Users who Dugg This
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jeffdabeatFeb 4, 2011
First, I'll be interested to see if people put their upgrades where their mouths are...
Now this isn't a slame towards Android, but I still think for the average smartphone user, the only reason the majority of them picked up an Android device is because they couldn't get the iPhone. If this survey is true, then we are going to see Android sells slow quite a bit. But people talk a good game and are never really willing to put their money on the line. Still, you can beat selling out in 24 hours.
badqatFeb 4, 2011
I'm sure Android will lose a bit of handsets. Won't have any impact on the worldwide growth pattern Android currently enjoys.
I'm interested in how hard this impacts RIM.
nickconferFeb 4, 2011
Yeah Android is set to win simply because of the number of unique devices its on more than anything else. Thats not to say IOS is better, but from a pure distribution standpoint it is just easier to get more Android devices into customer hands.
This is why I personally feel Microsoft will eventually be number 2 as well. Thats not to say Apple won't have a role. I love my IPhone. I just think they will be an incredibly strong number two or three long term simply because of their distribution technique more than anything else.
superkendallFeb 5, 2011
I don't think winning just because you have more devices is in any way the obvious end... more devices also means more confusion and less profit for any one device maker to perform R&D and reduce part costs.
nickconferFeb 4, 2011
Good point on RIM... It will be interesting to see how fast the floor falls in. Another thing I'm interested in seeing is how big the smart phone market actually is. Are we talking 50% of all consumer phones or 95%... How many consumers won't want a large smart phone?
All interesting stuff.
TomHanks4Feb 5, 2011
smartphones made up almost 20% of cell phone sales in 2010, and thats an increase of a few percent from 2009, and is expected to increase some more in the future (don't know the exact numbers, but ballpark is 1 in 5 now and growing). of course the definition of what is a "smartphone" varies too..
kinserFeb 5, 2011
I recently just came up for an upgrade on my Verizon plan, I dropped my blackberry and got an LG Cosmos. I wanted something simple. I got it.
Talking to the reps in the Verizon store, theres a huge demand so far for the iphone. The person that I personally know there told me that most of the people coming in are at&t users in the area wanting to switch off the iphone to this new one.
At&t offers poor service in my area.
eraptorFeb 4, 2011
As a Verizon customer who is ready to make the leap to the iPhone, I pumped the brakes recently for several reasons:
1) Verizon intends to throttle bandwidth for heavy users without any clear definition of what it takes to be a "heavy user" (BIG turnoff); and
2) The iPhone 4 does not appear to have resolved the reception issues.
If you want customers to make the leap to a new smart phone, fix these damn problems.
As a wireless customer, I have this to say to ALL providers...we want unrestricted, reliable, and affordable wireless service, NOT your damned "big brother" money grubbing control over our usage. Either upgrade your networks to handle the loads or get out of the way for others to try. I am SO sick of the old telephone monopoly agenda. Clearly, the AT&T breakup taught telephone morons NOTHING.
charlotte_webFeb 5, 2011
>> 2) The iPhone 4 does not appear to have
>> resolved the reception issues.
Actually, Apple did redesign the antenna for the CDMA iPhone:
http://www.macworld.com/article/157088/2011/01/iphone4_cdma.html?lsrc=mod_rel
I was reading an early review the other day where the reviewer said that he couldn't get the bars to drop, regardless of how he held it.
As far as the bandwidth throttling, I haven't read up on that, but I'd be surprised if it only applied to the iPhone and not their Android phones as well.
eraptorFeb 5, 2011
From what I've learned, Verizon's bandwidth throttling applies across the board. Although my comments were aimed at the iPhone, based upon the article, my hesitation in making the leap to ANY Verizon smartphone at the moment would be for same reason. Bandwidth throttling undermines Verizon's service reliability.
I always took "Can you hear me know?" to mean they had greater connectivity capabilities, not fewer. That commercial will take on a whole different meaning in light of recent news reports regarding their network throttling practices. From what I understand, AT&T was engaging in the same practice (i.e., throttling) and we all know what that did for their customer service and reliability ratings.
superkendallFeb 5, 2011
A more consistent data connection is about 10x better than an inconsistent but faster data connection. I wouldn't worry about the throttling, it's not going to affect you much.
eraptorFeb 5, 2011
Frequency isn't as much of a concern as timing. Imagine finding yourself in a critical situation only to have your phone become unresponsive. As a businessman who requires consistent, reliable performance from their smart/cell phone, this is a major issue that could cost me a lot of money.
As an example, imagine a sudden market downturn, a subsequent increase in bandwidth traffic and one's inability to contact their broker to execute a market order. How many times have we faced that scenario over the past 3 years? See what I mean? This is just one example, but there are MANY others.
As you can see, bandwidth throttling is a half baked, bureaucratic business idea that Verizon hasn't really examined in depth.
eraptorFeb 5, 2011
I forgot to mention, the iPhone 4 reception problems were recently confirmed by several independent wireless reps I spoke to about the issue. Their advice, hold off and see what other customers experience before taking the plunge, but they were skeptical about reports that the iPhone 4 reception problems had been fixed.
It's a major bummer, but better safe than sorry. This is one of the precious few Apple products that has disappointed me. Everything else I've bought from Apple has knocked my socks off in terms of product value/features and, more importantly, customer service. As such, I'm willing to wait because I know Apple won't disappoint on the next iteration of this product.
bigtime2Feb 4, 2011
A big number of Android and BlackBerry users SETTLED for those phones, because they couldn't get an iPhone. They didn't chose an Android phone or a BlackBerry phone, they settled on the next best thing.
Yes, a good number of people do their research and pick the phone that meets their needs, but majority of people that buy phones, buy what's popular and iPhone is popular, so they will buy it.
Closed AccountFeb 5, 2011
Exactly, 2/3 of android phones are given away, that is where their big market share numbers are coming from.
ecoreFeb 5, 2011
Yes they settled but that was a long time ago and things have changed...
bigtime2Feb 5, 2011
Ummm, really? Did you see reports yesterday that Verizon stopped pre-orders of iPhone because of so many people trying to get one. I highly doubt that many of those people who are buying a Verizon iPhone are upgrading from a regular phone, instead they're all Android and BlackBerry users getting rid of their BlackBerry or Android phones.
I don't like Apple, and I don't have an iPhone nor do I plan on getting one, I have a Curve and Nexus One, but it is just a reality that people will be switching to iPhone like it was just released yesterday for the first time.
infidelcastr0Feb 4, 2011
Why anyone would wanna downgrade like that is beyond me.
Closed AccountFeb 5, 2011
it has the wifis
superkendallFeb 5, 2011
The story was about them buying iPhones, not Android or Blackberry.
casspaFeb 4, 2011
But most of us will wait for the iPhone 5
Closed AccountFeb 4, 2011
i heard leo say this too. I don't buy it. waiting for tech is a lost cause.
superkendallFeb 5, 2011
You would think so but the pre-orders seem to say no. However, just think of the sales surge when the iPhone 5 does come out...
trusixFeb 4, 2011
There will be an initial wave of people picking up iPhones on Verizon, but it'll quickly slow to a halt. Espcially with ThunderBolt and Bionic coming out for Verizon, with them being technically speaking superior to the iPhone in almost every way. With the way Android phones have progressed in just the last year from a technical and market share standpoint, it's easy to see the future of this market: iPhone market share will be comparable to that of Macs vs PCs.
This is because of their strategy, they are making the exact same mistakes, even in a market they practically created. They dictate what hardware iOS goes on, they dictate which carrier uses their hardware. With Apple finally moving to another carrier, but still leaving out another big US one, Sprint. Why? High short term profit margin, grim long term market share.
esornosoFeb 4, 2011
I've an iPhone and I'm over the Apple hype. My phone is limited. It's a nice, sexy sport's car with a v4 engine, but it allows for no custom parts.
Closed AccountFeb 4, 2011
Yes, because the iPhone will never get an update again. /s
trusixFeb 4, 2011
Look at iPhone improvements since the first model over the years as far as availabilty (over networks), technical specs, pricing, and UI. Then look at android in those same categories over just the last year alone. In relative comparison, iPhone is evolving at a snails pace.
mullinatorFeb 5, 2011
Androids and iPhones will never be very far apart. When the iPhone 5 is released it will likely be significantly better than the vast majority of android phones, then they will catch up, surpass the iPhone, then the iPhone 6 will be released.
It's a cycle. The only reason android phones are moving so fast is because they never would have had a hope of competing against the iPhone unless they caught up to it first.
TomHanks4Feb 5, 2011
android phones used to compete with the iphone. now they are competing with each other. i don't expect the pace of improvements to slow at all in the near future.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
mullinatorFeb 5, 2011
... That's exactly what I just said. The iPhone 4 is old, so android phones have surpassed it. We'll see what happens with the next iteration of the iPhone.
TomHanks4Feb 5, 2011
look man, this is digg. i don't actually read the comments i'm replying to. i just say stuff.
superkendallFeb 5, 2011
Looking at both those the iPhone is evolving pretty rapidly by comparison. Even now it's about at the top of screen resolution. And you are ignoring OS evolution where the iOS is really evolving much faster than Android.
nickconferFeb 4, 2011
I don't think most consumers understand technical superiority. Thats not why Android is selling well. Its moving numbers because of the total number of devices its on and that its offered for free in some cases.
With the IPhone it was different.. That was a day and night difference. Neither company currently has a phone that is the type of easy to understand technical leap that the original IPhone was against all the junk RIM phones.. For that reason, I just don't think the technical superiority means as much as it use to. At this point its about pricing, quantity, distribution, and word of mouth.
trusixFeb 4, 2011
I think iPhone and Apple in general ride to success on the back of their branding and marketing strategies, but the last iteration of the iPhone was mostly technical enhancements.
Their distribution strategy is what will fail them. Apple is trying to keep up with something that moves too fast and they're trying to do it while only being on two networks exclusively.
My technical superiority argument comes from observation. Half my co-workers own an iPhone, the other half Androids. None of the android users have a high-end model (except maybe an Incredible). Almost all of them will be switching based on technical details of the phone (these are geeks with iPhones) without even being exposed to Evo, DroidX, or Galaxy S models. Which are comparable to price to an iPhone4.
nickconferFeb 4, 2011
Sorry I thought you were talking about new smart phone users. Certainly old Android users will upgrade over time. However, generally speaking, most consumers are not all that knowledgeable on phones and their technical specs. I agree on Apple's distribution problems, thats what I've been mentioning above actually.
charlotte_webFeb 5, 2011
Brand perception has a lot to do with it. Given a choice between a premium brand and a common brand, most consumers will go with the premium brand if they can afford it. Apple is protecting their brand as the premium brand. Android handset manufacturers are diluting their brand by racing to the bottom.
nickconferFeb 5, 2011
Agreed. I've made the argument in the past that Apple doesn't care if they are #1 in units, because they have pricing inequalities that other phone makers can't replicate because of their premium image. That image also prevents them from going the Android route. We've already seen from the alarm clock bug, that any IPhone problem gets massive press simply because it goes against the premium image Apple has built. They can't afford the problems of mass distribution the way Google can. Case in point, Google had a texting to the wrong person issue on their phone that got significantly less press.
Closed AccountFeb 5, 2011
2/3 of all android phones are given away. The market that consists of people who have to settle for the free phone option as opposed to the phone they actually want, will saturate soon.
rglennFeb 6, 2011
That's exactly part of the problem with Apple products. I'm supposed to want to pay twice the price for, what? It's "cool"? It's what "everyone else has?" "Steve Jobs is the guy that got technology Right"? Plus a whole litany of design deficiencies such as a non-user-replaceable battery, lack of support for a major web standard, etc.? I love my Android phone and don't plan on switching to something else when it's life is up.
Closed AccountFeb 6, 2011
Sure, and you don't have to drive around in a $40K car, you can just drive around in a $1K car instead.
And your replaceable battery pack argument is typical of the bulls**t arguments being pushed by the fandroids, design a phone that has good battery life, and you wont need to carry extra batteries around with you. And who the hell carries extra batteries around with them, besides the I "built" my own computer crowd that are the base of the android users club?
And Flash is pure crap, even you "technically superior" fandroids know it deep down.
rglennFeb 6, 2011
It's a limitation of battery physics, not phone design. Neither Apple or anyone else can design a phone that is immune to the natural degradation process that renders Li-ion batteries unable to hold a decent charge after 2 or 3 years. If you throw your phone out every 2 years you probably don't care, but if I'm going to pay a premium price I'm going to want it to last longer.
Closed AccountFeb 7, 2011
Wow, you expect to keep a smartphone more than 2 years? Seriously?
Closed AccountFeb 5, 2011
Yes, iPhone sales are all irrelevant, however android sales based on the 66% of android phones given away for free, those numbers are real!
I wonder how many of these mindless android fanboys sit in Google cubicles?
dustoutFeb 4, 2011
Survey: Half of digg's users have 13" packages
xnerdcorexFeb 4, 2011
Bye Bye AT&T
charlotte_webFeb 5, 2011
The way I'm hearing it, if you want the best phone experience, go with Verizon. If you want the best data experience, stick with AT&T.
dingedarmorFeb 4, 2011
Wonder how many of them read this review:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/For-iPhone-Almost-nytimes-1849951090.html?x=0
roy5000x2Feb 4, 2011
Still waiting for the dual core phones to come out.
Here's looking at you Android :D
bobdigiFeb 5, 2011
Dual cores make phone calls faster.
superkendallFeb 5, 2011
As seen in the iPhone 5.
darkwolfbcFeb 4, 2011
Currently a Verizon Incredible user. Not able to get discounted upgrade till next year. Just in time for iPhone 5. Cant wait
connectamolFeb 4, 2011
I am waiting for the iphone 5 and other peoples too right ?
stooreyFeb 4, 2011
iphone topic is very demanding in these days. I recently, added new posts to my blog on iphone, but my blog is about camera so I think that I should focus on only camera topic........Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
stooreyFeb 4, 2011
iphone topic is very demanding in these days. I recently, added new posts to my blog on iphone, but my blog is about camera so I think that I should focus on only camera topic........Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Forever_ZeroFeb 4, 2011
I'm still undecided between the iPhone or a droid. It seems like the iPhone is becoming more closed and stagnant, while the droid is staying open and moving forward.
But at the same time, there's an app for that.
3the3dude3Feb 4, 2011
Not really related. But, when I am done bragging, I'll make it relate, slightly.
I'm using the free Chrome cr48 that I thought I'd never receive. I applied over two months ago. It is actually far better than I expected it would be. How am I going to tie it into this story? It came with two years of free Verizon 3g connectivity (only 100MB/mo). That should be more than enough to check email when I'm not near wifi and I can always subscribe to a data plan if I need it.
Moral of the story? I'm just giddy to have a free netbook.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
blackjackjesterFeb 4, 2011
of the half dozen or so friends I have with smartphones, most of them switched TO Android from iPhone and have no plans on looking back.
With Droid Bionic, and several other like it, iPhone 5 will probably be, for once, the late comer in the market with a meh processor compared to the Tegra 2.
Product like the Atrix also have the potential to completely obliterate any reason for owning an iPad. Why would you want an iPhone and an iPad when you can have all your data, files, movies, music, internet connection, laptop, mobile TV in once device instead of two.
commodusFeb 5, 2011
We don't know that it'll be "meh" -- most leaks are now pointing to a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 chip, just like the Tegra 2, and with much faster graphics, again like the Tegra 2.
Besides, it's all in how you use it. I had the privilege of trying the Atrix, Droid Bionic and LG Revolution at CES; they're fast for certain things, but there's a lot of points in Android 2.2 where the graphics or responsiveness are still choppy. I think that's more the OS code, but that still means the iPhone 5 could feel faster in practice.
And on the Atrix's "one device" argument: it's not really one device if you're thinking of the notebook add-on. You have to either buy that in a bundle on contract ($500 total) or by itself ($500 stand-alone!). Again, I've used the Atrix: it's a capable phone, but it really just feels like a faster and smaller Droid X, and it won't replace a tablet unless you never had a desire for one in the first place.
charlotte_webFeb 5, 2011
The Atrix is in a different price category. The phone is $200 and the laptop dock is another $300. While it's an interesting concept, I doubt the target market of tech geeks will really be impressed using a cellphone CPU to drive a laptop. Plus, it's Linux-only; for $300, you can get a netbook running Windows.
I think Atrix is going to flop for trying to be a "jack of all trades, master of none".
superkendallFeb 5, 2011
Here's a thought; How many people buy phones based on the processor.
tristabugFeb 4, 2011
FINALLY!
djphilosFeb 5, 2011
People with Androids who are planning to switch probably dont know that you cant use an Iphone as a data storage device. They have been spoiled.
mullinatorFeb 5, 2011
You can, and without jailbreaking. It's just not as convenient.
superkendallFeb 5, 2011
There are many apps that let you use an iPhone/Touch for data storage, and most people only want to "store" music/photos/video anyway which you can do directly on an iPhone. A dropbox app is way nicer than putting files on a device manually.
djphilosFeb 10, 2011
How is dragging and dropping in a drop box better than dragging and dropping in explorer?
fxspec06Feb 5, 2011
Android = fragmented POS
iPhone = WIN
Closed AccountFeb 5, 2011
Funny how everyone seems to want an iPhone, not those android phones they are giving away!
v1ncentFeb 5, 2011
Anyone who thinks Droid users settled is kidding themselves. We refused to settle, that's why we don't use an iPhone.
commodusFeb 5, 2011
Sorry, but there's some degree of truth to the "settling" factor.
Yes, some Android users bought it on purpose. But you're an alpha geek: you think the ability to use an FTP client or a custom keyboard on your phone is an important factor.
I know several people who got an Android phone on Verizon solely because they refused to switch to AT&T and put up with its network to get an iPhone. I've heard from Verizon retail staff who have had customers ask at least once a day when they were going to get the iPhone.
And don't forget: Verizon sold more iPhones in two hours, only to existing customers, than any other Android phone managed in its entire first day for all customers. Some of those existing customers you can be sure were switching away from Android phones.
theiinliveFeb 5, 2011
I'm quite happy with the Incredible. wasn't impressed by Android for the longest time... then I got my hands on it. No desire for an iPhone other than the cool design and access to netflix on the go.
ecoreFeb 5, 2011
I've always liked samsung phones. Love the Fascinate.
theaeneidFeb 5, 2011
Why? The iPhone they're giving Verizon is a piece of sh!t. It's basically 2 gens back of what AT&T has, but in a fancy package. No multi-tasking? Are you f-ing kidding me?
Oh, and don't get me started about how reception is going to be any better on the Verizon network. The iPhone itself is the problem. Just because Pogue drove around SF and had a few less dropped calls, I say BALONEY. My Mom was at my house with her ANCIENT Nokia on AT&T, had full bars and was making calls right next to me and my completely bar-less iPhone.
Stick with your Android's and don't be duped by the Apple tech merry-go-round. 5 months from now you'll be kicking yourself, a year from then you'll be kicking yourself again. I've had it with Apple's cr@p.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
commodusFeb 5, 2011
Two gens back? It's the exact same iPhone as what AT&T sells now, just with CDMA.
And read the early reviews. All of them say the Verizon iPhone is much more reliable for phone calls. The AT&T model might be more vulnerable than other GSM phones to dropping a call, but there's no doubt AT&T's mostly at fault for underestimating demand and not doing enough to upgrade the network.
Also, there's a tremendous irony to telling someone to avoid the Apple "merry-go-round" of yearly upgrades when Android companies do the same, and there's always a slightly better model out. Tech firms like to release products once a year or more -- you've gotta deal with it.
superkendallFeb 5, 2011
I think by saying "avoid the yearly upgrade merry-go-round" he's saying you should get on the Android monthly merry-go-round as it's much faster.
charlotte_webFeb 5, 2011
No multitasking? What are you talking about? Of course it has multitasking.
digger1123Feb 6, 2011
cant do data+voice at the same time.
superkendallFeb 5, 2011
iOS multitasking protects battery life. Android multitasking sucks the life out of the battery. I have overheard multiple conversations with Android owners now talking about hellish battery life and which task manager to get to address the issue... one guy I listened to said "use a task manager to kill off anything running" and the other guy with him said "I tried that but they came back a few hours later". The first guy said "well yeah, you just have to keep killing them off". What kind of life is that? What kind of phone is that?
imfreeofdebtFeb 5, 2011
Oh yeah Verizon has too be way better than ATT
chenillenFeb 5, 2011
Verizon rocks
yodacolaFeb 5, 2011
Not surprising that everyone wants an iPhone.
Dr0pCFeb 7, 2011
Verizon- Stupid AT@T who wants a Dumb Iphone dur........*whispers to co-worker write down idea.....Verizon...Iphone...
jeez Verizon u must suck