smart move. this will lead to better quality products.
Better products, yes, but I don't know if it can really be called a "smart move" for the companies in question.
A large part of the huge Android sales figures is because of the many many models and the constant upgrading. Another large part of their sales figures are driven by the fact that there are so many models released so quickly that the "older" (sometimes only weeks old), phones are given away essentially for free when the new ones come out.
This is why there are very high figures for Android "sales" (really just channel stuffing), and very low figures for actual Android *use.*
If all the Android manufacturers were to switch to Apple's model of one phone a year, their sales will arguably go down, not up.
There's a simple problem with this strategy: they'll have to fire a whole bunch people with too many entrenched interests at stake, to retool/redesign themselves in a much leaner way.
Ergo, they can keep wishing until the cows come home, but cannot make it happen.
However, as a sharp cookie, I'm sure you have to recognize that SOMETIMES competition in business leads to forced improvements regardless of current economic impact. Verizon went to tiered Data because they could. This Christmas, however, was a huge lurch into smart phones for a lot of customers. There tiered plans are not too onerous because MOST People don't get a good enough bandwidth from Verizon in the first place. Verizon has a larger map for "good enough" data, but AT&T has the fastest data service in the right areas -- so the chance of someone hitting the cap on Verizon is much slimmer and kind of rare.
Guess we'll have to wait and see if AT&T and Verizon bring back unlimited data.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fake_William_Shatner
My prediction: Verizon and AT&T are going to get pushback. T-Mobile is going to upgrade their networks and eventually add the iPhone.
They'll add the iPhone when Apple decides they'll add the iPhone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fake_William_Shatner
The ONLY thing that has stopped a bigger backlash, is the depressed economy, people struggling at work and staying employed -- and nobody making waves. As the economy picks up, then there will be more money in capturing Growth. Right now, carriers just want to have enough to KEEP their customers -- the low hanging fruit is gone.
For instance; Anyone who can be serviced by T-Mobile and doesn't need an iPhone has probably already given them a look.
If T-Mobile upgrades in a reasonable amount of time, they will be cannibalizing from AT&T and Verizon. ONLY THEN, will unlimited plans start becoming available from the other carriers.
The NEXT competitive source of price-gouging might be in; "Pay us not to share your data or spy on your location" or "guaranteed service".
>> I think we can all agree that without T-Mobile in the mix, the prices for the data plans would be higher -- that's my point, and you've complicated it.
None of which is a blessing for Apple, at least not any more than for any other phone vendor. Which makes it a wash for Apple. Apple is the one driving iPhone sales. They don't depend on TMobile's data options to sell phones on Verizon, AT&T and Sprint. Period. Not complicated at all unless you get confused easily.
Another sad attempt to copy "The Apple Strategy"... Android market share has grown exactly due to the large number of handsets available and given away for free. If that changes, be prepared to see Android market share shrink. Wait until Apple's China launch figures are released - bye bye Android.
Another sad attempt to copy "The Apple Strategy"... Android market share has grown exactly due to the large number of handsets available and given away for free. If that changes, be prepared to see Android market share shrink. Wait until Apple's China launch figures are released - bye bye Android.
The iPhone is given away for free in China. So do we discount those numbers when they come in? (Of course not)
Also if they released just one phone a year then they could be said to copy Apples strategy.
Cutting back on models and focusing on fewer better devices has been a Fandroid wet dream for at least a year now. Few people are complaining about these moves and many, like myself, have been clamoring for them.
The fact that this upsets some of you guys is pathetic. Especially since the other argument is " they have a bajillion phones. That's stupid. Should be more like Apple, at least cut down" aka. Damned if you do damned if you don't.
I agree, when it pertains to some of the blatant, brazen cases of design emulation. But to call this situation a copycat scenario is just silly, hyperbolic. In that case, let's call out Apple for being a copycat when they released iBooks (hello Amazon), Ping (hello Facebook), iMessage (hello RIM), iCloud (hello many companies), ...
I was just talking about AI reprinting DigiTimes time and again, of course I was being silly.
But smaller market share. I don't think its that smart- there are cheap ass people out there. Let them have cheap ass phones. Thats a huge market.
So? Who says that anyone's going to stop making cheap-assed phones?
What is being suggested is that a company only needs a couple of phones in each category rather than 10 phones in each category. That makes perfect sense. I would suggest that you spend some time learning about lean manufacturing and how proliferation of products can easily cost you far more than the extra revenue it brings in.
LOL. they'll spin it into something positive no matter what. They know who "they" are.
How is it anything but positive for the end consumer?
The blitzkreig approach for marketshare is no longer necessary. Now it's time to nurse and refine the platform and hardware and also to please consumers.
I wish all oems would band together to diminish carrier power.
Diehard Fandroids are hardly as blind and cultlike as some diehard iPhanboys can be and as you seem to think they are.
If you bothered to even skim a few android centric blogs (that don't have 50%+ articles flaming their competition) you'd see that this is one of many complaints Android fans have had about Android.
This, the UI, the ux, skins, updates, etc. We do not view our platform of choice as flawless we just do not like iOS (ON PHONES!!) For whatever reason. Mac and iPad use is still high amongst Android users, why wouldn't they be? They're awesome devices.
It's a blessing for Apple the T-Mobile merger did not go through. They now have a champion for unlimited data fighting Verizon and AT&T. And, they have another carrier that will propagate the marketing fragmentation of similar Android handsets
There's a simple problem with this strategy: they'll have to fire a whole bunch people with too many entrenched interests at stake, to retool/redesign themselves in a much leaner way.
Ergo, they can keep wishing until the cows come home, but cannot make it happen.
as the point was missed in the article, producing 1 good HW device per year, allows you to concentrate your efforts on the SOFTWARE.
This is what makes the difference, delivering regular, good updates that can also run on hardware that is 2 or sometimes 3 years old.
Why can't the other device manufacturers get this? its all about the system you use. Cater your HW to the 90%, and deliver a good eco-system.
I agree with you, but the problem is that Samsumg, HTC, etc don't control the software.
They could work on keeping phones updated but I suspect there are internal battles in these companies "If we update the old phones, no one will buy the new one", failing totally to realise that most people destroy their handset over 2 years (or whatever their contract is).
I'm sure Samsung has also realised (or will soon) that brand loyalty only works if you treat the customer well, eg sending out updates. No wonder Apple have such loyalty when they refresh old handsets with the latest software, they constantly keep their brand in front of the user, even if it is an old handset.
I am guessing you don't know much about what goes on outside of your home country (which I am guessing is the US).
Lay-offs because of closing plants are common everywhere. In some countries, mainly in Europe, legislation protects employees to a higher degree than ones in the US, but not to the extent that a company will not be permitted to "restructure". Just ask any of the thousands of Nokia's ex-employees, for example.
I think that the political systems that you may have in mind self-destroyed a long time ago.
Lay-offs because of closing plants are common everywhere. In some countries, mainly in Europe, legislation protects employees to a higher degree than ones in the US, but not to the extent that a company will not be permitted to "restructure". Just ask any of the thousands of Nokia's ex-employees, for example.
I think that the political systems that you may have in mind self-destroyed a long time ago.
As I said, you really don't know much about what goes on outside the US.
Comments
smart move. this will lead to better quality products.
Better products, yes, but I don't know if it can really be called a "smart move" for the companies in question.
A large part of the huge Android sales figures is because of the many many models and the constant upgrading. Another large part of their sales figures are driven by the fact that there are so many models released so quickly that the "older" (sometimes only weeks old), phones are given away essentially for free when the new ones come out.
This is why there are very high figures for Android "sales" (really just channel stuffing), and very low figures for actual Android *use.*
If all the Android manufacturers were to switch to Apple's model of one phone a year, their sales will arguably go down, not up.
Ergo, they can keep wishing until the cows come home, but cannot make it happen.
smart move. this will lead to better quality products.
But smaller market share. I don't think its that smart- there are cheap ass people out there. Let them have cheap ass phones. Thats a huge market.
However, as a sharp cookie, I'm sure you have to recognize that SOMETIMES competition in business leads to forced improvements regardless of current economic impact. Verizon went to tiered Data because they could. This Christmas, however, was a huge lurch into smart phones for a lot of customers. There tiered plans are not too onerous because MOST People don't get a good enough bandwidth from Verizon in the first place. Verizon has a larger map for "good enough" data, but AT&T has the fastest data service in the right areas -- so the chance of someone hitting the cap on Verizon is much slimmer and kind of rare.
Guess we'll have to wait and see if AT&T and Verizon bring back unlimited data.
My prediction: Verizon and AT&T are going to get pushback. T-Mobile is going to upgrade their networks and eventually add the iPhone.
They'll add the iPhone when Apple decides they'll add the iPhone.
The ONLY thing that has stopped a bigger backlash, is the depressed economy, people struggling at work and staying employed -- and nobody making waves. As the economy picks up, then there will be more money in capturing Growth. Right now, carriers just want to have enough to KEEP their customers -- the low hanging fruit is gone.
For instance; Anyone who can be serviced by T-Mobile and doesn't need an iPhone has probably already given them a look.
If T-Mobile upgrades in a reasonable amount of time, they will be cannibalizing from AT&T and Verizon. ONLY THEN, will unlimited plans start becoming available from the other carriers.
The NEXT competitive source of price-gouging might be in; "Pay us not to share your data or spy on your location" or "guaranteed service".
>> I think we can all agree that without T-Mobile in the mix, the prices for the data plans would be higher -- that's my point, and you've complicated it.
None of which is a blessing for Apple, at least not any more than for any other phone vendor. Which makes it a wash for Apple. Apple is the one driving iPhone sales. They don't depend on TMobile's data options to sell phones on Verizon, AT&T and Sprint. Period. Not complicated at all unless you get confused easily.
They are taking away choice. Sound the alarms!!!!!
/s
LOL. they'll spin it into something positive no matter what. They know who "they" are.
Another sad attempt to copy "The Apple Strategy"... Android market share has grown exactly due to the large number of handsets available and given away for free. If that changes, be prepared to see Android market share shrink. Wait until Apple's China launch figures are released - bye bye Android.
The iPhone is given away for free in China. So do we discount those numbers when they come in? (Of course not)
Also if they released just one phone a year then they could be said to copy Apples strategy.
Cutting back on models and focusing on fewer better devices has been a Fandroid wet dream for at least a year now. Few people are complaining about these moves and many, like myself, have been clamoring for them.
The fact that this upsets some of you guys is pathetic. Especially since the other argument is " they have a bajillion phones. That's stupid. Should be more like Apple, at least cut down" aka. Damned if you do damned if you don't.
I agree, when it pertains to some of the blatant, brazen cases of design emulation. But to call this situation a copycat scenario is just silly, hyperbolic. In that case, let's call out Apple for being a copycat when they released iBooks (hello Amazon), Ping (hello Facebook), iMessage (hello RIM), iCloud (hello many companies), ...
I was just talking about AI reprinting DigiTimes time and again, of course I was being silly.
But smaller market share. I don't think its that smart- there are cheap ass people out there. Let them have cheap ass phones. Thats a huge market.
So? Who says that anyone's going to stop making cheap-assed phones?
What is being suggested is that a company only needs a couple of phones in each category rather than 10 phones in each category. That makes perfect sense. I would suggest that you spend some time learning about lean manufacturing and how proliferation of products can easily cost you far more than the extra revenue it brings in.
LOL. they'll spin it into something positive no matter what. They know who "they" are.
How is it anything but positive for the end consumer?
The blitzkreig approach for marketshare is no longer necessary. Now it's time to nurse and refine the platform and hardware and also to please consumers.
I wish all oems would band together to diminish carrier power.
Diehard Fandroids are hardly as blind and cultlike as some diehard iPhanboys can be and as you seem to think they are.
If you bothered to even skim a few android centric blogs (that don't have 50%+ articles flaming their competition) you'd see that this is one of many complaints Android fans have had about Android.
This, the UI, the ux, skins, updates, etc. We do not view our platform of choice as flawless we just do not like iOS (ON PHONES!!) For whatever reason. Mac and iPad use is still high amongst Android users, why wouldn't they be? They're awesome devices.
It's a blessing for Apple the T-Mobile merger did not go through. They now have a champion for unlimited data fighting Verizon and AT&T. And, they have another carrier that will propagate the marketing fragmentation of similar Android handsets
Sprint called, they say hi.
what was that? I thought I heard someone step into my trap.
There's a simple problem with this strategy: they'll have to fire a whole bunch people with too many entrenched interests at stake, to retool/redesign themselves in a much leaner way.
Ergo, they can keep wishing until the cows come home, but cannot make it happen.
Right, because firing people is so hard, correct?
Who's Ergo?
*snap*
what was that? I thought I heard someone step into my trap.
Yes you're such a methodical genius with your traps. -_-
I was just talking about AI reprinting DigiTimes time and again, of course I was being silly.
In that case, my bad. Sorry!
Apple's strategy is diametrically opposed to EVER using this strategy.
...
Indeed, we are all oh so familiar with Apple's strategy.
as the point was missed in the article, producing 1 good HW device per year, allows you to concentrate your efforts on the SOFTWARE.
This is what makes the difference, delivering regular, good updates that can also run on hardware that is 2 or sometimes 3 years old.
Why can't the other device manufacturers get this? its all about the system you use. Cater your HW to the 90%, and deliver a good eco-system.
I agree with you, but the problem is that Samsumg, HTC, etc don't control the software.
They could work on keeping phones updated but I suspect there are internal battles in these companies "If we update the old phones, no one will buy the new one", failing totally to realise that most people destroy their handset over 2 years (or whatever their contract is).
I'm sure Samsung has also realised (or will soon) that brand loyalty only works if you treat the customer well, eg sending out updates. No wonder Apple have such loyalty when they refresh old handsets with the latest software, they constantly keep their brand in front of the user, even if it is an old handset.
So no wonder people buy Apple next time round.
Right, because firing people is so hard, correct?
I am guessing you don't know much about what goes on outside of your home country (which I am guessing is the US).
Who's Ergo?
Don't be dense.
I am guessing you don't know much about what goes on outside of your home country (which I am guessing is the US).
Lay-offs because of closing plants are common everywhere. In some countries, mainly in Europe, legislation protects employees to a higher degree than ones in the US, but not to the extent that a company will not be permitted to "restructure". Just ask any of the thousands of Nokia's ex-employees, for example.
I think that the political systems that you may have in mind self-destroyed a long time ago.
Lay-offs because of closing plants are common everywhere. In some countries, mainly in Europe, legislation protects employees to a higher degree than ones in the US, but not to the extent that a company will not be permitted to "restructure". Just ask any of the thousands of Nokia's ex-employees, for example.
I think that the political systems that you may have in mind self-destroyed a long time ago.
As I said, you really don't know much about what goes on outside the US.