So underwhelming. Apple are just "releasing" features that should have been there in the first place. They truly are the masters of hype.
While its by no means underwhelming to me (you just need a small amount of imagination and vision to see the implications), I can see the oddness of this. Apple is implementing things as fast as it can, while attempting to build a solid foundation for its unified platform. So, while its virtually invented the first consumer multi-touch UI device and third-party SDK for it, its trying to make sure the entire enterprise is on solid footing... and does not introduce any "poison pills" into the mix that will eventually prevent smooth evolution of the platform.
Most people agree that their current SDK is simply excellent, and some of these new additions just multiply on this fact. For instance, Apple just tossed out a long time stumble-block by not only announcing 3rd Parties can interface with software and accessories (through Wifi and Bluetooth), but that the 2G iPod Touch platform has Bluetooth capabilities ready to activate. Everything is so cumulative, its intoxicating. Not only does the App Store serve 30 million... 30... million... active, purchase-capable device accounts, but Apple has create a new API to give even more granular purchasing controls through its systems.
Apple is... in a VERY real way, making themselves the standards bearer for the mobile marketplace. This isn't simply hype, its reality. Vendors are actively measuring their "store" efforts against "AppStore" (like many have been doing for iTunes). Accessory makers have been complaining about standardization forever, and Apple is providing unparalleled connection ubiquity amongst its devices (Bluetooth has been a glaring question, now answered). Copy/paste, turn-by-turn directions, and search haven't been added simply as a one-trick feature, but as an extensible API.
My big complain... which is a non-complaint... is my serious concern... NOT that Apple is simply blowing "hype" at people, while providing little real value... but that they are DUMPING value into their platform at firesale prices (or free of charge) compared to the competition. For instance, compare the iPod Touch OS/feature-set to any non-phone Palm PDA device. There is a point where its simply not fair to compare them, even on price. In the "phone" market, things are less clear, but just as worrisome. Do you know of many phones that can be used by a family long after the contract has ended? My old iPhone remains one of the most popular devices in our household. By 2010, Apple will have such a stranglehold on the market, by virtue of the real value its delivering, people will be speaking MUCH more loudly about "monopoly" and much less about "hype". Yet, that same "monopoly" power is somewhat passive and subtle... its what Apple is using to build value into its empire... and something Google is attempting to emulate by requiring all Google Android users to have a Google account to improve the consistency and polish of the customer experience.
After all these years, Palm is throwing away its ENTIRE OS and starting from the ground up. I think its a valiant attempt, and it had better be releasing super economic non-phone versions shortly after the Pre's launch. Palm seems to think the Pre is SO much better than the iPhone, that they'll be able to charge more than Apple's iPhone/iPod Touch $199/$229 starting price point.
This is the way the world of competition ends: Not with a bang but a whimper.
~ CB
