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Illustrated: Apple's Fear of Android

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Re: Illustrated: Apple's Fear of Android

#91

Post by rufugee »

bad_user wrote: post #66
jokermatt999 wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm an Android fan, but marketshare between Android and iPhone doesn't tell the whole story, at least for developers. I haven't seen numbers on it in a while, but iOS is much better for devs in terms of making money. iOS users buy more apps, and if you're developing to make money, that's pretty good deciding factor. Of course, may not want to develop for Apple for other reasons (store policies, not wanting to get ran…

iOS users buy more apps I own both an iPhone and an Android. I haven't bought any Android apps because Android apps are crap and I won't pay money for shitty weekend hacks. if you're developing to make money, that's pretty good deciding factor That's a pretty weak argument -- do the math, most apps on iTunes aren't even making up for sunken costs. Quite the contrary I would say, since the Android Marketplace is fille…

Wow...troll much?

Re: Illustrated: Apple's Fear of Android

#92

Post by cwp »

Samsung and HTC aren't eating Apple's lunch, they're eating Nokia's lunch. The author notes that makers of Android phones are gaining market share faster than Apple, and assumes that this will eventually mean taking market share from Apple, but that's far from given.

Re: Illustrated: Apple's Fear of Android

#93

Post by saturdaysaint »

Loic wrote: post #70
mrcharles wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I recall that as well, but I think this article is still valid, because it speaks to Apple's vigor in enforcing them, as much as anything. I'm not going to say Apple is desperate yet, but I think that Apple foresees that desperation if they don't very actively pursue anything and everything.

For once I totally agree. You must also add, that the vast majority of people are price sensitive and do not really care if they use an Apple, Samsung or HTC device. A lot of people around me bought the iPod (not iPad) because they were the cheapest and nice looking at the same time. Look around you at people having a decent normal job, kids, a house to repay, etc. At the end of the month, not a lot of money left for…

People have been predicting Apple's death by the commoditization of consumer electronics since before Jobs' return. It hasn't happened because their expertise in both hardware and software is unparalleled and they have a sterling quality reputation, meaning they will always come out with cool products first and sell them in quantity.

People forget that they're not afraid to disrupt themselves either. If they can create a great $500 tablet, don't be surprised if they can make a great $200 unsubsidized phone if they think the competition demands it.

Re: Illustrated: Apple's Fear of Android

#94

Post by r00fus »

epistasis wrote: post #79
trotsky wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yet reports seem to indicate Apple is planning on rolling out a "budget" price point phone [1], so they probably are worried about market share after all. Apple is on a long term digital media dominance play. They want to be the one stop locked in shop for many people's music, software, video and books. Sure they'll continue to be interested in making good money on their hardware but their evolving iOS platform strat…

A "budget" price point phone would be better understood in terms of market segmentation rather than market share; i.e. getting money from people who have a lower maximum price, now that they've gotten money from those who are willing to pay more. If they wanted market share, they would have just led with the "budget" phone.

> If they wanted market share, they would have just led with the "budget" phone.

But Apple has a luxury brand, and a "budget" device would detract from that (even the lowly iPod shuffle fills a niche for well-off folks: it's small and sleek).

Budget in this context means pre-paid (as per the last earnings ). And I bet that iPhone will not be compatible with a post-paid plan (or vice-versa)... it will be interesting to see how Apple navigates this as they've been very deft at positioning new products in terms of their existing product lines.

Re: Illustrated: Apple's Fear of Android

#95

Post by steverb »

white_devil wrote: post #59
trezor wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I work in software development. Almost everyone in my department has Android-phones bar a few self-confessed iAddicts (and one daring Windows phone 7 beta-tester). Despite its huge commercial success, the iPhone is among my peers considered a rather lulzy thing and a the undisputed weakest and least sophisticated of all the mobile platforms when measured on its own merits. Not saying this is absolute truth either, bu…

the undisputed weakest and least sophisticated of all the mobile platforms when measured on its own merits. Oh my fucking God, please . I wasn't sure before, but you just outed yourself as a huge Google -fanboy. Yeah what's Apple's platform got going for it? -It just changed the whole industry and showed How It's Done. It's also regarded as technically very solid, and pleasant to develop for.

The iPhone did change the industry and it is technically very solid. However, it is NOT pleasant to develop for.

Having developed private apps for iOS, Android and Windows Phone 7 I personally find Windows 7 to be the best platform for development, with Android a distant second. iOS is by far the most painful dev platform of the three.

Unless you really like programming like it's 1985 (a not insignificant number of people really do), in which case it's great.

Re: Illustrated: Apple's Fear of Android

#96

Post by gonzo »

rufugee wrote: post #91
bad_user wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

iOS users buy more apps I own both an iPhone and an Android. I haven't bought any Android apps because Android apps are crap and I won't pay money for shitty weekend hacks. if you're developing to make money, that's pretty good deciding factor That's a pretty weak argument -- do the math, most apps on iTunes aren't even making up for sunken costs. Quite the contrary I would say, since the Android Marketplace is fille…

Wow...troll much?

I also own both Android and iOS phones.

and I've also never purchased an app on Android.

So either we're both under the bridge, or you've mis-labeled the troll. (Look in the mirror.)

Re: Illustrated: Apple's Fear of Android

#97

Post by gonzo »

epistasis wrote: post #79
trotsky wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yet reports seem to indicate Apple is planning on rolling out a "budget" price point phone [1], so they probably are worried about market share after all. Apple is on a long term digital media dominance play. They want to be the one stop locked in shop for many people's music, software, video and books. Sure they'll continue to be interested in making good money on their hardware but their evolving iOS platform strat…

A "budget" price point phone would be better understood in terms of market segmentation rather than market share; i.e. getting money from people who have a lower maximum price, now that they've gotten money from those who are willing to pay more. If they wanted market share, they would have just led with the "budget" phone.

Tim Cook has made several pointed references lately to the pre-paid market.

Re: Illustrated: Apple's Fear of Android

#98

Post by programminggeek »

Apple is not afraid of Android any more than Porsche is afraid of Ford. They are targeting effectively two distinct markets.

Android doesn't do a great job of competing at the high end of the market outside of tech nerds. Seriously, the one year old iPhone 4 is still outselling even the newer Android phones on Verizon and AT&T.

What Android is killing is becoming the default smartphone at every price range with every feature set you can imagine. Android covers all the smartphones that iPhone doesn't. iPhone isn't for everyone, Android tries harder to be. Android is much less focused as a platform than iOS.

Android is going to keep working hard to be upmarket, and iOS is going to keep working to go downmarket with prepaid devices, more iPod Touch type devices with 3G or GPS or both.

As a developer I just care about getting paid and in my experience people on iOS are more willing to buy my apps. Android users tend to be cheapskates. This can and will change at some point, but Apple is doing better now than they ever have. I doubt they are truly afraid of much right now. They are executing better than ever before.

Re: Illustrated: Apple's Fear of Android

#99

Post by watty »

rimantas wrote: post #16
watty wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you really think they don't care about market share and money or being the top dog, you're wrong and they've fooled you. That's their number one concern, they're a business.

Indeed they are the business. Business means making money not market share. That post misses one small graph: the profit share of Apple in mobile space.

Yes, you're right. I was just saying that "not caring about market share" is false, they do care and would certainly be worried if it was shrinking.

Re: Illustrated: Apple's Fear of Android

#100

Post by watty »

programminggeek wrote: post #98

Apple is not afraid of Android any more than Porsche is afraid of Ford. They are targeting effectively two distinct markets. Android doesn't do a great job of competing at the high end of the market outside of tech nerds. Seriously, the one year old iPhone 4 is still outselling even the newer Android phones on Verizon and AT&T. What Android is killing is becoming the default smartphone at every price range with every…

You sound a bit biased. There is love for both iOS and Android in and out of the "geek" community. My dad who is far from a geek has owned an iPhone and iPad. Now my mom owns them both and he owns a Droid X and Xoom.
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