BlackBerry Overtakes iPhone as Bestselling U.S. Smartphone in Q1

[dejo]

Simple fact of the matter is iPhone is not the number 1 smart phone.

Based on this survey from NPD, correct. Do I have excuses for why not? Actually, I myself don't really care as long as Apple's other goals for the iPhone are being met. For example, Apple claimed they would sell 10M iPhones in 2008. They sold 13M. So, good job. Market share is not the top and especially not the only goal Apple has for the iPhone.

Hell it is not even a good business phone.

Well, now you stepped from fact to into opinion.

 

[miggitymac]

RIM is a company of clueless suits, stumbling thru life.

I lol'd at this...

They're sitting in their suits making billions of dollars worldwide while you're posting in a forum.

That don't sound like they're clueless and stumbling thru life to me.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Didn't you just get done arguing that Apple skews the numbers by reporting exchanges, etc as new sales? And now you're suggesting they would have provided more accurate numbers? I'm just trying to make sure I get your point straight here...

I was assuming that they would. There's an article done by CNET I think that claims Apple was counting shipping units as units sold.

Then I was speculating that since Apple charges users for replacement phones, they weren't really making any new customers, just selling new iPhones to users with broken ones.

Aristobrat showed me that the NPD articles was taking a sample, and not pulling numbers from Apple.

Then I suggested the numbers may be more accurate if they were to go to the companies for their numbers instead of taking a very small sample of the population.

 

[QCassidy352]

You aren't adding anything to the conversation anyway, and what's worse is you're using someone else's quote which wasn't a fact anyway as proof for your own statements.

I expect better of you Q.

Your posts have NEVER been a waste of time until now.

Insofar as nobody else in this thread had mentioned GAAP, fraud, or the unhelpfulness of personal anecdotes when it comes to hardware failures, I was adding something new to the conversation. Quoting aristobrat was, I grant you, a useless "+1-esque" addition to my otherwise valuable post.

And perhaps more to the point, before you start throwing stones at other people's "waste of time" posts, you might look around at those glass walls surrounding you. Whatever else you think of my posts, at least I wasn't actively spreading misinformation.

Rodimus Prime, nobody is disputing the fact that the iphone was not the #1 smartphone last quarter. But apparently you don't understand the difference between a reason and an excuse. The point people are making is that bb is winning on cost, which doesn't imply superiority of quality or even value.

These new numbers don't prove the "truth" that the iphone is not a good business phone or in fact any "truth" except that people will "buy" a lot of phones when you give them away. The simple proof that the curve's #1 position is based on cost (and availability on all major carriers) is the fact that it's beating out other blackberry devices that are unquestionably superior.

 

[ChrisA]

Apple can't really do an "iPhone lite". There is now room left befow the current price. Today an iPhone sells for about $199 plus and $1,800 contract. If they gave the phone away free. then you'd have $0.00 plus and $1,800 contract. So the cost moves from $2,000 to $1,800.

Yes phones really do cost $2K. Just ry taking one out of the store without first signing a contract for 24 monthly instalments.

 

[pika2000]

He also believes this is the reason why Apple will eventually have to broaden the iPhone's availability beyond AT&T.

[sarcasm]Oh no! US consumers will be extremely confused that they would have to buy a device that is not locked to 1 provider. Gasp! It's an outrage that US consumers can have a choice like other countries that have been selling iPhone unlocked![/sarcasm]
Of course, knowing US consumers, they would prefer having a Verizon-neutered and locked down iPhone than having an unlocked GSM iPhone. Just look at the Palm Pre.

 

[KCMichaelB]

That would include me. Still hangin onto a _very_ flaky RAZR from 2005. Holding out hope that I can have an iPhone device without spending $2,400+ over a 2 year contract. Please Apple and AT&T create an affordable plan for the lower-middle class!

Same here. Kept my flip phone on T-Mobile and bought a 2nd Gen. iPod Touch last October. Can't afford the monthly payment.

 

[QCassidy352]

Yes phones really do cost $2K.

By that logic, voice and data services cost $0.

Yes, cell providers use inflated monthly charges to make up for subsidized up-front costs, but make no mistake about it, providing all that bandwidth ain't exactly cheap.

 

[Goona]

Although the 3G sold very well at first, it's now barely beating out the Storm. Something like 1.6 million iPhones in the US that quarter, compared to a guesstimated 1.5 million Storms. (Although I bet Storm sales are dropping now too.)

Apple almost needs to bring out more models, so that they can get away from the huge dip its sales take each Spring, as people hold off waiting for the next single iPhone design.

With more models, they can space out updates around the year.

What the heck is a guestimate, or is that another word for I have no clue.

 

[BongoBanger]

Why is this a surprise? Demand for the iPhone has been declining for the last two quarters.

It's a nice phone but it's found its niche and it's inevitable other models will displace it and, in tunr, be displaced by later iPhone versions.

 

[kdarling]

I was assuming that they would. There's an article done by CNET I think that claims Apple was counting shipping units as units sold..

Yes, it is a known fact that Apple counts ALL shipments from the factory, including all inventory in the channel... even demo units... unlike other companies that count end user sales instead.

Apple usually even points this out in each quarterly earnings call.

People can go read their earnings calls as some of us do, or they can read simpler commentaries on the practice such as this one:

 

[Digital Skunk]

Insofar as nobody else in this thread had mentioned GAAP, fraud, or the unhelpfulness of personal anecdotes when it comes to hardware failures, I was adding something new to the conversation. Quoting aristobrat was, I grant you, a useless "+1-esque" addition to my otherwise valuable post.

And perhaps more to the point, before you start throwing stones at other people's "waste of time" posts, you might look around at those glass walls surrounding you. Whatever else you think of my posts, at least I wasn't actively spreading misinformation.

Just because you can't grasp what others are saying, doesn't mean it's misinformation.

Last time I checked, I didn't see any blue text in your post either, so what are you trying to say other than your undeniable love to annoy people that are just trying to post, whether it's opinion or fact.

Aristobrat gave me a linkie, you usually do too, but I don't see it just yet, but I know you won't disappoint.

RIM sold phones, Apple sold phones, can we move on now?

 

[Goona]

And another thread full of crying fanboys.

With the Blackberry and the new Palm Pre coming up the next iPhone will have a hard time.. especially when Apple doesn‘t get better at quality assurance for their phone.

Let me get this the iPhone has a quality assurance problem but yet leads in cusomer satisfaction, lol.

 

[Goona]

There's no way either of us can tell whose been by the genius bar longer. I do know that it's against Apple policy for any of their employees to post on rumor sites though, so be careful if you do still work for the big "A". I really get much of my info from a guy I work with that HATES working at the ARS.

You are correct that the tracking is done differently from back of house to front of house to service side of the stores, but the shipping of service parts and retail stock is only separated when it gets to the store.

My speculation rests in Apple shipping iPhones for various uses, then when those iPhones are finally "sold" Apple counting them as sold units.... i.e. it doesn't matter to Apple is an iPhone was DOA, used for a service replacement, bought new, bought then returned, etc. As long as there's a transaction in the
system that shows an iPhone went out the door Apple is happy to report it as a unit sold.

My ignorance does rest in not know whether this is something all manufacturers are doing. The breakdown for me comes in to who handles the
phones. When a BB craps out a users sends it back to Verizon, not the RIM
store. With the iPhone it's all done by Apple.

Or in other words you're taking out your a$$.

 

[*LTD*]

Let me get this the iPhone has a quality assurance problem but yet leads in cusomer satisfaction, lol.

The iPhone has no QA problem.

LOL, I don't know who is trying to perpetuate that it is, but it'll be the first I've heard of it.

 

[bruinsrme]

This can't be anything but good news. Apple will be simply forced to innovate ever so much more to regain control, and consumers everywhere will benefit.

I can't agree more.

This is the time where companies have to pull out all stops to retain and attract customers in this economical climate. It's not the fanboys and faithfuls BB, Apple, MS, Verizon, and ATT have to worry about, its the people on the fence that are following the savings, cutting back, and critically looking at discretionary spending.

Give people reasons to stay and they will look at other ways to save a penny or two. Chince on the new features and people won't think twice about looking else where.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Or in other words you're taking out your a$$.

TAKING out my @$$, taking it were?

Besides knowing what you were trying to type, not too many people, including yourself are doing the same thing.

You haven't posted $h!t that makes sense either.

As a matter of FACT, you never do. At least QCassidy has a record of adding to conversations and making sense. You just like to post stupid one liners.

Good luck with that, and let's keep it on topic.

 

[Goona]

Its not so much the hype in my circle, its initial cost, cost of the montly plan and its not verizon.
the iphone will be number one again because when the new iphone comes out they willdrop the price of the existing model. Oh but then again Apple won't drop the proce because it may damage the reputation, brand name, and so on.

With MS developing a copy cat of itunes things will start getting interesting. Especially since most corporate networks are windows based. Suddenly, syncing and accessing MS docs, email, and other goodies won't be apple exclusive

What's this copycat for iTunes if I may ask?

 

[QCassidy352]

Just because you can't grasp what others are saying, doesn't mean it's misinformation.

True as a general rule, but in this case, you in fact were posting misinformation. You've admitted as much in response to aristobrat's link.

so what are you trying to say other than your undeniable love to annoy people that are just trying to post, whether it's opinion or fact.

What I was trying to say, and in fact said pretty darn clearly, is that your statements about apple counting replacement iphones as "iphones sold" was blatantly false as doing so would violate GAAP and probably criminal laws as well.

I've noticed you have a tendency to get personal (my "undeniable love to annoy people?" Seriously?) when you don't like how an argument is going (see: the old "pre vs. iphone" thread), so I'm sorry to say that you're joining my very short list of "ignored" users. And yes, now we can move on.

 

[Digital Skunk]

True as a general rule, but in this case, you in fact were posting misinformation. You've admitted as much in response to aristobrat's link.

Only about where the NDP was getting it's info, not about how Apple counts units sold.

So, although you may ignore me, you're still wrong, and prove that you are just being annoying right now by mentioning that you are going to ignore me.... like WE ALL really care.

 

[Goona]

Apple does the same thing when a user is within the 30 days and has a DOA or just wants a different phone.



Those were never Apple exclusive.

It was pandemonium when people heard the iPhone wouldn't be able to view or edit MS Docs, and every smartphone since 1999 was able to do that, and sync (rather poorly though) with iCal and Address book and entourage and outlook.

Only now can we actually VIEW MS docs on the iPhone. Can't open and edit them just yet.

Our fault bro, and I agree. It came with the first iPhone. It had NOTHING in line with pro/smartphone features save for the internet. The biggest thing that
changed in the industry was that smartphone became easier to use, and
friendlier to the average joe. When the Pre was announced, it had all of that,
AND it did many things the iPhone couldn't do. Until 3.0 was
announced.

Actually you can open and edit dogs, again you fail.

 

[nfl46]

Thats not bad for the iPhone.

ONE phone
ONE provider

...and is #2 on the list. That impressive.

RIM has a Blackberry phone with pretty much every carrier you can think of. And you can get a Pearl or Curve for free now a days. Can't say the same for the iPhone, eh?

 

[Digital Skunk]

Actually you can open and edit dogs, again you fail.

Link with proof?

Again, never adding a thing.

And please don't pull up any 3.0 information.

 

[BongoBanger]

Actually you can open and edit dogs, again you fail.

Watch out, the RSPCA will be after you!

 

[polaris20]

Flip it and have the iphone number 1 only because it was BOGO then you would see everyone scream it is number one and if some one pointed out it was because it was BOGO. Watch the flames fly.

The big question remains: who cares if it's the number 1 selling phone? Really? Because I don't. Did they sell enough to keep making them? That's all I care about. Same goes for Macs. Who cares what the market share is? Do they still make them so I can buy one? Yes? Good.

Simple fact of the matter is iPhone is not the number 1 smart phone.

So?

Hell it is not even a good business phone. Apple fan boys will can not stand it when the truth hits...

Purely subjective. Please see merriam-webster.com if you don't understand "objective" vs. "subjective". There's no "truth" involved, because it's purely opinion whether it's a good business phone or not.