Verizon iPhone: How Will It Affect Android?

[brownhornet]

I disagree with the bolded part of your comment. People that aren't technical don't buy the iPhone because of the interface or because "it just works".

They buy it because they can't go wrong with it. They may know 10 people that have iPhones and they don't know enough about phones to make an informed decision about what phone is best for themselves. For $200, they can buy a device they know nothing about and haven't really even heard of...or they can buy the phone that that have heard of and know other people that have them. Interface, customization, capabilities, etc. don't really come into play for most of them. It's just an easy decision that they know they won't regret (and realistically, they probably won't).

For those who think they know something about the iPhone before buying it...they are probably still buying it based on what their friends have, and what they have seen on TV. Their commercials aren't filled with specs or much information at all. One word descriptions followed by one finger operation makes them think it's simple...but they don't have a clue. If you look at the 1 thing that Apple is best at...it's marketing!

How many people bought a LG Dare cause they saw the onslaught of commercials (I didn't buy one but I still remember the "mission impossibish" commercials with the guy jumping off rooftops in pursuit of whoever he was chasing LOL)? How many people bought a Motorola Droid for the same reason? I bet most of the people that bought a Droid didn't understand Android before they bought it. But the Droid did put Android on the map because eventually, everyone knew people that owned one and loved it. That is the best marketing a company can get...and the iPhone is the #1 selling phone on the planet.

You mean kinda like a ton of people bought evos and epics just because it had a big screen and "4G"? All of this stuff is relative to pretty much EVERY popular phone not just the iphone. Do you know how many people I knew that went out and bought evos just because it was the popular phone on sprint and didnt even know how to add contacts? Setup email? It is what it is.

 

[brownhornet]

Or you can wait for the Bionic - supposed to be around in a few months.

I see a lot of iPhone users around the net saying on forums and making comments about jumping ship to Verizon once they start selling the iPhone.
Not sure why people would jump ship for the previous generation device.
IMHO, the iPhone is already gimped... I can see all the iLoyalists buying the Verizon iPhone and when the iPhone 5 comes around 3 or 4 months later buying that, increasing sales for Apple.

To Apple it's a numbers game.. how many they can sell at that massive markup per device thus driving their overly speculated stock up more.
They will make a killing selling devices but I bet it doesn't increase their userbase much.
The iPhone 4 did not really help them in this department, and all this Verizon not having it that the iFans tout is hyperbole, at best.
It will go up, but I doubt their userbase increases much.

Well obviously it didnt help their userbase much when it was only available on one carrier. Just like the Android didnt make a huge dent in IOS sales when it was only available on tmobile. But you saw what happened as soon as it spread to other carriers... main one being who... Verizon. Im willing to bet that the majority of people that buy the iphone on Verizon arent people that switched from AT&T. My sister has a Droid X and she cant wait until they release the iphone. Trust, they will gain a ton of new users.

 

[Frisco]

Well obviously it didnt help their userbase much when it was only available on one carrier. Just like the Android didnt make a huge dent in IOS sales when it was only available on tmobile. But you saw what happened as soon as it spread to other carriers... main one being who... Verizon. Im willing to bet that the majority of people that buy the iphone on Verizon arent people that switched from AT&T. My sister has a Droid X and she cant wait until they release the iphone. Trust, they will gain a ton of new users.

 

[kb58]

...I think sometimes people on these forums dont realize that we are in the minority.. not vice versa.

That's exactly right. Within these forums, everyone's a big believer that it's the One Solution because most all think the same way. But go out on the street and 95% of the rest of the population doesn't know and doesn't care about Android (or even smartphones all together.) In fact, there's probably a big non-phone-literate group that, when they see an Android phone and the person swiping at the screen, assumes that it must be one of those "i... phone... things." Say all you want about how good Android is, but it's preaching to the choir. To get the point across takes striking up a conversation with strangers and showing them its strong points.

 

[audio dope]

It will kill android for sure, google already complaining about market sales.
i mean, who would honestly pick android over iphone if it's on the same cell phone company?

hell im going to try to convince tmobile to take back my mytouch 4g & cancel my upgrade so i can go apple iphone!

 

[LoyalServant]

It will kill android for sure, google already complaining about market sales.

I missed that story.... care to enlighten us?

i mean, who would honestly pick android over iphone if it's on the same cell phone company?

Me.
I came from iPrison.
I am not going back.
There are more people than you think that will buy and continue to buy into Android.
Why people think that Android is now 'dead' because Verizon is getting an iPhone baffles me.
There are other carriers that sell Android phones and iPhones in the rest of the world, and people buy them just as much if not more than iPhones.

the iPhone exclusivity was only in the US.... in other parts of the world Android does very well.

Dying? Try again.

 

[audio dope]

^
Google 'not happy' with Android Market purchase rates, many changes coming -- Engadget

 

[jroc]

You mean kinda like a ton of people bought evos and epics just because it had a big screen and "4G"? All of this stuff is relative to pretty much EVERY popular phone not just the iphone. Do you know how many people I knew that went out and bought evos just because it was the popular phone on sprint and didnt even know how to add contacts? Setup email? It is what it is.

You do have a point ....lol

That's exactly right. Within these forums, everyone's a big believer that it's the One Solution because most all think the same way. But go out on the street and 95% of the rest of the population doesn't know and doesn't care about Android (or even smartphones all together.) In fact, there's probably a big non-phone-literate group that, when they see an Android phone and the person swiping at the screen, assumes that it must be one of those "i... phone... things." Say all you want about how good Android is, but it's preaching to the choir. To get the point across takes striking up a conversation with strangers and showing them its strong points.

Well....Android is getting that market share from somewhere. I'm pretty sure by now more than 40%-50% know what Android is. We gotta remember this is 2011, not 2008.

Just using a small sample of 3 ppl I know: all women. One is more tech literate and has an EVO and loves it. The other 2 arent that tech literate. One knows cuz I have one and thought her friend was spying on her with an Android phone...lol

The other is my ex. When I got my Droid 1 she didnt have a phone at the time and I let her use my Droid. After a week I had to politely ask for my phone back (so I could get to rooting it...lol) She has a Blackberry now and wishes she had an Android just for the web browsing.

She does say my Droid X is BIG tho...LOL!!

Yea those 3 women dont represent the 95% you speak of, but its just a small example that Android is getting noticed more n more every day. And Verizon's Droid marketing helped a lil... Add to that Sprint is now starting to ramp up ads for the EVO featuring the lil green guy, the Fascinate and that damn song played in my head non stop... and Android is getting noticed more n more now compared to 2008.

That would be a nice survey to do: ask folks on the street if they know what an Android phone is. I wouldnt be surpised if most said "that phone that's on Verizon"...lol

 

[UBRocked]

See...I for one am glad its coming to Verizon. My sister-in-law always asks me what type of phone to get. I'm seriously going to recommend the iPhone for her. If she asks a question I can simply respond with "I don't know...I think there's an app for that." LOL! Seriously...I am not signing up to be her tech support again!

And I'm sorry...but did someone actually compare the EVO with the iPhone in terms of people buying it because of its notoriety? I'm still chuckling a little after seeing that. No offense intended...but I'm willing to bet there are more iPhone users in Ohio than Evo users in the entire country

EVERYONE has heard of the iPhone. You say EVO to someone and they might respond..."I have never driven one."

 

[HeatherrSuicide]

See...I for one am glad its coming to Verizon. My sister-in-law always asks me what type of phone to get. I'm seriously going to recommend the iPhone for her. If she asks a question I can simply respond with "I don't know...I think there's an app for that." LOL! Seriously...I am not signing up to be her tech support again!

And I'm sorry...but did someone actually compare the EVO with the iPhone in terms of people buying it because of its notoriety? I'm still chuckling a little after seeing that. No offense intended...but I'm willing to bet there are more iPhone users in Ohio than Evo users in the entire country

EVERYONE has heard of the iPhone. You say EVO to someone and they might respond..."I have never driven one."

That made me chuckle.

Although, in terms of apps, Android is catching up. Most of the apps for iPhone either have been developed for Android, or are in the process of being developed.

And, even though the Evo might be nothing compared to the iPhone, I'm still willing to bet it's the most popular phone on Sprint, simply because they've been pimping it and their 4G network for months.

 

[UBRocked]

That made me chuckle.

Although, in terms of apps, Android is catching up. Most of the apps for iPhone either have been developed for Android, or are in the process of being developed.

And, even though the Evo might be nothing compared to the iPhone, I'm still willing to bet it's the most popular phone on Sprint, simply because they've been pimping it and their 4G network for months.

Believe me, I'm a big android fan so you don't have to sell me.

My point was only that the iPhone (that's been around for 5 years now) has much more notoriety than the EVO that has been around for 8 months. I'd definately take an EVO over an iPhone personally...but so many people buy an iPhone based on the simple fact that it's an iPhone.

But I don't think the Verizon iPhone will kill Android...it will just deliver a big blow to AT&T. If AT&T survives, it will be because Android saved them.

 

[brownhornet]

AT&T to 'very aggressively' pursue Android phone sales | Business | Dallas Business, Tex...



Looks like AT&T will start pushing the android line while putting a lot less emphasis on the iphone. A little sour grapes between AT&T and apple will help android.

They dont really have a choice now. Before when they had exclusivity on the iphone they couldnt care less about Android. Now that they can see the writing on the wall they have to do something to try to offset the losses theyre going to take and to try and draw in new customers.

 

[bigbadwulff]

AT&T goes out of business. Oh well....

 

[mattbe213]

As an AT&T customer I am looking forward to this. AT&T works fine in my area but having a bunch of people off the network couldn't hurt.

Yep! I'll be able to enjoy my HTC Inspire 4G on a stronger network now!!!

Matt

 

[mattbe213]

That Retina Display is nice

LOL!!! That's awesome dude.

 

[Sweet Chaos]

AT&T to 'very aggressively' pursue Android phone sales | Business | Dallas Business, Tex...



Looks like AT&T will start pushing the android line while putting a lot less emphasis on the iphone. A little sour grapes between AT&T and apple will help android.

The funny thing is I haven't seen ONE AT&T commercial for an Android. Granted, I don't watch much TV, but the two AT&T commercials I've seen have been for Windows phones (I don't remember which). I don't know if I'm just missing them because I hardly watch TV at all, or if AT&T is just being stubborn and not willing to admit that they really need Android now.

 

[frenzy757]

IMO their strategy moving forward will be trying to repair the reputation of a shitty coverage company....then touting the best selection of all phones...Android, WP7, etc.

Honestly, AT&T will be the best android company in 2011...especially if they get the NS (for me).

 

[lseap107]

I thought about waiting for the i-phone next month but after talking with one of the salesman at Verizon I decided to just switch to the Droid X. I don't like the fact that you will have to pay for the apps from Apple and if you need tech support, you will also have to pay for that. The salesman told me Apple charges $50 per tech support phone call. He stated that is $50 each time you call no matter if it's twice in the same day. I would think you would have less technical issues with the i-phone though. It might pay to wait and see how this iphone does before purchasing. Verizon will trouble shoot some of the technical problems but if they can't help, you have to go to Apple tech support or find a Apple store near you. I also don't like the fact that the i-phone will not have turn by turn voice navigation.

 

[UBRocked]

The funny thing is I haven't seen ONE AT&T commercial for an Android. Granted, I don't watch much TV, but the two AT&T commercials I've seen have been for Windows phones (I don't remember which). I don't know if I'm just missing them because I hardly watch TV at all, or if AT&T is just being stubborn and not willing to admit that they really need Android now.

Nah...I don't think it's your lack of TV watching. I don't remember seeing an Android commercial either. I figured that they will start pimping Android when they actually get a flagship Android handset to promote. My guess is that the commercials will explode as soon as the Atrix is available. The captivate is nice...but I don't think it is the same caliber of device (and IMO, the captivate is the only high end device they currently have.

 

[Snow_Fox]

ITT: People who still can't agree that everyone has different needs and that different carriers and different phones will work better for different people..

 

[lordofthereef]

I don't like the fact that you will have to pay for the apps from Apple and if you need tech support, you will also have to pay for that. The salesman told me Apple charges $50 per tech support phone call. He stated that is $50 each time you call no matter if it's twice in the same day.

This guy was either misinformed or downright lieing. If your phone is under warranty, they are happy to help you out over the phone or in the store. They (Apple) will even pay return shipping if you need to ship it out to them. As far as apps are concerned, of course Apple gets a cut. Google also gets a cut of the apps that are sold on the Android market. Simply put there are a lot more free apps on Android, however there are also TONS of free/cheap apps on iOS through Cydia as well.

 

[brownhornet]

This guy was either misinformed or downright lieing. If your phone is under warranty, they are happy to help you out over the phone or in the store. They (Apple) will even pay return shipping if you need to ship it out to them. As far as apps are concerned, of course Apple gets a cut. Google also gets a cut of the apps that are sold on the Android market. Simply put there are a lot more free apps on Android, however there are also TONS of free/cheap apps on iOS through Cydia as well.

Yep... for a jailbroken iphone its just as easy to get apps as it is for us. And I had to take my phone into the Apple store twice at no charge. Sounds like whoever he was talking to just wanted a sale.

 

[lseap107]

I wasn't lying. Just stating what the salesman at Verizon told me. It might not be a bad idea to talk to your local Verizon Rep and double check. I just think it would be a concern if you don't have a local Apple store and need a repair. It doesn't sound like Verizon can do a whole lot to help you out.

 

[zerocool79346]

I wasn't lying. Just stating what the salesman at Verizon told me. It might not be a bad idea to talk to your local Verizon Rep and double check. I just think it would be a concern if you don't have a local Apple store and need a repair. It doesn't sound like Verizon can do a whole lot to help you out.

We weren't saying that you were lying, rather that you got lied to and I promise you did, even Apple is not nearly that ******ed. Apple actually does very well at customer support in general.

 

[PSkeptic]

We weren't saying that you were lying, rather that you got lied to and I promise you did, even Apple is not nearly that ******ed. Apple actually does very well at customer support in general.

Yep, they're pretty good at it:

Bring it in, we'll fix it, and you'll pay us