Some see white iPhone delay as part of bigger problem(Too much focus on design?)

Market Watch ^ | 07/23/10 | Cynthia Lin

[TigerLikesRooster]

July 23, 2010, 4:03 p.m. EDT

Some see white iPhone delay as part of bigger problem

Too much focus on design and an arrogant attitude seen by public

By Cynthia Lin, MarketWatch

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Apple Inc. users may have shrugged off another push-back in the release of white iPhone 4s, but some of them say the delay adds to a string of recent issues that call the company's priorities into question.

Customers outside Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) store in midtown New York who spoke to MarketWatch were mostly unconcerned about white versions being unavailable -- but they thought the delay is a symptom of the tech-giant's wider issues.

"Apple has been so caught up on the aesthetics and design," said James Li, who works in advertising. "It's more a design firm now."

[TigerLikesRooster]

P!

[PA Engineer]

"Apple is definitely more about aesthetics than functionality," said Mark Toe, a flight attendant from Singapore, who said he thinks the black-colored iPhone is sleeker and so didn't care much about the white phone's launch delay.

I wonder if Mark Toe will replace the shoe shine boy for stock picks? This thing reads like FUD.

[BlueStateMadness]

A computer company that makes phones and such is focused on design?!?!?!

Maybe the averting guru Li might have taken into consideration a saturated market and, or the need for a device to function if put to market

I can see this guy asking himself why a crappy product didn’t sell even though he put together a brilliant marketing scheme.

[library user]

[2ndDivisionVet]

So it’s Whitey’s fault?

[HiTech RedNeck]

“Design aware,” yet can’t grok customer preferences for the color of their appliances. Brilliant dunces, they.

[WVKayaker]

Brilliant dunces, they.

[HiTech RedNeck]

That looks about what the market in general did

[WVKayaker]

Is YOUR market doing this well?
You’re pitiful...

aapl Market Cap: 236.53B
P/E (ttm): 19.57
EPS (ttm): 13.29

msft Market Cap: 226.19B
P/E (ttm): 13.37
EPS (ttm): 1.93

[HiTech RedNeck]

call me back when lnux hits the market?

[WVKayaker]

Your screed was intended towards Apple business practices.

You can't even be consistent. What a surprise. Another MacThread troller!

[HiTech RedNeck]

ya wanna see SCREED, son? i say son, do you? do you? what’s the big idea, son?

[WVKayaker]

The big idea is definitely not yours. Put down the bong, dude, and take some oxygen!

At 63, I am not your son, and my 87 year old father would be offended, as well!

You're sad, dude! Get a life...

[HiTech RedNeck]

Phoghorn Leghorn.

[WVKayaker]

I got that the first time. It doesn't help you look any better to compare yourself to a cartoon character.

You need to see a shrink for your need to make fun of people for using a machine. I drive a Holiday Rambler motorhome and a Ford explorer, too. They serve my purposes as well as my Macs do! my iPhone keeps me online all day long! I look forward to buying an iPad for an overseas journey next month. The movie screen is larger, and I can surf the web better. Due to their SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY, I can enjoy having no viruses and full time browsing!

Macs rule, and you're drooling! Wipe your mouth, boy!

[HiTech RedNeck]

I run Linux, applesauce brain.

[WVKayaker]

I run linux, too, but why the need to belittle people for preferring a more elegant usage? Is your manhood being challenged?

Put down the ruler and accept your fate!

[HiTech RedNeck]

i say son, er master henery hawk, what’s the big idear?

[rarestia]

Apple Inc. users may have shrugged off another push-back in the release of white iPhone 4s

Ok, so my first question is this: so what? Seriously folks, I'm looking at this right down the center, not taking sides. What is the justification for the fan craziness here?

My buddy is an Apple maniac. He gets his iPhone, loves it. iPhone 2, gets it, loves it. iPhone 3, gets it, loves it. iPhone 4, gets it, loves it. In just a few years, he's gone through 4 phones. 4 PHONES! I've had the same Motorola flip phone since 2004. 6 years, 1 phone.

Apple releases a white iPhone 4, and they're going to have people dropping their silver/black/blue/whatever colored iPhone 4s for a white one. Why spend $200-$400 on a new phone every 6 months. I can't, for the life of me, understand or explain Apple's marketing. How do you get masses of people to drop their perfectly functional $400 phone to buy another perfectly functional $400 phone just a few months later?

[WVKayaker]

How do you get masses of people to drop their perfectly functional $400 phone to buy another perfectly functional $400 phone just a few months later?

A. give old phone to family member...

B. sell old phone at a PROFIT in the used market...

C. it really bothers you that some people have more?

[WVKayaker]

I can't, for the life of me, understand or explain Apple's marketing

A. ask customers what they want...

B. design items that appeal to customers needs AND WANTS...

C. back it up with EXCELLENT customer service (Applecare) ...

[rarestia]

It doesn’t make sound financial sense, WVK, that’s all. I live a very lean life, and the need for a phone that does the same thing every time a new revision comes out is asinine. It makes calls, has Bluetooth, wireless, apps, music, video, Facebook... yeah... great.

I should note that I’m a “disconnector.” I have no desire to be digitally leashed, don’t spend any time on any social network sites, and the limit of my geekiness is playing World of Warcraft.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Hence the term "iFad." I guess some people are still well-off enough to buy several phones in a year, even though economy in general is in serious trouble. Probably this is where some of stimulus money ended up: making people afford to join the iPhone craze.

Pretty soon, we would see homeless people peddling their last iPhone to get another meal.

[ctdonath2]

Two words: “insanely great”.

By “perfectly functional” you really mean “satisfactory”.

There’s a difference.

[rarestia]

I’m focused more on the utility of the device than the hype or real-world functionality of the platform. When I say perfectly functional, I mean that there’s nothing wrong with the device to warrant the purchase of a replacement. Hell, I’ve had no more than 5 cell phones in my life, and each one lasted me longer and longer with each consecutive revision or upgrade. The willingness of “fan boys” (forgive the derision that word evokes) to adopt a new hardware platform for no other reason than to say they have it makes me question some things. It’s not even about the money.

[WVKayaker]

I bought a new 3g when they came out. I bought my original iPhone on the second day of it's introduction. I sold my original iPhone, which had been dropped onto concrete (buyer fully informed) for the price I had paid for it. ATT gave me a better contract (before their data plan change), than my original one.

I don't throw money away, but the iPhone helped me sell some mountain land in WV! As a land developer, it is another tool in my pocket. I was able to use Google Earth app to show the buyer where the power lines crossed a tract. I made $18k in about 1/2 hour...

For some people, things which we use are tools, not just toys!

[rarestia]

I understand tools, WVK. I would love a drill press, but I don’t have the room for it nor the use. I would love a plunge router but don’t have a project necessary for it. I would love the newest revision of the Intel i7 quad-core desktop processor with 8 GB of RAM and two 500 GB SATA disks in a RAID1, but my fiancee would kill me and it’s not practical.

I understand practicality, and yours is definitely a great story in situ. However, the roar from Apple adherents when a new device is proposed and eventually sold is marketedly loud but ultimately unnecessary, IMO. It’s a phone. It does XYZ. The new phone does XYZ slightly different, but.. IT’S NEW! I guess these are the same folks leasing expensive cars and taking them into the dealership when the next model year is released?

[WVKayaker]

I bought this Mitsubishi hand held in 1987 for almost $900. All my friends were using bag phones (which had a lot more power), but I wanted portability IN MY POCKET. I made a good buck, so I bought what I wanted! It was the best I could find at the time! I also own a Newton!

[ezoeni]

Macs are lame

sent from my iPhone

[Entrepreneur]

Brilliant!

[Cyber Ninja]

See

[Da Coyote]

If I want poor design, shoddy worksmanship, and an indifferent manufacturer I can go to GM for my cars, and Microsoft for m software.

My house became a “no Microsoft” establishment years ago and I”m staying that way. There’s something about things working and working and working......

[Entrepreneur]

My buddy is an Apple maniac. He gets his iPhone, loves it. iPhone 2, gets it, loves it. iPhone 3, gets it, loves it. iPhone 4, gets it, loves it. In just a few years, he's gone through 4 phones. 4 PHONES! I've had the same Motorola flip phone since 2004. 6 years, 1 phone.

I've had three iPhones in the last 14 months. Oh, wait... two of those were warranty replacements because the POS phone crapped out!

Plus, I couldn't go to the AT&T store or call their toll free number to get a replacement like I can with any other manufacturer. I have to schedule an appointment at the bleeping Apple store, which is neither close, nor convenient (how's that carbon footprint, Jobs, you vegan hypocrite). While there, I have to wait and purportedly amuse myself with Apple products, despite the appointment.

I'm on my third iPhone. I inherited three Macs and a MacBook Pro. I prefer my Lenovo X201 Tablet running Windows 7 to all of them. I took one of the Macs to one of my graphic designers (who are supposed to love Apple). He moved it to a different cubicle. He prefers his Gateway.

I offered the MacBook Pro to my daughter who's a Senior PR major and marketing minor in college. Her leftist teachers require her to use Apple products. She has an HP laptop. She didn't want the MacBook. She would rather use her HP and go to the lab when she needs to use a Mac.

Apple has jumped the shark. The company is running on brand equity and using it up. If you own Apple stock, consider selling before year end at the lower cap gains rate. In the future, the cap gains rate may not matter with Apple.

[TigerLikesRooster]

I hate MS, and I know Apple has technically superior PC operating system. However, I think they went too far with this iPhone thing.

[Entrepreneur]

C. back it up with EXCELLENT customer service (Applecare) ...

You've got to be kidding...

Wait time on AT&T for phone support = 2-3 minutes

Wait time for Apple (cause it's Apple reps) = 20-30+ minutes

Gotta phone problem with Brand XYZ? Take it to the AT&T store and get a replacement on the spot. At worst, call the 800 number and one is mailed to you.

Gotta phone problem with your iPhone? Schedule an appointment at the closest Apple Store sometime during the next week. Drive a loooong way to get to the store. Wait around until they're ready to see you. Put up with smug, sanctimonious employees.

I could keep going. Apple is nothing but brand. The fact that they can issue a POS phone like the iPhone 4, and fail to recall it, and their users just take it, proves the point.

BTW, when I downloaded iOS 4, it wiped my phone and iTunes. At the Apple Store, they admitted it's a problem, but not for everyone. "Think of how many phone we have," asked one smug employee, "it's not that common."

Apple is a self-centered corporation. They're focused inward, not on the customer. It's why they won't staff up to provide decent support. It's why they require people to travel to their BS stores. It's why they won't register their Apple Care warranties themselves, but expect the user to do it.

Apple has replaced Microsoft and the "evil" software company.

[ctdonath2]

It’s the difference between a Toyota and a BMW.
If your criteria is getting you to work or the grocery store reliably, you won’t understand.

[rintense]

If one color is holding back the release of the same phone already for sale in another color, its just bad design and engineering, period.

[TigerLikesRooster]

MS is a dying evil, and Apple is a rising evil. Probably followed by Google.:-)

[Terpfen]

“Some” are idiots, then.

Difficulty producing white phones is an industry-wide affair. It’s tough to get a truly white color while ensuring materials quality.

[Swordmaker]

Is Apple concentrating too much on design over function? PING!

Please, No Flame Wars allowed!
Discuss hardware.
Don't attack people!

Apple White iPhone 4 Ping!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

[Swordmaker]

I wonder if Mark Toe will replace the shoe shine boy for stock picks? This thing reads like FUD.

Hmmmm, "experts" such as a guy who works in advertising who says the iPhone 4 "doesn't work," a financial analyst, Gizmodo, a Flight Attendant, and a student who thinks that "Ping" on her Blackberry is cool... Of course it's FUD.

[Swordmaker]

Both of you. Cool it with the insults. Jim Rob has declared FR a Flame War Zeutral Zone. Discuss the platforms all you want but leavecthe insults and ad hominems at the door!

[PA Engineer]

I bought a new 3g when they came out. I bought my original iPhone on the second day of it's introduction. I sold my original iPhone, which had been dropped onto concrete (buyer fully informed) for the price I had paid for it.

Sounds about the same situation as mine. My original ricocheted about the roof and then asphalt burned at 40 MPH. It still worked however it was difficult to see the display or work the touch screen. I then got the 3gs. I was hoping to wait for the 4, but need the phone for work.

The iChat feature would be useful for work when in the field, however the camera, location stamp, GPS, and a proprietary application with and A/D convertor I developed has made my work a breeze and very very very lightweight now. The iPhone can be used as a real time data logger from remote locations to plant or office. When I get board I can also listen to music or Rush. There are apps for that. ;-)

Of course you know there is a great deal more. I can locate problems and yellow tag them on google earth for clients. Link a location picture and never have to return. I also like the alarm, calendar, maps, and weather for travel.

People forget that the "phone" part of the iPhone is a minor part of the device.

[Swordmaker]

Wait time for Apple (cause it's Apple reps) = 20-30+ minutes

You seem to have a different Apple horror story each time you post. It never seems to agree with the experiences others have had with Apple's excellent customer service. Do they just treat you badly?

[PA Engineer]

I've had three iPhones in the last 14 months.

That is odd. We have had seven different iphones in my family and we never had problems. I am very good a voiding warranties and mine have held well (except for the one with the asphalt burn).

[Ronin]

Not everyone does. Some people are just plain gadget happy. I have my iPhone 3G, did not upgrade to the 3Gs and have no intention of buying the iPhone 4.

I will, however, say that my iPhone is by far the best phone I have had to date, and I have had a bunch prior to it. As long as it keeps working, I’ll keep using it.

[dayglored]

Hi Swordmaker, thanks for passing the heads-up to these two (though I notice their squabble seems to have dropped of its own accord).

> Both of you. Cool it with the insults. Jim Rob has declared FR a Flame War Zeutral Zone. Discuss the platforms all you want but leavecthe insults and ad hominems at the door!

Fellas, for reference, see this from earlier this evening:

Tech Thread Flame War Cease Fire Declared
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2558518/posts

But Sword, I gotta ask, what's a "Zeutral Zone"? Actually, I think a girlfriend of mine long ago might have had one, but I'm not really sure... :)

[Swordmaker]

But Sword, I gotta ask, what's a "Zeutral Zone"? Actually, I think a girlfriend of mine long ago might have had one, but I'm not really sure... :)

I'm glad you asked. That's my patented sideways N. It's useful for getting the attention of guys who paint things in loud day glow colors. ;^)>

[HiTech RedNeck]

i just thought henery hawk was being silly.