Caltorguy

Apples to Apples: Will History Repeat Itself as Android Gains on the iPhone?

Not sure about this. IMO - the wireless industry is currently tranforming itself to where laptops, netbooks, tablets and smartphones are all coming together, and the days of the proprietary data networks are limited. In 10 years we will all simply have data devices, supported by ultra highspeed wifi/wimax, and the need for separate (costly) networks for "cell" phones, or even the notion of having phone numbers will be history. Apple will probably have the high end of this market (with devices and platform), with MSFT, GOOG offering platforms, and a mix of hardware providers similar to today's PC market. Cable TV will be history by then too - we will all just have data accounts and everything will be on demand (as it should be now).

State of the iPhone: Strong. Very Strong.

I still remember the scene from Sex in the City where Samantha hands Carrie her iPhone and she looks at the multicolored screen and says, somewhat hysterically, "I don't know what to do with this". There will continue to be a market for the squares or non-technophile, non-fashion victims and RIM fills this pretty well. Their boring enough for big-business yet pretty secure, reliable and functional. Apple will continue to do really well, but it will never have 50 or 60% of the market because it doesn't want that; it wants to be a top-right, niche product for those get it and appreciate the leading design, technology and seamless interface.