However, US (and AT&T) still accounts for bulk of iPhone sales (http://blogs.zoho.com/general/analyzing-iphone-...). Even if that was not the case, Apple decided to tie up with carriers where it can have an upper hand and it can be in a dictating position, which means it tied up with operators which may not have the best networks as compared to others operating in the same market (e.g., Apple has tied up with O2 instead of Vodafone, which seems to be the leading carrier).

The point I want to make is that Apple had its way earlier on – when there was no option for the consumers. But things are changing (and not in favor of Apple) and hence it needs to be vigilant in the future.

Thoughts??

However, US (and AT&T) still accounts for bulk of iPhone sales (http://blogs.zoho.com/general/analyzing-iphone-...). Even if that was not the case, Apple decided to tie up with carriers where it can have an upper hand and it can be in a dictating position, which means it tied up with operators which may not have the best networks as compared to others operating in the same market (e.g., Apple has tied up with O2 instead of Vodafone, which seems to be the leading carrier).

The point I want to make is that Apple had its way earlier on – when there was no option for the consumers. But things are changing (and not in favor of Apple) and hence it needs to be vigilant in the future.

Thoughts??

However, US (and AT&T) still accounts for bulk of iPhone sales (http://blogs.zoho.com/general/analyzing-iphone-...). Even if that was not the case, Apple decided to tie up with carriers where it can have an upper hand and it can be in a dictating position, which means it tied up with operators which may not have the best networks as compared to others operating in the same market (e.g., Apple has tied up with O2 instead of Vodafone, which seems to be the leading carrier).

The point I want to make is that Apple had its way earlier on – when there was no option for the consumers. But things are changing (and not in favor of Apple) and hence it needs to be vigilant in the future.

Thoughts??

However, US (and AT&T) still accounts for bulk of iPhone sales (http://blogs.zoho.com/general/analyzing-iphone-...). Even if that was not the case, Apple decided to tie up with carriers where it can have an upper hand and it can be in a dictating position, which means it tied up with operators which may not have the best networks as compared to others operating in the same market (e.g., Apple has tied up with O2 instead of Vodafone, which seems to be the leading carrier).

The point I want to make is that Apple had its way earlier on – when there was no option for the consumers. But things are changing (and not in favor of Apple) and hence it needs to be vigilant in the future.

Thoughts??

However, US (and AT&T) still accounts for bulk of iPhone sales (http://blogs.zoho.com/general/analyzing-iphone-...). Even if that was not the case, Apple decided to tie up with carriers where it can have an upper hand and it can be in a dictating position, which means it tied up with operators which may not have the best networks as compared to others operating in the same market (e.g., Apple has tied up with O2 instead of Vodafone, which seems to be the leading carrier).

The point I want to make is that Apple had its way earlier on – when there was no option for the consumers. But things are changing (and not in favor of Apple) and hence it needs to be vigilant in the future.

Thoughts??

However, US (and AT&T) still accounts for bulk of iPhone sales (http://blogs.zoho.com/general/analyzing-iphone-...). Even if that was not the case, Apple decided to tie up with carriers where it can have an upper hand and it can be in a dictating position, which means it tied up with operators which may not have the best networks as compared to others operating in the same market (e.g., Apple has tied up with O2 instead of Vodafone, which seems to be the leading carrier).

The point I want to make is that Apple had its way earlier on – when there was no option for the consumers. But things are changing (and not in favor of Apple) and hence it needs to be vigilant in the future.

Thoughts??

“Apple is “threatened” because a bunch of hack companies who have NEVER turned out even ONE decent phone are all making another attempt? I'm SO scared!”

Well, wasn't Apple one of such “hack companies” when it introduced iPhone. One of the key points in the innovation research is that new entrants (within an industry) can introduce radical innovation (smart phones in this case), but the incumbents can always match them if they have the resources. Moreoever, I am just claiming that now there are these companies who have “some” understanding of the mobile business and they are capable of producing great phones.

“I guess you've never used Verizon. Verizon is awful; it isn't even GSM.”

I guess, you've never used AT&T….if Verizon is awful…AT&T is not even worth talking about. No carrier is perfect…we are looking for the lesser evil.

“99% of anything– music, pop culture– is junk.”

Precisely the point….absolute numbers do not mean anything…it is quality over quantity. Having 100,000 apps is not a competitive advantage that Apple can boast for too long – that is the fundamental argument of this article.

“The Android dev environment, though, is not very sophisticated– mostly Java.”

I am not a smart phone developer, but if what you said is true, it can be a huge advantage for Android platform. Java as a platform, has already already proved its capability and I do not have to argue about that. In addition, there are a large number of developers already trained in Java and thus in a great position to develop apps for Android.

“Google has great search; great apps, they DON'T have. “

Gmail, Google Maps, Blogger, Youtube…just to name a few!!!

“Maybe Android 3 will be interesting, but the current Android 2 is another weak effort.”

I completely agree with you…Android 2 is a great leap from where it was. Look at the relative growth of iPhone OS and Android over the past 2-3 years – Android has matured much faster from where it was….imagine if it continues to develop like this it will soon be as good, if not better than the iPhone OS, which again means Apple cannot just sit back and relax on its 100,000 apps.

In summary, I would like to reiterate that having a huge app base is not going to keep Apple on top. Apple needs to realize that Android already has a foothold in the market and if it does not react quickly, things may not be as rosy…

Apple is “threatened” because a bunch of hack companies who have NEVER turned out even ONE decent phone are all making another attempt? I'm SO scared!

“AT&T is not the carrier of choice for a vast majority of the population”

I guess you've never used Verizon. Verizon is awful; it isn't even GSM.

…”most of these iPhone apps are useless and are seldom used.”

99% of anything– music, pop culture– is junk.

“Android is already attracting developers to work on its platform – the number of Android projects started have grown over 94% in the recent past.”

The Android dev environment, though, is not very sophisticated– mostly Java.

“Unlike Apple, Google has great apps to offer on its platform.”

Google has great search; great apps, they DON'T have.

Maybe Android 3 will be interesting, but the current Android 2 is another weak effort.