FreeRange

Motorola's Droid Comes in Peace - For Now

Reviewers keep focusing on the wrong issues and features. Without a doubt, Apple will have a new brighter screen in an upcoming iteration of the iPhone, and a faster processor, and more memory, and new features... and this will all happen sooner rather than later. These are all hardware features that are a non-issue for the iPhone today as no one is complaining about the 3Gs' processor speed or screen resolution - they are fantastic! And the laws of the universe dictate that hardware devices will improve over time as there are incremental advancements. The fact that one device is VERY SLIGHTLY better in these areas does not make the alternative device any less effective! The real issue is that no one has been able to duplicate the broad and powerful ecosystem of the iPhone, iTunes, iPod, Mac, Apple TV (yes it too will continue to improve and will be able to make huge leaps from its current iteration). This is what makes the iPhone superior and more successful - it gives you the most effective way to store, access and manage your digital life with incredible ease, functionality and usability. Apple has a clear and distinct competitive advantage, regardless of the hardware and software in these new phones.

Research In Motion: Still the Best Positioned Smartphones Play

Complete nonsense. In the long view, RIM is in trouble. It can not compete effectively as it is not a comprehensive platform phone - it is a one trick pony. Nowhere near "the best" positioned.

Why Android Is Gaining Ground on Apple

What a crock, and also a worthless "article". Only a fool would claim that Apple is being anti-competitive by tying iTunes to its own products. First, other devices CAN access iTunes data as has been repeated over and over again, just not as seamlessly as you can with Apple's own products. Further, why in the world would Apple have to / need to / or be required to share their intellectual property beyond their own products! Its a platform and ecosystem they invented, developed and marketed to the tune of MILLIONS and MILLIONS of dollars. What total nonsense that they should then make it easy for competitors to "borrow or steal" it! Others keep trying to "steal" Apples functionality / access instead of creating their own products and services from scratch, and then they whine about it just like you're doing when they can't. Let these other companies invest their own millions in developing competing products.

Adobe Releases Full Flash to Everyone but Apple

Flash is a disaster for slow internet connections like 2G and even 3G. It will hog bandwidth, slow you way down, and slow everyone else on the mobile net as it sucks the air out of the room!

Google Injects Ads and User-Generated Content Into iPhone Maps

Perhaps this example is why Apple is rejecting some apps from Google. Its not a google phone! Its an Apple handheld computer and Apple should be able to have some control over the user experience, especially when it subverts / interferes / degrades the main functions and ease-of-use that are so critical to the iPhones success. The FCC should be staying out of this scrum.

Questions Surround Apple's Google Voice Stance

This is such nonsense! And a ridiculous distraction. Even if Apple did reject the app, that doesn't mean that Google can't resubmit with revisions. Further, Apple has every right to reject apps that duplicate functionality or subvert the standard iPhone interface. Users can still access Google Voice on the iPhone through the web browser so in fact users CAN use Google Voice with the iPhone. The FCC should stay out of this.

Breakdown Of U.S. Sales Numbers for Broadband Enabled Devices

I'm sorry, but why are you using the number of "Minutes" of videos the xbox users have downloaded - is it because thats what Netflix and MSFT pr hacks have provided? It is all about how many videos, not minutes. It is a lame attempt to inflate the numbers when Apple is talking about Billions of songs and videos sold, not minutes. And even then xbox is including movie trailers. Please....

Can Motorola Follow the Palm Path?

And that would be an extremely stupid move. Handset makers seem to enjoy racing to the bottom with their pricing, supported by the carriers. It is these pricing schemes that have destroyed the perceived value of handsets, and ruined the brands in the process. In fact, it is the carries that are the commodity, yet they have flipped this around so it is the handsets that have no perceived value. This is what happens when you give something away for free! Then when you innovate, and add many new features and functions, consumers still expect it to be free. How about if Motorola et al sell their handsets for what they are actually worth, and if the carrier really wants your business, let them give you 6 months of free service with a two year contact! And now the carriers are setting plans to destroy the netbook/laptop market the same way.


On Sep 13 01:59 PM Yagottabe Kidding wrote:

> [This is a clarification post]
>
> When I type "low-end" above I am NOT talking about functionality
> but instead "place in the lineup". Motorola, if they are indeed pricing
> the Cliq "free" with contract, is setting a new standard for smartphones
> that ALL the other manufacturers will have to beat. The Cliq is wonderfully
> functional and includes Motorola's Motoblur which aparently is a
> better-implemented act-alike to Palm's Synergy - a REAL slap upside
> their corporate head.

AT&T: The (Apple) Brand Destroyer

Although I've had my problems dealing with AT&T customer service, I have had none of the problems some in other markets claim - that is, frequently dropped calls. In fact, I got out of my Verizon contract after about 2 months when I switched to AT&T because of poor Verizon reception in my home office in downtown Denver!

FCC Takes On Apple and AT&T over Google Voice Rejection

How many times is Seeking Alpha going to milk this story? This is now the TWO millionth time you've regurgitated the same crap since last week, one right after the other - try doing your job and seek out new news!!!!!!

I Quit the iPhone

Ridiculous. Michael, give us all a break! First, your phone is subsidized fool. Of course its locked to the carrier. Its still the best hand held computer with phone capabilities out there. And quite frankly, your whole rant on Google Voice makes no sense. We all use our phones to make calls and receive calls. And guess what, that's GV's primary purpose too. How many frick'n phones do you want to carry? How many features do we really really really need? What's your point? Transcribe calls? I need that because...???? I can just listen to VM like everyone else - gee that's tough. Forward calls? Gee - I can do that with my iPhone! etc. etc. etc. Get a life dude!

Rotten Apple? Google Voice App Blocked from App Store

This "article" is absurd. Why would Apple screw their telecom partners! The tone of this "article" is offensive. Get over it. All carriers restrict what happens with the phones they subsidize and Apple isn't about to bite that hand. If you don't like it, go buy another phone, and give up a brilliant multi-function hand held computer. Apple has created a whole new competitive environment.

iPhone App Spat Speaks Volumes About Google / Apple Relationship

Oh get over it. Background apps will happen when the time is right, and not before. That is, when battery life can support it. Battery life isn't just an Apple problem. But since iPhone uers are putting much more demand on their phones (they are the heaviest users of the mobile internet by far), battery life is critical. And the conservation of same is paramount to an excellent user experience (which Apple is delivering as research shows). Apple of course realizes all this and is working aggressively on adding more power and functionality, but they aren't about to do something before its ready. Their hallmark is that they deliver the right products and features and functionality once they are perfected, not half-baked. So lets quit whining and look forward to future iterations - multi-tasking, live video chat, etc. As always, if you don't like it don't buy it! That way those of us on waiting lists for the new 3G S in the rest of the world can find one.

A Sudden Appetite for Web Based Computers

The carriers subsidizing computers is the death knell of the industry. The carriers are the commodity service but under this scenario they dictate the market, just like they have in the cell phone industry - suppressing innovation, prohibiting features and services on devices that conflict with their own objectives, ruining the market and driving out profits for the manufacturers - let the consumer be damned pushing the manufacturers to squeeze costs, hold back innovations and accept minimal returns. The computer industry should resist this trend - it is the rush to the bottom that offers no way out from unprofitability, or minimum profits at best. They will lose control of their own destiny. This practice should be illegal. Let the carriers discount THEIR services when you sign up for wireless broadband with your computer instead. That makes much more sense, and is the right business model for the PC manufactures. Otherwise, what is the cost of a new computer? FREE with two years of service. A free product has no value! And the brand is destroyed.

Search Engine Wars: Bing Gets More 'Eye Time' than Google

Absolutely worthless "study" and article - a sample of 12 has no meaning whatsoever.