Exactly! Maybe I'm reading too much into this quote, but the "PC guy" remark makes me think that the "Palm guy" is already angry knowing he is about to get his clock cleaned. Time will tell. No doubt, however, that I'd rather put my money on Apple than Palm. Gheez.HEY! who's he calling a "PC guy"??!
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Palm CEO on Apple iPhone Threat
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Not in the UK it isn't. It's very difficult to get a new contract without a phone. You can buy phones SIM-free but the high initial price puts most people off (if they know about them at all) because the networks here provide most phones 'free' with 12 or 18 month contracts. And most customers expect a new 'free' phone every 12/18 months, even though this will cost them more in the long-term. It's been going on for years and this is unlikely to change until one network breaks ranks but that would put them at a disadvantage.
How would this situation affect an Apple phone? I cannot see Apple changing their software to suit the network and that might rule out a couple of them. The networks have their own systems in place for selling music, at a higher price than iTMS, so any kind of iPod functionality in the phone would probably put them all off. A single network might be interested if they feel that the features in the Apple phone will gain them new customers.
End-users would still be able to buy a phone separately and use their existing SIM of course. But as this is so different to the entrenched practice in the UK, it would have to be a very good device.
So Apple has an advantage here because they have no experience in a market where it traditionally takes to get a device right? No, Apple doesn't have an advantage, any more than they did with the iPod - but they didn't need that advantage then either.
Apple could change the way phones are made as well, but only if they rethink the device from the ground up. Most phones have too many features that it takes too long to figure out how to use, don't have enough battery life, and are too painful to get hooked up to your computer so you can transfer photos and songs back and forth. Apple has the synchronization stuff down. If you can sync it like an iPod - and charge it in the process, its already leaps above most phones out there. But they cannot miss the interface.
If they want a camera on it (optional in my opinion) they have to make it dirt simple to use (scroll wheel to zoom, middle button to snap) and to get the photos taken on it into iPhoto. Otherwise, skip it altogether. And please don't make me fumble around to find the right button to hit to answer a call. Open it to answer the call, close it to hang up. And if you aren't going to put the number buttons in a tranditional layout - don't put them on there at all. I don't have the time or energy to learn some idiotic circular arrangement. I'd rather you put the numbers up on a touch screen and let me smudge up my phone than deal with a non-standard button arrangement. It also has to be hearty - I don't have time for a phone that stops working if I drop it 3 feet onto a carpeted floor.
It goes on and on. And that is why the interviewee is saying it's so hard. Apple does a pretty good job of industrial design, but even they may need an iteration or two to get it right. And in the mean time the current players could play some catch up.
What's he banging on about? By "PC guys" who does he mean? Microsoft?
If this is the case is he saying that Windows Mobile (the OS he's stupidly paying for some of his products) isn't up to scratch? I can't see Palm surviving the year if he's this mixed up.
I have been using PDAs for years. I like using them. I've tried quite a few and where Windows CE (and variants) fail is they try and be too computer like. Palm OS is nice in that it does the simple stuff that you need on the move (and in meetings etc) well. It would be hard for Apple to figure this out and improve on the situation. They already have half the software written (iSync, iTunes, iPhoto).
The only thing Apple need to decide is: to they try and tackle the hard problem for a PDA/smart phone ie. data input. How do you write text on the device. This is the thing that killed the PDA market imo and why you see so many devices with thumbboards these days instead of (or as well as) touch screens. If they don't they have an extended iPod. Which might work out ok.
The other problem is the data rates mobile phone carriers charge. They need to be EDGE/HSDPA, flat rate and VOIP enabled. Not many carriers can manage that (T-Mobile are close in the UK though).
OK, rant over
If this is the case is he saying that Windows Mobile (the OS he's stupidly paying for some of his products) isn't up to scratch? I can't see Palm surviving the year if he's this mixed up.
I have been using PDAs for years. I like using them. I've tried quite a few and where Windows CE (and variants) fail is they try and be too computer like. Palm OS is nice in that it does the simple stuff that you need on the move (and in meetings etc) well. It would be hard for Apple to figure this out and improve on the situation. They already have half the software written (iSync, iTunes, iPhoto).
The only thing Apple need to decide is: to they try and tackle the hard problem for a PDA/smart phone ie. data input. How do you write text on the device. This is the thing that killed the PDA market imo and why you see so many devices with thumbboards these days instead of (or as well as) touch screens. If they don't they have an extended iPod. Which might work out ok.
The other problem is the data rates mobile phone carriers charge. They need to be EDGE/HSDPA, flat rate and VOIP enabled. Not many carriers can manage that (T-Mobile are close in the UK though).
OK, rant over
I think T-Mobile might fit this bill, at least in the US. I remember seeing a story here earlier in the year where T-Mobile said its vision was aligned with Apple (but not necessarily a partnership; abc article here). T-Mobile wants to win customers, and a sleek new phone that's easy to use may get some real good word of mouth. Of course, Apple can still sell the phone separately, but the key would be to get all of the carriers to pick it up. If a T-Mobile pairing could build a base and generate some strong 'switcher' sales, other companies may want to jump on the bandwagon as quickly as possible.
Being a company that produces PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) then he is probably refering to PCs actual meaning of Personal Computer (the term popularised by Apple Computer a long time ago).
It's easy enough to get a Pay-as-you-go sim card. You can get a contract sim card easily enough, but then again if you're getting a free phone you might as well - then you can hang on to it and use it as a backup if something goes wrong with your main one.
The high price of a sim-free phone is a bummer though.
Interesting reading that abc article and fits with my impression of T-Mobile in the UK too.
I'm definitely not signing up for a new phone yet!
I do think I remember an interview with an Apple of official where the interviewer asked something about a possible Apple iPhone and got a reply claiming that Apple haven't been sitting idle.
I have no doubt that Apple have been working on this for years. The problem is that Apple has a lot to live up to when it comes to design and GUI. They just can't afford another Rokr fiasco.
No, because Apple alone took the (correct) decision of withdrawing the Newton from the market at a time when safekeeping of resources and efforts was a crucial factor for the company.
In fact, the Newton had much better prospects at its last days, instead of its market introduction period...in the beginning, handwriting recognition was far from good, the device was underpowered and little demand existed...
The bottomline is: when a CEO starts talking too much, this means he IS worried...it was the same for Creative, Real and now Palm...they are almost dead with their crappy PDAs, just as Microsoft with its zillionth iPod-killer and Windows.
Yeah, they might even be right, but this definitely sounded inordinately defensive. If Palm's position were really secure, their attitude should be along the lines of "Let Apple do whatever it wants. We'll just keep making the best phones." But.... it wasn't.
iChat is definitely going to be hugely important for Apple but so is letting all these features work seamlessly together with Windows users. The few options Apple has in this regard is making the iPhone Mac only or with Windows compatible apps or just bring osX to PC and be done with it.
If we look at all the devices we want from Apple, they all need tight integration with the OS. An Apple branded iPod, iPhone, iTV, iSmart, iCamera, etc.. will be on the market sooner or later, so Apple will make and support countless Windows Apps or be osX only. I strongly believe that opening up osX will be easier to do and has a higher long term potential.
Or it's just an Ipod with phone functionality (whatever the looks), and will cost 399.00. No contract, no lock in. Apple buyers already spend that money on hardware, and you can probably a pretty noce phone for that amount. So, why do you think it will be locked in with a carrier for x years? there is no need for, as they are not going after the commodity (100.00 and less) market on this. If they did, would be a big mistake.
Talk about a bold assumption... Steve Jobs isn't stupid. He knows what needs to be done to make cell phones innovative and easy to use. After all, he does own the world when it comes portable music players.
Palm is just scared, that's all. It's kind of cute, really.
Palm is just scared, that's all. It's kind of cute, really.
Exactly, they're a premium brand who have never been afraid to be expensive. Apple couldn't care less about the current practices of the network operators, they've been burnt by partnerships already. If they do an iPhone they will control the user experience and make sure it a) works for the user's interests, not the network operator; and b) looks as stylish as possible. Then they dare the network operators to exclude their highest-value customer segment who will want the phone no matter what the cost. If they crack the model the cheaper versions will come later.
I'm hoping for Apple to sell them. I think it is about time we break away form the buy into the plan get your phone deal. I would be willing to pay for a phone if it was of good quality and had usable features.. unlike the junk phones that I have had.. my current phone doesn't even have a working screen but since I was told it is my problem I decided why fix it? none of the options ever worked with my mac
He is correct. "PC guys" won't be figuring this out. I am looking forward to Apple's ideas on phones and the keynote comparing it to other phones. It will bring some laughs.
Agreed. Another way for Apple to proceed here is to make the phone compatible with Outlook/iTunes on windows etc etc so that it's still perfectly usable but the experience is just that much better on OSX. This will lead people into buying Macs which is always Apples aim.
I don't see OSX on generic PC hardware any time soon. Even though I would love to see that happen in many ways.
I wouldn't mind having Apple sell them (and I'm guessing they will to some degree), but we also have to think in terms of the market as is. If I can get a free phone through my provider every x years, I'm going to do that instead of buying outside the company (even if it is crap). If I can get an upgrade for between $50 and $300, I might consider it when I'm in the store renewing my plan. Apple can gain presence only by going through established channels; it's not to say that you won't be able to buy one in an Apple store, just that consumers who like to do comparison shopping when they get their phones might like to see an iPhone in a TMobile/Verizon/3rd party carrier store.
Will cell phone service provider's allow any of these features?
I know that many Blue Tooth features of my Motorola cell phone is disabled by Verizon. Even if Apple would make the best cell phone possible, how many of those great featues do you think the cell phone companies would actually allow the use of.
Remember simple things like ring tones, photos & such could easilly be transferred from the cell phone to your home computer. But this is not usually allowed. Could this be because the cell phone companies allow these features only to add to their revenue stream, not to give the cell phone user some additional user or usuable feature?
Unless the an Apple cell phone was available from all cell phone service providers & without many of the cell phone features disabled, do you think that it could be a success?
Bill the TaxMan
I know that many Blue Tooth features of my Motorola cell phone is disabled by Verizon. Even if Apple would make the best cell phone possible, how many of those great featues do you think the cell phone companies would actually allow the use of.
Remember simple things like ring tones, photos & such could easilly be transferred from the cell phone to your home computer. But this is not usually allowed. Could this be because the cell phone companies allow these features only to add to their revenue stream, not to give the cell phone user some additional user or usuable feature?
Unless the an Apple cell phone was available from all cell phone service providers & without many of the cell phone features disabled, do you think that it could be a success?
Bill the TaxMan
i am sure apple is finding the world of phone carriers complex and difficult.
The biggest hangup of theirs is probably the sale of media and ringtones. They simply probably do NOT want Apple to provide the solution. Even if Apple's storefront is better, they will not want money going elsewhere.
that said, Apple's best option here is to simply launch the product themselves. Offer a GSM phone that is unlocked. The phone companies will get a clue later on when people want the product
The biggest hangup of theirs is probably the sale of media and ringtones. They simply probably do NOT want Apple to provide the solution. Even if Apple's storefront is better, they will not want money going elsewhere.
that said, Apple's best option here is to simply launch the product themselves. Offer a GSM phone that is unlocked. The phone companies will get a clue later on when people want the product
I 150% agree! Cell communications need to open up. Contracts and locked phones will keep the phone industry from growing and maturing in the same way computers did.