Is iPhone 2.0 a Better Match for Google’s Android?

Posted by Chris on under gps features, open source developers, software development kit, veriz, party developers, google, phe, t mobile, menti, iphe, last november, subsidy, obstacles, apps, sprint, flexibility, third party, ing, phes, subscriber |

When Google last year unveiled Android, its open-source mobile phone platform, I published an article titled, Android vs. iPhone: Will the Google Phone Be an iPhone Killer?

At the time, before iPhone 2.0, it looked like Android had a good shot at taking down the iPhone, for several reasons:

Android phones were set to be priced around $200, while the iPhone at the time was priced at a minimum of $400 (for the 4GB model).
Because Android is open-source, developers can freely create applications for the phones. When I wrote my article last November, Apple had not yet released a software development kit for the iPhone, so any third-party applications on iPhone were unauthorized.
Apple signed a contract with AT&T binding the iPhone in the United States to the wireless company for five years, while Google’s Android phones will be built by various manufacturers and supported by many carriers.

Add to that the fact that when I wrote the article, there was still no mention of 3G data speeds or GPS being on the iPhone.

iPhone 2.0: A lot’s changed in half a year

Apple is not oblivious to Android’s potential, so it looks like they’ve stepped up their game to take on Google with iPhone 2.0.

The 2nd-generation iPhone will cost $200-$300 — discounted by an AT&T iPhone subsidy that will lose the wireless company money.

The App Store on iPhone 2.0 will let third-party developers distribute their own apps. Plus the new iPhone will have 3G and GPS features.

Still some obstacles remain:

1. iPhone is bound to AT&T for another four years

What was Apple thinking signing a five-year contract in such a fast-moving industry? While Google dominates the subscriber bases of T-Mobile, Verizon and Sprint, iPhone will be stuck in a cage with AT&T.

2. iPhone is not open source

Open-source means greater flexibility. A 100% open-source handset powered by Android will have large communities behind it, working to improve every aspect of the phone.

iPhone, on the other hand, will have only Apple behind it. Of course, there will be the upcoming App Store, which gives developers some freedom to distribute their applications. But such a setup is far from open source. That’s why I think that to compete with Google, Apple will have to work to make the future of iPhone as open as possible.

3. iPhone has only one look

It may come a time when the iPhone will become so trendy that people won’t want to buy one and fit into the crowd. Would you feel funny if you were sitting at a dinner table, and all six people in your party had iPhones?

The handset hardware that will carry the Android platform will be built by several companies in Google’s Open Handset Alliance. So people will be able to have their own unique phones, but all powered by Android software.

On the other hand, it might work out in Apple’s favor for the iPhone to maintain a consistent design. That could give it a more memorable brand identity than Google’s Android, which will not have one iconic look like that of the iPhone.

Android vs. iPhone: Which is the better phone?

Hai of Mobile Madness points out a few things Android developers can do to dominate the iPhone:

Make software distribution decentralized, but organized so that application distribution can become viral.

Improve and encourage consistency of design among Android applications.

Target third-world countries.

— Hai on What Android needs to do to compete with iPhone

All of these are good strategies that either company could follow, and they show the expanse of opportunities that have arisen in this now-revolutionized mobile phone industry.

I think at this point, considering Google’s history of successful products, it’s anyone’s game.

But iPhone 2.0 is without-a-doubt much better equipped to handle Android than the old iPhone was.

iPhone or Android? What do you think?

Which is the better phone? I would love to hear your opinion in the comments.

Tagi: gps features, open source developers, software development kit, veriz, party developers, google, phe, t mobile, menti, iphe, last november, subsidy, obstacles, apps, sprint, flexibility, third party, ing, phes, subscriber

On Unlocking

Posted by George Hotz on under mobile 3g, iphe, veriz, ebay, technical challenge, t mobile, phe, aud, peoe, gps, australia |

Is it really worth it? I mean, aside from the technical challenge, who will really benefit from it? I hear the phone is sold unlocked for +$80 AUD in Australia. Here, the best way to get a phone is to buy one from AT&T then cancel it, $200+$35+175=$410. You are better off buying an old iPhone off eBay. With locate me, how much will a GPS really help? And here in the states, T-Mobile 3G won't work.

I'm curious as to what amplifier chip the phone uses though. The number one question I got from people about the old iPhone unlock is "Will it work with Verizon?" Now it could be possible.

I still don't know how I'm getting my hands on a device. And if I'm not sure, how will everyone else who wants one get one? Apple, this is really a step backward for the consumer. I'm disappointed in you.
Tagi: mobile 3g, iphe, veriz, ebay, technical challenge, t mobile, phe, aud, peoe, gps, australia

Engadget: Verizon says trackball issue is 'addressed' on Tour, no longer a problem

Posted by on under industry norms, phes, veriz, fri, liking, unge, ly, handset, blackberry, sprint, proof, ing, verizon |

Sprint had told us in a statement that its BlackBerry Tours only had trackball issues on "early production" units, and now Verizon is telling us pretty much the same thing:

Early on there was an issue with the trackball that affected a small percentage [of] the early production units -- far less than industry norms. The issue was detected early, addressed immediately and is no longer an issue. Returns on this device are some of the lowest among any of our smart phones.

In other words, it sounds like new buyers (and anyone who's taken the plunge recently) should be fine, and Verizon's actually taking it to another level by boasting that the handset's now one of its most return-proof smartphones. That doesn't change the fact that the trackball's a little too recessed for our liking -- but at least it should stay functional.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Verizon says trackball issue is 'addressed' on Tour, no longer a problem originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tagi: industry norms, phes, veriz, fri, liking, unge, ly, handset, blackberry, sprint, proof, ing, verizon

Apple is rumored to be in talks with Verizon for 2010!

Posted by on under veriz, iphe, usa today, first chance, verizon, apple |

Sam Akiani asked: Apple is rumored to be in talks with Verizon for 2010! The once believed rejected to have it’s first chance at the iphone, Verizon is now claiming to be in discussion in Apple for it’s very own iPhone coming in 2010! The latest Apple News points to it’s source, USA Today explains that Verizon [...]
Tagi: veriz, iphe, usa today, first chance, verizon, apple

FCC To Propose Net Neutrality Rules

Posted by on under public interest groups, brookings institute, fcc chairman, net neutrality, keynote speech, veriz, slashdot, gatekeepers, traffic management, fcc, comcast, principals, amp, proposal |

wiredog writes "From The Washington Post comes news that the FCC is preparing to propose net neutrality rules on Monday. Quoting: '[FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski] will discuss the rules Monday during a keynote speech at The Brookings Institute. He isn't expected to drill into many details, but the proposal will specifically be for an additional guideline on how operators like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast can control what goes on their networks. That additional guideline would prevent the operators from discriminating, or act as gatekeepers, of Web content and services. ... The agency is expected to review what traffic management is reasonable and what practices are discriminatory. The guidelines are known as "principals" at the agency, which some public interest groups have sought to codify so that they would clearly be enforceable.'"

Articles by Category

Recent Posts