Mobility Hits Terra Firma
June 27th, 2007
The iPhone is everywhere – vlogs, blogs, forums, newspaper, magazines, and TV (just saw a cool commercial while half tuning into Leno). I am not sure what the long term outlook is for the iPhone (I haven’t held one yet). But I do know that Friday, June 29th 2007 is a great day for mobile developers. The mobile revolution that has slowly been going on for several years and has finally landed on solid ground. I don’t see anything incredibly revolutionary about the iPhone – all of the features and functions can be found in today’s smartphones (except for perhaps the accelerometer magic). But the iPhone is gorgeous, the design is brilliant, and the marketing campaign is genius. The hype is going to introduce moms/pops and kids and everyone in between to the power and capabilities of mobile devices. And that is the significance to us mobile geeks.
During the first few weeks after the iPhone gets in peoples’ hands, Apple/AT&T will sell a shit ton of these puppies. I also know that we will hear a bunch of the bad stuff right away (this always happens and is the nature of humanity – as flawed entities, we like to identify and focus on the flaws of other entities). People will bitch about the glass screen and scratches as it is jammed against the car keys, the lock in with AT&T, the slow network, big fingers on touch screen, the pains when trying to view one’s favorite Web 2.0 sites, the need for two hands, and on and on. But all that doesn’t matter. What matters is that the bar has been set high for mobile devices from this point forward. The expectations and perception of what mobile devices can do will spread outside our little geek circles. Device manufacturers will need to innovate, networks will need to get faster, walled gardens will be forced to crumble, and mobile software will need to get better. Prosumers will demand this and deserve this! It’s game on… again!
If you’re after an iPhone-ish alternative and you’re stuck on getting AT&T wireless service service you should consider going through an online retailer like Wirefly, Sears Wireless, or NewEgg.
Oh, as far as the success of the iPhone goes, we will have to wait and see. The real proof in the pudding will come after the diehards get their devices and whether or not they will recommend them to their friends and family. We shall see. Am I going to get an iPhone? Not right away, I’m gonna hold out a bit.
Entry Filed under: Mobile
3 Comments Add your own
1. Neil Cowburn | June 27th, 2007 at 5:13 am
Call me dumb, but I think I’ve just figured out the purpose of the iPhone. It’s so that Apple can inflate the marketshare figures for Mac OS X and make wild claims like “every iPhone owner is a Mac OS X user” which is true, kinda.
Don’t get me wrong, as a long time Mac user myself, I’m eager to get my hands on an iPhone. It’s ironic that the biggest mobile phone market in the world, Europe, has to wait though.
Speaking of Europe, you probably know that mobility is a big thing here (ironically, MS have no mobility presence in the UK… ) so I doubt that the introduction of the iPhone would have as big an impact here as it would in the US. The mobile revolution that is slowly gathering momentum in the US has been in full swing in the Europe for the last few years.
2. Michael Sitarzewski | June 27th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Nice one Kevin. The big news of the iPhone how it will force change in the industry. From the buying experience, to way the phone is activated, to the ease of use and transparency it will have in your daily life.
The future of the iPhone is far more exciting than iPhone 1.0. Think about actual desktop power in a handheld device. Not the Palm OS, not Windows Mobile, but a full desktop OS. Fun stuff.
3. Kevin | June 28th, 2007 at 12:03 am
Neil, I was one of the few who focused in on mobility in the CS graduate program in anticipation of the pending mobile revolution… that was almost 7 years ago. I am still waiting for the real deal. Maybe I should pack up and head your way… but I just couldn’t leave Boulder
Michael, bring it on baby,,, the mobile space is about to get a big and deserved kick in the ass!
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