Why I despise the iPhone.

[Mr X]

Originally Posted by Griph

Wool Hoo! You've gotta agree though that love or hate the iPhone it DOES cause a lot of passionate discussion! It's a good enough threat that people can't just ignore it. What does get to me though is that all iPhone users are being singly categorized by some as deluded shallow or fanboys when in fact they cover a very wide area of market users. Not many IT professionals granted - but then they aren't typical WM users either! I guess for some the jury is out - but I honestly can see iPhone taking the Market in much the same way as the IPod - it much not be right here right now - but people really shouldn't be surprised if Apple continues to build on it market share or the quality of the iPhone. When I was a Psion user I remember the discussions on the pro Psion sites when MS first started launching mobile devices - and where are Psion now in this Market?

The reason I moved over wasn't that the iPhone was so good - it was because for the average user (and me) MS was failing to keep up - they still are. They are therefore seriously at risk of loosing out to iPhone. Remember that for success it's not necessarily about the best winning - that is a lesson that I K Brunel learnt when Stephenson's inferior ride standard guage beat his superior broad guage. it's about maintaining Market saturation. MS really should know this they are still third behind Blackberry and Symbian and if WM7 isn't both really good and out there real soon they are only going to slip further down the list! With the current recession this will be even more important.

I don't expect guys here to agree with me. But .... Watch this space!
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I couldn't agree more with you Griph and your previous comments. Probably because we appear to be have similar user requirements.

It's about having choice. Having gone the Psion - WM - iPhone route - the iPhone is my device of choice and does the things I need it to do in the best way. BUT if MS upped their game (or anyone else for that matter) I am no fan boy and would go for the best device for ME.

I do agree though that if Apple continue to get this right and develop things,it could have the same massive impact as the iPod has had over the last 5 years. I play 5 a side and it was raining last night so everyone chucked their belongings in my bag. At the end of the game it was weird finding 6 iphones in my bag, as I distributed them I felt like Jesus and the 5 loaves (or was that fish?) - we are all from different walks of life with different professions and aged between 24 - 40!

Either way it's kind of nice for the smartphone to go mainstream as surely it can only mean better development and declining declining costs for all of us?

[waveydavey]

Originally Posted by Mr X

I play 5 a side and it was raining last night so everyone chucked their belongings in my bag. At the end of the game it was weird finding 6 iphones in my bag, as I distributed them I felt like Jesus and the 5 loaves (or was that fish?) - we are all from different walks of life with different professions and aged between 24 - 40!

I hope your bag was insured!

[Griph]

Originally Posted by neilm

I think a lot of us do agree with your view Griph- it's like the old 80:20 rule; 80% of users use 20% of the features, and with the iphone, that 20% is enough for them. Apple's slick (and misleading sometimes!) advertising seduces a lot of phone users.

Neil
A lot of what you say makes sense - but I'd take a subjective issue you regarding the 20% on an iPhone. I don't give a monkey about photos - but phone, email & texting are important as are music and videos, web browsing etc. As I am a commuter spending upto 3 hours a day on public transport the ability to read a book whilst listening to music whilst being able to respond to phone calls and emails is important. Whilst this can very much be done on WM the experience on the iPhone is for me much better. So I'd plump for - in my case - much more than 20%!
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[neilm]

Sorry- I didn't mean that to refer to the iPhone, it was in relation to the WM platform. The iPhone may have only a certain percentage of the WM functionality, but it's users make full use of that capability.

The 80:20 rule was originally applied to software like MS Office.

[Griph]

Dave - no one will be happier than me when (if) WM come out with an iPhone beating system - and i'd be quick to go for it ... but so far the jury's still out on that one. If people are unaware of WM that is an issue for MS and device manufacturers to address. Apple have been effective in promoting their device - but how much is that to do with the wow of the device as well as the slick (annoying) advertising? I have to ask myself why MS haven't come back yet with something to stem the tide. Why aren't people aware of WM? You can't blame Apple for that!
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[Griph]

Originally Posted by neilm

Sorry- I didn't mean that to refer to the iPhone, it was in relation to the WM platform. The iPhone may have only a certain percentage of the WM functionality, but it's users make full use of that capability.

The 80:20 rule was originally applied to software like MS Office.

Neil - I understood your meaning - I just don't agree that the iPhone only has 20% of Wm's functionality!
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[waveydavey]

Originally Posted by Griph

Dave - no one will be happier than me when (if) WM come out with an iPhone beating system - and i'd be quick to go for it ... but so far the jury's still out on that one.

I don't think it needs to be beaten, just equalled and then properly promoted. Then, as I said it would come down to the hardware. WM will always have more variety, but Apple are capable of producing a real top notch piece of kit. Who knows, if the rumours are true it might be a couple of months away. We'll have to see.

Originally Posted by Griph

If people are unaware of WM that is an issue for MS and device manufacturers to address. Apple have been effective in promoting their device - but how much is that to do with the wow of the device as well as the slick (annoying) advertising? I have to ask myself why MS haven't come back yet with something to stem the tide. Why aren't people aware of WM? You can't blame Apple for that!
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I fully agree. I think I've only really ever saw and decent WM advertising from HTC for the launch of the original Touch. MS advertising seems to be limited to the US, or airports or tube stations. It's weak and badly focussed.

Originally Posted by waveydavey

I think I've only really ever saw and decent WM advertising from HTC for the launch of the original Touch. MS advertising seems to be limited to the US, or airports or tube stations. It's weak and badly focussed.

But if they do start to advertise you won't like it mate cos it will be full of lies and shortcuts

[waveydavey]

Actually I've seen some of the US WM ads and they're not.

you really have got the fanboy bug bad