Comments on: Is Apple in over its head with the iPhone?

Don Reisinger thinks Apple may be in over its head with the iPhone. Is he right?

[cardfan1212]

I'm not a big fan of apple's computers, but this is goofy advice. The iphone is doing pretty well and they look to keep advancing it. Apparently the agreement between Apple and AT&T has benefited both quite well.

I'm not sure the author realizes what Apple accomplished in its first attempt at a cellphone.

[theoxygenthief]

Unlocked iPhones hurt AT&T not Apple. And some other mad rantings of a fanboy.

[kabong]

I think the reality is that Apple is doing exactly what they planned. They signed with AT&T to get the device in our hands, and what we do with it after that doesn't matter to them. They've made some efforts to stop the unlockers because they don't want to be in dutch with AT&T and that's it. Things are only looking brighter for the iPhone. The SDK is going to hit soon which will allow 3rd party apps without jailbreaking (that alone will make the thing worth the price of admission) and the 3G iPhone has been all but announced. I think the only problem Apple is going to have later is unloading some 1st gen phones when the 3G hits. Apple has managed to change the whole game here AGAIN. and we are going to reap the benefits in a huge way.

[hardmanb]

Amazing how success can be twisted into fear, doubt and uncertainty.

Especially how the iPhone, even unlocked, is adding to Apple's profits, spreading virally around the globe, and changing the business models of everyone.

If the iPhone is so insignificant, how come the all these huge and so-experienced cellphone manufacturers, and carriers...with all their expertise...couldn't give it to us?

Why are people around the world paying a premium, jail-breaking, unlocking, smuggling, buying on ebay and black-marketing to get their hands on one?

Ever think that Apple (Steve Jobs) know what they are doing...or even have a plan?

[aztec92154]

When talking about the industry Don Says:

"there's no debating the fact that the cell phone industry is the most competitive and strangely unprofitable of them all."

Really? Is that what he meant to say? So, when they raise the rates for text messaging from 10 to 15 to 20 cents a year, is that because it costs more on a year to year basis to send text messages? That can't be correct. Can anyone back Dons claim up?

[Artkazi]

Does anyone think that the iPhone will open up to Verizon? That is the only think that is preventing me from getting one. Verizon is the only service that will work in my home!

[ChampagneBob]

It's all about the technology and the ability to deliver it and continue to deliver it. Garmin is now entering the fray and there is talk that Motorola is getting out. The changing of the guard is always present as technology moves forward and leaves behind those that can't keep up.

Apple over its head is a joke (multiple billions of cash reserves and an impressive history of innovation and new products.

Even the major carriers are undergoing change...Verizon and AT&T are growing and Sprint is being left behind....there will always be winners and losers over time....do you want to bet against Apple at this time?

[InformedDissent]

It is very strange that no-one has seen the iPhone for what it really is-- a stealth device. The "phone" part of the iPhone is just a way to get the rest of the package into users' hands so they will have a chance to appreciate all of its other functions. Within a few years the cell phone feature will become redundant as near-universal WiFi access enables these devices to be used as they are ultimately intended-- to make VOIP calls. After that it's bye-bye telcos (you blood-sucking leaches!)

[ecotopian--2008]

I couldn't have said it better myself. The author of this article is without a clue. Apple isn't about competing in the sorry-a$$ industry, it is about changing the game. Let's see, should I bet on Steve Jobs or clueless Don Reisinger? Hah! No contest here!

[MARKINNYC]

"... get out of the AT&T contract, unlock the iPhone for any carrier that can support it, and watch the sales go up through the roof!" What great advice. That would of course mean SJ will have to admit that he's wrong. Not something that happens often at Apple. The deal was great for Apple, great for AT&T and lousy for the consumers! Choice of carrier is based (for most of us) on how well a given carrier works in our home area - whether that's at home or at work or in between. Apple's greed made them overlook that important fact. AT&T is NOT the best carrier in most areas. In fact they're not the best carrier in general. Then their customer service is still about as helpful as a recording or a robot might be - and the combo is horrible for most iPHone customers. The Free Market will out, whether it is in Flat Screens, or Cell Phones. Apple had a HIT on their hands and blew it with their decision to milk revenue out of the consumer & the carrier on an ongoing basis. Maybe they should be content to sell 20 million iPhones in a year, and let the carrier and the consumer decide where and how to spend their airtime dollars. It's hardly news that customers want choices in the cellphone business. Mr. Jobs took those choices away and then played with the unlocked phones to make sure consumers had no choice. Fortunately the hacker community is brighter than his software engineers are. Bottom Line is that we're tired of paying a premium fee to AT&T just for the dubious privilege of lining Apple's corporate coffers. I spent enough when bought the damned phone. Thank heaven it works great on T-Mobile!

[dylan214u]

Don, back in October 07 you made a comment: "Enjoy your iPhone now. But soon enough, you may be wishing you bought that Treo." enough said for me. I used Treo's for 4 years and believe me I have never looked back for a moment after owning a iPhone. This segment of the business is changing and the iPhone has not even scraped the surface of what a REAL software driven device will be like in a few years. Thanks to Apple's entry, companies have finally kicked into gear about trying to innovate. The Treo is a dog and was a never out of a "work in process" mode and probably never will. Apple biting off more than they can chew? let's look at that one a year from now after the SDK is introduced and Apple has time to continue to refine their first born.