If there is an app for "just about everything," what does that leave for the phone that "can do what your phone doesn't?"
The upcoming Droid vs iPhone battle might be an interesting one, but don't expect iPhone sales to plummet anytime soon. If Google's Android is to knock the iPhone off the smartphone mountain, it's going to take a long-term strategy, not a fancy commercial. After all, Mac commercials are ten times better than Windows commercials, but we certainly haven't seen a flood of people rushing towards Macs.
While we are still a week away from the release of the Verizon Droid, we do know that the commercials promise a "real" keyboard, night shots, open development, widgets, customization, simultaneous apps and interchangeable batteries. Though, personally, I don't think interchangeable batteries and a QWERTY keyboard will start the stampede to Droid any time soon.
Here are some of the specs from BoyGeniusReport:
- The slideout QWERTY keyboard doesn't mean a big phone. The Droid is only slightly thicker than the iPhone 3GS.
- A very big display, though no dimensions were given.
- Runs Android 2.0 and will probably be the fastest Android smartphone yet.
- Comes with a desktop cradle/charger.
Another rumor that appears pretty substantial is that the Droid will come with a 5MP camera.
The real feather in its cap will be a richer, fuller Internet experience. The one area where Apple has really dropped the ball is the Safari browser. While the iPhone's ability to hit the web was top notch when it was released, it has quickly fallen behind competitors, who are able to offer AJAX-enabled and Flash compatible browsers while Apple still engaged in an iPhone vs Flash war.
But this is nothing new. Skyfire has been providing a superior web experience to Windows Mobile users for a while now, but iPhone sales are still skyrocketing.
Droid vs iPhone: There's an app for that!
While Verizon's Droid will offer a rich Internet experience through its web browser, there is no competition when it comes to the app market. It's barely been a year since the iPhone app store open, yet already it seems a nearly insurmountable task to knock it off the smartphone app mountain.
Even with Apple's Machiavellian rule of the app store, the iPhone has succeeded all expectations in this department. Thanks in large part to the pure variety of possibilities offered by the device, the app store has lifted the iPhone from being merely a smartphone to being a portable computer that can do everything from recognize songs playing on the radio to help you level picture frames.
Droid vs iPhone: iDo and iDon't
There is no doubt that Droid offers advantages over the iPhone. But there is often a give and a take when it comes to features. For example, Apple's strict control over the Mac hardware is one reason why Macs don't crash near as much as PCs. It's also one of the main reasons why PCs dominate the marketplace.
This holds true to smartphones. The Droid will allow simultaneous applications to run, which means they'll also have a chance to run into each other. It will allow customization, whereas the iPhone's lack of customization actually makes it easier to learn and use.
Personally, I would take the simultaneous applications and the increased customization. As would any power user that isn't simply praying to Steve Jobs like he was the new Buddha. But the iPhone isn't built for the power user or the techno-geek, it is built for the masses. And when you are dealing with the mass public, oftentimes simpler is better.
Droid vs iPhone: The Customer is the Winner
In the end, we are all going to be the winner. No doubt, the iPhone is pushing the market towards more high-featured devices like the Verizon Droid. Everyone wants to knock the king off the mountain, and the best way to do that is to build a device with more and better features.
And perhaps Droid will push Apple into getting Flash compatible on the device. Maybe the next iPhone will have a better camera, or even a projector that could actually make us smarter. But so long as companies take aim at the iPhone, the iPhone will get better.
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Comments
Iphone apps *CAN* have flash in them now.
Ultimately, I think it's the carrier that will determine the iPhone vs. Droid debate. Droid may lure some iPhone customers who are unhappy with AT&T. A 30-50% drop call rate for AT&T in urban areas is pretty horrendous.
The Droid has one huge advantage over the iPhone: Verizon vs. AT&T. To paraphrase Lily Tomlin from "Laugh In" in the 1960s: AT&T doesn't care, it doesn't have to -- it has the iPhone.
I loved my Blackberry before the the iPhone was released. When I saw what the iPhone offered, particularly better internet access, I made the switch to the iPhone. I can't see switching to another phone now. I hate to say it but the app store has become too important. If the new platform does not have the apps that I use regularly like NeuroMobile nothing else matters. The app store is a substantial competitive barrier. The new upstarts will need to focus on getting app developers to port their apps to the new phones. Has anyone heard if NeuroMobile will be available on Andriod?
> iDont customize
Huh?
I customize my iphone with 85 *THOUSAND* apps... and well as a mile-long list of choices under the built-in "settings" choice, too.
> A very big display, though no dimensions were given
Don't you think it's odd to have a great, new phone... and keep the screen-size info a secret?
Why?
Because the screen is only 2/10 of an inch bigger than the iphone.
(You'll never even notice the difference.)
> Comes with a desktop cradle/charger
I bought one when I bought my iphone last year.
My 1998 cell phone came with one for free.
That's a big news item????
> Droid will come with a 5MP camera
A 3.2mp or a 5mp camaera... other stats are far more important to "picture quality":
Lens quality?
Glass or plastic lens?
Color?
File compression?
File format used?
Storage space?
Lens size?
Since Verizon is attacking/insulting the iphone... I don't think we'll EVER see an Apple deal for a Verizon version of the iPhone now.
:-(
Remember... in the USA, Verizon has *MUCH* more 3G coverage than AT&T.
Not twice as much, not three times... but *FIVE* times the coverage.
A big, big difference.
The iPhone does fully support Ajax and Javascript. It is only bloated Flash that Apple refuses to support in Safari.
-Mart
I cant wait to get this droid i just hope they make a whole bunch of USEFUL apps
I never did understand the relationship that causes these phone/carrier exclusivity deals. Why would a phone manufacturer purposely limit their market? The only reason I've been hesitant to pull the trigger on an iPhone is because I don't really want AT&T. If it was also available with another carrier I would be signing up for one first thing in the a.m.
I can't say how excited I am. I'm a Verizon customer that gets to use his phone EVERYWHERE. Idiot ATT and Sprint people are dropping calls and I keep talking along. I would never give up Verizon for this one fact. BUT their last few attempts at "smart phones" have been "weak" at best.
The Droid is exactly what I've been holding out for!!!!
MM
(Yawn) Another iPhone killer....wake me up when it's over
I love how defensive all the iPhone users get over stuff like this.
As for 85 THOUSAND apps!!!1!!111!!!1 Name me 50 that are actually worth using. You have a bloated app market full of garbage.
People still so not realize the incredible potential of this thing being open sourced. Though, I guess most iPhone users don't even know what that means.
I work for Veizon and use an Iphone with AT&T. Funny thing most people do not realize is these cell wars. To be honest the 3g coverage areas have no big effect on the iphone users. Funny thing is AT&T phones jump on data networks other than their own at no additional cost to the consumer. Kinda beating down the marketing ploy of Verizons bigger coverage. On another note you must be really gadget hungry to buy the droid. I really do not see a lot of people dropping the iphone to buy a droid. How many people do you know with ipods vs the zune or other MP3 players? Mac is # 1 at these devices and has the market cornered on this as well. The open source has little meaning to end users who are consumers! The whole idon't marketing is clever and kind of amusing but when it is all over I believe the android will be saying "idon't synch with itunes and ididn't have a chance in hell" By the way. Verizon had a chance at being the iphone provider.
I think The guy the works for verizon sums it up.....goodnight
@Patty
I don't think the fact that the screen is only that much bigger than the iPhone's screen is all that important. The resolution on that screen which is only so much bigger than the iPhone's screen is really what impresses me.
You iphone users have your head buried so deep that you really dont see how apple is holding you back. It will be slow and a painful process but you guys will defintely get to see how true Multi-tasking can better your phone experience, how having multiple accounts from different email providers and social networks all syncing contact details between them will keep you so much more in touch, how the app store you soooo love isnt the only one around with the exact same apps you run, how having a truly configurable device is far better than letting a team of UI guys in lab jackets work out whats best for you, how having a total of one device to choose from is like going to buy a car and you only get to chose the colour(oh, and you cant open the bonnet), how fast open source tech is. Ive used an iPhone and now am using only Android. Im out!
Another iPhone-killer. How many have there been already? I like competition and the Droid does have some nice features, but I have yet to read anything about it that would make me switch from the 3G iPhone I bought nearly 2 years ago. These manufacturers are always playing catch-up. You can't tell me that no-one can build a phone that completely blows the iPhone out the water.
news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10384994-266.html
Read the 5th paragraph from the bottom. Looks like the Droids gonna be a little harder (less appealing) to the typical consumer when that paragraph gets out.
Just to comment on Brads remark. Iphone users are comfortable with using Apps purchased for the Apps store. Open source is for development only. Sure it will get you free apps but I don't know too many people who create their own apps. Speaking of free and open source and even speed. You get what you pay for. Loaded with bugs in software that will lock your phone. FAST. Multitasking? Buy a mini if you need something the iPhone can't handle.
lol @ Verizon Guy and the other iphone fanboys. I switched from AT&T and the iphone to Sprint and the Hero and haven't looked back since. AT&T and Verizon's service sucks in this area(central Florida).
It really just depends on who you are. No sense in arguments. If you're the type of person that wants things to just work, no problems whatsoever, and live in a so called perfect world, by all means grab the iphone. Grab a Mac while you're at it. Apple devices are locked down so much. But hey, some people like it that way. I agree that this results in less problems. Macs don't get viruses as iphones don't get problems. Yipee-ka-yay.
Or.. if you're the type of person that's techy, likes to tweak things around, play with the phone's core OS, open-source system, and be able to run around your phone like its a kid in a football field, then Android is it.
It's like PC vs Macs.. Mac OSX is supposedly problem free, but I guarantee you they will never dominate over Windows. I am the type of person that can handle a little BSOD, a crash, the little obstacles in life. It's simply boring without it :)
Droid... reminds me of an OLD PALM PILOT I used to have; hated it too! Sorry, iPhone is miles above any of the WANNABE's that are coming out.
i think and know that the droid is better than the Iphone because its faster and has more reliability than the Iphone.Plus the droid runs on Verizon witch has way more coverage than Atat.
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