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Monday June 5, 2006
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 Here's how the iPhone feeding frenzy works: some random Canadian financial analyst floats the idea that Apple could work together with RIM, the maker of BlackBerry handhelds, in a research note. Not that they "will." Not that they "are." That they "could." My kidneys "could" be made of iPods, too, and that's why I have such damn good rhythm. Right. Once again, just as with the deal Apple may or may not have made with Japanese conglomerate Softbank, there's nothing to see here. No "AppleBerry." No Japanese iPhone, either.
But the fact that the unsupported rantings of a single analyst can suddenly get play on every single blog in the blogosphere speaks to the powerful longing across all of humanity for an Apple phone -- or rather, the powerful longing for a phone with a halfway decent user interface. Phone UIs, even the beloved Nokia Series 40 UI, are generally torturous compared to the software Apple churns out. But, sorry, folks, there's still no word from Cupertino that they're taking on the challenge. As always, the problems are twofold. If Apple were to partner with an existing manufacturer and carrier - well, Apple doesn't play too well with others, and you end up with the Motorola ROKR. And if Apple were to go it alone, they'd need to start their own virtual wireless carrier, which would require permission from one of the Big Four carriers to use their network, and Apple just doesn't seem willing to go into those negotiations quite yet. Pity. I'd like an iPhone, too.
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June 5, 2006 5:07 PM
... what, that's all I had to say this time. :) I'd love an iPhone. But I don't suppose this will stop the rumors that one is in the works.
June 6, 2006 2:26 PM
Sascha points to the real problem, why is the distributors controlling the customer base? I'd be more worried if Apple did co-operate with a downstream(sidestream?) player. Often what doesn't get said in boardrooms and press releases is that Apple's reputation for direct customer loyalty scares most folk in being in business with them. Cross a loyal fan base in any industry, and well, New Coke all over again. Apple makes money from its own distribution system anyway. What resellers (and networks) need to understand is what if Apple releases independantly/direct to consumers and network carriers don't even know the customer is there for added value services? Or worse, they don't release in the USA first? The cellphone market is larger outside of N.A., according to the specs.
June 7, 2006 1:23 AM
Apple is not about to license software technololgy from RIM, PALM One, or anyone else. Analysts and others in the media suggesting some huge partnership show their clear lack of understanding how Apple works. So here is how it will work: 1. Apple will be designing this product in-house all the way. Apple will pick the best chipset/s they need, and build the rest on their own. 2. A carrier. For various and obvious reasons, Apple cannot build their own network, thus they must partner with a major carrier - piggieback/lease - an existing network. While this may proove to be a show-stopper for many, Apple already has this model in place. Apple pays bank for Internet bandwidth for iTunes, but makes a boatload on selling millions of iPods and related gear. The same model will apply here. The trick is getting a carrier to come onboard. The "Big Two" Verizon and Cingular have zero interest in providing any sort of competition on their lines to Apple. However, T-Mobile and Nextel/Sprint are the outside kids looking in, and both may more than welcome a boost in large margin bandwidth revenues. 3. So Apple will gain a backbon through rental mode, but their services are what could really win the day. A. I use a Blackberry - it is a great concept, but truly blows in implementation and useability. The web browser is pathetic, and calendaring is not acceptable. B. Palm One has a much better email and user implementation as to how these systems should work. For whatever IT reasons, Blackberry has moved into a more corporate-level acceptance, but it is what it is. C. So Apple has a huge opportunity to deliver a product that looks similar to an iPod (full touch-screen device perhaps) that uses a 8 GB Nano chip set, which for useability sake, could blow away anything on the market. I am not sure how many users Blackberry has State-side (5-7 million perhaps?), but it is nothing compared to what Apple could almost instantly pull off. Coinsider the number of Mac users in the states, and then add in loyal iPod users who would love a device like this... Try 7 million users in six-months, if Apple can produce them fast enough, and even though they will run $399 - $499 (8GB of 4GB versions), they should more than fly off the shelves. Apple will deliver the service at fees which are quite reasonable vs. it's competition, and I can only assume .Mac will somehow play into this product as well as iTunes on-the-road syncing to your home library, and direct music/video purchases - of course. While Apple claims a perfect swiss army knife is not what everyone wants - I believe Apple is hard at work to produce just that. Let's hope this thing rocks, and puts the major carriers into a tissy, brining we consumers more competition and better product offerings from all.