Ted Cranmore, Waterloo ON

Why I Would Not Bet on iPhone over Android

You don't have to bet on one or the other. I see both models doing very well for the next few years and likely being the two dominant mobile platforms going forward. People (other than the geek minority) do not value 'openness' as a quality, it's the fruits of openness that matters. Right now it's only been valued by the geeks, this will change over time as the fruits are harvested. Android will easily be #1, and iPhone OS number 2, but both will be very successful. For the other players, may you be happy with your declining share.

Are Global Smartphone Sales Poised For Takeoff?

Many seem to missing a key point about the expense of smartphones in developing markets. Is a smartphone more expensive that a cheap handset? Yes. But, in these markets the masses don't have computers at home. So, either they forgo the internet or the spend money at internet cafes, or they finally invest a large amount to buy a computer for home. Now that smartphones have good web browsers, it's actually a cheaper alternative than visiting internet cafes or making the huge investment of a home computer with internet access. What's cheaper? An incremental enhancement to your smartphone, or continually visiting cafes or buying a home computer? Today's smartphones are actually small computers, and the most efficient way to join the wired world. So, in fact, smartphones will become the CHEAPEST way to achieve connectivity in developing countries. Check out the 5-8% numbers for home computers in India and China and it's easy to see the opportunity. It was a guy from Mexico who started helping me understand how the populace in developing countries approach this problem from a very different point of view.

So, smartphones may be more expensive than a plain old handset, but they are the cheaper alternative when all costs and alternatives are considered for being part of the wired world. The obvious advantage of 'always with you' still applies to other countries, but it's just a nice feature for them as opposed to the big feature it is for us.

iPhone Can Replace Laptops for Majority of Computer Users

Question re: "Keep in mind, all of this browsing has occurred on the slow 2.5 EDGE network with only a few million iPhone's in service"

Can we really say the iPhone usage came via EDGE vs iPhone via WiFi? I always assumed the stats didn't differentiate the connection, only that the usage came from an iPhone. Would be truly interesting to compare iPhone usage via EDGE vs Wifi.

BTW - I agree with your premise. The iPhone is a computer in your pocket, not a phone. I think with the new apps from the App Store, the rest of the world will finally get it too.