23/apples-share-of-worldwide-smartphone-ad-requests-hits-50/)

Mobile advertising firm AdMob today released its October 2009 Mobile Metrics Report (http://metrics.admob.com/2009/11/october-2009-mobile-metrics-report/), detailing the devices and platforms requesting ads from its network. While much of this month's report focuses on the breakdown of devices using Research in Motion and Android devices, one interesting tidbit revealed in the data is that Apple has finally reached a 50% share of the global smartphone ad request market.

Apple nearly reached the milestone back in May when it hit 49%, but the company's share temporarily dropped back over the next several months before beginning a sharp climb again in September. Apple's U.S. ad request share stood at 55% for the month of October, a strong increase from the 48% share held in the previous month but still well below its high of 69% measured in May.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/11/23/160705-admob_ad_request_share.png

The reasons for Apple's dip in ad request share earlier this year are not entirely clear, as all indications have pointed to continued strong growth of the iPhone and iPod touch, with the successful introduction of the iPhone 3GS in June presumably having been a driver of that performance.

Google announced (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/09/google-to-acquire-mobile-advertising-firm-admob/) earlier this month that it has agreed to acquire AdMob for $750 million in stock. The company's thriving mobile advertising business had been seen as a popular acquisition target, and it was reported soon after Google's announcement that Apple had apparently also considered making an offer (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/16/apple-considered-purchasing-admob/) for the company.

Article Link: Apple's Share of Worldwide Smartphone Ad Requests Hits 50% (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/23/apples-share-of-worldwide-smartphone-ad-requests-hits-50/)

[*LTD*]

In a nutshell, from John Gruber:

----------------

AdMob’s October 2009 Mobile Metrics Report

"Page 7 is where the interesting numbers are. The two most popular handsets are the iPhone and iPod Touch. Most interesting to me is column showing percentage share change in the list of top device manufacturers:

Apple’s is great (+6.9%).
HTC’s is good (+1.2%).
Nokia’s, Palm’s and Sony Ericsson’s are bad (-2.6%, -1.0%, and -0.8% respectively — particularly ominous for Palm, I think, in terms of traction for the Pre).
Everyone else, including RIM, is pretty much just treading water.
Also interesting on p. 7 are the pie charts comparing device market share with OS market share. The two charts are nearly identical. That might change if Android takes off."

★
Daring Fireball 09-11-23 2:46 PM John Gruber http://daringfireball.net/

[macduke]

I wonder if they break down the data between app ads and mobile Safari? I bet most of them are from iPhone optimized sites. I also prefer pay apps over ads any day but don't mind them in Safari. What really ticks me off are the few apps that you pay for that still show you ads. GRRRR!!

[spillproof]

With so many iPhone's/ Touches and the apps that use ads like it was made just to sell you stuff, this data seems reasonable. While I understand the purpose of ads, I dislike them very much.

Google is taking everything over.

[LagunaSol]

Google is taking everything over.

I've always been a Google fan, but I'm starting to get really nervous.

They could make the Microsoft of the 90s, with their wormy rise to technology dictatorship, look like child's play.

Way too much control for a single company. We need viable competitors (no, Microsoft, not you - thanks anyway).

[lostngone]

On one hand this is great but on the other hand, I hate ads!

[ChrisA]

So many ads requested from iPhone is maybe because there is no ad blocking software for the iPhone.

I run a proxy on my desktop computers that replaces all adds with white space. No only do I not have to see them but importantly, I don't have to wait while they download.

I'd think blocking ads on a cell phone would be a very popular feature but I don't see an easy way to do this on the iPhone. Maybe it will be a distinguishing feature of the Android?

[LagunaSol]

I'd think blocking ads on a cell phone would be a very popular feature but I don't see an easy way to do this on the iPhone. Maybe it will be a distinguishing feature of the Android?

Blocking ads - on a free OS that is (or ultimately will be) funded by...ads? Keep dreaming... :rolleyes:

[lostngone]

Blocking ads - on a free OS that is (or ultimately will be) funded by...ads? Keep dreaming... :rolleyes:

Huh?!? That seems to be a lot of speculation on your part or do you know something we don't?

[LagunaSol]

Huh?!? That seems to be a lot of speculation on your part or do you know something we don't?

Um, are you aware of how Google makes money?

[manhattanboy]

go Google!

[t0mat0]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/23/apples-share-of-worldwide-smartphone-ad-requests-hits-50/)

http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/11/23/160705-admob_ad_request_share.png

The reasons for Apple's dip in ad request share earlier this year are not entirely clear

Couldn't it just be a case of competitors coming out and releasing June onwards? It is percentage share after all, not absolute numbers.

Palm Pre release - June 9 2009. I'd imagine there'd be a slight blip from Droid this month too.

[lostngone]

Um, are you aware of how Google makes money?

Wait a second...

Are you talking about the iPhone OS or some other Google product?

If you were talking about a Google product then I am sorry I misunderstood you.


If you are talking about the iPhone OS my original statement still stands...

[Rodimus Prime]

Um, are you aware of how Google makes money?
And you are still making crap up. Let's consider the fact that google chrome has ad block stuff out for it and google has no issue with it. Google makes a lot of money off the google searches which no add block will stop.
Gmail they allow you to us imap and pop which goes comply around the adds. I can count on one hand how many time I log in threw a web browser to check my email.
Look at that list of getting around ads I listed and the little area google makes a lot of there money. You do not know a lot of the places google makes money.

My money is on android having ad blocking software a long time before the iPhone gets any

[powers74]

(no, Microsoft, not you - thanks anyway).

Thanks for the laugh!

[iPoodOverZune]

So many ads requested from iPhone is maybe because there is no ad blocking software for the iPhone.

I run a proxy on my desktop computers that replaces all adds with white space. No only do I not have to see them but importantly, I don't have to wait while they download.

I'd think blocking ads on a cell phone would be a very popular feature but I don't see an easy way to do this on the iPhone. Maybe it will be a distinguishing feature of the Android?

Do you mean to use something like Safari Adblock plugin, or do you use some software that block ads be it in safari or firefox or any embedded browser? I would be interested in the latter. I hate to see them when I am using an embedded browser like in Papers, Devonthink, etc. Also, some ad still filter through (I hate to see those fat slob ads, and I am not even fat!):mad::rolleyes:

[KnightWRX]

Admob controls much of the mobile ad space, especially for iPhone applications. But are admob's numbers indicative of the entire industry?

Are they indicative of anything at all for that matter ? People view more ads by Admob on iPhone. That's all this article says.

But I guess now we get to endure Goona and *LTD* post this over and over again as some proof of the iPhone's superiority to all other competitors.

[seedster2]

Are they indicative of anything at all for that matter ? People view more ads by Admob on iPhone. That's all this article says.

But I guess now we get to endure Goona and *LTD* post this over and over again as some proof of the iPhone's superiority to all other competitors.

Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But you can be sure it'll sneak in a post of repeated links or referenced as evidence in an opinion stated as fact

[LagunaSol]

If you were talking about a Google product then I am sorry I misunderstood you.

I'm talking about Android.

And you are still making crap up.

I'm making what up exactly? That Google makes its money on advertising?

Please enlighten me, oh endlessly trollish one.

But I guess now we get to endure Goona and *LTD* post this over and over again as some proof of the iPhone's superiority to all other competitors.

So? The rest of us have to endure you, Rodimus Prime, lex750, Aiden Shaw, and the rest of the Apple Haters Brigade that infest this forum. If you can dish it out, you can take it. Enjoy.

[NSMonkey]

Are they indicative of anything at all for that matter ? People view more ads by Admob on iPhone. That's all this article says.

But I guess now we get to endure Goona and *LTD* post this over and over again as some proof of the iPhone's superiority to all other competitors.
No, much better proof of the iPhone's superiority are the customer satisfaction ratings, overwhelmingly positive reviews, the statements of most smart phone market analysts and the iPhone's skyrocketing market share, both domestically and abroad.


So? The rest of us have to endure you, Rodimus Prime, lex750, Aiden Shaw, and the rest of the Apple Haters Brigade that infest this forum. If you can dish it out, you can take it. Enjoy.

Hahaha! My sentiments exactly.

And you are still making crap up. Let's consider the fact that google chrome has ad block stuff out for it and google has no issue with it. Google makes a lot of money off the google searches which no add block will stop.
Gmail they allow you to us imap and pop which goes comply around the adds. I can count on one hand how many time I log in threw a web browser to check my email.
Look at that list of getting around ads I listed and the little area google makes a lot of there money. You do not know a lot of the places google makes money.

My money is on android having ad blocking software a long time before the iPhone gets any
They're spelled "ads", not "adds" and they're how Google makes money. Here's a nice pie chart (http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/01/22/picture-guess-where-google-gets-97-its-revenue) to help you understand.

[spoiler: 97% of Google's revenue came from ads in 2008]

[LagunaSol]

Hahaha! My sentiments exactly.

It's always entertaining when the trolls complain about pro-Apple bias here on MacRumors. (No mention of their bitter anti-Apple bias, of course.)

They're spelled "ads", not "adds" and they're how Google makes money. Here's a nice pie chart (http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/01/22/picture-guess-where-google-gets-97-its-revenue) to help you understand.

[spoiler: 97% of Google's revenue came from ads in 2008]

Spelling and business are not Rodimus Prime's forte. :(

[Prom1]

With so many iPhone's/ Touches and the apps that use ads like it was made just to sell you stuff, this data seems reasonable. While I understand the purpose of ads, I dislike them very much.

Google is taking everything over.

I totally agree! My previous post regarding Ad-mob and why Apple SHOULD'VE purchased them post haste was more than just the apps having adds, but allowing the end user the choice to voice their opinion of NOT purchasing Apps for Sale that have ads in them - actually Apple should prohibit this.

And don't get me started on said big time coders leaving Apple iPhone development because their income streams no longer pay for their mortgage & their bimmer; especially since they already code for Mac's and have the choice to code for other smartphones like Palm's Web OS that NEED apps. Pure Greed man, pure Greed!

Admob controls much of the mobile ad space, especially for iPhone applications. But are admob's numbers indicative of the entire industry?

This is KEY to how the changing internet ad market & soon also the success of (infestation) of ads (ads infested apps) will be KEY to the iPhone in current and future iterations.

I'd like to highlight what Nokia's research and forsight of efforts to how ads will affect product purchases, app purchases, etc. from Last November 2008 & again in July 2009 (App Store went live back on 10 Jul 2008, with hardly ANY ads).

Nokia saw advertising on mobile in several ways:
* A way to bring their services cheaper/free to specific regions across the globe.
* Interactive rich media experience
* and to drive up device sales.

This can be done in the form of software via embedded content & apps (almost a way of creating a service reaching directly to consumers to their brand of choice). Also co-marketing on the device (which in limited fashion could work on limited devices for Apple - U2 iPod anyone?).

Here is the eye popper - their estimated forecasted in mobile advertisement spending. Also showing the advertising impact which we're just BEGINNING to see. (I really think I should've worked for Apple in marketing as a junior rep or underling lol)

Ad Awareness we're already beginning to see in Games from developers or companies that repeatedly get sales from previous owners of games of the same brand/developer.

Its only a matter of time before Brand Favorability and Purchase Intent become prevailing. Sure we do see apps from companies that target iPhone/iPod Touch users for their service or software product, but I've yet to see Coca-Cola bring their iCoke online points redeeming system with benefits to end users in an app to us. Providers are STILL slow to using AppStore - I an definately see Telus Mobility making an app that auto alerts end users to specific events, movie tickets (free), wallpapers, etc. Bell Mobility should do this since their the Official provider of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Here is strange paradigm. Nokia states Apple is not in the ad value chain; back then it wasn't, today recent data shows otherwise, but with Google soon, if not already owning AdMob, they may not be before too long; not directly.

NOTE:
AdMob iPhone Download Exchange Goes Live
Business Wire | March 31, 2009.

Note_2: This link here shows a GoogleMaps with admob showing Country, Carrier, and Handset = Null ?!
http://www.admob.com/s/home/live

In my previous posts I stated the following:
It's a PERFECT forward thinking marriage (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=8827641&postcount=32).

&

Considering the HUGE recent uptake of mobile surfing (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=8827822&postcount=33)


Considering the HUGE recent uptake of mobile surfing, smartphone growth, and increases of mobile site creations for multiple platforms in the past 2yrs - "the internet" will be Mobile before too long and increasingly coded for in tandem with standard HTML sites. I'm not refereing to WML or xhtml here either.

The potential for Admob to be not only on the standard internet, blogs, personal web pages, but ALSO imbedded in mobile applications for just about all major OS' on the market: this is where Apple could put much foot up Google's arse!!

[scottness]

I like a lot of what Google offers (apps), but this is beginning to make me nervous.

[ChazUK]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 1.5; en-gb; HTC Hero Build/CUPCAKE) AppleWebKit/528.5+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.2 Mobile Safari/525.20.1)

I'd think blocking ads on a cell phone would be a very popular feature but I don't see an easy way to do this on the iPhone. Maybe it will be a distinguishing feature of the Android?

Blocking ads - on a free OS that is (or ultimately will be) funded by...ads? Keep dreaming... :rolleyes:

I think you're mistaken.

There are no ads on my Hero, not a single one.

Android isn't an ad supported OS, its an open source OS. Huge difference.

[thejadedmonkey]

What this tells us is that more people download free (add-supported) applications from iTunes then they do from RIM or WM.

Nothing more

[TAPelicious.com]

I'm happy to see, that the iphone market share is rising! :)))

[NightFox]

Are they indicative of anything at all for that matter ? People view more ads by Admob on iPhone. That's all this article says.

But I guess now we get to endure Goona and *LTD* post this over and over again as some proof of the iPhone's superiority to all other competitors.

What this tells us is that more people download free (add-supported) applications from iTunes then they do from RIM or WM.

Nothing more

+1

Include the fact that many early free apps (and even some paid ones) that originally didn't include ads have since been updated to include ads (often under the guise of "numerous bug fixes").

My own iPhone ad requests have probably gone up at least 50% in the last 6 months, but I still only have just the one iPhone!

[miketcool]

It's always entertaining when the trolls complain about pro-Apple bias here on MacRumors. (No mention of their bitter anti-Apple bias, of course.)

I am a huge Apple fan, don't get me wrong there. But taking every pill Apple hands out with a glass of water and a smile is not something I am about to do. On a personal level, I was upset when Apple moved away from computers and devices that also addressed the needs of the disabled and instead pleased the climate change mongers. Ever try using a touch mouse with arthritis?

I think it is more then reasonable to have opposing views on this website. These forums are nice for presenting different sides to a debate. I wouldn't go as far as calling those who disagree, "trolls" unless you want to call those who blindly praise and protect every Apple move as "ignorant lemmings".

If there weren't differing opinions on here, this would be a really REALLY creepy website.

[pmz]

What this tells us is that more people download free (add-supported) applications from iTunes then they do from RIM or WM.

Nothing more

LMAO. Yeah ok. Keep believing that.

[*LTD*]

What this tells us is that more people download free (add-supported) applications from iTunes then they do from RIM or WM.

Nothing more

http://metrics.admob.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/AdMob-Mobile-Metrics-Oct-09.pdf

AdMob Mobile Metrics Report

AdMob serves ads for more than 15,000 mobile Web sites and applications around the world. AdMob stores and analyzes the data from every ad request, impression, and click and uses this to optimize ad matching in its network. This monthly report offers a snapshot of its data to provide insight into trends in the mobile ecosystem.

Methodology

For every ad request AdMob analyzes information available in the user’s mobile browser. From this, AdMob determines device capabilities and more using open source tools and a variety of proprietary techniques. The result is a snapshot of the devices viewing the more than 10 billion monthly ad requests and impressions that flow through AdMob’s network. We believe this data will be valuable in identifying and tracking trends, evaluating market readiness and more. AdMob also serves mobile ads into iPhone and Android applications. The traffic from these applications is included in the Metrics report.

There is no standard industry definition of a smartphone. AdMob's defintion is based on Wikipedia: "A smartphone is a phone that runs complete operating system software providing a standardized interface and platform for application developers" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone). AdMob classifies a phone as a smartphone when it has an identifiable operating system and we continually update our list as new phones enter the market. Despite running the iPhone OS, the iPod touch is not a phone, and thus not considered a smartphone based on this definition.

Limits of this Data

Representativeness - AdMob does not claim that this information will be necessarily representative of the mobile Web as a whole or of any particular country- market. AdMob’s traffic is driven by publisher relationships and may be influenced accordingly. Because the data is pulled across ads served on more than 15,000 sites and applications, we feel the data will be useful and may help inform business decision making.


http://metrics.admob.com/

Ever since we published our first Mobile Metrics Report in September 2007, our goal has been to provide data that helps the mobile ecosystem make better decisions. As the mobile web has grown, the interest in our data from everyone to advertisers to publishers to Wall Street analysts has increased. We are excited to help the community out and remain committed to sharing our data freely for others to use and interpret. However, we do want to make sure that as people look at our data they think about it in the right context. As with any data source, it is critical to keep in mind where the data is coming from and take that into account when interpreting the results.

The report is based on the ad requests we receive from our network of more than 15,000 mobile Web sites and iPhone and Android applications. The data contained in the report is a measure of mobile data usage and does not represent the traditional view of market share based on the number of handsets sold. Our network site composition, product offerings, and business operations all influence the results. We have always been open about our methodology and are as transparent as possible in the report to give readers the information they need to accurately interpret our statistics.

The value of the data comes from the identification of trends that can be seen by analyzing the substantial volume of traffic flowing through our system each day. In the past year we have highlighted the rise of the iPod touch, growing WiFi usage, and compared the adoption of new operating systems. Taking WiFi as an example of how to view our numbers in context – knowing the exact percentage of WiFi (18% in the US in Sept 09) is less important than knowing that WiFi usage more than tripled over the last year.

Our data is also useful in combination with other qualitative or quantitative factors when thinking about a larger situation. For example the feature section from our April report was used in Mary Meeker’s recent presentation at Web 2.0 in the context of the growth of the Mobile Internet. This GigaOm post uses our usage data in combination with data on developer starts by mobile analytics firm Flurry to comment on the potential Android App Boom coming.

[DanielSw]

I am a huge Apple fan, don't get me wrong there. But taking every pill Apple hands out with a glass of water and a smile is not something I am about to do. On a personal level, I was upset when Apple moved away from computers and devices that also addressed the needs of the disabled and instead pleased the climate change mongers. Ever try using a touch mouse with arthritis?

I think it is more then reasonable to have opposing views on this website. These forums are nice for presenting different sides to a debate. I wouldn't go as far as calling those who disagree, "trolls" unless you want to call those who blindly praise and protect every Apple move as "ignorant lemmings".

If there weren't differing opinions on here, this would be a really REALLY creepy website.

You politically correct people are funny. You try to avoid getting blasted by always trying to give those with opposing views a "fair shake" so that you can say that you are being fair--as if that matters at all.

What matters is not all this blather back and forth--especially from all the Android/Verizon shills posting here, but the real facts. The real facts are what I see myself without even looking:

1. I see iPhones all over, and I don't even look for them.

2. I've only seen one G1, and that was many months ago when they were first introduced. I haven't seen a Pre, and I haven't seen a Droid.

3. I hear how people love their iPhones.

4. AT&T has always given us good cellular service for almost two decades.

Verizon is a joke. Android is joke. They have years to go before they can hope to have anything comparable--and that's going to take a lot of money and a lot of staying power.

Apple and AT&T have that now, and neither are going to rest on any laurels. Both are very soon going to get a LOT harder to catch up to.

[*LTD*]

I am a huge Apple fan, don't get me wrong there. But taking every pill Apple hands out with a glass of water and a smile is not something I am about to do. On a personal level, I was upset when Apple moved away from computers and devices that also addressed the needs of the disabled and instead pleased the climate change mongers. Ever try using a touch mouse with arthritis?

I think it is more then reasonable to have opposing views on this website. These forums are nice for presenting different sides to a debate. I wouldn't go as far as calling those who disagree, "trolls" unless you want to call those who blindly praise and protect every Apple move as "ignorant lemmings".

If there weren't differing opinions on here, this would be a really REALLY creepy website.

Having opposing views merely for the sake of having them, or just to appear objective is what is REALLY creepy.

If Apple is right, they're right. They've been right for a long time now. Not my fault, not the Apple fans' fault. We just give credit exactly where it's due. And we actually mean it.

[LagunaSol]

I am a huge Apple fan, don't get me wrong there. But taking every pill Apple hands out with a glass of water and a smile is not something I am about to do. On a personal level, I was upset when Apple moved away from computers and devices that also addressed the needs of the disabled and instead pleased the climate change mongers. Ever try using a touch mouse with arthritis?

I think it is more then reasonable to have opposing views on this website. These forums are nice for presenting different sides to a debate. I wouldn't go as far as calling those who disagree, "trolls" unless you want to call those who blindly praise and protect every Apple move as "ignorant lemmings".

If there weren't differing opinions on here, this would be a really REALLY creepy website.

Absolutely. I agree 100%. But there are some on this forum who exist only to rage against Apple and its users or "sell" its competitors' wares. They hate Apple hardware, think OS X is a joke, rage against the iPhone, think anyone who likes Apple stuff is a mindless "fanboy," and believe Steve Jobs to be Satan incarnate (and that Bill Gates should be sainted post haste).

I have no problem with them having these opinions, but to take up permanent residence on MacRumors to endlessly bleat their red-hot loathing of all things Apple is annoying and rude. They turn every discussion thread into an all-out flamewar and destroy the ability to rationally discuss what Apple is doing right and what they are doing wrong (and there is plenty of both to discuss).

"Troll" is the only logical designation for these particular forum members, and why the moderators allow them to continue with their endless mischief (or professional shilling) is a mystery to me.

[KnightWRX]

So? The rest of us have to endure you, Rodimus Prime, lex750, Aiden Shaw, and the rest of the Apple Haters Brigade that infest this forum. If you can dish it out, you can take it. Enjoy.

Hater ? I love macs, I defend them against people calling them overpriced by showing facts and comparisons. I love OS X. Heck, I don't even hate the iPhone.

I'm just tired of hearing about the iPhone being the best thing since sliced bread when it's not. It has flaws, some of them glaring. It's also 3rd as far as the market goes.

Don't put me in the same camp as all the pro-MS, anti-Apple crowd. I'm just a level headed guy who realises Apple doesn't crap gold.

[MorphingDragon]

Hater ? I love macs, I defend them against people calling them overpriced by showing facts and comparisons. I love OS X. Heck, I don't even hate the iPhone.

I'm just tired of hearing about the iPhone being the best thing since sliced bread when it's not. It has flaws, some of them glaring. It's also 3rd as far as the market goes.

Don't put me in the same camp as all the pro-MS, anti-Apple crowd. I'm just a level headed guy who realises Apple doesn't crap gold.

Even sliced bread has flaws...

TBH, I hadn't even considered using a Smartphone until the "iPhone revolution".

[KnightWRX]

Even sliced bread has flaws...

TBH, I hadn't even considered using a Smartphone until the "iPhone revolution".

And I was using an Internet enabled phone, with Java games, e-mail, camera, video capture, audio/video playback and a SDK with full emulator back in 2006.

The iPhone is nothing new. It's a nice package, nice interface, but it's not new or novel or smarter than my old dumb phone.

The iPhone is mostly my old phone with a full featured web browser.

[MorphingDragon]

And I was using an Internet enabled phone, with Java games, e-mail, camera, video capture, audio/video playback and a SDK with full emulator back in 2006.

The iPhone is nothing new. It's a nice package, nice interface, but it's not new or novel or smarter than my old dumb phone.

The iPhone is mostly my old phone with a full featured web browser.

You think I'm talking about the features? Symbian, Windows CE, PalmOS sucked major usability ass.

[KnightWRX]

You think I'm talking about the features? Symbian, Windows CE, PalmOS sucked major usability ass.

I didn't have any problems using my old phone. Usability ? Highly subjective. Heck, my old phone had a sort of "icon view" for "apps", just like the iPhone does.

Put down the kool-aid a minute. The iPhone is a nice package, no doubt. What existed on the market before wasn't an awful mess either. Apple isn't some kind of mobile savior, just another player in the market (who happens to be 3rd).

[MorphingDragon]

I didn't have any problems using my old phone. Usability ? Highly subjective. Heck, my old phone had a sort of "icon view" for "apps", just like the iPhone does.

Put down the kool-aid a minute. The iPhone is a nice package, no doubt. What existed on the market before wasn't an awful mess either. Apple isn't some kind of mobile savior, just another player in the market (who happens to be 3rd).

I don't drink kool-aid sorry. I don't even own an iPhone. I would ditch Apple altogether if the Linux world could get some sense of direction.

[schwell]

I didn't have any problems using my old phone. Usability ? Highly subjective. Heck, my old phone had a sort of "icon view" for "apps", just like the iPhone does.

Put down the kool-aid a minute. The iPhone is a nice package, no doubt. What existed on the market before wasn't an awful mess either. Apple isn't some kind of mobile savior, just another player in the market (who happens to be 3rd).

They are just another player in the market that happened to light a fire under alot of A$$es.

[LagunaSol]

Apple isn't some kind of mobile savior, just another player in the market (who happens to be 3rd).

You're right, of course. It's just another phone. I'm sure this whole iPhone thingy will turn into a flop. No significant market share. Stuff like that. ;)

I would ditch Apple altogether if the Linux world could get some sense of direction.

Hard for that to happen when you don't have any single entity piloting the ship. :(

[*LTD*]

Put down the kool-aid a minute. The iPhone is a nice package, no doubt. What existed on the market before wasn't an awful mess either. Apple isn't some kind of mobile savior, just another player in the market (who happens to be 3rd).

Apple is most definitely a mobile saviour. They revolutionized the entire industry almost overnight, forcing everyone to up their game. Look at the market pre-June 2007. Look at the market now. Totally different ballgame.

And yes, Apple is 3rd. In two years, with a single device (including the 3G), on one carrier (US):

http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2009/10/28/iphone-marketshare-hits-30-tops-wanted-huge-lead-customer-satisfaction/

And now, in only two years, they're within about 2% of RIM, and about to overtake them. Apple did in two years what it took the competition nearly a decade to achieve - With the result being that RIM has to up their game, and fast, and Windows Mobile is in ruins.

Apple, all by themselves, with no one pushing them, brought this entire industry out of its deep sleep. You like your Android phone with all its touch features? Thank Apple. You like your Palm Pre's nifty WebOS? Thank Apple. Windows Mobile 7? Thank Apple. And the competition still isn't where Apple is.

Apple is to the mobile/handheld industry what the Macintosh was to the computer industry. Saviour indeed.

[KnightWRX]

And now, in only two years, they're within about 2% of RIM, and about to overtake them.

This is the kind of crap I'm talking about. Apple had a hit with the iPhone 3G, they were ahead of RIM Q3 2008. RIM overtook Apple and had more growth last quarter though :

http://images.appleinsider.com/canalysq309.001.png

This is the kind of comments I hate. Pure fantasy world based "iPhone as a savior device" type commenting. Not based in reality once bit. Apple isn't necessarily on the way up all the time. Competitive market means that sometimes they'll be up, sometimes they'll be down. And these numbers are worldwide, so your 1 device, 1 carrier thing doesn't hold. The iPhone is on 3 carriers now in Canada...

You're right, of course. It's just another phone. I'm sure this whole iPhone thingy will turn into a flop. No significant market share. Stuff like that. ;)

I didn't say that at all. Rose colored glasses having problems reading my comments ? The market isn't white or black. You don't need 100% market share or dominant position to succeed.

Competition is a good thing. The iPhone being 3rd at 15% doesn't mean it's a flop. Though I guess for fanboys, it's #1 or bust right ?

[*LTD*]

This is the kind of crap I'm talking about. Apple had a hit with the iPhone 3G, they were ahead of RIM Q3 2008. RIM overtook Apple and had more growth last quarter though :

http://images.appleinsider.com/canalysq309.001.png

This is the kind of comments I hate. Pure fantasy world based "iPhone as a savior device" type commenting. Not based in reality once bit. Apple isn't necessarily on the way up all the time. Competitive market means that sometimes they'll be up, sometimes they'll be down. And these numbers are worldwide, so your 1 device, 1 carrier thing doesn't hold. The iPhone is on 3 carriers now in Canada...



I didn't say that at all. Rose colored glasses having problems reading my comments ? The market isn't white or black. You don't need 100% market share or dominant position to succeed.

Competition is a good thing. The iPhone being 3rd at 15% doesn't mean it's a flop. Though I guess for fanboys, it's #1 or bust right ?

Your charts prove my point. Thanks.

[Goona]

Damn the success of the iphone really pains some people.

[*LTD*]

Damn the success of the iphone really pains some people.

You could also say "the success of other phones because of the iPhone." ;)

[KnightWRX]

Your charts prove my point. Thanks.

My chart proves what exactly ? That RIM overtook Apple to regain #2 ? Was that your point ?

l2readcharts. Q3 2009 is on the right, Q3 2008 on the left. RIM who slid under Apple in 2008 is now back, showing more growth and more units sold than Apple.

I fail to see how that proves your point that "Apple is catching up to RIM". Seems to me they are losing ground.

[LagunaSol]

I fail to see how that proves your point that "Apple is catching up to RIM". Seems to me they are losing ground.

Those "buy one get one free" BlackBerry deals must help, though I doubt RIM is terribly happy with that approach to gaining market share. :p

[twoodcc]

again great news for apple and the iphone. they just have to keep it going

[jilldemi]

It seems like Google has everything to make money. They had it all covered.