The real problem with cell phones
As I was considering what to write about today, I started looking around my office. Over in the corner, I noticed a cell phone that dates back at least five years. It features a backlit keyboard, address book, memory dialing, and a few other extras we thought were great back then.
After that, I found the cell phone that replace it and realized that it was pretty much the same – it had a backlit keyboard, address book, and memory dialing – and even looked quite similar to the device I purchased a few years prior.
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I agree that manufacturers
I agree that manufacturers aren't always going to be at the forefront of innovation in the mobile phone arena. But there are more and more innovators out there beginning to break into the realm through 3rd party applications that will extend the use of your phone (beyond games, wallpapers and ringtones).These innovators are pushing the envelope and functionality of your mobile from the basic Maps (Google) to transferable Phonebooks (www.ZYB.com) to Streaming Video Live (www.Next2Friends.com).
So don’t lament too much. Innovation does not totally rest with the manufacturers.
Great point, Rachel. I
Great point, Rachel. I think third-parties will be a major player going forward.Thanks for the comment!
-Don
FINALLY someone that
FINALLY someone that realizes that even though some of these "iPhone killers" have minor features the iPhone lacks, they are still not in the least bit innovative. All those other phones aren't the "original" and because of that they will always just be poor copies of what Apple did right.The lack of innovation is
The lack of innovation is not solely the fault of manufacturers, Networks have always been resistant to change, as can be observed with the current rollout of the iPhone 3G. All around the world there are Telcos who refuse to support features like Visual Voicemail and even Caller ID!The common story is that when the idea for the iPhone was originally thrown at Verizon, they refused it because it was too much of a departure from their current business model; They exact huge revenues every day from people listening to Voicemail on archaic aural menu systems, Locking users to their own value-added features like overpriced Ringtones and data synchronisation Over-the-Air.
The iPhone promised reduced Voicemail retrieval time, Listening to a users own music collection and synchronisation with the users own contact listings. All things that increased the Users Experience, but tore apart Telcos Profit Models.
I wouldn't be surprised if Apple also offered the iPhone to AT&T and Sprint too, before finally hitting paydirt with Cingular. AT&T may have even dissolved Cingular as punishment for undermining the Trusted Revenue Models.
Here in Australia, Telcos only recently discovered Value-Added features.
The iPhone is a huge threat to their Revenue since Consumers are not restricted to Telstra-sanctioned content; in fact the iTunes Store and Google Maps directly compete with Telstras BigPond Music, Foxtel Digital and Sensis Maps.
just to let you know: SBC
just to let you know: SBC owned 60% of Cingular and Bellsouth owned 40% of Cingular. SBC bought AT&T's old landlines (Cingular had already purchased AT&T Wireless in 2004) and took the name AT&T, then purchased/merged with Bellsouth...wholla: the new AT&T. You could have called it SBC or Cingular, but its just AT&T. So I doubt that AT&T head people are to blame for the nonexistance of the cingular name. Just a little history lesson for you. MMIt's a great thing in the
It's a great thing in the industry that no technology is newnow.But technology will undergo dormancy if it was left without research.Innovation with a great user interface is the need of the hour and is being appreciated these days.