In my last post I accused Apple of entering its late middle age. In many areas, phones powered by Google’s Android are overshadowing and bettering the iPhone.
The banter between loyal Apple fans vs. the world will probably never end, but it doesn’t help Apple fans any more now that Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has admitted that he thinks the iPhone is “… somewhat behind with features in the smartphone business.” That’s right, he said it. He also mentioned in the same statement that Samsung is a big competitor because they are currently making great products – key word there, currently.
Here is the exact quote from Wozniak during his visit at the Businessweek’s Best Brand Awards:
“I am proud that we have such loyal fans. But this loyalty is not given; the need to have the best products is always there. Currently we are in my opinion somewhat behind with features in the smartphone business. Others have caught up. Samsung is a big competitor. But precisely because they are currently making great products.” (here)
Apple has its fan(atic)s, and while they won’t jump ship right away, they are already seeing Android phone users enjoying features unavailable on iPhones. Here’s a rundown of 10 features as yet unavailable on the iPhone (read about any you don’t understand here):
Larger screens on Androids
NFC support
Custom homescreen widgets
Standard USB ports
Choice of software keyboards
Attach any file to eMails
Share using any service you want
Viewable file system
Haptic feedback
Pen support
We might add one more very important feature: bang for the buck. Almost all Apple products cost anywhere from 50% to 200% more than equivalent non-Apple products. In fact, I can’t think of any that don’t.
Now, not all of these features are available on every Android device, but none of them are available on the iPhone.
While mindless Apple fans will doubtless line up for the Apple iPhone 6, 7, and 8 when it comes along, expect the lines to get shorter as time goes by. Unless a Steve Jobsless Apple gets a lot smarter than it’s been lately, it’ll continue to lose ground. It may, finally, have to give in to the open system world. Part of what’s holding it back is that it’s a closed system with a tendency to use proprietary designs where standard alternatives are available.
If Steve Wozniak still has any influence at Apple, perhaps Apple can be saved. If not, Apple may go the way of the Motorola, Nokia, and Sony cell phone brands. Remember when you could say that Nokia was the leading cell phone maker and seemed almost unassailable? It’s still hanging in there. Apple may not disappear entirely either but, like Nokia, it could become a minor maker if it doesn’t address the threat Google poses.
