iPhone Haters Are Stick-Shifters In An Automatic World
from the P-R-N-D-iii--ii--iPhone dept
Every time we post a story at Techdirt about the iPhone, we see the comments rapidly bifurcating into a religious battle between the "fanboy idiots who make excuses for the useless little iPhone like a beaten wife just because it's trendy and shiny" and the guys who "whine because [the iPhone doesn't do] everything and cost nothing" (this is what the two sides are saying, not us). It's sad to see such an interesting, seminal device be reduced to "nyah, nyah" levels of discourse. Our position on the iPhone is hopefully more objective. No, it's not perfect, lists of gripes are frequently made, but overall it's the phone to beat.
Recently, we've decried Apple's autocratic governance of their App Store. But don't let that mislead you into thinking we're down on the whole product. The iPhone is a turning-point device, which changed the usability level of the mobile Internet. All of a sudden, the mass market - who until then had no interest in muddling with clumsy mobile data services - was able to connect to the web on their phone, browse sites, download apps, and truly realize the promise of "anytime, anyplace, any info". The phone also revolutionized the mobile phone UI. While the other handset vendors developed each application and hardware in its own silo, Apple designed it all as a single whole experience, also sketching-in the content and application ecosystem. And it's been no shock that good user experience matters a whole lot! Lastly, the iPhone shattered the iron grip carriers had on handset vendors, and the phones their customer's eventually owned. Apple yanked some of that control away, and their more open (than carriers) approach has blown open the barn doors of developer creativity. The iPhone sales figures and data usage stats are in. Its a success. So if you are one of the people that says the iPhone is nothing more than a shiny toy, you need to come back to reality.
So why do so many criticize the iPhone, if it's so great? I think it's because they make the classic marketing mistake of thinking "It's all about ME." It isn't. The iPhone haters see the limitations (hard keys, cut/paste, tethering...) of the phone, and they focus on how the phone doesn't have any tech breakthrough or meet THEIR specific needs. But the mass market is what really matters in business. Is the mass market even aware of the limitations of their iPhone? If you told one of them, would they care? They would tell you that, on the contrary, their iPhone has not limited them, it has empowered them to access the mobile services and networks that have been "available" since 2000, but were blocked by poor user experiences and walled gardens.
I liken the whole debate to the stick-shift versus automatic transmission debate decades ago (still in the EU). True motoring aficionados could not accept the dumbed-down, lazy automatic transmission. They insisted on doing the work themselves. It was harder, but it was "the only way to truly 'drive' the automobile". Tough luck if it put driving out of the reach of some. By now, the mass market has decided that "easier" trumps a religious argument about "real feel for the road". Good products take people to their destination as easily as possible. The market has spoken: Getting there is not half the fun.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
I have always hated automatic transmissions because of:
1. loss of control
2. fewer number of gears
3. fewer miles per gallon of fuel
4. slushiness that came with torque converters
But, a year ago, we bought an Audi A3 with a Triptronic 6-speed.
What a world of difference. This provides:
1. Control as you can always go to manual mode
2. plenty of gears
3. the tiniest fuel consumption loss
4. crisp feeling thanks to double-clutch technology
Certainly "good enough" for me. And, way more convenient for city driving.
And, also [as SP would say], my wife loves her iPhone with its 30+ apps.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
;-)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
That's some of the worst logic I've ever heard. The way people drive determines the specific mileage they get, but doesn't determine the potential. If a person is a lead-foot, it doesn't matter that a more cautious driver will get better mileage in an automatic. That's apples and oranges. If you're a lead-foot, you'll still get better mileage in a manual than an automatic, it just won't be as much as someone who drives a bit more judiciously.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
Agree with E.C. *How a person drives is not relevant to the "manuals are better than automatics" thread we have going.
Please try to stay on-topic pjhenry!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: But, there are two kinds of automatic transmissions
DSG is one of the best transmissions on the market.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Tyranny of the Markets
Thank god for niche markets. If my car had an automatic transmission, I'd take it out back, shoot it in the tank, and trade it in for the government rebate.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Tyranny of the Markets
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Tyranny of the Markets
http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/30/autos/cash_for_clunkers_suspended/index.htm
Looks like they want to 'float' the program for a while.... that should work out well.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Tyranny of the Markets
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Mass market?
As for revolutionizing the UI, I understand that similar touch-screen phones were being made for the Asian market by other manufacturers before Apple "invented" the concept in the US.
(Full disclosure: My personal opinion on the iPhone is that if I'm going to pay $400 for a computer, I want it to come with a real keyboard that allows 10-finger typing. But I do recognize that it's just my opinion.)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Mass market?
If that's actually so, it's because that's their experience with phones to date.
What sold me on the iPhone was having a conversation with a friend who had one. She asked a question which I couldn't answer off the top of my head. I borrowed her iPhone to check Wikipedia and find the answer.
That blew my mind. I got one within a month.
It's the same as when I got my first cellphone (as a gift.) What good is this, compared to what I'm used to? Turned out: quite a bit.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Mass market?
Had the exact same experience and was going to by the iPhone to address the resulting perception of need. Then I looked at the HP notebook case that I almost universally carry on my back and the Cricket dongle plugged into it and I snapped myself back to reality.
To each his own, sure, but I don't need my phone to be a laptop, because I have....you know....a laptop for that.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Mass market?
To each his own, you're right, but I don't consider a laptop, even with a cell dongle, to be at all a reasonable replacement for the speed and convenience of the iPhone or similar device.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Mass market?
You don't have to have an iPhone for that. I can do that with my Palm Centro. And I'll bet you dollars to donuts my Centro cost less than your iPhone.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Mass market?
(Pre is moving there -- but it, in itself, has a lot of limitations which could cripple the followers)
Wikipedia is merely part of iPhone's strengths. As you can see, it took a month for him to convert. Clearly, Wikipedia access wasn't the sole factor -- but clearly the branching factor.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Mass market?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Mass market?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Mass market?
No, lots MORE than YOU think actually use the extra features:
"SPOTLIGHT ON... Nearly 100% of iPhone users embrace data features" http://www.fiercemobilecontent.com/story/98-percent-iphone-owners-use-mobile-data/2009-06-12
That 's the point I made. This phone is different, it has brought tech neophytes across the adoption chasm.
While you are correct that smartphones are a minority part of the market, even that is yesterday's thinking when you look at the surging metrics. Smartphones are quickly crossing 30% of all mobile phone sold worldwide compared to 26% just six months earlier.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/03/android-smartph.html
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Mass market?
"No, lots MORE than YOU think actually use the extra features:
"SPOTLIGHT ON... Nearly 100% of iPhone users embrace data features" http://www.fiercemobilecontent.com/story/98-percent-iphone-owners-use-mobile-data/2009-06-12"
C lick through that to the Nielsen blog entry for details on how iPhone owners are totally not representative users even of smartphones.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Mass market?
Now, I'm an iPhone user and constantly using the data features. Every morning, I check Woot!, from my phone. I check FML. I check my Email. I check Facebook. I read Google Reader. These are all things I *could not do* on the previous smart phones. This is what the article is about. It's the evolution. It's what iPhone has empowered people to do.
Maybe the only way to truly understand this article is to be an owner of previous smart phones (I went from a few versions of the Palm, to the Treo, then to the iPhone). iPhone has clearly revolutionized the smart-phone, whether you wish to recognize it or not.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Mass market?
I love it when someone challenges me, I find data to say that I'm "almost 100%" right. And you cite the very data I brought in to say I'm wrong?? I love it because I feel like I'm on vacation in bizarro world.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Mass market?
Yours, according to my best understanding after your latest comment: iPhone users use their phones a lot!
I won't dispute that. I do dispute the apparent assertion that everyone would use their phones just like you if only they had iPhones. My expertise suggests differently to me.
There's probably some consumer data out there somewhere that could resolve this by saying whether or not the people buying iPhones were already more tech-inclined than the general population. (Unless you believe that the iPhone has a broad effect on tech-savviness, in which case data prior to owning an iPhone is of course meaningless.)
Alternatively, we can agree to disagree and retreat to our respective bubbles of smug moral superiority-- you can have yours for convincing yourself that I'm insane, and I can have mine for making it through another argument without making any such attacks.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Mass market?
Not sure if this is one of those cases.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Mass market?
Right, but if you're going to pay $99 for a mobile computing device that fits in your pocket, the full-size keyboard might make you look like a douchebag.
PS - Take the bluetooth earpiece out of your ear unless you are actually driving. Wearing it in here also makes you look like a douchebag.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Mass market?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: touch type on a phone.
I'm using a G1 myself and love it. I have it rooted and use the wireless tethering via bluetooth probably more than anything else on the phone. (Decent 3G coverage is really needed for it though.)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Hell, I have a friend who quite comfortably touch-types on her T9 regular old phone. Sure, you can't touchtype on a touchscreen phone, but then again, smartphone != iPhone.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Another reason for the argument
I think you have it wrong. As someone who is in the position of being both a tech geek and a sports fan, I think we argue because it's FUN. I would draw the comparison of sports talk radio, a lot of which I enjoy BECAUSE of the conversation and disagreement. Much like I enjoy TechDirt in large part because of what ends up for the most part being meaningful and fun arguments in the comments section, the people calling into sports radio with their opinions (at varying levels of intelligence) are far more interesting than the facts/happenings being discussed.
We all get behind technology we like, regardless of our reason for liking it. I see the difference between Apple people and PC people being very much like the AL/NL designated hitter debate: who cares about what side you're on, the DEBATE is fun because neither side is blatantly "wrong".
Same thing with specific phone providers. How is iPhone/Palm Pre different from Bears/Packers? I'm sure I'll get offended "nerds" who hate all things athletic telling me I'm crazy, but I think there are a lot more people like me, people into both, that can see the truth in the analogy....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Another reason for the argument
If you've ever read the conversations we're speaking about, you'd realize that no one is having "fun". It usually results in name calling, each side claiming the other is a "fanboi" or a "sheep" or whatever the term happens to be that year. Even though, probably, neither side had in real hand in the development of either platform/religion/sports team/band/fast food chain/car/matress/domesticated animal. It's just loyalty for a product and pride in their choice.
Mostly misguided, more often than not.
On a side note, I can tether and cut and paste on my iphone-- though I do wish I could link up a small/portable bluetooth keyboard to my iphone for faster note-taking. The touch keyboard is really nice for short periods of time, but not idea for anything lengthy.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
But he does make the mistake of projecting his enjoyment of a lively debate on others (which was a central tenet of the article). You're right, I think in the apple/not-apple debate that people really get quite stressed in their posts. I don't think anyone is extending their life expectancy in any zen way...well, other than the Dark Helmet.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
Perhaps I should have disclosed a rather important fact: IT IS YOUR COLLECTIVE DISTRESS AND PAIN THAT SUSTSAINS ME....ahem...sorry....ignore that...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
Oh, c'mon. Not stronger.
...just happier...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
Nevermind that they made a different set of tradeoffs and are a different person with different needs. All that goes out the window and it BECOMES a personal attack. On the other side, we feel BETTER when we criticize someone for making a decision differently, it bolsters our belief that we made the right one. Especially if we can get others to agree.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Another reason for the argument
Take a look at the soon to be Patched Vulnerability
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/169372/everybody_panic_the_iphone_has_a _vulnerability.html?tk=rel_news
Damn this can't be right Apple is the best thing since slice bread right?
Peace out
GO Palm Pre
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Another reason for the argument
Don't care about the Iphone - could never see paying that much for a phone I will drop over and over again. I need a good quality, well put together phone and Apple products don't stand up to my destruction.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
It's not cheating, it's worse than that: It's playing a different game, with different rules and top to bottom different strategies.
"Go Cubs"
...Go, Go Cubs Go, Hey Chicago waddya say..."
"Drive a stick shift and always will (control freak)"
Plus you know how to...you know....drive. For those that no what they're doing, particularly if they live in the city, a stick shift tranny is more fuel efficient anyways. Plus it's fun. Plus you get to say things like, "Hey baby, want to switch my gears?"
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
To true sir.
"Plus you get to say things like, "Hey baby, want to switch my gears?""
Baby, I would switch your gears any day. :)~ Stick shifts are much better in bad weather (no break slamming necessary). Nothing like letting your car roll back a little. It's a nice wake up call to the douche sitting too close to my cute behind.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Another reason for the argument
You are blatantly wrong about that.
nyah, nyah.
CBMHB
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
nyah, nyah"
You're contradiction is FUN to me.
If you only you were actually FUNNY we'd be all set...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Another reason for the argument
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
The iPhone is a fully-loaded Honda Accord (w/automatic). It sells well to the mass market, is absolutely accessible, works pretty reliably, and has a decent number of bells and whistles.
Maybe that's why so many people complain about the iPhone. Maybe when you think of it as a Lamborghini, you will be frustrated and critical of it. Think of it as an Accord, and you will understand why it's a best-seller.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
Its Analogy-Friday!
I remember wondering why all those people bought Pet Rock back in the 70s.... it was my first lesson in economics.
Automatics are easy and mediocre as pretty much everything else mass-market.
And back in '98, for the same price as a fully loaded Accord (27k), I got a german sports sedan (OK I'm not paid but I'll plug Audi) with manual transmission, sunroof, premium sound and a 23mpg-city turbo 4cyl that's just getting limber at 115k. And yes, my 4cyl eats honda 6's like skittles.
Do I think everyone else should think and shop like me? Hell no, then the good stuff would cost a whole lot more.
The iPhone is OK. But the point of contention is no where near as relevant today as the automatic vs. manual transmission debate. (Tongue in cheek... the only point is that just because 'everyone' buys in to something, it doesn't automatically make that thing better than other, less chosen options).
Marketing is king of the mass market.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Iphone? revolutionary? only somewhat
I'm disappointed by the love of the Iphone without people realizing what they are buying into. That app store idiotic policy and a 3-500$ price tag is a total loss for me. I'll stick with a $130 G1. If you like your iphone, great, but realize what you're buying into. same with political viewpoints, buying decisions, philosophical debates, etc.
The problem is, all of these arguments are at a consumer level. From a manufacturer and above level, these arguments are largely irrelevant. The parts makers for iphone parts make parts for every phone that exists (similar to broadcom chip concepts), and likewise plenty of vehicles/etc MUST be manual (such as trucks).
Plenty of them knew what was coming in the iphone situation years before a consumer ever saw it.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Iphone? revolutionary? only somewhat
Put those parts back together, add the content ecosystem of iTunes and App Store, and it IS revolutionary.
John, Paul, George and Ringo were all pretty good parts. Put it together, and you get something quite special...Apple Records. (anyone too young to get this, look up 'British Invasion').
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Iphone? revolutionary? only somewhat
I understand you have your opinion of the phone and won't let a few simple facts stand in your way, but when you try to make a case using wrong information, it makes not only you, but your 'cause' look stupid. You should probably try to know something of which you speak before speaking.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
My $0.02 worth (for what it's worth).
Having said that, I think that the iphone was/is a great idea. From the ones I've seen, it looks like it's got a cool UI. You can load 'real programs' on it, surf the web, listen to music and make/receive phone calls. What the Palm should have been. All it needs now is a little more horse power, real keyboard (forearm board would work) and heads up display (think screen projected in your glasses). The only computer/phone you would ever need...... But my imagination is getting the better of me.
Before the iphone, we had SymbianOS, WindowsMobile, serviceable. Now we have Android, WebOS, Moblin. Apple opened the eyes of developers and the public. For that we should thank them. For their choice of ATT's horrific network and classical mobile operator insistence on hobbling phone features to inflate their bottom line, they are properly castigated.
Add to that Jobs and company's legendary instance on having 'total control'. I am left shaking my head. When I read about 'jailbreaking' = apocalypse, my jaw dropped. I realize they have a sweet thing right now (total lock down + complete control of all apps and a 30% toll booth), but to write that to try and dissuade a DMCA exception? What were they thinking?
Hopefully the exception is granted. You should be allowed to do what you want with the things you've bought. They don't have to support you, but it shouldn't be illegal either.
I also hope that Google, Nokia, heck even Microsoft go beyond the iphone; better, more open, cheaper. If Apple doesn't loosen it's grip on the golden goose it may just end up choking it to death.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: My $0.02 worth (for what it's worth).
Interesting data points, while almost all iPhone users are data users, very few have cared enough about the things you described enough to jailbreak their iPhone.
I've heard rumors that just between 100k and 200k phones have been jailbroken. Just rumors of course, so take the number as such. But it rings true. As you can read here, the uber geeks like me, and the people who insist on 'open' just don't buy the iPhone.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: My $0.02 worth (for what it's worth).
Ok, so you don't have $99 and $59/mo for service. I'm sorry you work at WallMart.
But given that, you are now going to educate us on the value proposition of a phone you don't own?
Sorry, the actual "worth" of your $.02 just got "rolled back" to near zero.
You probably won't get this, but...FAIL
Have a Nice Day.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: My $0.02 worth (for what it's worth).
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Gotta say...
There are a myriad of reasons why the iPhone is not the right solution for some (most) people:
1. Poor phone quality - yes, it is still a phone and quality/reliability matters to some segment of the population
2. No enterprise control - this is why RIM is the king of the enterprise. Until Apple has a BES equivalent, the iPhone is no competition.
3. Doesn't fit your particular use case - this is a duh. Market diversity exists because everyone has a different use case. Glass screen, tethering, lack of keyboard, size, battery life, cost, etc. are all part of your particular use case. Obviously Apple is meeting only a limited set of use cases as the global sales numbers are a fraction of what Nokia or Samsung each week.
Finally, the author displays a lack of basic business understanding. There are generally three types of business models - volume and low-ish price, niche and high-price, volume and high price. With the average BOM of a cell phone being very high (relative to say, netbooks), Apple is largely fitting into a niche+high-price strategy, particularly if you look at it from a global point of view. And this is even more true when you consider that the intersection of people owning iPods and owning cellphones is quite high (at least in the US), so Apple was able to tap into consumer device consolidation, which allows for a higher average price point.
I think it's important to remember that popular phones come and go. Does anyone remember the StarTAC? Or even the RAZR and the ubiquitous Nokia 6xxx series? And what about the original Palm? Fact is, tech moves on and the technology fad of today is not likely to be tomorrow's. The iPhone is just that, the fad du jour and in 5 years, something else will come along to be just as fadish (Danger, anyone)?
Chris.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Gotta say...
But I didn't see any argument at all to support:
"condescending at best and shows an ignorance of market mechanics at worst... the author displays a lack of basic business understanding."
I don't see how writing things that agree with my article, and adding a couple more unrelated and correct points illustrates my lack of business acumen.
What the heck does Apple's approach to market pricing have to do with my discussion of why some people need to be haters on the iPhone?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Gotta say...
Wow man. I'm at a loss to see where he said that the iPhone -is- the right solution for everyone, and if he didn't, then your statement is senseless. As long as "some" is less than "all", then obviously the iPhone is the right solution for "some", and is not the right solution for "some others".
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
But, I prefer standard shifting, because I can move the gears myself, and am able to squeeze a bit more performance in various ways. Particularly on mountain roads in Colorado. And it's just more FUN!
I think it should all be about choice. I would like to see a rise in dual-mode transmission. Standard transmission with an option to engage automatic transmission. I don't like one-size-fits-all solutions.
I had a 1st gen iPhone & currently iPhone 3G. I love the device, though it is the worst phone I've ever had. It is the greatest mobile Internet device I've ever used, and brought Apple's expertise in UI to a market that was severely lacking in that area. But the phone function itself is riddled with bugs, issues, and flaws ... but I hate talking on the phone, so I consider these features ("sorry I missed your call, but my iPhone didn't ring at all. See, no missed calls from you!")
And what troubles me the most about the iPhone, after the App Store's approval process or lack of transparency or consistency, is Apple making choices on how my phone should act FOR me.
Example: Originally, a text message was received, and the phone alerted once. Then a software update made it alert 3 times, and Apple gave no way to change this. Now, 6 months later, there's an option to have it beep once again. Why was the functionality changed to begin with? Why wasn't the OPTION to enable or disable it given? Why is it 1 or 3, why not give the option to set a number? Why can I change only ringtones but not alert tones?
The real problem I have with Apple is it doesn't like to give OPTIONS. It likes to make decisions for me. I'm all about choice, and Apple is about total control.
The iPhone has revolutionized the mobile Internet device market. It has shown how a great UI can work on a small device that is easy to use. But, their levels of control are limiting because it requires a user to adjust how they use their technology to how Apple believes it should be used. They give limited options and change them without giving the ability to maintain the old options. I believe technology should adjust to how the user wants to use it, and the iPhone is not that device.
Google, RIM, and Palm have all learned lessons on UI, and now are able to compete with easier to use devices themselves, and they offer devices that can be customized to suit the user ... not require the user fit into what an iPhone user is supposed to be.
Going beyond technical limitations (2 years for copy & paste, still no MMS or video on pre-3GS, etc), it's Apple's inability to think about how users MAY want to use their devices and instead focuses on how they SHOULD use their devices ... that's what's truly frustrating for me.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
recent adopter of iphone
My only complaint is the lack of multitasking on the iphone, but that is a minor quibble. I'm glad I made the change.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
iPhones with Automatic transmissions suck!
Until I bought my N85, all I did on my cellphone was answer calls from work, and text mates, while at work. :P
Now, I regularly use the FM Transmitter and music player, play with the GPS, play a few games, and am generally considerably more mobile than I was. I still think the camera is a useless addon that pumped the price up a few hundred dollars though :P
If Nokia hadn't gotten my attention with the One Touch View DB waaaaay back, I'd probably have ended up with an iPhone. Different phone, same general story.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Stick shifts and safety belts have all got to go.....
Hmmmmmm
-CF
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Stick shifts and safety belts have all got to go.....
Then you are damned to live in the darkness of your own ignorance, for ever and ever.
Actually, I'm right there with you. Being employed in an IT capacity myself I really don't miss the iPhone or auto xmission, yet I know how to use both and a host of other technology besides. Go figure.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Gotta Say
You know, the thing I always liked about TechDirt is that they don't tell you how it SHOULD be, they tell you how it is. The iPhone--regardless of its price or niche--is the most popular, best-selling phone in the US. It surpassed the Motorola RAZR late last year and hasn't looked back since. Call it a niche if you will, but that's a damned big niche. They are currently selling around 5 million per quarter. And that doesn't even count the iPod Touch, which is revolutionizing the mobile media market in the same way the iPhone is revolutionizing the phone market (and merging the two markets together).
To say that the iPhone is just another step in the ladder or an overhyped niche toy is the real show of ignorance in this case. It's like preferring vinyl records to mp3s. You may have your reasons, but that doesn't change the mp3's game-changing nature. You definitely cannot say mp3's are irrelevant because they aren't as high quality as vinyl, or they don't have features that everyone likes, or they don't have a physical surface you can touch.
The iPhone has a massive monopoly on mind share, which is proof enough it is a game changer. Name a single phone or media player that has even a fifth the articles written on it. Google iPhone and you get 360 million hits. Google Palm Pre and you get around 30 million. Android has 40 million if you don't add "phone." The word "phone" by itself only has 927 million hits. This is huge, regardless of the flaws in the iPhone.
TechDirt isn't out of touch on this one. You are.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Well 'nuff said.
That, and the infamous Apple app marketplace with its rejection policies and kill switches.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Now I feel I should clarify my opinions.
I tend to use the word "idiot" quite often, so I feel this little snippet is directed at me (in part).
I never disliked Apple products. I disliked the company. Those who buy these products are idiots, because they continue to fuel the stupidity of corporate decisions.
There. I feel better.
Apple products, even back in the day, were excellent products. But Apple's decisions have always put them into a separate and "non-compatible" environment to allow others to work with them. Even to this day, the Mac suffers from a lack of software users want but can not get (or must settle for lackluster clones).
Take a look at what Apple just did to those owners of the Palm Pre.
So, for every single idiot out there who continues to support the stupid, stupid decisions of this company, so be it.
But don't think me "anti-Apple" based off its products.
Apple would be in a far, far better position if it stopped wasting time overcharging for products and services, using DRM as a corporate business model, and making decisions on the fly under the guise of "customer satisfaction".
Yes, the iPhone opened up some great features. Features made available only when Apple says so or locks them when they're "abused" due to this "openness".
And if the staff at Techdirt can't understand my position on this, then it is they who need to come back to reality.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Now I feel I should clarify my opinions.
No more is required. I like the damn thing! I paid MY money and bought MY device that I LIKE. Fuck you for calling me names because I have another preference.
If you don't like it, then buy something else - and I won't call you a name for liking something other than what I like.
Narrow minded prick.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Now I feel I should clarify my opinions.
Calling me an idiot for calling you an idiot for not agreeing with me makes....you....an.....wait a minute....where am I?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Now I feel I should clarify my opinions.
:P
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Now I feel I should clarify my opinions.
Then YOU don't buy them. Calling me an idiot because I don't agree makes you the idiot. I bought mine and will buy more because I like it.
In my message board experience, it is usually the other way around. Critics may begin it by bashing something Apple has done, but then a throng of fanboys come rushing to its defense blindly, spouting generic catch phrases, and dismissing critics as "haters" as if they were all in some kind of sick competition to see who could convince Steve Jobs to allow them to give him a blowjob first. I have never understood the fanatically loyal Apple fanboys, and I imagine I never will, but generally--in my experience--it is not the Apple critics that start the personal attacks.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Now I feel I should clarify my opinions.
I'll take my narrow minded approach to remarking just how stupid technology makes people.
Did you read my reply, or just the first two words and spew tired rhetoric.
I couldn't care less you like the phone, idiot. I said it's the company decision you support with purchase that makes you the idiot.
And congratulations for doing nothing more than supporting my argument.
Next idiot, please.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Now I feel I should clarify my opinions.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Now I feel I should clarify my opinions.
And how is this Apple's fault? You're clearly laying the blame on the wrong party here. Apple has plenty of tools, Xcode FAR outdoing any IDE on the market, and yet code isn't being written.
This isn't Apple's fault. This is the developers choosing now to code for the Mac. If you wish to Mac had this software, how about blaming the ones in control of that -- the developers -- for a change?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Now I feel I should clarify my opinions.
Ah... not that I agree with those points, but you've seen Apple's last quarter, right? And the one before that? And the one before that?
Apple is already in a far, far better "position" than just about every other tech company in existence.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The iPhone is very secure...
It's just another reason that, I am a PC. :)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: The iPhone is very secure...
You bash something for having a security flaw and then say you are aligned with the one piece of software with the most security flaws in it?
Ya, I wanna listen to your opinion.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: The iPhone is very secure...
WinMo.
One more time, for Mr. PC: WinMo.
The only reason they focused on the iPhone is because *gasp* it's so damn popular, so would draw the most eyes/ears.
I'm a Linux. It sounds sexier. :P
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: The iPhone is very secure...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Because before Automatics became the mainstream (for dull minded cars) there were large groups of people who didn't drive because it was too complex?
Worst analogy ever.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Stick shifter over automatic.
Do you want tour device to DO EVERYTHING on its own,
OR when you ask it to?
I can see it NOW, with the BT ability of iphone ALWAYS ON, some "HACK" sends data to it, you DIDNT want..you open the device and UP POPS..??? Adverts, hacks, spam, ...
YES, let me decide whats happening on MY DEVICE.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Despite what amounts to an open invitation...
I got an iPhone when the price dropped. It was ok, but there were things it just would not do that I wanted.
So I switched to the gPhone when it came out. There are things I like better about the gPhone, and other things I liked better about the iPhone. All in all, I like the gPhone better, but not by a large margin. Some of the initial shortcomings have been fixed by 3rd-party apps, which is nice. Another plus is that I don't have to have Steve Job's permission to load an app.
Maybe someday, somebody will produce a combination of cellphone hardware and cell service that I want. But I'm not holding my breath.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Bad analogy
But what does it cost Apple to provide cut/paste or whatever other add-on the user may desire? Absolutely NOTHING -- the development community will happily do it themselves. But Apple chooses to artificially limit the utility of their own device; it's like textbook publishers that intentionally leave out a bunch of information so that they can continue to release new additions with small increments in order to compel students to continually buy the new ones. Except, in this case Apple doesn't sell any more phones by intentionally limiting the apps(the hard-wired features are another thing).
Nobody disputes that the iPhone was an incredible breakthrough and remains a leader of the competition today. Steve Jobs is without question a visionary, but he is also unfortunately a control freak. What many people complain about is that Apple intentionally limits itself(at no gain to users, contrary to what the article seems to allege) so that it can maintain control over the general usage of its products. Certainly, others are welcome to continue to use Apple products if it doesn't bother them, but when I want an app that is arbitrarily rejected, or buy a movie or song that is DRMed to iTunes, I get pissed. I decide to use other products, and when people ask me why I don't like Apple, I explain why. This isn't "hating", this is expecting the providers to pander to the consumers, not the other way around. The transmission analogy just does not apply at all.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Bad analogy
But they DO!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
iPhones
PS - I've always thought leaving horse and buggy was a bad idea. If your horse "transmission" breaks, you shoot it, eat it and get a new one. That's clunker recycling
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Maybe your phone does something a little more effeciently than mine. Maybe yours has a few ergs more speed. Maybe mine has more apps. And I like it.
Maybe I pay my money for what trips MY trigger. I like it enough that out of all the devices out there, I LIKE IT BEST. That's the final decision right there. Your Porche might be faster than my HHR, but what if I just really love the HHR? Or, what if the F-150 is what gets me wet? I can't outrun your car, but I could carry it up the hill. And I like it.
In most of the countries of the world people are allowed to purchase the device that they prefer. Even in Communist China the people can purchase whatever device their hearts desire so long as it is in their market. Because they like it.
Sorry for the rant, I just get so tired of all the people that bash me for liking something as if my not agreeing with their tastes makes me dumb or something.
Because I like it!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
But are you claiming that it's objectively better than anything else for practically everyone on the planet? If not, then I'm sorry, I'm not here to argue with you. :-)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
Fortunately for Apple, there are enough people that also like it as I do that they now have the hottest smartphone on the market.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Honest enough argument but the "Old man says 'If I wanted to go to the moon I'd have Hulk Hogan kick my ass there'" argument is always the weakest. It makes you sound like a Luddite and in today's commercial environment purchasing a product that does a million other things you never thought you would need the product to do is par for the course, you should be used to the creeping featurism that is rife in today's market place. In other words, your words have no place in this discussion.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I am sure I am not the exception. But..
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Naysayers look at the iPhones' limitations?
That is simply not true. Well, not for me anyway. I absolutly detest and despise anything that Apple produces for 1 reason and that is: every corner of the mass media seems to think that anything Apple touches is golden.
Since we're talking about the iPhone here, let me give you an example. Cnet's review of the iPhone gave it 4 stars and called it "Excellent" and "Amazing". Yet, in the same review, they noted that it "lack some basic features that are available on even the simplest cell phone." And "the battery depletes quickly under heavy use". With those negative comments, how on earth could this i"Phone" archive 4 stars when the Palm Pre or the revamped Black Berry Storm only 3 and a half starts when they can do pretty much everything the iPhone can do AND more? The simple answer is, because the iPhone has that stupid little Apple logo on it.
It's not so much that naysayers look at the iPhones' limitations, it's the media, fanboi's and reviewers that seem to completely ignore the iPhones' limitation but yet criticize all other smartphones for the same limitations that the iPhone has.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Naysayers look at the iPhones' limitations?
Using your logic, this is what I should say about you:
"I absolutely detest and despise you for one reason: Everyone likes you."
Actually, I personally have had people detest me for that very reason. It's a little odd. But funny. Really funny.
CBMHB
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Naysayers look at the iPhones' limitations?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Naysayers look at the iPhones' limitations?
I think you're right....and I hate you for it.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Naysayers look at the iPhones' limitations?
Lets not. 1) I never cared for the "Water's fine, jump on in" type of argument; I don't care if the water makes you as virile as my dog (and he's humped all the legs he can wrap himself around).
2) As a human being, I reserve the right to act and feel in anyway I see fit, regardless of your opinion that its irrational or not. If I don't like something, I don't like it. Actually, its more a case of "I have this device, and I really like it. I like enough to not care how 'insanely great' you AppleMacOSXiPhoneCandyThing. Don't care. Like my Centro. Really, really, really like it. A lot.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
iPhone and Linux
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: iPhone and Linux
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: iPhone and Linux
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: iPhone and Linux
Agreed. And here's a suggestion from someone who lives in a much more open minded community: move.
Come to Chicago, where as long as you pay ridiculously high taxes, we don't really care who you fuck...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: iPhone and Linux
Yet another service provided to the "Insider" Community.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
LOCKED IN!
For that reason alone I would not touch it with a barge pole.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Techy people read blogs such as TechDirt because we understand technology and what it does for us. We understand that Google Voice is pretty awesome. We understand that Apple makes irrational decisions. We definitely understand that the iPhone has enjoyed major mainstream success. Nobody is here to debate any of those facts. What we are here to do is air out the obvious short comings of major corporations. I'm sorry to break it to you but many of us are fed up with Apple giving us the shaft. Just because they have such a popular device doesn't change our anger. Sure, they've really helped the mobile standard by raising the bar. The basic reality is that we expect more. Apple stifles technology as much as they help it along. I could care less if everyone and their cousin owns an iPhone. It doesn't suit my needs anymore. I'm aware it's not all about ME. And obviously Apple doesn't care about every little gripe a few tech savy people may have. They continue to make silly decisions since the mass market doesn't take them to task for it. We aren't all here to discuss business ideas and how to leverage the iPhone as a money making opportunity. We're here to chat it up and sometimes complain. Or even make fun of silly old Apple for being so rediculous. To me an Android phone is quickly becoming the automatic car and the iPhone is the stick shift. Talk about making things hard. No Google Voice?!? That's pretty manual transmission to me. Millions of Google users would agree. In three days of being in the Jailbrake community GV has been download over 60,000 times already. Obviously iPhone users aren't taking the app rejection very well and are trying to shift into 5th gear. Who would of thought we'd need cydia just to shift the gears of innovation?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Closed devices, exclusive deals, feature disabling (Pre iTunes) and walled gardening are real pecadillos. The pain is disproportionately felt by developers, geeks, and we in the jibber jabber tech community. But if there's a movement to push Apple to be more open, most of the iPhone customers aren't on board. And it's going to take more than blocked access to other geek favorites (like GV) to make the masses dis-satisfied.
But still, we should soldier on, continue to call out Apple and the iPhone on its faults - even as we admit it may be the best device out there, overall.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The market has spoken? iPhone = 10% market share
Sure their market share is up to 10%, but that means that 9 out of 10 smartphones sold are NOT iPhones. (source for 10%: http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/gartner-iphone-smartphone-market-share-doubles-in-q1- 2009/ )
Try doing some research before you make yourself sound silly, fanboy.
Enjoy your "anytime, anyplace, any info" on your iPhone unless that info is flash, silverlight, java (or any other interpreted language since interpreters are blocked on the app store) or a MMS message, of course
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: The market has spoken? iPhone = 10% market share
"Enjoy your "anytime, anyplace, any info" on your iPhone"
You need to take a reading coprehension class. I said I don't have an iPhone, and it would never work for me. Unlike you, however, I am able to separately consider what is good for me, and what is good for most.
Ten percent doesn't impress you? Are you totally daft? A dark horse phone vendor, out of the blue, no prior phone making experience, shoots up to 10% of the smartphone sector in 2 years, and you brush it off as small potatoes? I could run you a short list of other big companies that tried and failed to even sell 200k of their initial phone efforts. Look how long HTC has taken to grow their brand. Look at Sierra Wireless Voq. Look at the Garmin Nuvifone, Danger's overall numbers. Look at established players like Siemens, Sony and Ericsson. Look at Audiovox. Motorola is in decline. Fail, fail, fail, fail, fail. Only one has succeeded in grabbing over a few % market share, and all analysts in this industry agree that 10% is an incredible leap.
That's the top of my head, bro. Try doing some research, indeed...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Hmmmph!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
iPhone as fashion
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
manual cars
Also I can pop the clutch if I leave my lights on ;)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Keys
If the iPhone had a slide out QWERTY keyboard (a la HTC smartphones), I would own one. But not until that time.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
iphone
As for everyone else... I am glad you have something you personally love too. If you don't, then get something else.
I don't get the point in talking down one item or putting someone down because of what they like. The reason someone thinks one this is better than what I have may be the same reason I think their product sucks. The power of opinion is that everyone is entitled to one. Even if they are an idiot.
Did that even have anything to do with the article? I don't know. It may have had more to do with the mass of comments and things just rattling around in my head. Oh well.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
your story
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
1 Apple
2 at&t
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I have to disagree
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
People who mock the iPhone and stick with their equivalent of of rotary dialing, often do so for lack of funds, or a desire not to look like everyone else. not because clunking away on an out-of-date device is fun.
Plus, having had to rent a dime-a-dozen car for work last week, and having a real driving car at home, i can tell you that the one i own (a stick) and a driver's car is far more enjoyable in every respect.
Besides this blip, keep up the good work.
..
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Love them or hate them, Apple gets/keeps people talking about them, and the people who think they are so cool as to think 'totally different' and see through Apple's bullshit can't seem to think 'different' enough to see that they are helping fuel the publicity machine that is Apple.
But don't let me stand in your way of ruining all your little different-thinking fantasies.
Personally, the iPhone is an incredible platform and is revolutionary - anyone who cannot see that isn't as bright as they'd like to think.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Is automatic shift the norm?
I understand the point of the article, but automatic/manual shift in cars is a really bad example.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Is automatic shift the norm?
"If you think that automatic shifts is the norm, then you american guys need to take a look at the rest of the world. In Europe and Asia it is far from the norm"
but the article itself says:
"...the stick-shift versus automatic transmission debate decades ago (still in the EU)"
Value-added = 0
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Innovative? Do some research
Google TouchStream.
Go ahead flap about Apple's "innovation" despite evidence of the contrary.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
iPhone hate is nothing...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Screw Apple
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Iphone didn't do anything new
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
So, you're ranting and raving about people bitching about how the iPhone lacks functionality. This bitching can lead to more innovation. What's the point of this article?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No ones got it yet?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]