Apple Imitations: Just Like the iPhone, Only Crappier

Where have all the innovators gone? Is Apple (AAPL) the sole possessor of creative genius, the lone leader of usability and aesthetic, the single creator of new markets, the only company that knows what buyers want before they know themselves?

It would appear so. Just look at all the imitators of iPhones and the all-in-one computers trying to duplicate the iMac experience. This isn’t a new phenomenon, by the way. Apple has been the de facto leader of innovation in the personal computer industry from day one. But now it appears Apple will lead the way from hereon-in with consumer devices as well, a la the iPod, iPhone, and iPod Touch.

You may have noticed for example, that smart phones with iPhone-like features are no longer called “iPhone Killers.” That’s because no one has come close to dethroning the Super Phone maker. And attaching the “Killer” moniker invokes a standard they cannot live up to, which invariably tags the device as an also-ran before it makes it to the store shelves.

The latest such phone is the Samsung Instinct offered by Sprint (S). The best Sprint can do is create a manufactured shortage, and time that shortage just before the release of the 3G iPhone in order to steal some marketing thunder. Sprint can only hope that unsuspecting consumers, that want a “hot” device, will place an advanced order.

We’re all familiar with the old cliche that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But Apple imitators have taken it to a new level by seeming to build it into their business model. They are simply resigned to wait for the next Apple innovation, and then do their lemming best to create a knock off with hopes to capture the leftover bread crumbs. Why don’t they just give Apple a retainer?

Come on folks. If you want the most innovative products in the world, that are designed from the ground up with your needs in mind, that just feel right, and work the way you would expect them to, just go Apple. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Disclosure: Long Apple

Comments

[lakeside]

Absolutely correct (about everyone else just knocking off Apple). Am I the only who thinks Bill Gates's interviews are unbelievably vacuous. Remember, without that liberal arts education, during formative years, it eventually comes back to haunt you. Steve Jobs, no diploma, but a full liberal -- and very liberal -- arts exposure. Go, Steve, Go.

[Toni]

Friday you were all cash and now you are long AAPL again ?
How much time do you stay long usually ? 24 hours ? two days ?
Continuosly jumping in and out. That's insane.

[bobaka]

sprint instinct: nice phone, sprint everything: great deal

[realityknocking]

Imagine that - someone who has been using Apple since 1984 claiming that an iPhone is the only product worth using. Wow.

[tom1234]

july 6th at&t will sell to the early previous buyers of iphone with a $100 reduced price a new 3g iphone

[chocha]

AT&T won't sell the 3g iPhone on Sunday, July 6th, total BS.

[bszlachta]

Apple really did hit one out of the park with the iPhone (though it's still not perfect!). Can't wait to see how the world reacts on July 11, when 22 countries/regions simultaneously get the iPhone 3G. I expect continued great reaction in the US, but how about advanced cell phone markets like Japan, seeing it for the first time?

It's going to spark a heck of a brawl in every market. Then we'll really see how the Apple competitors step up to the plate. (My fairly safe prediction: the competitors will come up with some surprisingly good stuff, but the iPhone will stay a step ahead.)

[R8erH8er#1]

This is just a "I prefer" article vs. "I tried both the iPhone and the Samsung Instinct and this is why the iPhone is better" article. Making qualified statements is obviously not Mr. Bass' strong point. Cellular phone companies release devices that can somewhat imitate each other, but the instict is a 3g device - much faster/better than the iPhone. Sprint is beginning to see a turn around in customer retention and customer service and it won't be long until push to talk on the CDMA network places Sprint into the spotlight again along with WiMax...

[Nextel Accessories]

what a stupid article... At least give a real reason why the iPhone is better than the Instinct.

[jayz]

First off, a guy is dedicated to professional Apple ass kissing, I found that a bit weird. Secondly, these kind of cheerleading article is total crap to post here, it's a waste of everyone's time. You can write this kind of crap for every stock out there.

[Zach Bass]

R8erH8er#1, you obviously missed the point of the article. Sprint and the hoards of others, are late to the wedding party. When they got there, they realized their gift was pitiful, so they snuck out the back door and came back with another stupid mixer.

The point is, that Apple is the leader, the rest are followers. Apple is consistently 2 to 3 years ahead of EVERYONE.

[jayz]

"Come on folks. If you want the most innovative products in the world, that are designed from the ground up with your needs in mind, that just feel right, and work the way you would expect them to, just go Apple. Trust me, you won’t regret it."

What kind of CRAP is this? Are you trying to sell some Apple products here, Mr. Stupid? Get the XXXX out of here, and take your garbage with you too.

[mollytjm]

the title says it all... obviously Apple is the one to beat or everyone else wouldn't be trying to design their products to LOOK like an iphone. it doesn't really matter what is being pushed into the market place right now... the new iphone release on july 11th will be better. quality, innovation, wonderful tech support...and all backed up by a mountain of cash reserves and NO debt.

[Zach Bass]

Hey, I admit to being an Apple Fanboy. But, I've been in Technology for 30 years and have worked on virtually every system imaginable, have purchased PCs of all flavors, and I'm a gadget hound. I know innovation when I see it, and Apple appears to be the sole innovator these days, everyone else simply waits to see what Apple does, then turns on the replicator.

Why don't you people address the sole innovator point rather than deflect the issue with product comparison rhetoric?

[bszlachta]

Zach "Imhotep" Bass has a point: Is Apple really the chief innovator in the mobile phone field? Or is someone else in the arena matching or exceeding Apple in innovation? (I agree with the general thrust of the article, but there must be at least a few counterexamples. Anyone?)

PS: Sorry, Zach; that's the name that immediately popped into my head upon seeing the dashing photo. : )

[huangjin]

Innovation doesn't make stock prices go up. Sales do.

[fabricator]

"That’s because no one has come close to dethroning the Super Phone maker"

Oh please. Go by numbers. iPhone penetration overall is still tiny. The buzz dramatically outweighs the reality.

Want a true Super Phone? Buy a Nokia N95. No touchsreen, no cute UI-- but then, those features alone don't define a smartphone, do they?

[bobaka]

and by the way, compare the action in S to AAPL today...

[tom1234]

tom4321 correction july 7th

[tom1234]

sry correction wrong again those who had early purchase may up grade on the 6th with $100 credit deliverable on the 11th

[TA]

I thought it was illegal to not disclaimer an article like this with 'ADVERTISING' along the top?

[Toni]

Friday you were all cash and now you are long AAPL again ?
How much time do you stay long usually ? 24 hours ? two days ?
Continuosly jumping in and out. That's insane.

[ezduzit]

until sprint can make an ordinary phone connection in the greater nyc area, even a little close to verizon service, then sprint shouldn't be used as a poster child for extolling its virtues.

disclaimer: former sprint customer for well over 10 years.

[iJah420]

How much is that N95?

DOH! Not a mainstream device. Nor does it carry with it a top notch OS and a kick butt SDK.

Most naysayers r missing the boat w/the iPhone..

it is NOT a phone. Its a handheld computer PLATFORM that can make phone calls.. UUUGH! Wake UP!

ijah420 so very sick and tired of the SYSTEM!!!!

Keep laughing @ this toy maker AAPL.... Yea that iPod its just a FAD... A TOY!! 2 the tune of 150m units and growing.

Lets see... anyone take a look @ AAPL's market cap? AND to refresh your memory... NO DEBT!!!

BTW>>>Does nokia make computers? NO!

GOOD GRIEF!!!

iJah420 thinks AAPL should hire Bill Gates to develop their next OS. HA Jah Right.

[Sebhelyesfarku]

Wow new heights in licking Jobs' boots. Congratulations for the Dumbass Mactard of the Week.

[papamaui]

When I was doing database application programming with a PC, I made some pretty stupid sounding remarks about Apple ... but my Apple user friends were patient. "Some day you'll understand".

After my project finished, I switched to Apple's products. Now I make some pretty stupid remarks about PCs ... but my PC user friends are a little less than understanding.

Think I'll stay with Apple!! It's just more fun, less frustrating.

[User 219956]

Instinct was in development before the iphone came out. So as to it being a knockoff, it ain't so.

[iJah420]

Keep an eye on the Instinct real world reviews and I ponder they will shed a whole new light on the future of this device.

Battery being a sore spot my gut tells me.

more food for thought...

United Airlines has introduced iPod and iPhone connectivity on board its trans-Atlantic flights, starting with its Washington D.C.-Zurich service.


Apple: Mercedes to offer iPhone integration
By Opal Tribble

iPhone integration in cars? Apple has definitely made an impression, and its products are becoming products that consumers just have to have.

Mercedes-Benz is getting ready to launch a device that places the device into the center console.

I do not see Nokia's name anywhere.
Nor do I see Instinct integration in cars.
How about Zune!? Minimal.
Blackberry integration in cars? good luck with that RIM.

iJah420 looking fwd to the next 5 yrs. this is just the tip of the iceburg.

[Partners in Grime]

Apple's App Store looks to be fabulous. Just from the WWDC 2008 keynote demos, I'm looking to buy five or six apps on opening day. The kids are excited about the games, too!

[iJah420]

My 2 girls 8&12 can not wait for super monkey ball.

Just ponder for a moment @ the impact of this app store.

You have developers all over the Globe designing very, VERY sophisticated medical hand held applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch...... and on the other hand you have the gaming developers launching this monkey ball game that will bring the biggest smile to my 8 year olds face...

BOTH on the same PLATFORM... Hard to compete with that...eh?

I just hope to God that that BRAIN ROT Grand Theft Auto NEVER gets approved for this device.

Xbox 360.... MSFT brings THAT kind of game to a console!!!! NAME ONE GOOD THING THAT CAME TO OUR YOUTH WITH GRAND THEFT AUTO?...

GREAT!!! CarJACK someone shoot his ass down and move onto the next victim.. REAL NICE BILL GATES!!! And now you are gona make it all better with your NEW P&R SAVE THE WORLD Campaign?


&*^*)*(^* YOU MSFT

[stupid head]

you said "crappier"

You liberal hippie

[fabricator]

How ironic iJah420: you miss the point about the N95.

[SoCalGuy]

"The best Sprint can do is create a manufactured shortage, and time that shortage just before the release of the 3G iPhone in order to steal some marketing thunder."

Thats an interesting comment. A manufactured shortage for a phone that has set sales records for them? Clearly their most popular phone in years, and somehow the shortage is manufactured? Also, the so called "timing" of the release is a comment that should be pointed at Apple. The Instinct was set to release in June for months, it was Apple that moved up their release to counter any Instinct momentum that may have happened. Also, you fail to mention AT&T needing to subsidize and drop the price to counter Instinct as well. Exactly who is imitating who? Oh yeah, everyone is, its the cell phone industry.

[davidinkansas]

Let's answer Mr. Bass' question... Is Apple the only innovator?
First GUI on a conputer - NO
First use of mouse - NO
First music player device - NO
First PC like OS on a cell phone - NO
First touch screen on a cell phone - NO
First GPS chip in a cell phone - NO
First music player in a cell phone - NO

Apple as an innovator??? NO
Apple as a design house - great
Apple as a marketing genius - Absolutly
Apple as an innovator ??? NO