Apple Executives Speak on the 'Low-Cost Phone', Android's Fragmentation Issues

[apolloa]

Fragmentation in Android? Lower cost iPhone? Man the Apple board seem to be stuck in some time worm hole from 2010.... or earlier....

And the hypocrisy is oh so funny, the parts of iOS7 Apple has straight out 'stolen' from Android and WebOS is so funny... haha

Anyone who questions Samsungs antics needs to look in a BIG mirror.

 

[Technarchy]

For some reason Tim Cook really concerns me. He has always struck me as someone who is nothing like Steve Jobs that is trying to act like he is very much like Steve Jobs, including the whole casual dress uniform. He doesn't look comfortable doing it. He looks like an actor playing a role that doesn't suit him. I'm concerned he's focused too much on not looking like a suit and not on what's good for the company. I'm also concerned that because he IS a suit that he doesn't have the right mindset to lead Apple. The Board hasn't called me yet to get my input, but I'm waiting by the phone for their call.

Tim Cook has been with Apple a long time. He's very much an Apple person, and was selected by SJ because he is a business man and not pretend-Steve Jobs.

So far I think he's doing a good job, and staying close to the Apple tradition.

 

[TheManofSteel]

So what issue of Business Week is this? I can't tell what the week on the top corner says.

 

[iGrip]

Google didn't win mobile profits??? Android clearly was to make money using data from users not from the os or the phones themselves.

As you are aware, I was responding to the claim that "the average consumer wants the iPhone."

That is incorrect. Three average consumers want an Android phone for every average consumer who gets an iPhone.

I'm not sure what topic you are addressing, but it is clearly not the one under discussion.

 

[bbeagle]

If everything Apple does fails and flops for the next 5 years there won't be one of those men working at the company. Nor any other members of the current upper management.

If they are let go from Apple, they'll all get their golden parachutes, be wealthy beyond imagine, and have more free time to be leading start-up companies about their individual passions. Either way, it will work out for them.

 

[apolloa]

When apple releases a new iOS device it will get at least three full iOS versions in its lifespan. Most android devices are lucky to get one major android os version.

Talking about what the iPhone 3 can run is irrelevant. Android has devices that came out last year that are as far behind as the iPhone 3G, which came out five years ago.

And apart from iOS 7, please pray do tell us all what EXACTLY those iOS updates have changed? Because I'm buggered if I have ever seen anything different? All the iOS updates ever did was patch bugs and security risks!

 

[BrockC]

Not worried huh?

Image

I had to sign in just to "vote" this up

 

[osofast240sx]

its not an issue
you make your app for samsung galaxy first, and everything else you hope it works

But they sell more feature phones. So it Is a problem.

 

[cmichaelb]

I guess you could argue that the plastic back will cost Apple less to manufacture (Although how much less per phone could it really be? And you have to factor in the R&D needed to develop a new design for the "old" iPhone 5 internals) and the fact that since it is not just last year's model (well it technically is, but in a new package) it is a new product that will probably sell better than just an older model (although the 4S was selling pretty well when the 5 came out last year)

I think it is a pretty cool idea to freshen up last year's phone, most people do not care about the internals, they can get a blue or yellow iPhone now!

My point is they ARE offering last years model at $99. It just looks different. VERY minor battery upgrade.

People will buy up the colors like crazy. Not for me, but look at how well iPod mini,s nanos, touches have sold in colors. It was a smart move-and goes well with iOS 7.

I really miss the black for the 5s. Space grey it will have to be for me.

 

[Tech198]

“We never had an objective to sell a low-cost phone,” says Cook. “Our primary objective is to sell a great phone and provide a great experience, and we figured out a way to do it at a lower cost.”

Cook never said that??

FWasan't the iPhone 5C origionally said for the China market? Didn't Cook even say "We want a more affordable iPhone they can aford."

$100 off is hardly low cost, and in fact, if you looked recently, its actuallymore expensive than ever in China. $700 US equivilant.

Yes, and that $99 is on a contract, which by the way is like every phone you buy "cheap" from your carrier. This are also low-cost.

 

[Zmmyt]

Trying to picture Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and Paul Allen posing the same way.

oh dear!

 

[TheRainKing]

---delete---

 

[Macist]

As you are aware, I was responding to the claim that "the average consumer wants the iPhone."

That is incorrect. Three average consumers want an Android phone for every average consumer who gets an iPhone.

I'm not sure what topic you are addressing, but it is clearly not the one under discussion.

Many Android customers do not choose those phones. Smartphones have all but replaced dumbphones on even the cheapest deals. So you go along to the shop and ask about that £15 a month deal and get an LG or Huawei handset. Later you find it has 'apps'n'stuff' and that's 'pretty cool'. It's Android but it may as well be Windows Phone or ZongoBongoOS.

Apple only completes in the prestige end of the market, with a handful of handsets from Samsung, HTC and, kinda, Sony and Nokia where, yes, some element of Apple v. Android/WP takes place. In this segment Apple remains strong.

 

[TWSS37]

Which one matters more to a consumer?

----------




That is simply incorrect.

https://docs.google.com/a/technologizer.com/spreadsheet/oimg?key=0Apds7ufAnNw5dHhod1VMZDNGOWgtQVBLNmJ5M1ZwclE&oid=11&zx=1ivzhujks94p


If one refers to facts, it seems that many, many more consumers want an Android phone. Indeed, for every consumer that wants an iPhone, more than three want an Android phone.

The blind loyalty/delusion in this thread in overwhelming.

Who are the people who lament this forum is overrun by Apple HATERS? Quite the opposite.

----------

What is "your Apple device"? iOS7 runs on the iPhone 4, iPod touch 5th, iPad 2, and iPad mini.

The release dates for the most current unsupported devices:
iPhone 3GS: 6/19/2009
iPod touch 4th gen: 9/1/2010
iPad: 4/3/2010

The reason you can't upgrade is because your device is 3-4 years old, an eternity for mobile electronics.

It is the 4th gen iPod touch that was sold, as current tech - much like how the 5c is being sold as current when its innards are primarily last year's tech - in white that was released as brand new in October, 2011.

 

[Tinmania]

What is "your Apple device"? iOS7 runs on the iPhone 4, iPod touch 5th, iPad 2, and iPad mini.

The release dates for the most current unsupported devices:
iPhone 3GS: 6/19/2009
iPod touch 4th gen: 9/1/2010
iPad: 4/3/2010

The reason you can't upgrade is because your device is 3-4 years old, an eternity for mobile electronics.

Try the white iPod touch released in Fall 2011.

Or my iPad 1, obsolete, not just his year but last year as well.



Michael

 

[skratch77]

Siri performance is contingent upon an Audience noise cancellation co-processor and algorithm, which in turn allows Siri to be better able to discern speech in outdoor conditions with lots of ambient noise.

The software for Siri itself running was never the source of the issue.

Something similar will happen next year when the iWatch needs M7.

Either way it's a hardware concern, where the Galaxy Gear situation is 100% android fragmentation.

You have no idea wtf your talking about.android has nothing to do with Samsung specific hardware made to run on there phones. Do you think an HTC one running 4.3 will be able to use the Samsung gear?

Man you have no freaking clue.Samsung said there whole galaxy line will get an update that will bring support for there galaxy gear but getting a newer version of android is just a extra on top.

Last the freaking galaxy gear is not even out yet and not a single person has a note 3 yet and using the gear.Samsung said they will push a kies update to all there phones next month and guess what? That's the same freaking time the gear comes out so go figure.

How much you want to bet that the gs3,note2 and gs4 all get the latest android with support added in for there galaxy gear next month? Heck an att gs3 was just spotted with 4.3 today and its a final build number that will be pushed in a few weeks.

Again android version has nothing to do with galaxy gear working.you won't see a nexus being able to use the gear and those have been on 4.3 for a while now.

Give Samsung a freaking break and let them release the gear before you blame fragmentation for the gear not working.

 

[CptnJustc]

And apart from iOS 7, please pray do tell us all what EXACTLY those iOS updates have changed? Because I'm buggered if I have ever seen anything different? All the iOS updates ever did was patch bugs and security risks!

iOS 4 brought folders (pretty essential for organizing apps), backgrounds (which you certainly must have "seen"), FaceTime, and multitasking APIs.

iOS 5 brought more multitasking APIs, iMessages (critical for me, at least), Reminders, Newsstand (hooray?), and Siri.

iOS 6 brought Apple Maps (hooray? -- but at least you saw it!), FaceTime over 3G, and... various bits here and there. Almost certainly the least impressive update.

But yeah, if you haven't seen anything different, you haven't been paying too close attention. So, one vote for "fragmentation doesn't matter"!

 

[absurdamerica]

Fragmentation is not an end user "issue." It's a developer issue. And only an end user issue if a developer doesn't take different versions into consideration. And the phones that haven't been updated since gingerbread would have a horrible experience running the current android. Just like you wouldn't want an iPhone 3GS running iOS 7

As an end user with a first gen iPad and professional software developer allow me to just say you're being pedantic. The fact is that developers are not going to jump through hoops to support every possible OS version just like many web applications don't promise full cross browser support in every case even though most everybody makes an effort to make sure their software works on "most devices" or "most browsers" at some basic level.

As for phones having a horrible experience running the latest version of Android, that's totally correct, but that problem doesn't seem to be nearly as significant in iOS or you'd see similar percentages for iOS5/6/7 but you don't and won't.

When you control the hardware and software at the same time you make a better user experience possible for more users.

 

[jm001]

Tim Cook says this about Android.. "And so by the time they exit, they're using an operating system that's three or four years old''.

Would that be the same as me buying a Mac Pro today? I'm using hardware which is older than 3-4 years old, and so out of date its a joke? Oh and I pay todays money for it? Mr Cook be careful what you say otherwise you will look silly.. You look silly and disrespectful Mr Cook and I am your customer base.

That's totally different. He's talking about the OS, software. You're talking about Mac Pro, yes a hardware that will only be updated late this fall after all these years, but which can still run the latest OSX quite well. Cook is speaking about some Android phones still being sold, but they're stuck with Gingerbread or anything below the current version. They can't update their OS.

BTW what are you doing with your Mac Pro that "it's a joke" today? They're still great machines, workhorses. I used my IIc back in the 90's for at least 8 years before going with a B&W. It got me through university, projects, and even printed my wedding invitations.

 

[cclloyd]

You are so wrong. It's THE issue with Android right now.
Image

Kinda makes me want to see the pie chart for iOS after just 1 day of iOS 7 being released.

 

[absurdamerica]

iOS 4 brought folders (pretty essential for organizing apps), backgrounds (which you certainly must have "seen"), FaceTime, and multitasking APIs.

iOS 5 brought more multitasking APIs, iMessages (critical for me, at least), Reminders, Newsstand (hooray?), and Siri.

iOS 6 brought Apple Maps (hooray? -- but at least you saw it!), FaceTime over 3G, and... various bits here and there. Almost certainly the least impressive update.

But yeah, if you haven't seen anything different, you haven't been paying too close attention. So, one vote for "fragmentation doesn't matter"!

Not to mention iOS 2 brought the App Store, copy and paste, going from carrier assisted GPS to full GPS support, Multitasking wasn't originally supported, no notification center, better gyroscope API support, the list goes on and on.

 

[TWSS37]

Try the white iPod touch released in Fall 2011.




Michael

Yes this is what I have. I do not think it is outside the boundaries of reason i have iOS7.

For comparison to your iPad 1, my Xoom tablet - bought new in March 2011 (7 months BEFORE I got the newest Touch) - is running Jelly Bean 4.1.2.

 

[mdelvecchio]

Just be honest Tim. You thought you could increase profit margins by decreasing cost of production at the expense of your customers. Every past new iphone release has the previous model going down in price similar to $99 but this time Apple wanted to make even more money.
Way to go. I hope your plan backfires

what on earth are you talking about? the C is $100 cheaper than the 5 was. last year's tech, $100 cheaper -- same exact strategy they've done since the beginning.

such entitlement.

 

[chrisbru]

Tim Cook says this about Android.. "And so by the time they exit, they're using an operating system that's three or four years old''.

Would that be the same as me buying a Mac Pro today? I'm using hardware which is older than 3-4 years old, and so out of date its a joke? Oh and I pay todays money for it? Mr Cook be careful what you say otherwise you will look silly.. You look silly and disrespectful Mr Cook and I am your customer base.

Is something preventing you from putting OS X Mavericks on your Pro when it comes out? Your analogy is terrible.

 

[CBJammin103]

The problem with fragmentation is more on the developer end - developers having to test for a huge array of handsets running a huge array of software is almost like developing for multiple platforms. The resulting inertia eventually impacts the user experience.

It's seriously awful on the developer side. Even web developers have to deal with it sometimes.