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Consumers dont know what they want, because they are consumers. They just have certian need and think that certain type of devices can fulfill their needs, but at the end, they are not experts. Consumers didnt want a table devices, in fact they rejected many tablet like pc devices with touch/stylus inputs methods much before the iPad, but look now how many of them can imagine their living without their iPads. The same can be said abount the iPhone, the iPod and the Mac. Some 40 years ago who wanted a personal computer in his house? A bunch of tech frickies in the Silicon Valley, and look where are we now. If you leave the consumers to lead your vision about the products of the future, you will stay forever in the stone age. This is how this industry works. Create revolutionaly new products and platforms, build the future based on your own visions and the market will respond positively, it will always will, because even though the consumers are not experts in technology, they have instincts about the great technology in the great product. Thats my opinion.

OK. I am in a forum discussing iPhone screen sizes. Where do I go for an appointment so I can be advised what screen size I want, and why, given that I am a consumer, and that I don't know what I want. Does this also apply to cars, TV, carseats???
 
OK. I am in a forum discussing iPhone screen sizes. Where do I go for an appointment so I can be advised what screen size I want, and why, given that I am a consumer, and that I don't know what I want. Does this also apply to cars, TV, carseats???

How did you even know you wanted this website ;)

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So I wonder if we'll get a front page story from MR on this...

Image

Well that's hardly shocking or mind blowing. Why? Because everyone here already assumes Samsung just reacts to Apple. However - when it's shown that Apple ALSO reacts to Samsung and others in the marketplace, it seems a bit too much for some to handle...
 
I think Apple can go to 4.5 or 4.7" and still be a one-handed phone, but that's about it. Any larger is clearly too big for one-handed use.

When I use my iPhone 5 single-handedly it kind of rests on top of my pinky finger so if it was wider that would be ok. The problem is if it gets much wider it would be hard to reach the whole keyboard when typing with the thumb.

They'd need to reduce the side bezels around the screen.

There's something to be said for one-hand operation but I can assure you that lots of people with larger screen size phones get by just fine using both hands (including myself). I live in an area with a large Asian population and they all gravitate to the phones with huge screens. I'm talking Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Mega size monsters. Probably a cultural thing but not many carry iPhones anymore.

To me a larger screen is more important because it helps with using to what amounts to the only computer I carry around with me. 5 to 5.5" inches works, for me. I switched to a Galaxy S3 and now have an S4 and I really like that screen size. I did have a look at the LG G Flex this weekend which is 6" but that's just too big. Looks nice in the store though!

I do miss the Apple hardware quality and the polish of iOS7 compared to Android and I would go back to Apple if they did an iPhone 6 with a 5.5" screen. I'll miss Android's flexibility but I can compromise.
 
Fragmentation in the Android world is a real issue. But its nothing to do with screen sizes, res is scaleable in Android. Its that many phones are made with many different components such as CPU, GPU, the various chips, etc. So you cannot just make Android to work for everybody as everybody uses different parts. Apple uses a minimal set of components. When the iPad split to two different sizes, that never seemed to cause an issue

It's not the parts; it's the lack of timely OS updates from OEM's when Google releases a new version of Android. Not all phones (especially low end Android) will see a os upgrade and if it does get the upgrade it usually takes a long time. That to me is considered fragmentation.
It's Apple that will have hardware fragmentation.
If Apple does not make a change in how ios handles screen resolution in ios 8 over 99% of the apps at the start will not fill the screen on a larger iPhone. Apps don't scale automatically like it does on Android. Developers will now have to worry about 3 iPhone resolutions when writing apps. There is no guarantee that your favorite app will be updated especially if the developer abandoned it.
As a Android user it does suck not having 4.4 on my Note 3 when Google released it but otherwise that's the only negative. If it was that important I would have got a Nexus or Google play device. Otherwise I upgrade on a yearly basis for the entire hardware and software experience. To me using a high powered os update on old hardware is a bad experience. Why suffer?
 
If they end up listening to the market, then they'd be facing the "innovators dilemma" which Jobs (I believe highlighted as a favorite book). It's not about giving consumers what they want. Apple will fall behind listening to their customers' needs.

Edit: Apple can't get caught up in current needs. It needs to look to the future.

If you don't give customers what they want eventually you go out of business. Just look at Blackberry.

You can always invent new products people didn't ask for but love once they see it but you can't ignore what customers want in a mature marketplace.
 
It's not the parts; it's the lack of timely OS updates from OEM's when Google releases a new version of Android. Not all phones (especially low end Android) will see a os upgrade and if it does get the upgrade it usually takes a long time. That to me is considered fragmentation.
It's Apple that will have hardware fragmentation.
If Apple does not make a change in how ios handles screen resolution in ios 8 over 99% of the apps at the start will not fill the screen on a larger iPhone. Apps don't scale automatically like it does on Android. Developers will now have to worry about 3 iPhone resolutions when writing apps. There is no guarantee that your favorite app will be updated especially if the developer abandoned it.
As a Android user it does suck not having 4.4 on my Note 3 when Google released it but otherwise that's the only negative. If it was that important I would have got a Nexus or Google play device. Otherwise I upgrade on a yearly basis for the entire hardware and software experience. To me using a high powered os update on old hardware is a bad experience. Why suffer?

Further - Google in the last year has taken a lot of the "bigger" issues away from OEMs anyway by making many if it's core functions tie into Play Services. So now Google can update many things without the carriers
 
death by keynote

Always imagine that Apple's culture was above tedious consultant style analysis slide ware - another illusion shattered
 
Before Apple who had:

* magnetic connector for laptop power connectors
* all aluminum chassis for laptops & PCs
* ultra-thin laptops with no optical or spin-drive(Macbook Air)
* a touch-only device that worked(iPhone)
* fingerprint sensor that worked properly(TouchID)
* 64-bit ARM processor in a shipping product
* the 2013 Mac Pro

no matter which way you slice it Apple is a leader, innovator and not a follower in any sense of the word. They might not invent a technology, but they will be the first to apply it a meaningful way for normal people which is in itself an innovation when you consider the state of the tech industry prior to 2007.

Apple does not perform any frontier research (which Google does). While they're good in industrial design and making the best of new technologies and innovations Apple can't be called innovative at all.

Just take a look at Apple's spendings.
 
There's something to be said for one-hand operation but I can assure you that lots of people with larger screen size phones get by just fine using both hands (including myself). I live in an area with a large Asian population and they all gravitate to the phones with huge screens. I'm talking Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Mega size monsters. Probably a cultural thing but not many carry iPhones anymore.

To me a larger screen is more important because it helps with using to what amounts to the only computer I carry around with me. 5 to 5.5" inches works, for me. I switched to a Galaxy S3 and now have an S4 and I really like that screen size. I did have a look at the LG G Flex this weekend which is 6" but that's just too big. Looks nice in the store though!

I do miss the Apple hardware quality and the polish of iOS7 compared to Android and I would go back to Apple if they did an iPhone 6 with a 5.5" screen. I'll miss Android's flexibility but I can compromise.

You make an interesting point. For many people their smartphone is the only computer they need to carry around all the time hence the demand for larger screens. Like you I see a lot of people carrying the Galaxy S phones around and less with the iPhone.

I don't know why people complain about a larger iPhone. It's not like they are going to take away the 4" iPhone. They're just going to add new models to expand the range. Surely more choice is a good thing. I already have a 5s but if the 6 has a 5" screen I'll buy that as well and just alternate between them. Take the smaller 5s when out for the evening and take the 6 when I'm out on business.
 
Funny comments… it's just market research. The smart phone market has matured over the past 8 years and now they need to respond to market needs. Nothing new.
 
You make an interesting point. For many people their smartphone is the only computer they need to carry around all the time hence the demand for larger screens. Like you I see a lot of people carrying the Galaxy S phones around and less with the iPhone.

I don't know why people complain about a larger iPhone. It's not like they are going to take away the 4" iPhone. They're just going to add new models to expand the range. Surely more choice is a good thing. I already have a 5s but if the 6 has a 5" screen I'll buy that as well and just alternate between them. Take the smaller 5s when out for the evening and take the 6 when I'm out on business.

Because a bigger iPhone will prove the market dictated a larger screen phone, proving Samsung was correct in making larger cell phones. After holding a Galaxy S4 from an iPhone4 I was like WOW.

Apple fanboys hate to be proved wrong, and they have been in this situation.

As someone stated, Apple seems to no longer be in innovative mode but compete mode.

Remember when Steve Jobs walked out on a Keynote. You just knew something innovative was coming. Do people get that sensation with Cook? No way.

I'm sure Apple will create some amazing products, I just don't know if they'll be magical and innovative like they were before.
 
I think this is merely the result of the commoditisation of the smartphone market. Just as when Windows finally came of age, it is no longer sustainable for Apple to charge an Apple markup because the product has an Apple label.

This is not to say tha iOS doesn't have strengths compared to Android; it does but these are constantly being eroded.

Another issue I'm seeing at the moment is that competitors are buying the Apple rumour, running with it, and are now producing products that are almost there (e.g. the Galaxy Gear) or pretty good (Samsung's 12" tablet). In other words, Apple is not producing new products (whether trumour or mere rumour) fast enough. Other companies may look like the innovators if Apple doesn't find a way to cut the leaks from the Wild, Wild East.
 
Apple has almost $200 Billion Dollars in its bank account. Its time to use some of that money and release some new products (New Industry's). Waiting Year after Year for something new is frustrating. Im tired of the same old New iPhone 27. Where is the 4K TV? the iWatch? how about a video game console, Game Industry makes a lot of money.

And how much revenue or income will those "new products" you cited will produce? Apple revenue is anywhere between 40-55b a quarter and net income in the range of 8-13b kind of range. Would any of the product you cited have a shot of generating 4-5b of revenue and 1b or so net income a quarter? The entire TV industry has about 30-35B revenue last year with an asp of about $500 or so. TV is not Apple answer. Can Apple sell 20-30M I watch a quarter? That would generate 4-6B of revenue assuming a 200 or so price. It is not that Apple is not innovative anymore, The problem is that there is not that many product categories that can generate enough revenue and income for Apple to make a difference. All tech company eventually sunset as their product category become mature. Most company has only one blockbuster products. Apple has 3 already. Asking for the forth blockbuster products seem to be asking too much at this point..
 
Well that's hardly shocking or mind blowing. Why? Because everyone here already assumes Samsung just reacts to Apple. However - when it's shown that Apple ALSO reacts to Samsung and others in the marketplace, it seems a bit too much for some to handle...

How exactly did Apple react to Samsung? Yeah we saw the email from Schiller to Cook concerned about advertising yet as far as I can tell Apple hasn't produced one ad that specifically takes on Samsung or was a reaction to one of Samsung's ads poking fun at Apple customers. In fact while Apple's competitors ads have gone after them directly Apple has basically ignored the competition, outside of the odd dig in a keynote. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who wish Apple would react quicker...maybe if Apple did they'd already have a larger screen iPhone. :)
 
I will not buy a 6 inch iPhone

I can understand that some users like this small "iPads", but i prefer the 4.0" phone.
So i hope that apple will create 3 different sizes: 4.0" and 4.7" and 5.5"

When there is no 4.0" iPhone 6 - i will not buy any other iPhone!!!
 
It's not the parts; it's the lack of timely OS updates from OEM's when Google releases a new version of Android. Not all phones (especially low end Android) will see a os upgrade and if it does get the upgrade it usually takes a long time. That to me is considered fragmentation.
It's Apple that will have hardware fragmentation.
If Apple does not make a change in how ios handles screen resolution in ios 8 over 99% of the apps at the start will not fill the screen on a larger iPhone. Apps don't scale automatically like it does on Android. Developers will now have to worry about 3 iPhone resolutions when writing apps. There is no guarantee that your favorite app will be updated especially if the developer abandoned it.
As a Android user it does suck not having 4.4 on my Note 3 when Google released it but otherwise that's the only negative. If it was that important I would have got a Nexus or Google play device. Otherwise I upgrade on a yearly basis for the entire hardware and software experience. To me using a high powered os update on old hardware is a bad experience. Why suffer?

I thought that, and I mentioned that on another forum. A few app devs commented, hence my new opinion.

The wide range of parts, and code in those parts is the problem. Android written for CPU a GPU a etc etc requires code updates to run on cpu b etc. The manufacturer does that. They won't bother as phones are changed. iOS runs on various CPU, A5, A5X etc etc, but these and all Apple parts are related, its not an issue.

Resolution. The iPad had no issues being a new res, apps ran at 1X or 2X natively. Updated to run at iPad res, has not been an issue. Its all in house.

Given that the explanations to me were extensive, and also covered the issues Telcos have as well, very informing. Apple and its devs seem to have no issue, Telcos don't either as its the same OS on every device, no variables.

Imagine getting 300 variants of a car with its parts, you have to write 300 ECU. Or getting 10 cars, all using the same, or same brand parts that use the same tech, you need 10 ECU or less to make them run. Simplistic way of looking at it.

There are very few variants of iOS devices. If you get an app, it may say designed for iPhone 5S, but works on 4 to 5S, iPad, Touch. Has the dev written 6 versions? I dunno. It may well be one version that covers 95% of the app, with a few changes for the other devices, thats not hard. Android, you would need to make a generic one and leave it at that I assume as you cannot code for optimal performance on the hundreds of variants.
 
One can't ever make blanket statements like "Consumers don't know what they want.

In fact, you proved it with your first comment "Consumers didnt want a table devices, in fact they rejected many tablet like pc devices with touch/stylus inputs methods much before the iPad,"

The fact is - they WANTED a tablet device. There was pent up customer demand. A subgroup of that bought and used Windows-based tablets. For many of those, it was exactly what they needed. For others - they wanted something else.

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If he is, I am now even more concerned for Apple than I ever was before ;)

During that time the people who wanted a tablet device were very few. It still had a full windows operating system that still is not optimized for touch. Apple recognized they needed a different operating system optimized for touch for the rest of the consumers.
 
How exactly did Apple react to Samsung? Yeah we saw the email from Schiller to Cook concerned about advertising yet as far as I can tell Apple hasn't produced one ad that specifically takes on Samsung or was a reaction to one of Samsung's ads poking fun at Apple customers. In fact while Apple's competitors ads have gone after them directly Apple has basically ignored the competition, outside of the odd dig in a keynote. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who wish Apple would react quicker...maybe if Apple did they'd already have a larger screen iPhone. :)

I'd like Apple to advertise. Properly. Show the phone, tablet, Apple TV, laptop, then SHOW THEM ALL INTEGRATED
 
Apple does not perform any frontier research (which Google does). While they're good in industrial design and making the best of new technologies and innovations Apple can't be called innovative at all.

Just take a look at Apple's spendings.

Yes because R&D spending is how you define innovation.
 
How exactly did Apple react to Samsung? Yeah we saw the email from Schiller to Cook concerned about advertising yet as far as I can tell Apple hasn't produced one ad that specifically takes on Samsung or was a reaction to one of Samsung's ads poking fun at Apple customers. In fact while Apple's competitors ads have gone after them directly Apple has basically ignored the competition, outside of the odd dig in a keynote. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who wish Apple would react quicker...maybe if Apple did they'd already have a larger screen iPhone. :)

I didn't realize "reactions" needed to be immediate.

My point was that Samsung comparing themselves to Apple is nothing new here. But for some, the mere notion that Apple would concern themselves with anything other than Apple is "news."

I don't think it is - as I (we've) said before - any smart company isn't going to exist in their own bubble. That would be incredibly foolish.
 
During that time the people who wanted a tablet device were very few. It still had a full windows operating system that still is not optimized for touch. Apple recognized they needed a different operating system optimized for touch for the rest of the consumers.

IMO a step further, the iPad was not a tablet PC, it lacks many functions of a full OS, it is designed for consumption. Read, listen, watch. It can do the creative stuff as well although you don't want to type War and Peace on it, but you can. Some creative stuff can be very good. Its portable, designed to consume. If it ran OSX, that would not work
 
I hate the large phone trend. Part of why I love the iPhone (at least 4s and below) is that it could be in my pocket and I had no idea it was in there.

Too many phones out there are like carrying a TV around in your pants.
 
I hate the large phone trend. Part of why I love the iPhone (at least 4s and below) is that it could be in my pocket and I had no idea it was in there.

Too many phones out there are like carrying a TV around in your pants.

Yah that's really a GOOD thing right? NOT
That's how **** breaks, you FORGET it's there.
 
IMO a step further, the iPad was not a tablet PC, it lacks many functions of a full OS, it is designed for consumption. Read, listen, watch. It can do the creative stuff as well although you don't want to type War and Peace on it, but you can. Some creative stuff can be very good. Its portable, designed to consume. If it ran OSX, that would not work

It was designed for media consumption and to lock people into the Apple ecosystem further. Productivity was also a benefit, but I'm not sure it was the top objective.
 
I didn't realize "reactions" needed to be immediate.

My point was that Samsung comparing themselves to Apple is nothing new here. But for some, the mere notion that Apple would concern themselves with anything other than Apple is "news."

I don't think it is - as I (we've) said before - any smart company isn't going to exist in their own bubble. That would be incredibly foolish.
I don't consider market research done by someone in sales to be reactionary. In fact I'd be concerned if no one inside Apple was doing research on the competitive landscape.

For me though, if Apple really was a reactionary company we'd already have a larger screen iPhone, a phablet, touch screen mac, etc. And they would have rushed out an updated ATV to beat Amazon to the punch. I think in many ways Apple does live in its own bubble. And probably why some are frustrated, because they think Apple needs to get out of the bubble and bring new stuff to market more quickly.
 
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