Seriously, It appears that Apple may be changing it's release cycle -- possibly releasing more than 1 update per year. If they do, the naming scheme could become more important!
Some great insight from a marketing guy. The "S" feels weird, it feels like a variant of the mainstream product. The public has been trained for decades that these monikers an improved variant, not a totally new product. Honda Accord LX, EX, EX-L are all trims of the same vehicles, with different equipment. Imagine Honda comes up with a new Accord LX for the odd years, and Accord EX for the even ones. Doesn't convey a very strong message.
.
Your example forgets two very important Accord that does just this before model changes. The Accord (value Package) VP and the (Special Edition) SE adds special features that are not normally packages together for a year or two before designs changes.
An "S" version of the iPhone is traditionally a relatively minor upgrade.
That is not accurate which backs up this guy's claim. The 4S was a huge update over the internals of the iPhone 4. Same goes for the iPhone 3GS over the iPhone 3G. In fact, the single smallest change of the internals was the original iPhone to the iPhone 3G which had the same CPU architecture, just clocked higher.
What bothers me about the naming convention is... Well nothing. I'm much more annoyed by the new mobile ads on this website that cause you to unintentionally trigger them while scrolling the damn page. (The page curl/overleaf ads)
But I think it would be equally awkward if Apple had called the 3GS the "4," for example.
Least of which because it was the 3rd iPhone.
Maybe it would make more sense to call the iPhones "the 2013 iPhone," "the 2014 iPhone," etc.
It would eliminate all confusion over the model year of each phone. And it would make the current
model even more appealing. Because really, who wants last year's phone?
Bingo!
The problem with attaching a model year to each iPhone is that Apple has only ever released iPhones in the
second half of the year.
Have the numbers be internal and for support documents only, just like their computer lines. Have the product sold, marketed as, and named "iPhone", regardless of the version.
That solves that problem!
Apple is still selling the "Early 2010" Mac Pro (okay, that's out of my system; it's really the "Late 2012", but who the FRICK considers "not an update" as an update?)… in 2013. But on the site and in all sales documentation, it's the "Mac Pro" only.
Also, *coughiWork'09cough*
…perceived shelf life. The last remaining 2014 Taurus at your Ford dealer won't be "last year's model"
until 1/1/15, almost a year and 9 months from now.
Of course, that goes back to "perceived", as the 2015 models will be out in spring of 2014…
But would Apple move iPhone release to the beginning of the year just to stretch each model's "freshness"?
Extremely doubtful.
Agreed. There'd have to be some other change made somewhere for that to be justified.
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
That is not accurate which backs up this guy's claim. The 4S was a huge update over the internals of the iPhone 4. Same goes for the iPhone 3GS over the iPhone 3G. In fact, the single smallest change of the internals was the original iPhone to the iPhone 3G which had the same CPU architecture, just clocked higher.
They don't send a "weak" message they send an accurate message. An "S" version of the iPhone is traditionally a relatively minor upgrade. This guy seems to like to over-market things which disappoints customers.
Please explain how the 4S was a "minor upgrade" to the 4?
[quote]Apple is a company that prizes simplicity in nearly all things, but a former Apple adviser says the pattern the company uses to name its bestselling product is decidedly not simple and sends the wrong message about the iPhone. [/quote]
Sorry, but this is driving me nuts.
Apple is a company that values simplicity, not prizes simplicity.
That is not accurate which backs up this guy's claim. The 4S was a huge update over the internals of the iPhone 4. Same goes for the iPhone 3GS over the iPhone 3G. In fact, the single smallest change of the internals was the original iPhone to the iPhone 3G which had the same CPU architecture, just clocked higher.
I guess for a lot of people no changes to the industrial design equals minor upgrade. Makes no sense to me but people really seem to be hung up on whether the phone looks different aesthetically. Unless were talking about Samsung, of course. The S4 looks just like the S3 but when it's released it will be hailed as the best phone EVER, not an incremental update.
The Fact of the matter is that the 4S improved almost every single internal part. The only thing that did not get upgraded was the screen. Even the case was changed for better cellular reception and to better work with the new "world phone cellular chip inside" The processor went from an A4 with dual core graphics to an A5 with 3Core graphics, memory went from 512 to 1Gig, Camera from 4 element lens 5 mp to 5 element lens with 8mp and infrared active filter, and F 2.4 for better low light reception, from bluetooth 2.1 to bluetooth 4 with better audio capabilities, 4S got Siri, 3d Maps....... The point is I could go on to ad nauseum but litterally every single internal component was upgraded in one way or another.
Articles like this are absolutely BS because they look at the phone and because the outside is similar they "ASSUME" that it is a minor upgrade. Hence the term "when you assume you make an ass out of u and me".
Most people that buy products are a lot smarter than the guy who this article is talking with. I certainly was please with my purchase of a 4S vs the 4 i had and do not regret the upgrade which was every bit as good as when i bought the 4 from the 3G.
Apple is a company that values simplicity, not prizes simplicity.
You know what drives me nuts? When Apple execs are touting how thin a device is but refer to it as "only x millimeters or inches thin, when they should be saying thick.
You know what drives me nuts? When Apple execs are touting how thin a device is but refer to it as "only x millimeters or inches thin, when they should be saying thick.
Steve Jobs started that to make people concentrate on how thin the device is. It was his way of getting people to focus on the "thinness" of the device instead of just saying it is x mm thick. I think it is actually quite a smart marketing idea.
I guess for a lot of people no changes to the industrial design equals minor upgrade. Makes no sense to me but people really seem to be hung up on whether the phone looks different aesthetically. Unless were talking about Samsung, of course. The S4 looks just like the S3 but when it's released it will be hailed as the best phone EVER, not an incremental update.
The Galaxy S4 has a dozen new poorly integrated features to put on a marketing spec sheet. That's how it goes in Androidia.
The author says that Apple has been tacking on an "S"... "every other model"...
iPhone
iPhone 3G
iPhone 3GS
iPhone 4
iPhone 4S
iPhone 5
Unless I'm mistaken, they've only done this twice, so why the overblown reaction? Nobody knows what the next version will be called, but I think the "S" models are perfectly acceptable iterations of the existing model. Maybe a different monikor is needed, but not a full increment of the model number for every reason.
Next up... iPhone X, which runs a full blown version of OSX!
You know what drives me nuts? When Apple execs are touting how thin a device is but refer to it as "only x millimeters or inches thin, when they should be saying thick.
Apple's neither the only nor the first to do that. And I like it. Normally it's used in the "get thinner to the point of anorexia" society, but that it's being made a focus in the consumer computing market (where, while the internal focus has always been on 'faster-smaller-cheaper', the external had been BEIGEBOXLOOKATMYHEAVYMETAL before Apple) is a pretty smart marketing move.
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
The Galaxy S4 has a dozen new poorly integrated features to put on a marketing spec sheet. That's how it goes in Androidia.
Ooh, are we moving to the nation-state analogies now? Those will be fun.
The author says that Apple has been tacking on an "S"... "every other model"...
iPhone
iPhone 3G
iPhone 3GS
iPhone 4
iPhone 4S
iPhone 5
Unless I'm mistaken, they've only done this twice, so why the overblown reaction? Nobody knows what the next version will be called, but I think the "S" models are perfectly acceptable iterations of the existing model. Maybe a different monikor is needed, but not a full increment of the model number for every reason.
Next up... iPhone X, which runs a full blown version of OSX!
No one on Earth would tell you that it makes sense to call the 6th model of a product running the 6th version of its software on the 6th iteration of its processor "5".
Were it an Apple competitor, it would be still be mocked "six months out".
For goodness' sake, start thinking about this like a typical consumer rather than somebody who posts on an Apple enthusiast forum.
It wouldn't be mocked whether it was Apple or not, because 99% of the population doesn't know and doesn't care exactly how many phone models Apple or any other manufacturer has produced.
What would seem absurd to the general population is calling a product 'iPhone 6' when the last product was the 4S. People may have short memories, but they do know how to count to 6 without missing numbers out.
I don't believe that you can't perceive how the typical consumer would see a change from 4 to 6. Step out of the bubble.
Comments
Seriously, It appears that Apple may be changing it's release cycle -- possibly releasing more than 1 update per year. If they do, the naming scheme could become more important!
That is not accurate which backs up this guy's claim. The 4S was a huge update over the internals of the iPhone 4. Same goes for the iPhone 3GS over the iPhone 3G. In fact, the single smallest change of the internals was the original iPhone to the iPhone 3G which had the same CPU architecture, just clocked higher.
It's so obvious... When you think about it...
Instead of incrementing the number for each new model... Decrement it instead!
Originally Posted by SockRolid
But I think it would be equally awkward if Apple had called the 3GS the "4," for example.
Least of which because it was the 3rd iPhone.
Maybe it would make more sense to call the iPhones "the 2013 iPhone," "the 2014 iPhone," etc.
It would eliminate all confusion over the model year of each phone. And it would make the current
model even more appealing. Because really, who wants last year's phone?
Bingo!
The problem with attaching a model year to each iPhone is that Apple has only ever released iPhones in the
second half of the year.
Have the numbers be internal and for support documents only, just like their computer lines. Have the product sold, marketed as, and named "iPhone", regardless of the version.
That solves that problem!
Apple is still selling the "Early 2010" Mac Pro (okay, that's out of my system; it's really the "Late 2012", but who the FRICK considers "not an update" as an update?)… in 2013. But on the site and in all sales documentation, it's the "Mac Pro" only.
Also, *coughiWork'09cough*
…perceived shelf life. The last remaining 2014 Taurus at your Ford dealer won't be "last year's model"
until 1/1/15, almost a year and 9 months from now.
Of course, that goes back to "perceived", as the 2015 models will be out in spring of 2014…
But would Apple move iPhone release to the beginning of the year just to stretch each model's "freshness"?
Extremely doubtful.
Agreed. There'd have to be some other change made somewhere for that to be justified.
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
That is not accurate which backs up this guy's claim. The 4S was a huge update over the internals of the iPhone 4. Same goes for the iPhone 3GS over the iPhone 3G. In fact, the single smallest change of the internals was the original iPhone to the iPhone 3G which had the same CPU architecture, just clocked higher.
But but but but but but case design!
[B] [SIZE=4]IPhone MMVII - iPhone MMXIII [/SIZE][/B]
Sorry, but this is driving me nuts.
Apple is a company that values simplicity, not prizes simplicity.
The Fact of the matter is that the 4S improved almost every single internal part. The only thing that did not get upgraded was the screen. Even the case was changed for better cellular reception and to better work with the new "world phone cellular chip inside" The processor went from an A4 with dual core graphics to an A5 with 3Core graphics, memory went from 512 to 1Gig, Camera from 4 element lens 5 mp to 5 element lens with 8mp and infrared active filter, and F 2.4 for better low light reception, from bluetooth 2.1 to bluetooth 4 with better audio capabilities, 4S got Siri, 3d Maps....... The point is I could go on to ad nauseum but litterally every single internal component was upgraded in one way or another.
Articles like this are absolutely BS because they look at the phone and because the outside is similar they "ASSUME" that it is a minor upgrade. Hence the term "when you assume you make an ass out of u and me".
Most people that buy products are a lot smarter than the guy who this article is talking with. I certainly was please with my purchase of a 4S vs the 4 i had and do not regret the upgrade which was every bit as good as when i bought the 4 from the 3G.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogifan
You know what drives me nuts? When Apple execs are touting how thin a device is but refer to it as "only x millimeters or inches thin, when they should be saying thick.
Steve Jobs started that to make people concentrate on how thin the device is. It was his way of getting people to focus on the "thinness" of the device instead of just saying it is x mm thick. I think it is actually quite a smart marketing idea.
This appears to be one example of where Apple could really take a page out of the book of others.
For example, Microsoft:
Windows 98
Windows Millennium
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8 (Now with added confusion)
Now THERE'S a company that knows what they're doing with naming conventions!
Alternatively, there is Samsung...
Brightside
Stellar
Rugby
Captivate
Victory
Stratosphere
Or, my own personal favorite, the George Lucas naming convention:
iPhone - Episode 1 (The Phantom Reception Menace)
iPhone - Episode 2 (Attack Of The Samsung Clones)
iPhone - Episode 3 (Revenge Of The Apple Legal Team), etc, etc...
Come on, Apple.
Get your act together.
The Galaxy S4 has a dozen new poorly integrated features to put on a marketing spec sheet. That's how it goes in Androidia.
Quote:
Originally Posted by coolfactor
The author says that Apple has been tacking on an "S"... "every other model"...
iPhone
iPhone 3G
iPhone 3GS
iPhone 4
iPhone 4S
iPhone 5
Unless I'm mistaken, they've only done this twice, so why the overblown reaction? Nobody knows what the next version will be called, but I think the "S" models are perfectly acceptable iterations of the existing model. Maybe a different monikor is needed, but not a full increment of the model number for every reason.
Next up... iPhone X, which runs a full blown version of OSX!
Originally Posted by Rogifan
You know what drives me nuts? When Apple execs are touting how thin a device is but refer to it as "only x millimeters or inches thin, when they should be saying thick.
Apple's neither the only nor the first to do that. And I like it. Normally it's used in the "get thinner to the point of anorexia" society, but that it's being made a focus in the consumer computing market (where, while the internal focus has always been on 'faster-smaller-cheaper', the external had been BEIGEBOXLOOKATMYHEAVYMETAL before Apple) is a pretty smart marketing move.
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
The Galaxy S4 has a dozen new poorly integrated features to put on a marketing spec sheet. That's how it goes in Androidia.
Ooh, are we moving to the nation-state analogies now? Those will be fun.
iPhone Panther?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
No one on Earth would tell you that it makes sense to call the 6th model of a product running the 6th version of its software on the 6th iteration of its processor "5".
Were it an Apple competitor, it would be still be mocked "six months out".
For goodness' sake, start thinking about this like a typical consumer rather than somebody who posts on an Apple enthusiast forum.
It wouldn't be mocked whether it was Apple or not, because 99% of the population doesn't know and doesn't care exactly how many phone models Apple or any other manufacturer has produced.
What would seem absurd to the general population is calling a product 'iPhone 6' when the last product was the 4S. People may have short memories, but they do know how to count to 6 without missing numbers out.
I don't believe that you can't perceive how the typical consumer would see a change from 4 to 6. Step out of the bubble.