Sometimes, reading coverage about Apple is like watching MSNBC or Fox News – you have to wonder whether you’re really getting the news, or simply watching stories through a very skewed lens.
And so it often is when you read news and analysis about Apple. The brand continues to have its fans, but the detractors are numerous and seemingly growing. I had a number of conversations at The Radio Show last week about the new Apple iPhones – especially the C – the lower-priced handset that comes in many colors.
Some analysts are convinced that a lower-priced iPhone won’t be successful – or worse, that it will erode the cool factor that Apple nurtured and grew during the ‘90s, through many iPod incarnations, through the original iPhones, and into iPad.
But if that was going to happen, wouldn’t selling iPhones at Walmart have already had that effect? I mean really – isn’t this like discovering a new band, but then hating on them when they get popular and start playing big arenas?
Many are wondering, “Where’s the innovation?” This is a brand that invented the mp3 player, the smartphone and the tablet. And their newest effort – the iPhone 5C – is just a low-cost entrant where the “C” stands for “cheap.” (Apple says it stands for “color.”) Apple may be redefining “innovation” before our very eyes. It doesn’t have to be bells and whistles, and in this case, it’s not.
So while I am not as smart as the folks who write for publications like Mashable, CNET, and other respected tech publications, I’ve had an iPhone for a long time now, and our work at jacAPPS provides me with a perspective that’s a little different from others.
While many people – like the New York Times’ David Pogue – are raving about the new features in iOS7, I think the iPhone 5c – the entry level iPhone – is really the bigger deal. If you’re looking for innovation, this is it – a cool and easy way for people who haven’t made the leap to smartphones to get on board.
Why could the iPhone 5C be a huge hit? Here are three important reasons why:
1. Fashion – From the beginning, iPhones weren’t just phones that did a lot of different things. They were fashion statements, and they said a lot about their owners. When the coveted white iPhone eventually came out, it was a huge hit because it combined color (or lack of it) with that aforementioned “cool factor.” Now iPhones available in multiple colors are going to start showing up everywhere. (And by the way, the gold 5S is already sold out!)
Hey, I even want one, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with my perfectly good black iPhone. These are just…cooler.
2. Kids – How many 10 year-olds are walking around with iPhones – or begging their parents to buy them one? Doesn’t that $99 price point – and these cool colors – scream kids to you? Look out all you Gen X and Gen Y parents – looks like you’ll be adding some additional users to your AT&T or Verizon contracts. Apple has created an entry-level iPhone, or if you prefer, an iPhone with training wheels (and don’t be surprised to see more seniors dumping their “AARP phones” and purchasing one of these new 5C models).
3. The other half – Or perhaps the other third. We sometimes forget that while smartphones are everywhere, most research – including our Techsurveys – indicate that about 65-70% of the world have sprung for an Apple or Android phone (OK, some BlackBerrys and Windows phones, too). That leaves a lot of people who haven’t taken the plunge. There are a few in every family, right? This could be that moment where many “dumb phone” owners who just haven’t made the commitment reach that tipping point.
So while Apple’s newest releases haven’t amazed us with incredible features that we just have to have, don’t discount an amazingly competitive price point and the fashion factor as innovative Apple initiatives.
I’m betting that the C is going to be a big hit.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Seems to me that years ago Apple proved customers are more interested in the color of their computer than they are in the processor. After that little innovation by Apple you could all of a sudden buy your toaster in multiple colors. Tech pundits need to stop telling consumers what is important and listen to the consumer as they tell you what is important. Is 41 megapixels important? Nope. That I can from multiple colors? Yes!
Thanks, Michael. It is about being in touch with real people who are truly in control.
Nice article ….now if only radio can subscribe to that philosophy ….
Thanks, Frank. Innovation come in a variety of different formats.
True … Good point
The numbers of smartphones sold since 5C’s release says Apple’s is advancing its own catalog. For those who think innovation is a thing of the past, there’s this:
https://www.fastcodesign.com/3018060/apples-iglasses-are-real-heres-why-you-might-never-see-them
Thanks, Ed – another revealing look at the Apple mindset.
Did you hear the news German hacker gas just hacked the iPhone 5S finger print scanner hahaha iPhone fails again. How’s the isheep fans standing in line gonna take this. IPhone is a joke it is practically the same design looks of last year iPhone 5 and still have same old dead boring apps icons. It also copycat multitasking feature from windows phone 8. People if you want a real smartphone and that works well for your personal, entertainment or business use get a windows phone 8 smartphone. It’s more innovative and just love Front screen design with awesome live tile apps that shows you updated info without opening the app. At least the live tile apps are alive.
if you prefer a toy than iPhone are for you.
David, we use names on this site. And the post had nothing to do with one phone over another. It was simply about how Apple is strategizing and marketing its handsets.
Here is reason why Windows Phone 8 is better than iPhone 5c or 5s
OK, so now let’s get into Windows Phone 8 and Keep in mind that some of these new features may also be manufacturer specific and I’ll try to point that out.
•Shared Windows core: Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Phone 8 share core components that should give you a consistent experience, help developers write code once and use it on multiple platforms, and help hardware manufacturers get products to market faster.
•Advanced hardware support: Windows Phone 8 now supports multicore processors, three screen resolutions (800×480, 1280×768, and 1280×720), and removable storage.
•Revamped Start screen: You now have the ability to resize Live Tiles, see more interactive Live Tiles and Live Apps, display more information on your lock screen, and let you children use your phone safely in the Kid’s Corner.
•People Hub improvements: You will now find Rooms along with Groups and the ability to use NFC to quickly add and share contacts.
•Photos Hub and Camera improvements: The camera software has been updated with a viewfinder, lenses, and integrated editing tools. You will also find the ability to store, sync, and share improved in Windows Phone 8.
•Music & Videos Hub improvements: Xbox Music is now fully supported and microSD support is provided for this hub. You can actually even connect to a Windows computer and browse internal and microSD card storage directly with the File Explorer now, which will please many people.
•Games Hub improvements: There is a new notifications panel, in-game purchase support, and Xbox SmartGlass support.
•Windows Phone Store: The Marketplace has been replaced with the Store with new ways to browse for apps, new payment options, cloud backup and reinstall support, and lots of developer improvements.
•Wallet: This new application lets you carry your phone as your wallet with support for storing debit, credit, loyalty, and membership card info, NFC payments (vendor system not yet in place while WP8 internals support it now), deals, and apps that integrate with Wallet.
•Office Hub and OneNote Mobile: You should find it easier to find documents in Office Hub while each of the apps has improvements as well. OneNote Mobile is now separate from Office Mobile on your Start screen with an option to share photos to OneNote, enter voice notes, and search your notes.
•Email and Messaging improvements: White or dark inbox view is now supported, you can send and reply to email via voice, more support for attachments in SMS/MMS are inside, and new emoticons appear in the Word Flow keyboard.
•Internet Explorer 10: IE 10 is onboard and adds features such as smart address bar, find on page, better touch optimization, and better speeds.
•Search: There is a cool new ability to swipe left and right from within Bing to see local events, local deals, movies that are in local theaters, and top headlines. Local Scout has also been updated and new search categories are present.
•Maps: Maps have been improved thanks in large part to the partnership with Nokia that include offline maps. Turn-by-turn voice guided directions are only present on smartphones that have partnerships in place and this is a good reason to pick up a Nokia Lumia if voice guided navigation is important to you.
•Cloud and over-the-air support: There is now the ability to backup and restore your phone to the cloud. We will also finally see OTA updates so a computer will no longer be required to get an updated device.
•Skype integration and improved Phone app: After downloading the free Skype app you will find Skype can be setup to keep you signed in and reachable even when the app is closed. Skype contacts are integrated into the People Hub and Skype Chat is fully functional
Nice spam comment. Not even an attempt to discuss.
https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/23/apple-sells-nine-million-new-iphones/?_r=0
Nine Million phones over the weekend…maybe you are onto something! LOL…and you wrote it Friday so there you have it
Dave, felt this one coming early on (when I actually started thinking the red iPhone looked pretty cool). Thanks for the comment.