You may want to read Part One of this entry before you read Part Two.
So why? Why are so many people still “waiting to see” before purchasing the iPhone. Of course the Rogers innovation curve is part of the answer to the question; but it’s not the only reason.
Apple did a few things that created barriers for early adopters.
1) The cost: Not all early adopters can shell out $600.00 for a phone.
2) The phone service plan: Here’s the number of people I’ve talked to who are excited that AT&T has exclusive rights on the service: ZERO. AT&T has some image problems (and that’s coming from a user). The new AT&T–formally Cingular–the same Cingular that touted the fewest dropped calls (O RIGHT), is now the ONLY company servicing the iPhone.
Why Apple? Why? Why create your own barrier to market entry by locking in with AT&T?
3) Application functions: Benjamin Higgenbotham gives 10 application related reasons here.
4) iPod: Is it possible that Apple’s success with the iPod could actually be a barrier to the iPhone’s success? Don’t get me wrong, I want the iPhone to dominate the world and bring peace to all nations. I’m not down on the phone. But, Apple’s success with the iPod could have created the mindset (at the company) that all barriers will be broken because people will automatically transfer their iPod love and loyalty to the iPhone.
hmmm…I don’t think so….
My prediction is that Apple will work to remove some of these barriers in future iPhone models.
We shall see.
Cool icon in your header, Dave!
I think you’re right, that Apple is wise enough to make adjustments to fix many of these ‘issues’ in future models, and with time, the price will probably come down a bit, too.
For myself, I can’t see shelling out $600 for a phone, no matter how cool it is.
By the way, you may also want to see http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/7-bad-things-about-the-iphone-they-dont-want-you-to-knowfor more possible reasons that people aren’t jumping on the iPhone bandwagon.
Hey Dave,I saw this article this morning in USA Today and thought you might be interested…maybe advance your timeline?
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/phones/2007-07-12-iphone_N.htm
Well, Dave, Apple just did it… not only does the ITOUCH (released today) give you everything you wanted in the I-Phone except the actual phone (I love my LG EnV from Verizon Wireless) but now they dropped the price of the phone to 399. I don’t see this helping their relationship with AT&T… they are now poised to pick up the ones like me who who are happy with their phone & carrier, but just wanted the video/audio/web surfing gadget.
Kathy,
Once again, Jobs “gets it.” Whether the price reduction was already planned for this moment (or not), it’s a great move. It will, as you point out, be the tipping point for a whole group of fence-sitters.
As far as AT&T goes, I think Jobs is just marking off the months until the 2 years is up. And, he’s probably marking off the days all the way to the bank.