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iPhone Hardware Engineering Chief Mark Papermaster Leaves Apple

appleguy123 said:
That is exactly why I think that the Mac will get shoved to the back burner.
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As an AAPL shareholder, if this causes Apple's profit margins to soar, I am all for it.

I don't need to change my computer very often. I just replaced a four-year-old MacBook with a Mac mini. I expect this computer to last four years. My iPod touch? I update that every two years.

I am all for seeing Apple spend more time on the iDevices. That's where the growth is, that's where a lot of work needs to take place. This year's WWDC was a strong indication that Apple's focus has shifted.

Technology companies need to evolve.

Apple will continue to develop Macs at a pace that works to their convenience, the overall marketplace and their shareholders.
 
dmelgar said:
IPhone selling ou so what.

Android phones, multiple models, are also selling out. Android is now outselling iPhone 2 almost 3 to 1. That's the evidence that antennagate is hurting Apple.
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I'm willing to guess that Apple's next quarterly results will show Apple blowing doors (again) on gross margins versus their smartphone competitors.

You know that Apple is soaking up most of the cellphone industry's profits, yes?

And if you're going to post Android handset sales figures as requested by other forum members, please include international sales. Apple does over half of its sales internationally.
 
I think I will avoid posting in threads like this until real solid data suggests actual iP4 owners are having a problem. If it shows up then I will have no problem saying Apple screwed up.



EDIT: Who am I kidding? I can't help but post in threads like this. However the above statement about the data still holds true.
 
cvaldes said:
I will reiterate that Sweden has approximately the same population density as the United States of America.

It is understandable why densely populated countries like South Korea or Japan have better cellular service, but that doesn't explain most of Western Europe.

Also, it doesn't explain why dense metro areas like SF or NYC have so many cellular issues whereas major Asian and European cities are solid.

Yes, there are some problems with NIMBYs not wanting cellular towers. People who complain about cellular towers shouldn't be allowed to own cellphones. If you want good cellular service, quit griping about towers. The rest of the world has.
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The problem in the US is that the major carriers pretty much do thing their own way and refuse to use the same technology and frequencies. Good old American competition without much regulation has pretty much ensured our cell phone market is a disaster compared to the rest of the world. A similar setup also explains why the US is so far behind in broadband.

Lets see, in pretty much any country in Europe, you can bring a phone onto any carrier, so the carriers are much more focused on providing good coverage and competitive rates to stay ahead. They sign agreements with each other to allow roaming when needed, to ensure even slight weak spots in their network are covered by the other guys.

In the US, you have 4 towers sitting in the near same spot, and no phone can use all four towers. All the carriers pretty much charge the same monthly rates, do nothing to discount your plan if you bring your own phone, and rarely sign roaming agreements.

Ultimately the US need just enough regulation to foster true competition. Make sure the providers are competing for customers, instead of colluding and doing the minimum amount of work necessary to rip off the public. Things may get better once the providers all move to LTE, but only time will tell.

Oh, and on the topic of the iPhone 4 specifically, I did return mine over the antenna issue. Here in Austin, it was definitely an issue, but wasn't a problem in Portland or Seattle. While I wasn't dropping calls, touching the spot did result in the other side usually not hearing me. Though I don't normally use the phone function much, this did come up as an issue when a 911 call was made. My friend in the car used an iPhone 4 to report a very intoxicated driver who had nearly collided with my car, and was generally making a mess of highway safety. It took 30 seconds for me to finally remind my friend he was probably touching the spot, all while trying to deal with an emergency situation. I've never used a case on any of my iPhones, and while I appreciate the gesture to give out free ones, it doesn't make me satisfied. So I did the one thing I could and returned the device to await a proper fix, one that doesn't require me to find new accessories that work with an iPhone in a case. For those satisfied with the phone, enjoy it. It was a great device outside the antenna problem.
 
AmpSkillz said:
so you are comparing the sales numbers of a free open source OS (Android) that is running on numerous phones to 1 particular phone (iPhone)

wow... i'm not even sure how to respond to that without insulting you

i like iOS but with android running on basically every other iPhone-competing smartphone out there its actually pretty pathetic its only outselling 3 to 1
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But that's the way Apple has chosen to compete in the market. Their platform on ONE phone, vs. Google who has put their platform on many phones. You can buy android apps and run them on different phones you know...it's the same thing as Windows vs. OSX, and no one looks at it the way you do about the phones, because that would simply be the incorrect way. Acting as if that's stupid way to look at it is a bit shortsighted, and perhaps ironic.

It's not outselling 3 to 1 either...yet. Eventually iPhone will be an extremely minor player in the phone market, same as OSX. And yes, I use the iPhone 4.
 
drakino said:
The problem in the US is that the major carriers pretty much do thing their own way and refuse to use the same technology and frequencies. Good old American competition without much regulation has pretty much ensured our cell phone market is a disaster compared to the rest of the world. A similar setup also explains why the US is so far behind in broadband.

Lets see, in pretty much any country in Europe, you can bring a phone onto any carrier, so the carriers are much more focused on providing good coverage and competitive rates to stay ahead. They sign agreements with each other to allow roaming when needed, to ensure even slight weak spots in their network are covered by the other guys.

In the US, you have 4 towers sitting in the near same spot, and no phone can use all four towers. All the carriers pretty much charge the same monthly rates, do nothing to discount your plan if you bring your own phone, and rarely sign roaming agreements.

Ultimately the US need just enough regulation to foster true competition. Make sure the providers are competing for customers, instead of colluding and doing the minimum amount of work necessary to rip off the public. Things may get better once the providers all move to LTE, but only time will tell.

Oh, and on the topic of the iPhone 4 specifically, I did return mine over the antenna issue. Here in Austin, it was definitely an issue, but wasn't a problem in Portland or Seattle. While I wasn't dropping calls, touching the spot did result in the other side usually not hearing me. Though I don't normally use the phone function much, this did come up as an issue when a 911 call was made. My friend in the car used an iPhone 4 to report a very intoxicated driver who had nearly collided with my car, and was generally making a mess of highway safety. It took 30 seconds for me to finally remind my friend he was probably touching the spot, all while trying to deal with an emergency situation. I've never used a case on any of my iPhones, and while I appreciate the gesture to give out free ones, it doesn't make me satisfied. So I did the one thing I could and returned the device to await a proper fix, one that doesn't require me to find new accessories that work with an iPhone in a case. For those satisfied with the phone, enjoy it. It was a great device outside the antenna problem.
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+1
Good information!
 
3N16MA said:
I think I will avoid posting in threads like this until real solid data suggests actual iP4 owners are having a problem. If it shows up then I will have no problem saying Apple screwed up.
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That's the crux of the matter. It has been about six weeks since the iPhone released to multiple markets (both here and abroad). There is no evidence that this is a problem except for a sprinkling of mostly American users.

You will never see solid data saying that the iPhone 4 antenna design is a major issue. Because it's not. The handset has been in the market long enough.

You know what the real data would look like? Returned phones. Every handset has a certain number of returned units and iPhone 4 doesn't have a higher return rate.
 
For Corporate America is was time for SOMEONE to walk the gang plank and Mr. Papermaster was chosen.

Happens everyday.
 
1.) They are sacking him wrong.

2.) He's an engineer. I bet that he's had some serious arguments with the design and marketing teams about the antenna, the glass and who knows what else.

3.) Whatever the background, it is suspicious that he left so soon after the iP4 launch. I would even pay to know the full story. I can imagine departmental clashes, trying to find a scapegoat, clashes between manufacturing and engineering facilities, issues with secrecy and so on...
 
TennisandMusic said:
But that's the way Apple has chosen to compete in the market. Their platform on ONE phone, vs. Google who has put their platform on many phones. You can buy android apps and run them on different phones you know...it's the same thing as Windows vs. OSX, and no one looks at it the way you do about the phones, because that would simply be the incorrect way. Acting as if that's stupid way to look at it is a bit shortsighted, and perhaps ironic.

It's not outselling 3 to 1 either...yet. Eventually iPhone will be an extremely minor player in the phone market, same as OSX. And yes, I use the iPhone 4.
Click to expand...

You do know that the iP4 is on multiple carriers outside of the US. All it takes is Apple to release the iPhone on Verizion (unicorns exist) and it will shift the mobile phone market in the US. Also the iPhone has always been a small player in the global mobile phone market however it's what they do with their small piece of pie that matters.
 
TennisandMusic said:
But that's the way Apple has chosen to compete in the market. Their platform on ONE phone, vs. Google who has put their platform on many phones. You can buy android apps and run them on different phones you know...it's the same thing as Windows vs. OSX, and no one looks at it the way you do about the phones, because that would simply be the incorrect way. Acting as if that's stupid way to look at it is a bit shortsighted, and perhaps ironic.

It's not outselling 3 to 1 either...yet. Eventually iPhone will be an extremely minor player in the phone market, same as OSX. And yes, I use the iPhone 4.
Click to expand...
Apple doesn't focus on capturing maximum marketshare. Their focus is on high profit margins.

Apple has something like 3% of the cellphone market, yet something like 30% of the cellphone industry's profits. Their manufacturing partners are cranking them out as fast as they can and they are still woefully short in covering demand.

Remember that it's dangerous to compare OS X to Windows. Apple is a hardware company, they make money selling physical things. OS X software sales isn't a major part of their revenue stream. Microsoft is completely different: Windows software sales is a major component of their business. They make almost nothing off of hardware (I do like their Natural keyboards though).

3N16MA said:
You do know that the iP4 is on multiple carriers outside of the US. All it takes is Apple to release the iPhone on Verizion (unicorns exist) and it will shift the mobile phone market in the US. Also the iPhone has always been a small player in the global mobile phone market however it's what they do with their small piece of pie that matters.
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Exactly. Apple looks for the most profitable markets. They're mostly bowing out of the computer monitor market (razor thin margins) and they have deliberately avoided the netbook arena.

Frankly, I think Apple could release the iPhone 4 to T-Mobile USA and that would change the game. Verizon would have to look very carefully at their own policies and decide whether or not they would cede certain points to Apple. T-Mobile already has the iPhone is something like 6-7 international markets (including Germany).
 
3N16MA said:
You do know that the iP4 is on multiple carriers outside of the US. All it takes is Apple to release the iPhone on Verizion (unicorns exist) and it will shift the mobile phone market in the US. Also the iPhone has always been a small player in the global mobile phone market however it's what they do with their small piece of pie that matters.
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Not sure Apple releasing their phone on Verizon will be any sort of Panacea to the rising tide of Android. Sorry guys. iPhone is going to lose this war, and once again for those reading, I am an iPhone user. People who understand WHY Apple will lose know that it's simply inevitable.
 
Mal67 said:
Oh to be a fly on the wall or even a fruit fly on the apple when these things are going on
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Yes, because knowing the gossip that goes on behind closed doors really improves your Apple experience. :rolleyes:
 
cvaldes said:
Apple doesn't focus on capturing maximum marketshare. Their focus is on high profit margins.

Apple has something like 3% of the cellphone market, yet something like 30% of the cellphone industry's profits. Their manufacturing partners are cranking them out as fast as they can and they are still woefully short in covering demand.

Remember that it's dangerous to compare OS X to Windows. Apple is a hardware company, they make money selling physical things. OS X software sales isn't a major part of their revenue stream. Microsoft is completely different: Windows software sales is a major component of their business. They make almost nothing off of hardware (I do like their Natural keyboards though).
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Yes I am aware of how the companies make their money. I am in the industry. Apple's sole goal, and what they do well, is to make a lot of money. Good for them. But their methods and practices guarantee long term "bit player" status. If anyone thinks they are really that big of a deal on the desktop, or in business, they need to get out into the real world a bit more. iPhone is headed for that status with time.
 
TennisandMusic said:
Yes I am aware of how the companies make their money. I am in the industry. Apple's sole goal, and what they do well, is to make a lot of money. Good for them. But their methods and practices guarantee long term "bit player" status. If anyone thinks they are really that big of a deal on the desktop, or in business, they need to get out into the real world a bit more. iPhone is headed for that status with time.
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Your preaching about being a "bit player" to people on a Mac dedicated site. Most of us have never cared that Mac's did not have 90% market share.
 
3GEE said:
No, it's called accountability. It's harsh but it's a good thing too. Nothing poisons a company quicker than when a person that makes decisions is not held accountable when things go wrong, even if its perception.
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Indeed. But some companies don't "get it."

Oversaw the Vista debacle: Ballmer.
Oversaw the Xbox 360 debacle: Ballmer.
Oversaw the KIN debacle: Ballmer.
Oversaw the Windows Mobile debacle: Ballmer.
Oversees the Bing debacle: Ballmer.
Oversees the Zune debacle: Ballmer.

Still in the captain's chair: Ballmer.
 
cvaldes said:
There is no evidence that this is a problem except for a sprinkling of mostly American users.

You will never see solid data saying that the iPhone 4 antenna design is a major issue. Because it's not. The handset has been in the market long enough.
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There are posters by the dozens to claim that they are having dropped calls overseas. Here, in the UK, the press picked up on it and check the relevant threads for further verification.

In fact, I noticed that you denied that the problem existed quite a few times. Then you started posting that there are no issues abroad. I'm sorry, but this 'blame AT&T and others' game is not going to work this time.
 
cvaldes said:
They just updated a bunch of Macs.

Besides, the iDevices have better gross margins. Plus, the portable device is the future. Steve has specifically said that computers aren't going away, but more people will be able to get things done with these portable devices. His truck analogy is correct.

Fifty years ago, a pickup truck was very helpful if you were running a farm. Today, most people can get by with a small sedan or even using a rental service like ZipCars. Need a pickup? Just rent one for the day.

I know that since the App Store went online, I use my Mac far less. Yes, it's still better for some things than my iPod touch, but general purpose computing is far less of a need by Joe Consumer in 2010. Computer use is dropping as a total percentage of technology use by consumers. Apple's change in focus reflects that of the consumers.

Apple's shareholders expect the company to follow the growth.
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You do realize there is a whole industry that requires the professional line of computers that Apple makes? Professionals still need plenty of power to create the crap you consumers look at on your devices. Apple has slowly over time neglected the professional sector, and even with the last round of Mac Pro updates, it was 512 days coming and a very poor update on top of it. If Apple continues to drop the ball on the Professional line, it is going to affect everyone... even those of you who are only into "i" gadgets.
 
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