What is Digg?109 Comments
- 1KrazyKorean, on 10/12/2007, -3/+45Because this phone will get you chicks and a prom date....And its like so awesome and stuff...
- fuzzmeister, on 10/12/2007, -10/+34Why is making products easy to use a bad thing?
- superal1394, on 10/12/2007, -5/+26@compdude32: Id rather have a device that does a few things well than 1000 things poorly.
- swimmingbird67, on 10/12/2007, -15/+35well, i'm teen and i don't know one person who doesn't know about it. i don't see why that would come as a surprise though, given that the iPod is so popular. i intend on getting the 8 GB version. $600 is a lot of money though... i'll be choosing getting the iPhone over a PS3...
- cliffzdude, on 10/12/2007, -3/+21Kids know fashion, Apple = Fashion.
- daborg, on 10/12/2007, -3/+20"It's bad if it reduces functionality."
No. It's bad if it reduces *essential* functionality. Apple is very good at stripping out all the crap that isn't really necessary and producing something extremely streamlined that does everything it needs to do and does it very well. - bitterg, on 10/12/2007, -8/+24He mentions the website and the news coverage, his point is more about the teens who aren't watching the news and who aren't geeks like you and me. IT's pretty damn impressive that Apple has an 84% brand recognition for the iPhone and the thing isn't even out.
The big reason is just the iPod halo, as he says. I think the iPod probably sells a lot of Apple stuff, including even computers. It has converted more than one of my friends. - mal1964, on 10/12/2007, -3/+17its called marketing
- superal1394, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10Ok, so people aren't understanding what I meant. Have you ever used a Treo? a Q? It isn't exactly comfortable, it is slow, and it is unrefined. Apple is offering a slick device, and with its reputation, it will probably do its few things well. Granted, it doesn't have some of the more advanced smart phone capabilities, but if Apple opens it up to outside development, it could easily surpass other smart phones in capabilities.
Also, in the teen market, tbhey primarily carry two devices; a cell phone and an MP3 player. One thing that all teenagers want is to put their iPod and their Cell Phone together.
The predominant MP3 player in the teen market is, not suprisingly, the iPod. As far as most teens are concerned, the iPhone is a godsend.
As for going with Cingular, they really did drop the ball there, however it was probably because Cingular was the only company that would do what Apple wished. I wouldn't be suprised to see Verizon and other companies bending over backwards, begging to get Apple to sell the iPhone for their network once they start loosing customers. - crazzy88ss, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9It's because of all of the fake "Get your free iPhone now!" adds on myspace that they have heard of the iPhone.
- chicken101, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9Some teenagers actually work hard and pay for their own stuff. Nice generalization, sir.
- keikun, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10uh 500 enough to make a conclusion on the entire teenage population? i think not.
- Firehed, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Teens are stupid because they've heard of a product? Regardless of the fact that I'm a teenager (just barely, mind you, at almost 20), that's one of the most ridiculous statements I've read recently. You've heard of the iPhone, so you're stupid too. 84% sounds low, if anything. Excluding the Amish, I'd expect 100% of teens to have heard of the iPod, regardless of whether they own one. Considering all of the media hype, I don't see why the iPhone would be much less. And I don't care what the summary said, 500 people surveyed isn't enough to make a conclusion about millions. IIRC, you're supposed to survey at least 10% of the population to draw accurate conclusions, which would be a couple million people, not 500. The best conclusions they can draw would be for a population about the size of a large school district.
The fact is that it's just too expensive to become the next iPod in terms of fashion statements, even if it'd be coming out of the parents' pockets. Also a broad generalization, but we're talking about a $500 device plus a monthly service charge that will likely be quite a bit more than existing wireless plans (compared to what they're using already, anyways). Not to mention the fact that it's currently carrier-specific, which will cause problems with many families that share a plan and aren't on Cingular. - fuzzmeister, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8It's only bad if they take out functionality that is integral to having a good experience with the product.
*Daborg beat me to it. - wvdavis, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8Nooo, don't tell them the truth, you'll get modded down 'cause they don't like your comment.
- bemenaker, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Tom do more shopping before posting next time. Your choices in smart phones are not limited to windows phones or an iphone. There are linux phones, and others.
- antoniojvr, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7Because teenagers are idiots?
- vicaya, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Maybe he *wants* someone shallow to compensate his shortcomings?
- superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3The real compdude? It seems there are 32 before him, all smarter...
- rasterbator, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Many teens have iPods, so they see the iPhone as the top of the line iPod with a large screen for videos, and of course a status symbol.
I can tell you right now that 25% may want the iPhone, but they sure as hell won't like having to switch to Cingular... I mean, AT&T Wireless. - pmichaelson, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6The truth is that Steve Jobs is a smart business-man. He has managed to find that happy-medium that keeps Apple and its products "elite" even though they are fairly widespread. Apple makes it's customers feel special. People who have iPods feel like they're "in" on something cool, even though almost everyone has one nowadays. It's not snobbery per se, but an elitism that tech-geeks are very in to. So when Apple comes out with something new, even if it's not particularly innovative (I mean, let's be honest, the iPhone looks sleek and everything, but I haven't really seen it do much that my Windows Mobile phone can't do aside from the hard drive), technophiles are interested.
Apple has also definitely found a way to make its products look and operate fantastically. - kingkilr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Yeah . . . because the Zune doesn't have DRM? STFU and stop making all teens look like dumb ass fanboys.
- flickr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Capitalism pisses me off too. grrrr
- superal1394, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2somehow not being a sheep entails using bad grammar as well.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2MySpace is so over. Seriously, WTF would anyone still be doing on MySpace?
- unloud, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"Apple can't even make a goddamned mouse that's worth a rat's ass. Their laptop keyboards don't have a real Delete key. Look at the ridiculous cloverleaf keys on all their keyboards, and the clumsy cut & paste hotkeys that have you tucking your thumb under your hand."
If you don't like their mouse, don't buy it. I know I didn't keep the ***** mouse I got with my Dell. The keystroke for cut and paste on Windows and Linux is Ctrl+x/c/v, that's two more spots over; use your ring finger and middle finger to trigger the commands.
"You have to re-enter your name and password every time you want to install something, even if you're the administrator, and even if you're the ONLY user on the system"
All secure operating systems now require this; what is your point?
"You can't install the driver for your printer; you have to install the drivers for every printer of that brand ever made (try a custom install of OS X if you don't believe it)."
You can choose to install only your brand of printers, but after that all of those printers will just work when plugged in. I'd rather do that than have to whip out my OS X cd when I want to use a new printer; not to mention, if the company has a driver for that printer available, you can always install it individually from their website. - arnaudh, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The author also seems to ignore that there has been commercials announcing the iPhone all over TV for the past few weeks.
- flickr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@compdude32
I don't know what you mean by "real tech savvy" people, but a load of Computing Science and Electrical Engineering undergrads and grad students I go to school with are planning on getting an iPhone... but what do they know, you are the 'real' compdude after all. - johnpaul191, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2i don't see how buying anything from Microsoft makes you a rebel. there are a lot more options than the Zune or the iPod. this trip to the underground is as easy as a trip to Best Buy or CompUSA.
- Amnesia10, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I agree that they may not switch to Cingular to get one but they may wait till it is on their network, like I will in the UK, or if they can get it from the Apple store. Since many teenagers will want one they and they already have an idea of the price they may be saving up for it already.
- webmasterjoe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@compdude32 - you should see the thread on macrumors when the iPod first came out.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=501
Your comments about the iPhone sound quite similar. You might want to wait and see before you make any grand proclamations about something we know very little about... - synthetikbmz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3My iPod mini is about to die on me and my POS phone from T-Mobile has too many problems to list. So why would I not want an iPhone? It'll be a step up in both cases; in one purchase.
Does that make me a stupid teenager? All these generalizations are getting old. I didn't buy my iPod to be cool, I bought it because I like music. I REALLY hope people don't label me as trying to be "trendy", just because I saved my money and bought something that will bring me a little bit of happiness while I'm trudging away at work or school. - arnaudh, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2guisfry: you were a teenager once too, dumbass. I'd bet we'd get a few good laughs checking out your yearbook's picture.
- shockwave1111, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3In most part of Asia, spending 500+ dollars on cell phones are very common. My 13 year old niece has a better cell phone than me, and she changes it every 8 months. I believe the cell phone style will come in play in the future mimicking the current situation in asia (hong kong, taiwan, japan, korea.) I think iPhone has the style, feature and brand to make cell phones more than just phone, but a status symbol or some sort like the iPod.
- superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3There are other devices - but none that do a good job of music, and very few that have the level of storage built in that the iPhone does.
I'd say he's a lot smarter than you are if he already figured this out. - IEatHamburgers, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The submitter should have put in sarcasm tags...
- BLACKEAGLE, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1wow I really dont care, beside how many teens can buy this phone and then pay for it month after month, people its just a damn phone! i dont use apple much but after the price falls on this thing and maybe around gen 4 are 5 I might think about getting it, but it still a damn phone its really not that big of a thing u freakin mac sheep
- d3dm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Just wait a bit. He's probably getting his diaper changed right now. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't comment on this one.
- bemenaker, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2You also said why it will be short lived, teens are fad mongers. Soon as the new hottness comes out, it's following wanes. The cell phone market is extremely faddy.
- donsherio, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1.... Right.... OH AND NEWSFLASH! VEGETABLES ARE GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!
Why is it that this came as a surprise to anyone??? Of course teens are aware of the iPhone, we're the gadget crazy generation. 9/10 (made up) teens have an iPod as an MP3 player, and most teens have phones. Along with apple's marketing strategies, and the social networking, and the natural teen social habbits, of course we'd know about it. Geeze.. what do adults take us for these days?? - srodolff, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I've also heard of Bentley, Rolls Royce, Rolex, and Bugatti.
Doesn't mean I'm going to own a single one.
Lame. - tech42er, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@gusisfry
And Christians are all Bible-thumping, homophobic conservatives who want to nuke Iran so that they provoke a rapture like in the "Left Behind" series! See, I can make crazy generalizations, too! - FloppyLlamaDigg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1>Maybe he *wants* someone shallow to compensate his shortcomings?
Or to give him a bj. - RoflMyWaffle, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'm a teen, and plain and simple, because its pimp *****.
- phpfreak, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Most teens are quick to run out and buy the latest iPod, so why not the iPhone? Also, most teens these days have Sidekicks, which are a pretty penny (and if you want to talk about crappy service, look at T-Mobile), so I don't think the $500-$600 price tag will be an issue. The issue may, for some, be that they're tied into a contract with another carrier, or even one with Cingular, already. Getting out of a contract can run up to $250 in some cases, but paying up to $850 to get the latest gadget might be worth it to some.
- bunnymanjp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1teens who get the iphone will get robbed so i suggest most dont get one till its been out for a while
- superal1394, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Oh, so those hours slaving over homework, coming home with my grades well over 100's, holding a job on the weekend, and all of that volunteer work account for nothing? somehow if my parents were to buy me one thing, its all ruined?
- silverchrysalis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1i think its also the brand apple is making for themselves. if people aren't aware of their already huge following, maybe they need to come out of their own coma. the apple store in the dopey midwestern town where i live is always PACKED, and every single person that i know has at least one apple product, if not an ipod (or two, or three) then a mac mini or some such.
also, i don't know of anyone under 30 who doesn't massively enjoy those mac/pc ads with justin long, and he is gaining a fanbase from his movies (anyone love him as the doctor in idiocracy?) hell, they make the front page of digg when there's a new one.
i know those ads don't sell the iphone, but its the whole thing all balled into one- brand awareness.
how much advertising does tiffany's do? not much, but if you gave any woman in america that signature baby blue box, you're probably going to get kudos, or somehting.... - selrahc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It seems like every magazine I pick up lately has an article on it(ads disguised as articles anyways). Time, Newsweek, even Readers Digest has it in their top 100 things of the year. It seems like I've even seen it mentioned in Popular Photography in the upcoming gear or something like that too. This may not represent what most people my age read, but I imagine it is probably being advertised in the same subtle fashion elsewhere too.
- TheDrinkNinja, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Has the writer of this article never been on Myspace?
At one point probably two out of every three banner ads on Myspace was "Click here and win a free Apple iPhone!*", or "Shoot the turkey and win an iPhone!*". Any teenager who uses Myspace as often as the ones I deal with will subconsciously soak up some of the brand identification from the banner ads. From there, all it takes is a, "hay u did u kno theres an iphone lik an ipod but itz a phone???" to a friend, and you've got a viral marketing ploy with the best of them. -
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