Apple on Android Fragmentation, LTE, Steve Jobs' Involvement

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Apple released their record financial numbers today and fielded questions from analysts during their financial conference call. As usual, Apple executives were unwilling to provide much concrete data on their future plans.

A few interesting questions brought expected responses. One analyst asked if Apple saw any parallels between the rise of Android and that of Windows in the past, and how Apple will maintain growth for iOS. The response reiterated recent Comscore data and talked of Apple's integrated approach vs Android's fragmentation:

The Comscore data released yesterday reported the iOS platform outreaches the Android in the U.S. We launched the iPad 2, sold every one we make. We are gaining traction in enterprise. Largest App store. We feel very good about where we are, and our future product plans. We continue to believe that iPhone's integrated approach is materially better than Android's fragmented approach. The user appreciates that Apple takes full responsibility for the experience. Few customers want to be a system's integrator.

Another question raised the use of LTE in future phones. Apple said that the first generation of LTE chipsets forced a lot of design compromises, and Apple was unwilling to make those compromises.

Finally, on Steve Jobs health, the executives reported that they continue to see Jobs on a regular basis and that Jobs continues to be involved in major strategic decisions. They commented that Jobs wants to be back full time as soon as he can.

Top Rated Comments

LagunaSol Avatar
165 months ago
Your profile name/avatar/signature shows how unbias you are...shame on these crazy Android users who can't see the merit of a different OS :rolleyes:

Of course I'm biased. I'm on an Apple user community forum.

What I would not do is join an Android user forum with a user name like iOS Rules and an avatar of a dead Android robot and spend my days telling all the Android users how much more awesome my platform of choice is and how dumb they are for choosing something else. Not only would that be rude, but it would also likely get me booted from the forum for trolling (something that sadly is not enforced around here).

I have no problem with Android. What I do have a problem with is the deafening amount of noise being made all over the Web by the more vocal segment of the Android population. As far as grassroots astroturfing goes, I've never seen anything like it. It blew the top off the annoyance thermometer about 6 months ago.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
165 months ago
"Blame the user." It's the Microsoft way.

You're holding it wrong.

Come on, you were just asking for that :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dethmaShine Avatar
165 months ago
Just out of curiosity, why do you suppose that is? The *NIX family? Or something else? I'd like to hear your perspective.

If you don't mind, I would like to explain that.

I cannot vouch for all the people. I can vouch for most that I have seen.

I am a part of TI, SerDes which is designed in TI, UK [UK Design]. I have been to TI's headquarters [Dallas, Texas], a number of items, and everytime I go, I have seen people using iPhones and blackberries. TI still gives BB's to all the employees, but most have their personal iPhones. It was really hard to spot a guy using an android phone out of close to a thousand people I could spot on campus.

We run most of our software on SunOS 2.6 [Solaris]. We do some of our development work on Windows [which is a PAIN in the OS for no native support for PERL, Python, ClearCase, etc].

The reason I believe that's the case is because:

1. The most important: people have a life. They don't wish to tinker with the phones; whether its easy or hard, they just have no time. We buy smartphones to work for us and do everything on their own. We don't want to work for our 'smartphone' to make it usable. People just don't have time.

2. The quality of service Apple provides is hands down. The best customer service for any product that is theirs. It's great.

3. iPhone is probably the most usable phone at this time. Android is just on the other side. Widgets/Customization that's about it. Low quality apps/ No apps is the case there.

People want something that just works without much effort. These things are to simplify our lives and not complicate, so that we can concentrate on actual work.

Some people get this; some don't.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
toddybody Avatar
165 months ago
1. Android phones beat the iPhone to the punch. FACT.
2. Android ALSO helps the needs of those who do not afford to buy an iPhone but need a smartphone. FACT.
3. Android manufacturers are making more money than ever. [Samsung, HTC are a proof] FACT.
4. Android has been a blatant rip off of the iPhone from day 1 OR day -1. FACT.
5. Android provides a very fragmented experience compared to the integrated experience on iOS. FACT.
6. Android is devoid of any viable OR any ecosystem. FACT.
7. Apple makes more profit through the iPhone than all of the competitors combined. FACT.
8. iOS with iTunes, Mac OS X, AppleTV and cloud services provides the best ecosystem available. Arguable. BUT FACT.
9. Apple DOES care about the marketshare; Apple DOES care about the money; APPLE does care about the user experience. FACT.
10. Android fanboys are comparitively bitter and are very rude to the fellow commentors and especially Apple and Steve Jobs. FACT.

That's all I could come up with.

You forgot

1. Battlestar Galactica (remake) is the best sci fi show of all time (FACT)
2. Toaster Strudels are better than Pop Tarts (FACT)
3. Kennedy was shot by multiple gunman (FACT)
4. Brian Tong from CNET is worthless (FACT)
5. SC2 is the best competitive RTS (FACT)
6. Green is the new pink (FACT)
7. Lady Ga Ga was NOT born that way (FACT)
8. Republicans are heartless (FACT)
9. Democrats promise everything and never deliver (FACT)
10. OJ did it (FACT)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lkrupp Avatar
165 months ago
But just like Windows, it's practically impossible to have any problems unless you do something stupid.

Another analogy - if you buy a car and put the wrong type of oil in it or inflate the tyres to the wrong pressure, bad things will probably happen.

If you don't know what you're doing with your own devices then maybe you need Apple to hold your hand.

Your profile says you joined this forum in 2006. Based on your previous posts that's five straight years of Apple bashing but what do you have to show for it? Apple is more successful than ever so your attempts to somehow influence people against Apple apprear to have failed miserably. That begs the question of why you are still around. Care to respond?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Popeye206 Avatar
165 months ago
Tired of all the Droid vs iOS comments...

Look Android lovers... this is an Apple site. You don't need to call us "Fanboys" in a condescending way here. We are here because we love our Macs, iOS devices or we develop for them and like to keep up on the news. Yes... many here are "fanboys".

We don't care about your customization, your 4G, your ability to steal music or video. It's stupid. You do know you can do all that on an iPhone too (with the exception of 4G - but who cares, very little markets have it). Yes, iTunes manages our music, apps and video, but I can add songs and videos from anywhere... just like you. If I want to be a geek and customize, I can jail break my phone and do all sorts of crazy things. You do realize the average consumer out there could care less right? They just want it to work.

So, anyway... go love your Droid device. It is a nice platform. But sorry to say, it's not going to kill the iPhone or iOS. Apple is good at what it does and consumers love it. Their sales continue to show it.

And, like it or not, Apple is the most influential high-tech company out there right now. They've done more for the PC and the Mobile industry than any other company in the last decade. You should be happy Apple exists as they've woken up many manufactures in the market as to what consumers care about. Quality product. Consistent experience and superior service.

Please... if you want to impress your friends with your customized HTC Thunderbolt, go over to the Android forum and beat your chest and stop the pissing contest here. There's pluses and minuses on both sides and we could argue all day with no productive end result.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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