iPhone, Once and Future King

It has been almost a week since Steve Jobs held an impromptu press conference and announced his thoughts on "Antennagate." It was a surprise for me because, up until then, the only term I had heard being used was "deathgrip," referring to ease in which it was possible to block reception on an iPhone when holding it in your hand. But Steve Jobs preaches Apple gospel, even in the midst of hard times, so the Antennagate has become the de facto label.

 Jobs might have been pushing to create a little comedy, hoping to down play interest in Apple's demise, but there is more at stake than Consumer Reports recommendation to not buy. Ok, so it is not really a demise. iPhone sales have been astounding. It seems pretty obvious Apple's press conference was squarely aimed at the Consumer Reports recommendation, with plans to hand out free cases to iPhone 4 consumers. Cases are only a short term solution because there is a legal battle brewing in the background. In the long run this is the far more dangerous for Steve Jobs and Apple as a company. Calling it Antennagate aptly describes the conspiracy these lawsuits claim exists.

Ever since Apple released the original, iPhone the burden of reception has been put on AT&T's shoulders.  With the iPhone 4, the problem of reception has shifted back to Apple radically. The design is flawed but in the press conference Jobs stated the issue as an industry problem, presenting no real solutions. I have an idea, turn the antenna around, this would put the sweet spot mostly out of reach of most users. Of course this would require admitting something could be done. It would also require a recall and a restructure of the manufacturing process, so it is not going to happen.

Cases are not going to be enough to satisfy the legal interest. For one, buying a case is going to require covering up the sexy design. Never mind most people encase their phones, even with a free case, the issue will be about the reception and the fact users are forced to use something to cover the problem.

Then there are bigger issues. Apple stated there was a problem, existing from the original iPhone and the iOS software, which reported the wrong amount of bars for the phone. In other words, the problem is really an optical illusion and if you just knew how many bars really weren't there in the first place, you would already know you cannot use this device as a phone in the first place. Ok. There is some tongue in cheek finger pointing going on here. Apple is definitely trying to push the issue back to AT&T.

I am sure this is will all be very fascinating as these class action lawsuits start making headlines. Even if Apple wins, and I am sure they will, the long term damage might already be done. AT&T owes its growth to the iPhone, but for other carriers the issue may already be done. When Apple's exclusive contract is up with AT&T, other networks might just pass on the product. If this happens it will leave Android, RIM, and even Windows 7 Phone, all the room it needs to eclipse the iPhone.

*Update: an excellent article on iPhone 4 and its relative nonsense can be found here

Overview on using iPhone iOS 4

iOS4 continues Apple's legendary iPhone user experience. While the iPhone 4 has gained a lot of attention for its hardware, both good and bad, the operating system is pure refinement. This is good news for those hanging onto their iPhone 3GS,  iOS4 is also available for these older devices. Whether taking the plunge on a new iPhone 4 or sticking it out with last year's model, there is new finger tip functionality waiting to be explored.

Here is a spotlight on some key new features

Wallpapers

In the past, users had to jailbreak an iPhone to gain the personal touch a wallpaper can provide. Wall papers are straight forward but come with choices for the desktop, lock screen, or both. What is on the desktop and what shows up when the phone is locked can be different and add to one's own style.

 Multitasking

 Ever since the iPhone's debut, Multitasking has been the one feature users have clamored for most. After launching several apps, double tapping the home button will bring up the fast tasking switching dock bar. Switching between apps is as simple as tapping a familiar icon. To shut an app completely down, hold its icon on the dock bar until it shakes. Then tap on the minus emblem appearing over the app. In addition, sliding to the left will bring up controls for media and an icon that allows locking screen orientation.

Folders

It is now possible to create folders. Hold an app until it shakes. Simply moving the app on top of another will automatically create a folder with both apps inside. The OS will suggest a name, like games but it can be changed if desired.  Moving an app out of a folder is the same process, hold it until the app shakes and then move it back to the desktop.

Email

Email has gotten a welcomed overhaul as well. A unified inbox makes it convenient to check email on multiple accounts all on one screen. Threads condense emails with reply histories, saving space and help keep conversation in context. For those who need it, it can now handle multiple Exchange accounts making it more desirable in the work place.

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There are tons of little differences inside iOS4. Spellchecking to go along with auto complete, search inside text messages, geolocation, just to name a few. Apple has kept its slick and intuitive nature. Users will be able to jump right in and take advantage of what iOS4 has to offer.

Originally posted on Helium

Will smartphones running Google's new Android mobile software eventually replace the iPhone?

In some people's minds, Android already has surpassed the iPhone. In terms of market percentage, NPD Group reported Android phones outpaced the sale of iPhones in the first quarter of 2010. This puts Google's Android in second place right behind Blackberry in terms of market share and paints an optimistic future for the platform. iPhones, however, have a rabid fan base and Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference scheduled in June carries with it the expectation for announcing the new iPhone HD. If true, iPhone sales will skyrocket. Sales and market share will be heavily contested this year but the long term trend points to Google as the big winner.

Currently Apple is tied to a single US carrier while Android is available on all the major networks. Apple has similar outlets for its product in European and Asian Markets and, while it has served Apple very well so far, this approach to the marketplace is a liability. Now that Google's Android has matched, or even surpassed, the iPhone's capabilities, consumers no longer have envy helping them make a smartphone purchase. Instead, buyers can concentrate on pricing plans and which carriers serve their needs best. It is only when someone lands at AT&T, or another exclusive iPhone carrier, that this tug of war between the two smartphones exists.

Apple' advantage is that it did lead the way, showing the world how a mobile device should be personal, intuitive, and just plain fun. It has made the term "app" synonymous with the iPhone and erected an ecosystem every competitor is trying to duplicate. Google's emergence as the only company capable of competing with Apple is a difference between strategies. Apple is singularly responsible for all facets of its handset while Google pushed for openness in its approach and can draw from a collaboration of partners who can provide brandable differences between phones. It is not that Google dismisses a proprietary place for software, it has provided things like voice search and maps while allowing third party products like Adobe's Flash onto the platform.

Recently, when Apple tightened the criteria for developing on its OS, it made the already notoriously picky App Store even less attractive for developers. With Google's Marketplace already growing by leaps and bounds , Apple's move is alienating developers and jeopardizing one of the key reasons the iPhone is still an attractive choice over Android, its number of apps.

Google has simply used openness to upstage Apple. Open means there is a larger pool of manufactures, developers, and carriers to draw from. Open also means the innovation, creativity, and speed of Android's development will outpace the iPhone. Open also means consumers will have a far greater choice and this is why Android will dominant.

Originally Posted on Helium

How can Google Nexus One be a threat to IPhone market?

As a single device, the Nexus One does not kill the iPhone. It is just a remarkable phone in a world of also-rans, and maybe even one ran badly at the start. As a branded Google device spearheading a charge of Android phones, like Verizon's Droids, Sprint's Evo, and HTC's Desire, just to name a few, it has become a formable force of features and choice being delivered to consumers from a variety of carriers and manufacturers.

Android has given Apple its only worthy competitor.

Google has provided the support for an open source operating system capable of delivering a competitive alternative accessible to anyone who wishes to produce a mobile device. The Nexus One is simply Google's own version of a system capable of change on a massive scale. It is the bare bones version of Android and it has been handing it out like candy to both developers and corporate partners alike. Its initial web only sales model might be seen as failure, but it reached those independent, tech savvy, consumers willing to take part in this new ecosystem.

Marking the Nexus One, or any Android phone, by itself, as an iPhone killer misses the point. Google does not need any single phone to be the ultimate winner to provide innovative services, like voice search and navigation, to increase its strength in advertising. The cost of research and development is not Google's to bare alone, neither is the manufacturing of devices.

Anyone can make it better and this is what is competing with the iPhone.

Still, Google has changed tactics and is begun looking for more traditional partnerships for selling the Nexus One. The Nexus One has advantages over other Android phones. Specifically updates are tied directly to improvements made to the operating system without having to go through additional layers found in user interfaces like Motorola's Blur or HTC's Desire. It is the bare bones Android cutting edge and this does appeal to a great many consumers who want their updates without having to wait. As Google puts this device in hands of potential consumers, sales will increase.

That lack of an extra layer means the Nexus One will be one of the few Android phones ready for Adobe's Flash coming with the next update in June. It gives Google one more selling point while Apple and Adobe talk trash over a mobile devices ability to host Flash in the first place. However, Apple has some very diehard fans. June is also the likely time in which Apple releases the new iPhone HD and it would be silly to believe those fans will not generate a crazy amount of initial sales.

Device for device, I am sure Apple will have the numbers. This year anyways. As a collection, and as the strategy towards openness leads to greater consumer choice, Google is definitely winning.

Originally posted on Helium