So my cousin thinks iphone is going to flop

[v-ault]

I agree with him...

I know, an unpopular opinion.

I think it comes down to the touch interface. I think touch is a novelty that will quickly wear off with the power users. People like tactile feedback. Some even like the (Aaacckkk) Stylus.

I do think the iPhone will have some early success, based mostly on the cool factor. Hell, I might even buy one.

I spent a number of years building touch interfaces for some heavily used applications. No matter what we built, the users always went back to either stylus or keyboard as their main form of input. Even when we took the keyboard away, they would request the stylus because their hands would get tired. Your hand moves less when using a stylus. A stylus also has a much more accurate touch point.

For that casual user that uses some basic functionality, I think its going to be a hit.

For someone who's gotten used to the two thumbed keyboard entry of the blackberry type devices, I think its not going to be that popular.

I think the iPhones success is going to be directly tied with OS X and third party support. I think third party support IS the killer App. I think the feedback they received from MacWorld probably changed their mind on the that. If you see a stranglehold on the third party support, you'll see this phone die a quick iDeath, destined for the bargain bin at Costco.

yes, that's some of the stuff my cousin was saying. The thing is, apple has this cool factor that especially teens will like. You see teens going nuts over crappy sidekicks, imagine how they would be over an iphone as it is also an ipod.

 

[Texas04]

yes, that's some of the stuff my cousin was saying. The thing is, apple has this cool factor that especially teens will like. You see teens going nuts over crappy sidekicks, imagine how they would be over an iphone as it is also an ipod.

Teens might, but parents wont when they see its twice as much as an iPod..

 

[benthewraith]

Teens might, but parents wont when they see its twice as much as an iPod..

Which might I remind you is a better deal. A 30/80 GB iPod and a phone (usually they give very large discounts when you add a number), much better on the pocket book, vs a iPod with only 4/8 GB...it's absurd. The fact of the matter is, this isn't going to go well with the student population because for the price of the 8 GB iPhone, you can buy a Mac.

 

[bbwinkle]

My cousin uses a treo and he thinks the iphone is going to flop big. He kept saying it's not a phone, it's too many stuff. He doesn't understand how a phone can't have buttons, etc. I kept explaining to him that it would actually make stuff easier to do without buttons, and he just wouldn't take it. I made a 100 dollar bet with him that the iphone won't flop. What do you guys think? Did he make any good points? I couldn't see one good point except maybe it might seem awkward at first because there are no buttons, but people will realize how it's actually used later on.

So I take it your cousin gave you 100 dollars?

 

[Rob Mclovin]

What kind of phone is he using that he thinks the Iphone is so high-tech and doesnt have buttons

He must be using this...

 

[ssajous]

Maybe not flop, but poor corporate solution

My cousin uses a treo and he thinks the iphone is going to flop big. He kept saying it's not a phone, it's too many stuff. He doesn't understand how a phone can't have buttons, etc. I kept explaining to him that it would actually make stuff easier to do without buttons, and he just wouldn't take it. I made a 100 dollar bet with him that the iphone won't flop. What do you guys think? Did he make any good points? I couldn't see one good point except maybe it might seem awkward at first because there are no buttons, but people will realize how it's actually used later on.

From what my freinds have told me about the 3G model, from what I have been experiencing with my first gen since 2.0, as far as phones go, the iPhone does not have much to offer to the corporate world. I love this thing, but I am someone who gets a lot of emails and I hated the fact that there was no exchange support, now that there is support, when push is on, my phone lasts all of 4-5 hours on a charge, without even using the other features.

The push feature has caused my phone to have to be rebooted a few times. I have 4 gigs of "other" stuff on my phone from simply installing 2.0, not sure what that is about.

Here is the bottom line for me, I use my phone from work, I mean all of it, email, GPS features, browsing... etc. Working the way it does now with poor battery performance, poor exchange support for the people who get more than 2 emails an hour, it's a gadget. The iPhone does not have the best call quality out there, has poor speaker phone performance, horrible BT support, but it does all the other stuff well. My point is that I may have to go crackberry and get a touch.

Oh and by the way, the thing we all wanted so badly with the 3G is, well 3G. And by all accounts, ATT's 3G coverage is pretty crappy, and this is from someone who travels all over the country for work, and one of my coworkers has a 3G, a lot of times I get to sites faster than he can with edge.

Apple has enough of a following and a good marketing team to keep the iPhone from flopping, but blackberry will continue to be the weapon of choice in the corporate world.

My 2 cents.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

FLOP!

That is if your definition of flop is "being sold out all over the world, making it one of the most coveted phones in existence"

I was so confused when I started to read the OP's post, and then i was like OOOOHHH jan 2007... makes sense

 

[davidlw]

AT&T will have a hand in if it is a success or flop. If it is opened up to Verizon or other providers, slam dunk win all across the board. AT&T need to get their 3G up to snuff or it will and is hurting the iPhone.

 

[plumbingandtech]

Your cousin is foolish and tell him to enjoy his iBrick. ( I mean Treo Palm Failure Edition)

 

[IJ Reilly]

Please note, this thread was started in January 2007.

 

[Tosser]

FLOP!

That is if your definition of flop is "being sold out all over the world, making it one of the most coveted phones in existence"

I was so confused when I started to read the OP's post, and then i was like OOOOHHH jan 2007... makes sense

Actually, you just played into the orchestrated hype Apple is doing: By limiting the numbers of phones for sale, all the while hyping the products make (some) people go "being sold out all over the world, making it one of the most coveted phones in existence"

 

[DiamondMac]

My brother-in-law has a blackberry and thought the same thing

He told me that a few hundred times since the day I got my iPhone when it came out last year

Then a few days ago he played with my iPhone at his house (I connected it to their wifi network so it was fast) and he LOVED IT and he LOVED the game and he LOVED how easy it was to email and text

 

[NDimichino]

The iPhone isn't new, it didn't flop... it's like me betting you the Yankees will "flop" as a franchise and get moved to New Orleans.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Actually, you just played into the orchestrated hype Apple is doing: By limiting the numbers of phones for sale, all the while hyping the products make (some) people go "being sold out all over the world, making it one of the most coveted phones in existence"

they sold over 1 million in one weekend. and that is with all the activation problems and 5 hour lines... I think the fact that people were willing to wait 5+ hours to get one means something. I also don't buy unto the idea that apple is holding back on their stock to increase demand. trust me, there is enough demand to not have to do this. if anything it drives away potential customers...

 

[Tosser]

they sold over 1 million in one weekend. and that is with all the activation problems and 5 hour lines... I think the fact that people were willing to wait 5+ hours to get one means something. I also don't buy unto the idea that apple is holding back on their stock to increase demand. trust me, there is enough demand to not have to do this. if anything it drives away potential customers...

I don't trust someone just because they ask me to. Anyway, you obviously missed the reports where some shops have only gotten 15-25 phones.
You also failed to recognise that by having lines, even more people buy into the idea, resulting in a bigger sale. It's basic marketing: If you have a product youcan hype, you can hype it even more by limiting the availability for a shorter period or, if necessary, make "limited series".


And those people waiting for 5+ hours? Yes, it certainly mean "something" – if nothing else, it says something about the people willing to do so.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I don't trust someone just because they ask me to. Anyway, you obviously missed the reports where some shops have only gotten 15-25 phones.
You also failed to recognise that by having lines, even more people buy into the idea, resulting in a bigger sale. It's basic marketing: If you have a product youcan hype, you can hype it even more by limiting the availability for a shorter period or, if necessary, make "limited series".


And those people waiting for 5+ hours? Yes, it certainly mean "something" – if nothing else, it says something about the people willing to do so.

Ok, then don't trust me. But let me ask you this. Do you realize you are arguing the point that the iPhone has been a flop... Do you honestly think this is the case, or are you just trying to be an ass and play the devil's advocate part? Marketing ploys or not, the iPhone is certainly one of the most coveted cell phone's in America, if not the world (as I stated above). They are in fact virtually sold out across the world (as I stated above). And it most certainly has NOT been a flop (as I hinted at above). In total they have sold probably over 4 million iPhones. And keep in mind this is being done while being one of the most expensive cell phones in the market.

Now if you can call all of this a "flop" then you sure are hard to please.

 

[Tosser]

Ok, then don't trust me. But let me ask you this. Do you realize you are arguing the point that the iPhone has been a flop...

I am certainly not. Stop with your strawman argumentation. I am arguing the point that you cannot conclude that because something is sold out, and thus coveted, then it's per definition a hit. And THAT was what you claimed at first.

Do you honestly think this is the case, or are you just trying to be an ass and play the devil's advocate part? Marketing ploys or not, the iPhone is certainly one of the most coveted cell phone's in America, if not the world (as I stated above).

See above.

They are in fact virtually sold out across the world (as I stated above).

See above, plus the part about making the hype even bigger by limiting the availabilty for a period.

And it most certainly has NOT been a flop (as I hinted at above).

I never said it was a flop (well, in sales numbers, anyway). Be careful with those strawmen. THey easily catch fire.

In total they have sold probably over 4 million iPhones. And keep in mind this is being done while being one of the most expensive cell phones in the market.

See above.

Now if you can call all of this a "flop" then you sure are hard to please.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I am certainly not. Stop with your strawman argumentation. I am arguing the point that you cannot conclude that because something is sold out, and thus coveted, then it's per definition a hit. And THAT was what you claimed at first.

So let me get this straight. You do admit that the iPhone is a hit, yes? But you have some deep hatred for my argument that because iPhone=selling off the shelves=hit, right? But you again agree that it is a hit. So then how do you describe that the iphone is a hit? (or if you don't think it's a hit, what could it have done to make it a hit in your mind?)

Keep in mind you can't use the fact that people are waiting in many lines, for many different days, for many hours, in many countries. You can't use the fact that they are sold out across the globe, and every time a store gets them they sell out in hours. You can't use the number of iPhones sold (because Apple has a huge stash of 20 million iphones sitting in a factory in China). You can't use the fact that despite being the (or one of the) most expensive phones on the market they are still selling out (and selling period) at a very high rate. Those are all ideas that you have apparently 'tossed' to the wayside.

I suppose you can use the fact that apple has instantly penetrated their way into such a large cellular market from nothing, to becoming one of the most quickly expanding cell phone companies. Not to mention the most replicated. When all the major cell phone companies say "oh damn... good idea.. my turn!" I think you have a pretty good product. So yes, those ideas you can use. (Not that you need help with ideas, but it's just fun to talk of the wonders of Apple, that it seems to really piss you off that i think Apple is succeeding...)

 

[Tosser]

So let me get this straight. You do admit that the iPhone is a hit, yes? But you have some deep hatred for my argument that because iPhone=selling off the shelves=hit, right? But you again agree that it is a hit. So then how do you describe that the iphone is a hit? (or if you don't think it's a hit, what could it have done to make it a hit in your mind?)

You're really not good when it comes to rhetorical questions.

The thing is, your argument could be used for something that actually WAS a flop. If you cannot see that, I give up on you. But then again, you already gave up on yourself the moment you employed the tactics of an 8-year-old.

Keep in mind you can't use the fact that people are waiting in many lines, for many different days, for many hours, in many countries. You can't use the fact that they are sold out across the globe, and every time a store gets them they sell out in hours. You can't use the number of iPhones sold (because Apple has a huge stash of 20 million iphones sitting in a factory in China). You can't use the fact that despite being the (or one of the) most expensive phones on the market they are still selling out (and selling period) at a very high rate. Those are all ideas that you have apparently 'tossed' to the wayside.

Super, more third-grader rhetorics
For further on this see above.

I suppose you can use the fact that apple has instantly penetrated their way into such a large cellular market from nothing, to becoming one of the most quickly expanding cell phone companies. Not to mention the most replicated. When all the major cell phone companies say "oh damn... good idea.. my turn!" I think you have a pretty good product. So yes, those ideas you can use. (Not that you need help with ideas, but it's just fun to talk of the wonders of Apple, that it seems to really piss you off that i think Apple is succeeding...)

LOL, I'm not pissed off at all but your post sure read like it.

You really have to learn how to apply arguments to other things in order to test them.

P.S. "the wonders of Apple" says it all about your attitude towards the corporation who happens to make the iPhone, OS X and Macs amongst other things.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

You're really not good when it comes to rhetorical questions.

Duly noted.

The thing is, your argument could be used for something that actually WAS a flop. If you cannot see that, I give up on you. But then again, you already gave up on yourself the moment you employed the tactics of an 8-year-old.

Ok, I'm not an idiot. I know that if a company makes 5 products and happens to sell all of them, that doesn't make it a hit. But when I made my statement of iphone shortages and their respective covetedness(sure I can make up words), I assumed, seeing as how this is an Apple site and an iPhone thread, that everyone knew all of the factors involved. I don't think anyone was under the impression that the reason Apple is sold out is because the only stocked each store with 3 iphones. You mentioned something about some stores only getting like 25 or 30 iPhones (or some small number), well yes perhaps that is true, but only because Apple has this thing called business smarts and distributes their iPhones in accordance with demand. (A store in NYC will have more than one in New Mexico). Also, most (if not all) stores received additional shipments on saturday, sunday, and even monday. I think that even you admit (although it appears you don't like to admit to anything) that the iPhone was not a flop due to selling out, when taken into account all the factors like number sold, world wide market, new cell phone initiative, and price.

Super, more third-grader rhetorics
For further on this see above.

All I hear is "blah blah blah, I don't want to admit that you are right" (kidding)

P.S. "the wonders of Apple" says it all about your attitude towards the corporation who happens to make the iPhone, OS X and Macs amongst other things.

I was confused by this for a moment. I hope you aren't implying that I suggested the "wonders of apple" with regards to only the iPhone. Because this is certainly not the case. Yes in this instance we are bickering over trivial logical fallacies and rhetoric with regards to the particular product of the iPhone, but my reference to Apple was intentioned toward all of Apple's products. I am after all typing this on my Macbook.

I hope your point has been made. And I certainly hope it has been worth all the effort.

 

[cheekybobcat]

My cousin uses a treo and he thinks the iphone is going to flop big. He kept saying it's not a phone, it's too many stuff. He doesn't understand how a phone can't have buttons, etc. I kept explaining to him that it would actually make stuff easier to do without buttons, and he just wouldn't take it. I made a 100 dollar bet with him that the iphone won't flop. What do you guys think? Did he make any good points? I couldn't see one good point except maybe it might seem awkward at first because there are no buttons, but people will realize how it's actually used later on.

If this is a joke, than good.

If your cousin seriously thinks that the long awaited 3G iPhone is going to flop, he should be sent to the stocks.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

If this is a joke, than good.

If your cousin seriously thinks that the long awaited 3G iPhone is going to flop, he should be sent to the stocks.

note the jan 2007 date. That'll getcha!

 

[Tosser]

Ok, I'm not an idiot. I know that if a company makes 5 products and happens to sell all of them, that doesn't make it a hit. But when I made my statement of iphone shortages and their respective covetedness(sure I can make up words), I assumed, seeing as how this is an Apple site and an iPhone thread, that everyone knew all of the factors involved. I don't think anyone was under the impression that the reason Apple is sold out is because the only stocked each store with 3 iphones. You mentioned something about some stores only getting like 25 or 30 iPhones (or some small number), well yes perhaps that is true, but only because Apple has this thing called business smarts and distributes their iPhones in accordance with demand. (A store in NYC will have more than one in New Mexico). Also, most (if not all) stores received additional shipments on saturday, sunday, and even monday. I think that even you admit (although it appears you don't like to admit to anything) that the iPhone was not a flop due to selling out, when taken into account all the factors like number sold, world wide market, new cell phone initiative, and price.

I never thought the iPhone was a flop (from a sales number-perspective anyways).

All I hear is "blah blah blah, I don't want to admit that you are right" (kidding)

Hehe, I just saw no need to explain the same thing once again.

I was confused by this for a moment. I hope you aren't implying that I suggested the "wonders of apple" with regards to only the iPhone. Because this is certainly not the case.

I was actually commenting on the use of the word "wonder". I don't consider _ANY_ product a "wonder". At most I can streatch to "amazing engineering feat" with, say, the Nagra Noir series.

Yes in this instance we are bickering over trivial logical fallacies and rhetoric with regards to the particular product of the iPhone, but my reference to Apple was intentioned toward all of Apple's products. I am after all typing this on my Macbook.

I was talking about testing one's arguments beyond a particular brand as well. Hell, it could b rye bread for all intents and purposes.

I hope your point has been made. And I certainly hope it has been worth all the effort.

Not much effort involved

 

[snook911]

well I dont know about you guys but i think we are already past the point of the iphone being considered a flop. I mean come on over 1,000,000 iphones and over 10,000,000 apps sold opening weekend. What mobile phone has even ever come close to those numbers. How could this ever be called a flop?

 

[Tosser]

well I dont know about you guys but i think we are already past the point of the iphone being considered a flop. I mean come on over 1,000,000 iphones and over 10,000,000 apps sold opening weekend. What mobile phone has even ever come close to those numbers. How could this ever be called a flop?

I doubt anyone today considers it a sales flop. But remember this thread was made over a year ago.