Verizon to begin "iDoesn't" companion against "iDevice"

[ViViDboarder]

The thing is, that's your own opinion, and everyone has their own personal preference, which is why I was talking about how well products are doing as opposed to why one is better than the other.



Want multitasking? There's an app for that! It's called Backgrouder, you get it by jailbreaking

Backgrounder is a workaround... Running the entire GUI in the background is not efficient, especially with such little memory in the first place.

If things like more megapixels and other hardware features sold phones, the samsung instinct would've crushed the original iphone back in 2007. But as it turns out, packing a lot of features in really doesn't make people happy with their phones.

You say "all you're missing is the app store and use experience," but those two features right there (along with some brand-coolness) are the overriding reasons the iphone has seen the success it has. If you're missing those things, you're missing everything.



That advantage is also a disadvantage. Having a lot of options allows those who know all about this stuff to get exactly what they want, but it also confuses a lot of more mainstream buyers.

Moreover, you run the risk of diluting the brand. If some android handsets are substandard, they could potentially poison android's image (much like really underpowered, poorly made window's boxes give people a bad impression of windows generally, even when the OS isn't the problem).

App store and simplicity/recognizeablity are probaly the biggest things going for the iPhone right now. It won't be long until these advantages are all but gone. Just like the ad mentions, Android has OPEN development. Anyone can develop for it, not just mac users. The Android market WILL blow up.

As far as the other topics go, you have a great point. This is being tackled already. The fact that Android is Open Source allows phone manufacturers to modify their own versions of the UI. HTC Sense UI will become THE interface for HTC Android phones and has already gained as much recongnizeablity as the original Android UI and is catching up to the iPhone (look at all the Sense Winterboard themes. ).

Droid (NOT running Snapdragon by the way) does have MANY significant advantages over the iPhone. You're ignorant if you say otherwise. It is still dubious if it will take a big chunk out of the iPhone market though.

It has been said before, but Apple's single BEST skill is SELLING. Steve Jobs is the ultimate sales person. The fact that they tell us that Copy & Paste is a new feature and we aren't keeling over laughing at the advertisements is estimate to that.

So fact: Droid is a more powerful, feature rich phone.
Fact: Verizon does have better 3G coverage
Fact: Droid, on a point by point basis competes with or beats the iPhone

Regardless, the iPhone will likely have a bigger market share. Although, this is one of the first times we're seeing advertisements on TV hyping an Android phone. I hope Verizon keeps it up and makes the Droid a worth competitor. This will only force Apple to respond with something truly Novel.

Did anyone notice the fine print in the commercial? It says something like "Droid is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm ltd." That's some pretty crazy stuff (at least to me) lol

DEFINITELY noticed that one. IP law here is seriously out of hand...

 

[Unprocessed1]

I also like the graphical interface on Android 2.0, Android 1.6 was very dry and almost childish looking.

 

[ViViDboarder]

I also like the graphical interface on Android 2.0, Android 1.6 was very dry and almost childish looking.

Android 1.6 was Win95 and 2.0 is Win7 At least as far as looks go. I didn't much care for the look/UI of 1.6 (with the exception of HTC Sense UI).

2.0 looks great though.

 

[nss]

Good ad Bad ad

There are a lot of people who have different opinions on if this was a good ad or not.

I think it's both.

They make some good points and I don't think it's such a bad thing to be mysterious about their product to get people talking about it and get more mileage out of their advertising dollar.

The criticism I have for the ad is that many of the iDon't features are things that are more important to the geek types rather than the casual user who wants something work and not be complicated.

As far as the iDon't list..

* I would like a camera flash but I don't need to take pictures in the dark.
* I don't care about 5 vs 3 megapixels.
* Background processing wouldn't be terrible but the device is going to need more memory to make it viable.
* Full keyboard.. I've never had a phone with a full keyboard before so i don't know if i like it or not but sometimes the iphone keyboard frustrates me but i'm comparing it to a full size desktop or laptop keyboard.
* I'm a pretty technical person but I have never attempted to jailbreak my iphone due to the complete lack of interest so their campaigning for the openness of it and the freedom you get while is a bit interesting isn't that important to me.

I want to make calls, send texts, surf the web, check email, play games to pass time. I like the unlimited data plan so I really don't have any complaints. In fact, I'm a happy purchaser of a $400 1st gen 8GB iphone with no real plans to upgrade.

The best thing to me that has come out of this is that it might cause apple to make an amazing product even better. Now if they could just make the macbook affordable I could even be a mac user :/

 

[ViViDboarder]

There are a lot of people who have different opinions on if this was a good ad or not.

I think it's both.

They make some good points and I don't think it's such a bad thing to be mysterious about their product to get people talking about it and get more mileage out of their advertising dollar.

The criticism I have for the ad is that many of the iDon't features are things that are more important to the geek types rather than the casual user who wants something work and not be complicated.

As far as the iDon't list..

* I would like a camera flash but I don't need to take pictures in the dark.
* I don't care about 5 vs 3 megapixels.
* Background processing wouldn't be terrible but the device is going to need more memory to make it viable.
* Full keyboard.. I've never had a phone with a full keyboard before so i don't know if i like it or not but sometimes the iphone keyboard frustrates me but i'm comparing it to a full size desktop or laptop keyboard.
* I'm a pretty technical person but I have never attempted to jailbreak my iphone due to the complete lack of interest so their campaigning for the openness of it and the freedom you get while is a bit interesting isn't that important to me.

I want to make calls, send texts, surf the web, check email, play games to pass time. I like the unlimited data plan so I really don't have any complaints. In fact, I'm a happy purchaser of a $400 1st gen 8GB iphone with no real plans to upgrade.

The best thing to me that has come out of this is that it might cause apple to make an amazing product even better. Now if they could just make the ibook affordable I could even be a mac user :/

Get an MSI Wind (not too expensive), there are many guides and whole websites dedicated to running OSX on them The first Mac Netbook

AAAAAAAAAAAnyways...

Clever ads work wonders. The fact that they are showing this to people as Features will impact their decision. Will it be enough to make iPhone users jump ship in droves?

Probably not.

Will it make VZ users want the Droid? Will it make people who have been considering the iPhone but want a physical keyboard, better camera, better network, more open development switch and get the Droid? Will it really entice users of many Windows Mobile phones to get on the Android bandwagon?

Probably.

 

[Unprocessed1]

I think a 5MP would make a decent shots acceptable to publish. a 3MP camera will rarely produce decent shots, but then again a 3MP phone camera can still produce better shots than a subpar 5 MP phone camera. We'll have to see when it comes out.

 

[redman042]

On ATT's website, they advertise the HTC Fuze as "the ultimate smartphone".

Does that mean ATT doesn't think much of the iPhone? Of course not. It's just advertising.

In Verizon's case, it's similar to the way that Jobs always slams anything that Apple doesn't have, but then flips 180 degrees when they do get it.

There's a big difference between claiming that another product is the "best" vs. taking DIRECT potshots at the iPhone. You'll never see AT&T do that.

 

[redman042]

Apple's not going to add background tasks for a long time.. they've just spent a fortune on the push notification servers.. so if the competition starts working on decent multitasking implementations, people are going to consider other smartphones.

Let's not forget here that smartphones, by their nature, are very limited computers. You can jam a super fast processor and lots of RAM in one, but if you don't still manage processing activities with extreme care, you will burn through that battery in no time. You'll also start to see laggy transitions, skipping music, and other issues.

So unlimited multitasking is not the holy grail everyone makes it out to be. It comes with drawbacks too, especially for those who love the simplicity of the iPhone and don't want to (or can't) manage running tasks. Do any of you own, or know someone that owns, a Blackberry, Pre, or Android phone? How well do they REALLY handle backgrounding of multiple apps? How's battery life? Does it ever get to be a pain to manage what's running?

Even if the answer is that these phones multitask decently, let's not forget how limited their apps are compared to the iPhone's. WebOS apps are not in the same league as iPhone apps. There's got to be a tradeoff somewhere.

The ultimate solution would be for Apple to allow some backgrounding where needed but use Push wherever it makes sense. You don't need Beejive running in the background eating up resources and battery as long as you have push. Push is more efficient for that. But push won't replace true backgrounding for apps like Slacker Radio. So both are useful. Push is not a waste. I use both now on my jailbroken iPhone, and it's perfect. If only I didn't need to jailbreak to get it.

 

[pdjudd]

The ultimate solution would be for Apple to allow some backgrounding where needed but use Push wherever it makes sense.

The ultimate question is, of course, what is the difference between "needed" and not and who is going to decide that. You ask a developer and give him the choice, they are going to claim whatever they want as "needed". Apple on the other hand, wants "needed" to be very restrictive - most likley to service that they create and cannot operate any other way (like the phone App).

The last thing you want is a scenario where Apple either has to play favorites, or Apple having to try to close an open barn door when it gets way out of hand.

 

[Unprocessed1]

You'll never see AT&T do that.

Oh come on, give me a break.

 

[ViViDboarder]

Oh come on, give me a break.

I'm pretty sure they mean you'll never see AT&T call one of their phones an iPhone killer or "Better than the iPhone". Rather they will call it "Best smartphone" or something like that.

 

[redman042]

I'm pretty sure they mean you'll never see AT&T call one of their phones an iPhone killer or "Better than the iPhone". Rather they will call it "Best smartphone" or something like that.

Exactly. The iPhone may be a double edge sword for AT&T, but it has brought them a LOT of new customers from all the other networks. Even if they one day lose exclusivity, they have no good reason to totally bash the iPhone directly.

AT&T pays much more subsidy per iPhone sold than any other model. They had to make a "deal with the devil" to get exclusivity on this device. So if the salesman has a say in the matter, he'd much rather sell you a different smartphone if you will sign a contract either way. But if you really want the iPhone, then they'll gladly sell you one to get you committed.

 

[dbernie41]

Regardless of how this whole thing turns out, I LOVE the Verizon ad.

There is alot of hype and promise around this phone and I am getting excited about it but not too excited. Last time there was this much talk of a iPhone killer the Blackberry Storm was released as a total POS dud. I will reading many many reviews and such before looking into this phone. Althought BoyGeniousReport has given it praise so far.

I will be very eager to read any stories on this phone. Solid competition will only push Apple (and other companies) to take things a step further.

 

[dmmcintyre3]

Verizon: iDo work at home
AT&T: iDon't work at home (On a 3GS even, it was as useful as a iPod Touch without wifi service)

Although we would qualify for their network extender for free with unlimited calling because our internet is AT&T and so is our home phone.

 

[macfan881]

the only hype i think this is coming from are the engadet http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/21/verizon-hosting-droid-event-on-october-28/1#c22499169

I just got downranked for saying I hope verizon fails and got called a fanboy wow

 

[ViViDboarder]

the only hype i think this is coming from are the engadet http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/21/verizon-hosting-droid-event-on-october-28/1#c22499169

I just got downranked for saying I hope verizon fails and got called a fanboy wow

Well, VZW has the largest network so a general claim that they "fail" could be considered a statement of a fanboy.

An arguement about VZW would be something along the lines of the setbacks of CDMA (not just VZW) or the policies VZW has regarding their "App Store". Basically the apps and tones you can purchase through their service.

I have seen Droid hype other places, but Engadget is one of the few places prone to covering this. Due to the nature of MACrumors, you won't see much official coverage here.

 

[redman042]

Here's some very strong arguments why the "iDon't" campaign is a load of crap, why excessive backgrounding has a dark side, and why Android and Palm aren't necessarily better just because they are more open:

"Dear Palm, it's just not working out"

"iPhone/iPod Touch Fastest-Growing Consumer Electronic Platform in History"

Moral of the story: Do you want a fully open OS but poor performance, or a locked-down but reliable and silky smooth experience, with a huge installed base and unbelievable 3rd party support? Looks like an unprecedented number of people are choosing the latter.

 

[ViViDboarder]

Here's some very strong arguments why the "iDon't" campaign is a load of crap, why excessive backgrounding has a dark side, and why Android and Palm aren't necessarily better just because they are more open:

"Dear Palm, it's just not working out"

"iPhone/iPod Touch Fastest-Growing Consumer Electronic Platform in History"

Moral of the story: Do you want a fully open OS but poor performance, or a locked-down but reliable and silky smooth experience, with a huge installed base and unbelievable 3rd party support? Looks like an unprecedented number of people are choosing the latter.

You do realize "excessive backgrounding" and too many apps and such are not flaws of the system... They are what are called USER problems.

If I don't want to background apps and save battery, I won't. I don't want the creator of the phone to tie that arm behind my back for me.

Open development is always better. Think about it. What is the most powerful platform with the best apps on the market? Hmmm. Desktop computers! Wow! Nobody tells me what I can run and can't run on my desktops. Your argument is obviously biased. What do you consider "unbelievable 3rd party support?" You realize those 3rd party devs are so upset with the App Store process that it's very difficult to get support due to the time it takes Apple to push through updates.

Next are you going to tell me that the iPhone really does have a flash! And a 5M camera? Still, there are plenty of arguments suggesting that Droid is superior. No need to cry over your iPhone now. Get over it. My 3G is still awesome but I can admit that there are flaws.

 

[iPhone 62S]

This might have already been posted, but... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTtEeTuc1Hw

 

[redman042]

You do realize "excessive backgrounding" and too many apps and such are not flaws of the system... They are what are called USER problems.

If I don't want to background apps and save battery, I won't. I don't want the creator of the phone to tie that arm behind my back for me.

Open development is always better. Think about it. What is the most powerful platform with the best apps on the market? Hmmm. Desktop computers! Wow! Nobody tells me what I can run and can't run on my desktops. Your argument is obviously biased. What do you consider "unbelievable 3rd party support?" You realize those 3rd party devs are so upset with the App Store process that it's very difficult to get support due to the time it takes Apple to push through updates.

Next are you going to tell me that the iPhone really does have a flash! And a 5M camera? Still, there are plenty of arguments suggesting that Droid is superior. No need to cry over your iPhone now. Get over it. My 3G is still awesome but I can admit that there are flaws.

My whole point is you can't compare a cell phone to a desktop computer. Not yet anyway. Even the best smartphones are still significantly limited by their small size and limited battery life. It's a very delicate balance to make a smartphone work well. Being open is great, but it comes at the cost of less predictable performance. You don't see this kind of compromise on a desktop PC because it's big and powerful and plugged into a wall. I'm not saying closed is better, or Apple is the only one that has it right, but there is a reason why 10 million people went the Apple route, why there are 80,000 apps (many really good ones) in the App Store, etc. If open is really the most important thing to you, get a G1 or a Droid or whatever. More power to you. I have no problem with that. Just recognize you are giving up some things in the process (just like I gave up some things to go the Apple route, at least until I jailbroke that is).

 

[ruinfx]

http://phandroid.com/2009/10/25/htc-passion-to-continue-verizon-android-party/

this is the android version of the touch hd2 on its way to verizon as well. another beast of a phone.

 

[anjinha]

You do realize "excessive backgrounding" and too many apps and such are not flaws of the system... They are what are called USER problems.

If I don't want to background apps and save battery, I won't. I don't want the creator of the phone to tie that arm behind my back for me.

That's the problem. You might be smart enough to know how background apps affect the performance and battery of the phone but most people aren't. Most people are stupid.

I've seen people complain that the iPhone's battery drains too fast when they use it too much (even though they admit the battery is fine when they leave it alone); I've seen people complain that they "only" get 5 hours of 3G browsing with the iPhone (even though that's exactly what's stated by Apple in terms of battery life for the iPhone). Can you imagine the complaints if we had background apps and they left games or other heavy apps running in the background?

Don't get me wrong, I would love that some apps could run in the background. But I also understand why Apple doesn't allow it.

 

[MTI]

The Verizon "iDon't" campaign is pretty smart. They're really not going after existing iPhone users . . . but they're clearly going after the group of customers that are in the market for a smartphone and 1) haven't already bought a 3GS or lower priced 3G this summer and; 2) see some value in Verizon's wireless network & service over AT&T.

That would cover their existing users/customers of Verizon's Palm and Blackberry devices and perhaps tap into those who use those devices over at Sprint, T-Mobile, etc., since they haven't jumped aboard the iPhone/AT&T juggernaught either.

 

[Peace]

I know. I'm guilty of not reading all the posts. But.

Why hasn't the title to this topic been changed from "companion" to "campaign" ?

 

[macfan881]

Just Saw the UI video God it looks confusing and ugly as heck ill stick with my iphone.