Steve Wozniak Believes Apple Has Fallen 'Somewhat Behind' in Smartphones

[MEGrubb]

Oh yeah, they indeed have fallen behind. Software even more than the hardware, iOS is just lacking innovation for years now. Android on the other hand has made some real astonishing progress, especially with Jelly Bean. iOS simply has become so boring.

I'm right now on the edge of replacing my 3GS and I never hesitated for one second that my next phone is gonna be powered by Android.

Considering you're using a 3GS, I don't think you're able to comment on the state of mobile iOS devices. You're using technology that is 4 years old. If you were complaining about your iPhone 5, then I would take your comment more seriously.

 

[nuckinfutz]

You're on a 4 year old phone and you complain Apple has fallen behind compared to newer phone

I do agree there are some small software & aesthetic improvements that can be done to iOS but as far as hardware they are fine.

Ever notice how most of the people raving about Jelly Bean have no clue about it. If pressed you find out quickly their depth of knowledge is pretty shallow.

 

[Icaras]

Man all you guys insisting Woz is wrong and that Apple is still the best at "user experience" or not behind in mobile, seriously have your head in the sand.

My Nexus 4 begs to differ with everything you said. Android 4.2 makes iOS look ridiculously bad. I have no desire to go back, which is why I sold my iPhone 5, and not a day goes by that I actually miss it. My GF also made the switch from the iPhone 5 to Galaxy S3 and after a few days she told me "iPhone seems like it's for idiots" and she is not even a tech person! She was afraid to try something else initially as well. Well after she had the "user experience" of Jelly Bean, it was all over for iOS.

So yeah, people still thinking that Apple is doing a good job in this space have to wake up and smell the coffee. They aren't.

I think Apple is doing a great job, and in fact I'm sipping my coffee as we speak.

But honestly, you're forgetting one major feature in the tech world here, and that's ecosystems and stickiness. I love the ecosystem that Apple offers and still believe that it's the strongest one. I've happily invested much in iTunes and the Mac App Store and the way I can access all of this on any of my iOS devices, my Macs, and my Apple TV is something that will keep me supporting Apple for years to come.

Just because Android may feature "a little bit more" functionality than iOS right now, certainly doesn't mean a user needs to jump ship. I simply can't wait to see what Jony will come up with in either iOS7 or iOS8. There's much to look forward to for iOS.

 

[Mabus51]

Ever notice how most of the people raving about Jelly Bean have no clue about it. If pressed you find out quickly their depth of knowledge is pretty shallow.

Oh I notice I have one sitting on my desk here at work. Jelly Bean is nice and clean looking. But still cumbersome to deal with in my opinion.

I have a user who brought his Galaxy III phone to me and every time it is rebooted it wipes out the data? All contacts, settings, emails, apps, everything gone. This thing is a week old according to my user and nothing was done to it other than he added contacts and setup his email. It's things like this that keep Apple ahead. Believe me I understand this isn't the normal activity and is probably bad hardware. But going through "Settings" on a Droid is annoying enough for me to stay away.

 

[BornAgainMac]

You mean Apple hasn't fired him yet?

 

[WillFisher]

This is exactly what i've been thinking. I think they will for sure gain new customers but i also think that they will lose people that have had iPhones for a long time and in recent years getting bored with iOS.

Not to say iOS should be entertaining, but there are some definite features that are missing that would be great to have and are currently on other OS's.

I for one am one of those people who will be leaving if iOS 7 doesn't blow me away with something great.

Exactly what I wanted to write but couldn't because I'm a terrible writer.
Hah

 

[live4mark]

Man all you guys insisting Woz is wrong and that Apple is still the best at "user experience" or not behind in mobile, seriously have your head in the sand.

My Nexus 4 begs to differ with everything you said. Android 4.2 makes iOS look ridiculously bad. I have no desire to go back, which is why I sold my iPhone 5, and not a day goes by that I actually miss it. My GF also made the switch from the iPhone 5 to Galaxy S3 and after a few days she told me "iPhone seems like it's for idiots" and she is not even a tech person! She was afraid to try something else initially as well. Well after she had the "user experience" of Jelly Bean, it was all over for iOS.

I'm genuinely curious about your feelings re: the user experience for iOS as compared to Jelly Bean. You are a consumer of both platforms while I am solely familiar with iOS products. What about Jelly Bean makes it so superior to iOS? What does an Android phone do that makes it so much better than an iPhone? Please give concrete examples.

 

[b11051973]

I agree Apple needs to do something. We had the 4 and then barely different 4S. I was hoping for a revolution, but all we got was the iPhone 5. It is a great phone, but Samsung is making great phones. I'd really like a bigger phone and hearing about a 5" Galaxy S IV has me drooling. If I have to sit through the iPhone 5 and 5S and then maybe get a 5" screen on the iPhone 6.

 

[jon3543]

So in general, I would like to know what Woz would like added into iOS. He always makes these sweeping comments about Apple but never gives any solutions. He's no better than your typical forum poster/troller.

Well, he does have more money. And he's been on Dancing With The Stars. So there's that.

 

[512ke]

What the hell do we expect from our freaking phones?

I want a phone that has a digital printer and spits out chocolates. Any phone that can't do that, has fallen behind in the race.

Hurry up and make me a new set of features so I can throw away my perfectly good phone I have in the pile of obsolete stuff that's only 2 years old.

Meh.

 

[jon3543]

You realize you're talking about the guy who almost single handedly created the Apple I and the hugely successful Apple II, right? That's not to discount the contribution of Steve Jobs and others which were absolutely instrumental in Apple's success as a company, but Woz personally designed both of those products, and people very much loved (and still love) them.

That was 35 years ago. Wozniak hasn't done anything with any relevance to Apple or much else since then.

 

[jamesnajera]

I think he's looking at this situation like an extremely geeky user, not an every day joe.

I do not know Woz, but I think this part of your quote may be correct.

I think Apple wants to:
-maintain ease of use
-support the latest technology that makes sense
-maintain a secure environment
-provide the best experience for the customer

That is a hard balancing act, but I do believe they are doing it the best for now.

 

[Mabus51]

What the hell do we expect from our freaking phones?

I want a phone that has a digital printer and spits out chocolates. Any phone that can't do that, has fallen behind in the race.

Hurry up and make me a new set of features so I can throw away my perfectly good phone I have in the pile of obsolete stuff that's only 2 years old.

Meh.

I'm just as baffled as you are but if it spit out chocolate when you pressed the home button people would then complain Apple gave them diabetes. lol

All I ask is don't make the iPhone out of plastic again... If I'm spending more than $100 on a phone it better feel like it's $100+ in quality. Plastic like most of the competitors out there is just awful and cheap. Or worse yet plastic with a fiber graphite sticker so you don't think it's plastic. that is just pathetic :cough Samsung cough:

 

[madKIR]

2 words: attention whore

 

[jamesnajera]

All I ask is don't make the iPhone out of plastic again... If I'm spending more than $100 on a phone it better feel like it's $100+ in quality. Plastic like most of the competitors out there is just awful and cheap. Or worse yet plastic with a fiber graphite sticker so you don't think it's plastic. that is just pathetic :cough Samsung cough:

I wonder if they are going to use liquid metal for the cheaper iPhones?

 

[cassiar]

Oh yeah, they indeed have fallen behind. Software even more than the hardware, iOS is just lacking innovation for years now. Android on the other hand has made some real astonishing progress, especially with Jelly Bean. iOS simply has become so boring.

I'm right now on the edge of replacing my 3GS and I never hesitated for one second that my next phone is gonna be powered by Android.

Wait, you are using a non-retina 3GS and you are claiming apple hasn't had innovative features for iOS in the last several years? That is feels boring and dated? I think you need to try using the 5...

 

[vvebsta]

Wouldn't it be fantastic if in this next keynote Cook got up on stage and said "This year is all about our core customers. We've listened to all your feedback and will be rolling out all the most requested features. We've upper our game for prosumers, we'll be refreshing pro level machines and software updates more frequently. Customer feedback will be implemented into all our products more quickly. We've made it incredibly easy for the average consumer to learn and engage with our iOS and OSX devices now its time to pack it full of the goodies pros have been waiting for and consumers will never see or be bothered with! Thanks for coming lets get to the good stuff..." Something like that instant increase in sales and fan loyalty! IMO

 

[turtlez]

Features is one thing, looks is another

 

[tom53092]

Ever notice how most of the people raving about Jelly Bean have no clue about it. If pressed you find out quickly their depth of knowledge is pretty shallow.

Easily overlooked by iPhone customers, who take this for granted: how many days do you wait for the next OS update to be "ported" to your phone?

Android phone: months to never
iPhone: hint - it's less than 1.

 

[turtlez]

I agree Apple needs to do something. We had the 4 and then barely different 4S. I was hoping for a revolution, but all we got was the iPhone 5. It is a great phone, but Samsung is making great phones. I'd really like a bigger phone and hearing about a 5" Galaxy S IV has me drooling. If I have to sit through the iPhone 5 and 5S and then maybe get a 5" screen on the iPhone 6.

you should just get an android tablet

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Easily overlooked by iPhone customers, who take this for granted: how many days do you wait for the next OS update to be "ported" to your phone?

Android phone: months to never
iPhone: hint - it's less than 1.

less than 1 hey? Source?

 

[igorleandro]

Steve Wozniak, the irrelevant guy who keeps calling the media attention so someone will not forget him.

What is his relevance to ANYTHING today?

So sick of his "comments and insights"...

 

[uknowimright]

lol at the people reacting as if they had just been stabbed in the back

 

[Mabus51]

less than 1 hey? Source?

Source really it's a known fact. When Apple updates iOS it goes out to all iPhones instantly on all carriers. It's up to the user to press the Update button.

When Google updates Android it goes out to the manufactures. Most of the time the manufacture holds the update back and uses it drive hardware sales. So you end up waiting for months to get it if ever. Or you buy a new Droid with the update preinstalled.

 

[Razeus]

Apple needs to hit iOS 7 out of the park. Especially if Samsung goes to town with the S4 in a couple of months. ...and my Contract is up in May, so I'll have some serious decisions to make to stick with Apple or not.

 

[spiderman0616]

The difference is he actually uses other products and tries them out and is able to compare in the real world through actual usage whereas someone like you probably only uses one product and may try another for a couple minutes in passing at a store or touch a friends.

No--I have tried Android quite a bit, both newer versions and older versions. I find it to be buggy, hard to use, and just plain ghetto in some spots. iOS is a much more polished system. Does it lack some of the more advanced features that Android has? Sure it does. But Apple will include that stuff when they find a user friendly way to do it.

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I used to think the same thing. Then Apple released Maps. I hope Maps was a temporary lapse in judgement instead of the beginning of a trend. Actually, I've noticed the same kind of half-baked releases of Passbook and Siri, as well.

Up until the release of Siri, Passbook, and Maps, I could legitimately say that Apple would let new features "simmer" in Cupertino for a year or so while other companies rushed those same features to the market even though they were largely subpar experiences. Then, Apple would release their take on the same thing and completely blow the competition out of the water. I want Apple to do that again; but Maps, Passbook, and Siri haven't exactly blown the competition away.

I, and I suspect many others, would benefit from being able to set default apps for e-mail, web browsing, navigation, etc. This ability needs to come in iOS 7. What's the point of having the biggest and best App Store on the planet if users can't download the apps they want and set those apps as system defaults instead of being chained to Apple's own apps?

All this wasn't really directed toward you. I'm just thinking out loud.

I totally agree with you. I do often remind myself though that not everything under Steve Jobs worked amazingly right out of the gate either. I disagree with you on Siri--I think it has become a household name at this point, but Maps and Passbook I thought would be a bigger deal by now. With Maps, well, we all know what happened with Maps. With Passbook, I think vendors just aren't compliant with any one thing as a whole yet.

I am anxious to see what iOS 7 looks like after Forstall's departure. I have to wonder if he was the one holding a lot of this stuff back. Would it be that hard to add the ability to enlarge an app icon by 4x and make it a live icon type of thing? Like a weather app taking up 4 spots instead of 1 and then showing live weather updates. It would certainly shut up the "I want my widgets!!" crowd.

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you should just get an android tablet

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less than 1 hey? Source?

Source: reality. You get iOS updates the day they come out.