I think this is a good article: Apple's iPhone 5c isn't the low-cost phone you've been waiting for and this quote sums up Apple nicely:
Bob you're right when it comes to younger tech consumers' tastes that they change and frequently, which is why Apple decided to release the 5c. By offering different colored phones, you're offering the customer another choice and therefore giving them more control and that's not including the different color combination of cases either. It's not MotoMaker sophisticated, but the fact that there are color choices definitely opens up the market, especially to the general public who could care less how many ghz or ram there is on a phone and instead look at the choices available or the quality of the camera. For so many years iPhone adopters had two options; white and black, now that they offer at least 5 colors, it's a powerful marketing tool. To the members here on the board, we're on here to learn more about our device and some of us would be considered "techies", Apple isn't targeting us.
Their name has definitely lost some merit over the years, but it still greatly influences the tech world and they're still a tech juggernaut. Android has hundreds, if not thousands, of choices available and that can be extremely overwhelming to new buyers. Just on Verizon alone an adopter of Android has at least 3 choices (Motorola, Samsung, HTC) and each respective manufacturer has multiple devices available. Everyone likes choices and Android gives that to us, but it can be information overload and Apple combats that with simplicity. Although people get less choices with Apple, they know they're getting a solid product and not be so overwhelmed with the different choices and features each individual Android phone offers.
As it's been repeated many times throughout history, sometimes "simple is best". And that's exactly what Apple offers, simplicity for the average user. It's what Apple has pushed since the original iPhone, and in 2013 it's the same concept, just with more choices.
they're as nervous and quirky as a heroine addict that's trying to come clean by using a case of red bull as a substitute.
This is EXACTLY what I was going to say. Apple is backed up against the wall in a no win situation as far as the smartphone situation goes. They are now becoming a profitable niche player - just like with PCs. The only way out, just as they have done time and again, is to wow the world with THE NEXT BIG THING that no one saw coming. But, can they do it without Steve Jobs?Apple is in a tough spot when it comes to investors. On the one hand, if they had brought out a truly mass market affordable price on the iPhone 5C like investors were clamoring for, then the stock price probably would have jumped. However, if they had, then 6 months to a year down the road, these same investors would be selling off Apple stock. This would be due to Apple's famously high profit margins eroding because they are selling a device at a much cheaper price point than in the past.
No.But, can they do it without Steve Jobs?
Changes to hardware won't be so drastic compared to generations of past. I've said the past few months that I think hardware has hit a plateau of sorts. Take Moto for example, instead of following other manufacturers on the biggest or most powerful device, they instead started to refine their products, as shown by their latest Droid lineup. Sure the specs aren't anything to really brag about, but you can tell that they are truly concentrating on the user experience, and when it comes down to it, it's all about the user experience. Apple has hit the nail on the head almost every time when it comes to this aspect which is why they're so successful. Instead of racing to put out the latest and greatest, they refine what already works with a slight bump in hardware.I'm not surprised that the 5s doesn't have any really killer advances, but I am disappointed. I'm wondering if this is the start of a slowing down on mobile device innovation. It still is a solid device as others have mentioned, but I won't buy one because I don't like the closed os & apple's unethical business practices.
It will be interesting to see which new phone has the best camera. On one end is the low MP ultrapixel camera from HTC and on the other is the 20 MP Sony with apple, acer and Samsung in the middle. The high mp camera won't be worth it if there is too much loss of fine detail from a poor sensor, but low MP's also means grainy photos when blown up.
Down size the 20mp to 6-7mp and then compare. That's how you have to do it to be fair. Sony is currently the leader in sensor manufacturering.I'm not surprised that the 5s doesn't have any really killer advances, but I am disappointed. I'm wondering if this is the start of a slowing down on mobile device innovation. It still is a solid device as others have mentioned, but I won't buy one because I don't like the closed os & apple's unethical business practices.
It will be interesting to see which new phone has the best camera. On one end is the low MP ultrapixel camera from HTC and on the other is the 20 MP Sony with apple, acer and Samsung in the middle. The high mp camera won't be worth it if there is too much loss of fine detail from a poor sensor, but low MP's also means grainy photos when blown up.