If just seeing wasn't believing, here's a video that shows the Windows Mobile iPhone skin in action.
Most of the icons are just shortcuts to the equivalent apps on Windows Mobile, but the most impressive thing must be the screensaver and the scrolling. The screensaver lets you whisk your finger to the right to unlock the phone, and the scrolling mimics the finger scrolling on the iPhone. A nice stopover between now and June for those who really can't wait. – Jason Chen
First Apple iPhone ad spotted at the Oscars
During the 79th Annual Academy Awards, Apple managed to slip in a very nicely done iPhone ad. The 30-second spot includes clips from different TV shows and movies with about 30 actors (not sure about that) saying "hello" on the phone. It ends with an image of the iPhone and the words "Coming in June".
Apple paid about $1.7 million for an ad that was supposedly viewed by over 40 million people in the US and probably more across the globe. The ad showed up on the Apple website shortly after it was aired.
Oh and another insignificant thing you probably might have missed: at the end of the ad the logo on the top left side of the iPhone screen has been updated and says at&t instead of Cingular. Enough jabbering, the ad is below if you wish to see it. Higher quality videos are available on Apple's site.
Apple paid about $1.7 million for an ad that was supposedly viewed by over 40 million people in the US and probably more across the globe. The ad showed up on the Apple website shortly after it was aired.
Oh and another insignificant thing you probably might have missed: at the end of the ad the logo on the top left side of the iPhone screen has been updated and says at&t instead of Cingular. Enough jabbering, the ad is below if you wish to see it. Higher quality videos are available on Apple's site.
Blackberry Has Momentum to Handle iPhone Competition
By: pdaBlast! Staff
RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky believes that the RIM Blackberry has built enough momentum to hold its own against competition from the Apple iPhone. He believes it so much, he raised his rating from "sector perform" to "outperform" and sent the stock price running.
According to Forbes Abramsky said, "While we continue to expect competitive launches, particularly Apple's iPhone, to pressure RIM's valuation, RIM's stronger than expected momentum may help mitigate this impact, reassuring investors its threat to RIM's consumer push may be less than feared."
There was a lot of hype when Apple announced its iPhone offering. After all, it is a very slick looking device. As time has passed though, the people at RIM are seemingly more confident. In a recent interview with Laptop Magazine, co-CEO Mike Lazaridis said about upcoming iPhone, "...the touchscreen is not new. In fact, touchscreens didn't catch on the way people expected. People are very tactile. BlackBerrys are very tactile. We spent a lot of time on this keyboard because it's really hard to have both form and function excel at the same time. With the 8800, it's almost like a soft touch. It's easier to type on than any BlackBerry in the past."
Can the Blackberry handle the competition posed by Apple's iPhone? Stay tuned.
iPhone: Revolutionary or just fashionably late?
Associated Press
February 5, 2007
SAN JOSE, CALIF. - Pablo Gonzalez, a Prada shoe-wearing cell phone connoisseur who jumps from one new handset to the next, is ready to ditch his $1,000 touch-screen cell phone for Apple’s iPhone when it becomes available in June.
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Tark Abed, on the other hand, just got the new Samsung BlackJack smart phone a month ago. The industrial designer at Palo Alto-based Speck Design isn’t keen on spending $500 even though he finds the iPhone’s sleek interface alluring and innovative.
“I upgraded to an unlimited data plan and got the BlackJack for $149,” he said, “and that’s a lot of phone already for $149.”
Their divergent views underscore why Apple’s much-hyped seminal cell phone is all the rage and why, at the same time, incumbent rivals are stirred but say they are not shaken.
The iPhone got everybody — from techie bloggers to late-night TV hosts — talking when it arrived fashionably late on the wireless communications scene. Would-be rivals are welcoming the challenge but questioning Apple’s claim that the iPhone is “revolutionary.”
Apple’s competitors predict that even as the gadget will likely boost the company’s fortunes, it will have limited market share and fall short of the successes Apple has seen with its iPod portable music player. They contend some of the phone’s muchtouted features — such as its touch screen, movement sensors and music player — are not innovative or new.
“They’re just jumping into the party where everyone else is,” said Peter Skarzynski, a senior vice president at Samsung Electronics Co.’s telecommunications unit in North America.
Apple is getting in at a time when competition in the cell phone business is, as ThinkEquity Partners analyst Jonathan Hoopes puts it, “as hot as Hades.”
Because nearly everyone already has a wireless device of some sort, the success of the iPhone will depend on whether Apple’s notoriously slick marketing machine can persuade consumers to replace their current phones with an iPhone that costs $500 or more. In some cases they’ll have to switch carriers as Apple’s gadgets will work only through Cingular Wireless.
“This is not just as easy as going out to buy an iPod,” Hoopes said.
The cell phone market is crowded, yet still growing, and its biggest players are looking for ways to squeeze more profits from declining prices and ever-fickle consumer tastes.
One of the brightest growth spots for the industry has been in cell phones that function as do-it-all devices capable of not only voice communications, but also data, such as Web-browsing and e-mail.
It is precisely this category called smart phones that Apple is targeting with the iPhone, which triples as a phone, a music player and a mobile Internet device.
Sales of smart phones in North America are estimated to grow from 11 million units in 2007 to 55 million in 2010, according to market research firm Gartner.
Worldwide unit sales are projected to nearly quadruple, from 122 million in 2007 to 450 million in 2010.
Nokia Corp. Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo told analysts last week that he doesn’t think Nokia, the world’s No. 1 handset maker, needs to change its business approach because of the iPhone.
But Apple’s entry “will stimulate this market, it’s very clear,” he said. “The fact that we will see multipurpose devices from many manufacturers, I think it will be good for the industry. And in that way, I very much welcome (Apple to the market).”
Handset makers, which already face cutthroat design and pricing battles among themselves, will be watching as well. Samsung, the thirdlargest cell phone maker, is paying particular attention to effects on its line of mid- to high-end phones.
“It’ll definitely impact us, but how much, it’ll depend,” said Dong Jin Oh, president and CEO of the American unit of Samsung.
Samsung and its rivals were just as curious as everyone else Jan. 9 when Apple, after more than two years of rumors and development, finally delivered on the hype.
Nokia employees watched online demonstrations of the iPhone from their trade show booth at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Padmasree Warrior, chief technology officer for No. 2 handset maker Motorola, posted a “morning after” blog saying she’d always been a fan of Apple’s creativity.
She called the iPhone a “compelling concept,” but she also outlined its potential shortcomings.
With the iPhone still months away, no one knows all its features or how well it functions in real life.
Any criticisms leveled now — the high price, the exclusive distribution through Cingular Wireless, the choice to use the slower 2.5G data network, the apparent lack of support for Microsoft Corp.’s business e-mail programs, the lack of a traditional QWERTY button keyboard — could become moot or insignificant later.
February 5, 2007
SAN JOSE, CALIF. - Pablo Gonzalez, a Prada shoe-wearing cell phone connoisseur who jumps from one new handset to the next, is ready to ditch his $1,000 touch-screen cell phone for Apple’s iPhone when it becomes available in June.
Related Links
Business
Computers & Technology
Tark Abed, on the other hand, just got the new Samsung BlackJack smart phone a month ago. The industrial designer at Palo Alto-based Speck Design isn’t keen on spending $500 even though he finds the iPhone’s sleek interface alluring and innovative.
“I upgraded to an unlimited data plan and got the BlackJack for $149,” he said, “and that’s a lot of phone already for $149.”
Their divergent views underscore why Apple’s much-hyped seminal cell phone is all the rage and why, at the same time, incumbent rivals are stirred but say they are not shaken.
The iPhone got everybody — from techie bloggers to late-night TV hosts — talking when it arrived fashionably late on the wireless communications scene. Would-be rivals are welcoming the challenge but questioning Apple’s claim that the iPhone is “revolutionary.”
Apple’s competitors predict that even as the gadget will likely boost the company’s fortunes, it will have limited market share and fall short of the successes Apple has seen with its iPod portable music player. They contend some of the phone’s muchtouted features — such as its touch screen, movement sensors and music player — are not innovative or new.
“They’re just jumping into the party where everyone else is,” said Peter Skarzynski, a senior vice president at Samsung Electronics Co.’s telecommunications unit in North America.
Apple is getting in at a time when competition in the cell phone business is, as ThinkEquity Partners analyst Jonathan Hoopes puts it, “as hot as Hades.”
Because nearly everyone already has a wireless device of some sort, the success of the iPhone will depend on whether Apple’s notoriously slick marketing machine can persuade consumers to replace their current phones with an iPhone that costs $500 or more. In some cases they’ll have to switch carriers as Apple’s gadgets will work only through Cingular Wireless.
“This is not just as easy as going out to buy an iPod,” Hoopes said.
The cell phone market is crowded, yet still growing, and its biggest players are looking for ways to squeeze more profits from declining prices and ever-fickle consumer tastes.
One of the brightest growth spots for the industry has been in cell phones that function as do-it-all devices capable of not only voice communications, but also data, such as Web-browsing and e-mail.
It is precisely this category called smart phones that Apple is targeting with the iPhone, which triples as a phone, a music player and a mobile Internet device.
Sales of smart phones in North America are estimated to grow from 11 million units in 2007 to 55 million in 2010, according to market research firm Gartner.
Worldwide unit sales are projected to nearly quadruple, from 122 million in 2007 to 450 million in 2010.
Nokia Corp. Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo told analysts last week that he doesn’t think Nokia, the world’s No. 1 handset maker, needs to change its business approach because of the iPhone.
But Apple’s entry “will stimulate this market, it’s very clear,” he said. “The fact that we will see multipurpose devices from many manufacturers, I think it will be good for the industry. And in that way, I very much welcome (Apple to the market).”
Handset makers, which already face cutthroat design and pricing battles among themselves, will be watching as well. Samsung, the thirdlargest cell phone maker, is paying particular attention to effects on its line of mid- to high-end phones.
“It’ll definitely impact us, but how much, it’ll depend,” said Dong Jin Oh, president and CEO of the American unit of Samsung.
Samsung and its rivals were just as curious as everyone else Jan. 9 when Apple, after more than two years of rumors and development, finally delivered on the hype.
Nokia employees watched online demonstrations of the iPhone from their trade show booth at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Padmasree Warrior, chief technology officer for No. 2 handset maker Motorola, posted a “morning after” blog saying she’d always been a fan of Apple’s creativity.
She called the iPhone a “compelling concept,” but she also outlined its potential shortcomings.
With the iPhone still months away, no one knows all its features or how well it functions in real life.
Any criticisms leveled now — the high price, the exclusive distribution through Cingular Wireless, the choice to use the slower 2.5G data network, the apparent lack of support for Microsoft Corp.’s business e-mail programs, the lack of a traditional QWERTY button keyboard — could become moot or insignificant later.
Cisco Gives Apple More Time in iPhone Suit
Cisco has decided to give Apple more time regarding the iPhone suit. The company has given Apple until February 15 to respond to a lawsuit filed by Cisco regarding the usage of Cisco’s trademark name for the iPhone product. Cisco had allegedly beat Apple to the iPhone name. Turns out Cisco's had the name since 2000, when it bought InfoGear Technology, which had the rights to the iPhone name.
The companies hope to reach an agreement on both trademark rights and interoperability, the companies said in a joint statement.
However, in November 2006, analysts had noted that an iPhone could cannibalise iPod sales. But the move can’t be resisted. Music is increasingly moving onto cell phones, they added. "I think over the long term mobile music is gong to be huge," Pacific Growth Equities analyst Derrick Wood said. "And that is playing and consuming music over your phone."
In all probability, the iPhone will include music-playing option, a common feature in most phones sold today. Makers of smart phones that sport Microsoft Windows Mobile 5 are turning Windows Media into one option to turn a PDA-style phone into a music player. Meanwhile, Motorola is aligned with Apple for iTunes on cell phones. Microsoft and Nokia, among others, are eyeing new handsets.
Apple’s devices are sold at a premium because of its attention to details.
The companies hope to reach an agreement on both trademark rights and interoperability, the companies said in a joint statement.
However, in November 2006, analysts had noted that an iPhone could cannibalise iPod sales. But the move can’t be resisted. Music is increasingly moving onto cell phones, they added. "I think over the long term mobile music is gong to be huge," Pacific Growth Equities analyst Derrick Wood said. "And that is playing and consuming music over your phone."
In all probability, the iPhone will include music-playing option, a common feature in most phones sold today. Makers of smart phones that sport Microsoft Windows Mobile 5 are turning Windows Media into one option to turn a PDA-style phone into a music player. Meanwhile, Motorola is aligned with Apple for iTunes on cell phones. Microsoft and Nokia, among others, are eyeing new handsets.
Apple’s devices are sold at a premium because of its attention to details.
BenQ To Take On Apple iPhone
David Richards - Monday, 5 February 2007
BenQ is Not For Sale at any price. Howeverthey do have an arsenal of new products to launch including a tough new competitor to the iPhone.
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BenQ is not for sale according to the Companies CEO K.Y. Lee. Facing year end losses of nearly a Billion Australian dollars the company believes that they have enough in reserves to fend off any hostile takeover. They also claim to have several new breakthrough products that will allow them to claw back revenues among them are an iPhone competitor and new 1080p LCD TV's.
The Company also claims that Acer are not a contender to buy the BenQ brand as reported on SmartHouse News earlier this week despite "Wishful thinking" on the part of some Acer executives.
According to BenQ regional Vice President Phil Newton BenQ is set to launch several new products and could well be one of the first LCD TV manufacturer to deliver a new generation of 120Hz LCD TV's. He also claims that they have an iPhone killer that will compete head on with Apple.
Said Newton "I have spoken to KY Lee and BenQ is not for sale at any time or to anyone. What we are doing is re focusing the Company on a host of new products including a new touchphone mobile phone. we are well aware of the rumours and claims that Acer want the BenQ name. This is not on and is wishful thinking on the part of some Acer executives"
"I anticipate that BenQ could well reach a billion Australian in losses however the Company is very stable and will grow over the next year by delivering a host of innovative new products. We have new phones, TV's and projectors" he said.
He added" "Apple are not the only ones to have been working on touchscreen technology in phones. BenQ has it's own patents and has been working on this technology for a while. We will be launching our new touchscreen phone soon. We are also set to launch a stunning range of 1080p LCD TV's with duel tuners and built in PVR's
BenQ's losses for the fourth quarter of 2006 could be higher than expected due to the appropriation of US$61.5 million) for two-year after-sale services committed to handsets sold by BenQ Mobile, according to Eric Yu, senior vice president for finance at BenQ.
Currently rumours are circulating that BenQ is close to being sold
While BenQ has not yet made public its financial reports for the fourth quarter 2006, analysts at Taiwan securities houses have estimated that the company may book a non-operating loss of between US$182 and US$243 million.
With a higher-than-expected amount of non-operating losses, BenQ will continue operating in the red after taxes in the fourth quarter, after posting a net loss of NT$19.72 billion in the first three quarters of 2006, the analysts indicated.
For all of 2006, BenQ's net losses could top as much as US$800 million the analysts added.
In related news, BenQ has officially separated its corporate structure into three business groups – the integrated manufacturing services business group (IMS), the digital media business group (DMG) and the mobile communication business group (MCG), with the IMS group likely to be spun off to form a subsidiary, Yu said.
The IMS may bring in other strategic partners in the second half of 2007 at the earliest, according to BenQ chairman, KY Lee.
Meanwhile, BenQ plans to launch 14 new handsets in 2007, with 3G models to account for 40% of the planned new handsets, sources at BenQ have revealed.
BenQ is Not For Sale at any price. Howeverthey do have an arsenal of new products to launch including a tough new competitor to the iPhone.
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BenQ is not for sale according to the Companies CEO K.Y. Lee. Facing year end losses of nearly a Billion Australian dollars the company believes that they have enough in reserves to fend off any hostile takeover. They also claim to have several new breakthrough products that will allow them to claw back revenues among them are an iPhone competitor and new 1080p LCD TV's.
The Company also claims that Acer are not a contender to buy the BenQ brand as reported on SmartHouse News earlier this week despite "Wishful thinking" on the part of some Acer executives.
According to BenQ regional Vice President Phil Newton BenQ is set to launch several new products and could well be one of the first LCD TV manufacturer to deliver a new generation of 120Hz LCD TV's. He also claims that they have an iPhone killer that will compete head on with Apple.
Said Newton "I have spoken to KY Lee and BenQ is not for sale at any time or to anyone. What we are doing is re focusing the Company on a host of new products including a new touchphone mobile phone. we are well aware of the rumours and claims that Acer want the BenQ name. This is not on and is wishful thinking on the part of some Acer executives"
"I anticipate that BenQ could well reach a billion Australian in losses however the Company is very stable and will grow over the next year by delivering a host of innovative new products. We have new phones, TV's and projectors" he said.
He added" "Apple are not the only ones to have been working on touchscreen technology in phones. BenQ has it's own patents and has been working on this technology for a while. We will be launching our new touchscreen phone soon. We are also set to launch a stunning range of 1080p LCD TV's with duel tuners and built in PVR's
BenQ's losses for the fourth quarter of 2006 could be higher than expected due to the appropriation of US$61.5 million) for two-year after-sale services committed to handsets sold by BenQ Mobile, according to Eric Yu, senior vice president for finance at BenQ.
Currently rumours are circulating that BenQ is close to being sold
While BenQ has not yet made public its financial reports for the fourth quarter 2006, analysts at Taiwan securities houses have estimated that the company may book a non-operating loss of between US$182 and US$243 million.
With a higher-than-expected amount of non-operating losses, BenQ will continue operating in the red after taxes in the fourth quarter, after posting a net loss of NT$19.72 billion in the first three quarters of 2006, the analysts indicated.
For all of 2006, BenQ's net losses could top as much as US$800 million the analysts added.
In related news, BenQ has officially separated its corporate structure into three business groups – the integrated manufacturing services business group (IMS), the digital media business group (DMG) and the mobile communication business group (MCG), with the IMS group likely to be spun off to form a subsidiary, Yu said.
The IMS may bring in other strategic partners in the second half of 2007 at the earliest, according to BenQ chairman, KY Lee.
Meanwhile, BenQ plans to launch 14 new handsets in 2007, with 3G models to account for 40% of the planned new handsets, sources at BenQ have revealed.
iPhone inspires next generation iPod
BY ERIC BENDEROFF
Chicago Tribune
If you want to know what the next iPod will look like, go to Apple.com and watch the demo for the coming iPhone.
Since Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, which goes on sale in June from Cingular Wireless, much has been said and written about how revolutionary it will be. That's all well and good, but one aspect has been overlooked: How will this impact the iPod?
The answer is, quite a bit. Already, Apple executives are calling the iPhone the best iPod the company has built. Do you think all that really cool technology, particularly the touch screen, only will be used on a phone that starts at $500?
Hardly. Put me on the record as saying you'll see a touch-screen iPod this fall, a few months after the buzz of the iPhone launch settles and a few months before the key holiday sales season kicks in.
Apple does not talk about new products before they are introduced, and it is no different when people at the company are asked what a new iPod could look like. But Apple cares about being an innovator, as well as protecting its bread-and-butter product line, so it would behoove Jobs to include iPhone's nifty new features in his top-of-the-line video-playing iPod.
What's at stake for Apple? Just continued market dominance.
The iPod is overdue for a change. By fall, it will be two years since Apple introduced the so-called fifth-generation iPod. That's the one that plays videos and was slightly upgraded last year with more storage and a marginally bigger screen. Call it the fifth-generation "A" version, if you like.
But the sixth generation is coming, and it will make millions of people feel better about not shelling out $500 for an iPhone. That iPhone will have 4 gigabytes of storage, while a $600 version will have 8 gb.
By comparison, a new iPod will have at least 80 gb of music, video and photo storage capability, like the current top model, and be priced at about $350. Historically, Apple has kept the price of its top product in that range, even as it provides more capabilities. The new iPod should be no different.
"I think it will be a more compelling product than the iPhone," said Rob Enderle, a technology analyst who agrees the next iPod is on the way. "There are a lot of things where a touch screen on a phone doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense, but on an iPod it could be absolutely stunning."
The touch-screen controls have wowed people who have seen demonstrations of the iPhone. Instead of using a scroll wheel to navigate through your songs, videos and photos, you just touch the screen. Use your finger for scrolling, then tap on the artist you want to hear. A list of songs and albums pop up.
Choose a song, and while it plays, the album art shows, just like on the fifth-generation iPods. But the iPhone takes it up a notch: Turned horizontally, that album art becomes part of "cover flow," where you can scroll through all the album art stored on your device.
Cover flow is borrowed from the recent iTunes software upgrade. It makes the music experience more visual, as if you are sifting through a collection of albums in a box. It is a far more interesting feature on a hand-held device than on a computer.
What else will be on the new iPod?
Another nice addition would be Bluetooth connectivity, so you can use wireless headphones with your iPod. That will be included in the iPhone for hands-free driving and listening to music.
With Bluetooth on an iPod, tech writers like this one will have to stop using phrases like "those ubiquitous white cords dangling from everyone's ears." Rather, we'll have to talk about how you can spot the cool kids with the new iPods because there are no more dangling cords.
Keep in mind that while Apple is preparing to dip its toe into the phone business, it already is shoulder deep in the music business. By the time 2007 ends, you can bet Apple will sell more new iPods than iPhones.
Chicago Tribune
If you want to know what the next iPod will look like, go to Apple.com and watch the demo for the coming iPhone.
Since Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, which goes on sale in June from Cingular Wireless, much has been said and written about how revolutionary it will be. That's all well and good, but one aspect has been overlooked: How will this impact the iPod?
The answer is, quite a bit. Already, Apple executives are calling the iPhone the best iPod the company has built. Do you think all that really cool technology, particularly the touch screen, only will be used on a phone that starts at $500?
Hardly. Put me on the record as saying you'll see a touch-screen iPod this fall, a few months after the buzz of the iPhone launch settles and a few months before the key holiday sales season kicks in.
Apple does not talk about new products before they are introduced, and it is no different when people at the company are asked what a new iPod could look like. But Apple cares about being an innovator, as well as protecting its bread-and-butter product line, so it would behoove Jobs to include iPhone's nifty new features in his top-of-the-line video-playing iPod.
What's at stake for Apple? Just continued market dominance.
The iPod is overdue for a change. By fall, it will be two years since Apple introduced the so-called fifth-generation iPod. That's the one that plays videos and was slightly upgraded last year with more storage and a marginally bigger screen. Call it the fifth-generation "A" version, if you like.
But the sixth generation is coming, and it will make millions of people feel better about not shelling out $500 for an iPhone. That iPhone will have 4 gigabytes of storage, while a $600 version will have 8 gb.
By comparison, a new iPod will have at least 80 gb of music, video and photo storage capability, like the current top model, and be priced at about $350. Historically, Apple has kept the price of its top product in that range, even as it provides more capabilities. The new iPod should be no different.
"I think it will be a more compelling product than the iPhone," said Rob Enderle, a technology analyst who agrees the next iPod is on the way. "There are a lot of things where a touch screen on a phone doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense, but on an iPod it could be absolutely stunning."
The touch-screen controls have wowed people who have seen demonstrations of the iPhone. Instead of using a scroll wheel to navigate through your songs, videos and photos, you just touch the screen. Use your finger for scrolling, then tap on the artist you want to hear. A list of songs and albums pop up.
Choose a song, and while it plays, the album art shows, just like on the fifth-generation iPods. But the iPhone takes it up a notch: Turned horizontally, that album art becomes part of "cover flow," where you can scroll through all the album art stored on your device.
Cover flow is borrowed from the recent iTunes software upgrade. It makes the music experience more visual, as if you are sifting through a collection of albums in a box. It is a far more interesting feature on a hand-held device than on a computer.
What else will be on the new iPod?
Another nice addition would be Bluetooth connectivity, so you can use wireless headphones with your iPod. That will be included in the iPhone for hands-free driving and listening to music.
With Bluetooth on an iPod, tech writers like this one will have to stop using phrases like "those ubiquitous white cords dangling from everyone's ears." Rather, we'll have to talk about how you can spot the cool kids with the new iPods because there are no more dangling cords.
Keep in mind that while Apple is preparing to dip its toe into the phone business, it already is shoulder deep in the music business. By the time 2007 ends, you can bet Apple will sell more new iPods than iPhones.
An iPhone By Any Other Name? Surely Not
Thursday's New York Times Business section included a full-page ad for the iPhone -- but not the iPhone you're thinking of. This page showed three Cisco/Linksys VoIP phones, and it looked suspiciously like Cisco marking its territory in the battle with Apple for the right to use the name "iPhone."
Make no mistake about it, the iPhone is made by Cisco/Linksys -- at least according to this ad in the New York Times for February 2, 2007.
Click to Enlarge
The ad ran the day after the two companies announced they had gone back to the bargaining table to settle their dispute over the name.
The two companies have known they had a problem for years -- Cisco has used the "iPhone" name since it acquired a company called Infogear in 2000, and Cisco filed a lawsuit the day after Apple unveiled its iPhone at MacWorld.
(If you haven't watched introduction video that's posted at Apple's Web site you should. Not only does the iPhone look like a real winner, but Steve Jobs' enthusiastic and skillful presentation makes it an enjoyable hour-plus.)
While Cisco thinks it's got a trademark, the press and pundits have been speculating for years that Apple's success with the iPod would lead to an "iPhone" product from the company, so the name has been in use to describe something not sold by Cisco.
It's an interesting legal point, because trademark protection doesn't work like patents. There is, for example, something like a "reasonable man" test for trademarks: if a name is in common usage, it can't be trademarked, and trademarks can be lost because the name they protect has passed into the vernacular: If you say, "I need a kleenex" instead of "I need a Kleenex brand tissue" you've hit the issue squarely on the head. (I don't know whether Kleenex is still a trademark or not. Kimberly-Clark legal beagles, spare me your nastygrams.)
Generally trademark suits revolve around whether confusion over the name has done irreparable harm to the business or reputation of the aggrieved party. You'd think that would be Cisco in this case, but perhaps not.
Consider that reasonable man test. If you went up to 10 people on the street and asked them, "Who makes the iPhone?" I'll bet you 10 out of 10 would say without a moment's hesitation, "Apple."
Apple has built a great deal of brand value for "i-anything" with the iPod, and it could make a powerful argument in court that Cisco's use of "iPhone" was an attempt to create confusion in the marketplace and damage its business. Cisco has filed a
Apple and its Cease and Desist team at O'Melveney & Myers LLP have a long history of going after every little fanboy Web site that uses "i" or "Pod" (or now, "phone"), and even though the company has taken a lot of PR grief for it, there's a good reason. Trademarks must be actively defended against misuse, or they can be lost. That was why, for example, the Prema Toy Company was put in the awkward position of legally bullying a 12-year-old boy who used his nickname on a personal Web site, pokey.org, while Prema owned the trademarks on claymation icons Gumby and his horse Pokey.
But just defending it doesn't secure it. That may be the reason why Cisco has put its court case on hold and gone back to the table with Apple. Even ads in the New York Times, after all, are only worth the paper they're printed on.
My prediction: Apple will get "iPhone" without too much muss or fuss, and Cisco will get a face-saving concession, something it will claim it wanted all along, like the right to make Linksys WiFi routers that work in some theoretically special way with iPhones.
Cisco doesn't have anything to gain by standing in Apple's way, and it could have quite a bit to lose. Cisco's Linksys VoIP phones are going to sell by the thousands, whether they're called "iPhones" or not. Apple's multifunction phones are going to sell by the gazillions, whether they're called "iPhones" or not. If Cisco can actually hitch Linksys equipment to the Apple juggernaut, even a "Works with iPhone" sticker on the box will be worth more to Cisco's bottom line than denying Apple the "iPhone" trademark.
Apple, Cisco Extend Negotiations on iPhone Trademark
The battle commanders over the iPhone trademark on Thursday agreed to a temporary truce in hopes to reach an agreement before taking things to the courts.
In a joint statement from Apple and Cisco regarding iPhone trademark, the companies have announced that they “have agreed to extend the time for Apple to respond to the lawsuit to allow for discussions with the aim of reaching agreement on trademark rights and interoperability.”
While the iPhone name may already be associated with Apple and the rest of its iLife products, Cisco has owned the iPhone trademark since 2000. In fact, Cisco in December 2006 launched its own line of telephony devices carrying the iPhone brand. Apple then bravely announced its wireless product carrying the same name in January.
Cisco took immediate exception to Apple’s use of its trademark and sued for infringement. “Cisco entered into negotiations with Apple in good faith after Apple repeatedly asked permission to use Cisco's iPhone name,” said Mark Chandler, senior vice president and general counsel for Cisco. “There is no doubt that Apple's new phone is very exciting, but they should not be using our trademark without our permission.”
“Today's iPhone is not tomorrow's iPhone. The potential for convergence of the home phone, cell phone, work phone and PC is limitless, which is why it is so important for us to protect our brand,” said Chandler.
Oddly enough, Apple responded to Cisco’s lawsuit by calling it silly. “We think Cisco's trademark lawsuit is silly. There are already several companies using the name iPhone for VOIP products, and we believe that Cisco's US trademark registration is tenuous at best,” said Apple spokesperson Alan Hely.
“We are the first company ever to use the iPhone name for a cell phone, and if Cisco wants to challenge us on it we are very confident we will prevail.”
With the entertaining sound bites out of the way, the two companies will now have another two weeks to sort things out. If the decision ends up in the hands of the court, some believe that Apple and Cisco could both end up using the iPhone name on the basis of its increasing iGeneric nature.
In a joint statement from Apple and Cisco regarding iPhone trademark, the companies have announced that they “have agreed to extend the time for Apple to respond to the lawsuit to allow for discussions with the aim of reaching agreement on trademark rights and interoperability.”
While the iPhone name may already be associated with Apple and the rest of its iLife products, Cisco has owned the iPhone trademark since 2000. In fact, Cisco in December 2006 launched its own line of telephony devices carrying the iPhone brand. Apple then bravely announced its wireless product carrying the same name in January.
Cisco took immediate exception to Apple’s use of its trademark and sued for infringement. “Cisco entered into negotiations with Apple in good faith after Apple repeatedly asked permission to use Cisco's iPhone name,” said Mark Chandler, senior vice president and general counsel for Cisco. “There is no doubt that Apple's new phone is very exciting, but they should not be using our trademark without our permission.”
“Today's iPhone is not tomorrow's iPhone. The potential for convergence of the home phone, cell phone, work phone and PC is limitless, which is why it is so important for us to protect our brand,” said Chandler.
Oddly enough, Apple responded to Cisco’s lawsuit by calling it silly. “We think Cisco's trademark lawsuit is silly. There are already several companies using the name iPhone for VOIP products, and we believe that Cisco's US trademark registration is tenuous at best,” said Apple spokesperson Alan Hely.
“We are the first company ever to use the iPhone name for a cell phone, and if Cisco wants to challenge us on it we are very confident we will prevail.”
With the entertaining sound bites out of the way, the two companies will now have another two weeks to sort things out. If the decision ends up in the hands of the court, some believe that Apple and Cisco could both end up using the iPhone name on the basis of its increasing iGeneric nature.
Apple gets more time to respond in Cisco iPhone lawsuit
Apple last month showcased their Apple iPhone mobile phone product. The company assured the media and fans that they would indeed launch this phone with the name iPhone as speculated by the media.
However, the iPhone name is a trademark owned by Cisco and they sued Apple after the launch was made public. The two companies had been talking about sharing this name usage before the launch. Apparently, Apple declined to meet the Cisco’s demand for usage of the term iPhone.
The two companies have now agreed to extend the time for Apple to respond to a lawsuit over the iPhone trademark.
They aim to use this extended time for discussions related to reaching agreement on trademark rights and interoperability.
Cisco had asked the court to force Apple to use some other name for their mobile phone product. Apple responded by saying that they are the first company to use iPhone name for a mobile phone product and they should be allowed the use the name.
However, the iPhone name is a trademark owned by Cisco and they sued Apple after the launch was made public. The two companies had been talking about sharing this name usage before the launch. Apparently, Apple declined to meet the Cisco’s demand for usage of the term iPhone.
The two companies have now agreed to extend the time for Apple to respond to a lawsuit over the iPhone trademark.
They aim to use this extended time for discussions related to reaching agreement on trademark rights and interoperability.
Cisco had asked the court to force Apple to use some other name for their mobile phone product. Apple responded by saying that they are the first company to use iPhone name for a mobile phone product and they should be allowed the use the name.
Apple, Cisco Talking Again to Settle 'iPhone' Dispute
Apple and Cisco have agreed to allow more time for Apple to respond to Cisco's claims in the legal dispute over the "iPhone" name, with the aim of reaching agreement on trademark rights and interoperability, reports E-Commerce News.
Cisco has owned the rights to the name since 1995 and lauched a line of VoIP phone products last year under its Linksys brand. Apple says it is confident it can use the name since its iPhone will operate on cellular networks, not in-home WiFi. However, Cisco said either phone could evolve to become more of a direct competitor.
Both companies have been tight-lipped about the proceedings, but apparently the battle over the name has been raging as long as five years.
Apple is likely worried that Cisco can hold out for licensing fees or royalties - that's a problem, since mobile phones are not a high-margin business. And a trial would likely cost both companies a lot of money. A settlement outside of court would therefore make sense.
Cisco has owned the rights to the name since 1995 and lauched a line of VoIP phone products last year under its Linksys brand. Apple says it is confident it can use the name since its iPhone will operate on cellular networks, not in-home WiFi. However, Cisco said either phone could evolve to become more of a direct competitor.
Both companies have been tight-lipped about the proceedings, but apparently the battle over the name has been raging as long as five years.
Apple is likely worried that Cisco can hold out for licensing fees or royalties - that's a problem, since mobile phones are not a high-margin business. And a trial would likely cost both companies a lot of money. A settlement outside of court would therefore make sense.
Andover Eyes the iPhone
Every time Steve Jobs, Apple Corporation’s CEO, announces Apple’s newest innovation, the media, Wall Street, and Andover students immediately take notice. After his epic announcements, the frenzy to purchase the latest Apple products begins.
On January 11, Apple released the multi-functional iPhone prototype to the public. The iPhone combines all the joys of modern technology – an iPod, a digital camera, Internet access, and a cellular phone – into one sleek and easy to use device. To many, the iPhone is the zenith of all things snazzy.
However, excited consumers must realize that Apple only released the iPhone prototype, which cannot be purchased until June. Also, one bottom line question still remains: Will Andover students purchase the product?
Most see the plethora of functions on the iPhone as a chance to replace other products. Nicole Duddy ’08 said, “When I go out, I always have my cell phone, iPod, and camera in my pockets. Sometimes, I even carry around my laptop for convenience. I want the iPhone because that means I only need to carry around on thing!”
Before the iPhone, companies tried to down size products. Devices became thinner and more compact, such as the credit card-size Canon Powershot, Motorola’s RAZR phone, and Apple’s iPod Nano. But with the iPhone, Apple introduces a new trend to compact everything together.
However, other students seem skeptical about the product. Daniah Missmar ’09 said, “I want to wait a couple more years until Apple has completely perfected the product. This product is so new and so innovative, I’m afraid there will be too many problems with it.”
Furthermore, Andover students see Apple’s contract with the phone company Cingular as both a hindrance and a benefit. Cingular’s exclusivity could be a real problem. First, the company will have a monopoly on the phone service for iPhone consumers. Second, residents in Vermont and Nevada are excluded from the iPhone frenzy due to Cingular’s gaps in wireless service.
But this business deal was exactly what the two companies had intended. James Rockas ’08 said, “Even though I have Verizon and I get better service on campus, I will give that up to get the iPhone and switch over to Cingular.”
Joseph Mensah ’08 is embracing the fact that Apple has collaborated with Cingular. “I have built up credit with Cingular, so as soon as the iPhone is released, I can use the credit and upgrade my phone. The deal is too sweet to pass up.”
The iPhone’s price tag, currently at $499 for a four-gigabyte model and $100 more for the eight-gigabyte model, has some PA students cringing.
Brianna McCarthy ’09 said, “The iPhone seems really cool but what if I lose it? It’s too expensive to take that risk.” Other students agree. They fear that in one fell swoop everything – music, videos, phone, Internet, and photos – can be lost.”
Perhaps for some, the price is more acceptable when they consider all the features and bragging rights that come when you are one of the first to own an iPhone.
Even with debates of whether or not the convenience and reliability of the iPhone is worth the price, one thing is for sure – the iPhone lives up to its hype.
The device is 0.46 inches thinner than many popular competitors, including the Blackberry Pearl and Palm Treo. There will inevitably be comparisons between the iPhone and many other smartphones like Motorola’s Q, but the completely flat 3.5-inch screen stands out from the others.
Also, upon first sight, many people confusedly ask, “But what about all of the keys and buttons?” This is another aspect to the iPhone’s genius. If the phone function is in use, a touch sensitive number pad appears on screen. Searching on the Internet? A full QWERTY keyboard appears that is so intuitive that it senses any range of mistakes and automatically corrects itself.
Furthermore, the iPod feature on the device can be used for sixteen hours of audio playback and five hours of video watching. However, unlike the swirling finger motions to control the iPod, all one has to do to scroll through playlists is sweep one finger up or down. With up to eight gigabytes of storage, it has roughly the same amount of memory as the highest volume iPod Nano. For watching TV shows or movies from the iTunes store, the device can be laid on its side, whereupon the iPhone will sense the switch in orientation and transform into widescreen mode.
A similar aspect can be used on the photo feature of the iPhone. The innovators at Mac even flawlessly integrated a two megapixel camera into the phone. Many iPod users will really appreciate this new feature, especially since iPods can only store and display photos.
Finally, the breakthrough feature of this gadget is the highly advanced Internet feature. Access to the Web is gained through WiFi, the common wireless medium, or Cingular’s EDGE system. Unlike viewing microscopic and condensed versions of a website on current cell phones, the iPhone allows one to view the exact same thing as one would on a computer monitor with just as much clarity. Also, if the type is too small to read, with a simple and literal pinch of the screen one can easily zoom in.
The iPhone almost seems like a misnomer because all of the special features overshadow the actual phone feature. The phone is accessed through the home screen, which shows a contact list, favorites, recent, and keypad tab. In addition, voicemail appears in a list and can be accessed and listened to individually. Text messaging, which is also done using the touch screen keyboard, appears on the screen like instant messaging.
As of now, there is no other product that is on the same level as the iPhone. The quest to find out whether or not Andover students are in love with Apple’s iPhone must be postponed. Andover can only wait until next Fall Term to see whether students embrace or hate the new iPhone.
On January 11, Apple released the multi-functional iPhone prototype to the public. The iPhone combines all the joys of modern technology – an iPod, a digital camera, Internet access, and a cellular phone – into one sleek and easy to use device. To many, the iPhone is the zenith of all things snazzy.
However, excited consumers must realize that Apple only released the iPhone prototype, which cannot be purchased until June. Also, one bottom line question still remains: Will Andover students purchase the product?
Most see the plethora of functions on the iPhone as a chance to replace other products. Nicole Duddy ’08 said, “When I go out, I always have my cell phone, iPod, and camera in my pockets. Sometimes, I even carry around my laptop for convenience. I want the iPhone because that means I only need to carry around on thing!”
Before the iPhone, companies tried to down size products. Devices became thinner and more compact, such as the credit card-size Canon Powershot, Motorola’s RAZR phone, and Apple’s iPod Nano. But with the iPhone, Apple introduces a new trend to compact everything together.
However, other students seem skeptical about the product. Daniah Missmar ’09 said, “I want to wait a couple more years until Apple has completely perfected the product. This product is so new and so innovative, I’m afraid there will be too many problems with it.”
Furthermore, Andover students see Apple’s contract with the phone company Cingular as both a hindrance and a benefit. Cingular’s exclusivity could be a real problem. First, the company will have a monopoly on the phone service for iPhone consumers. Second, residents in Vermont and Nevada are excluded from the iPhone frenzy due to Cingular’s gaps in wireless service.
But this business deal was exactly what the two companies had intended. James Rockas ’08 said, “Even though I have Verizon and I get better service on campus, I will give that up to get the iPhone and switch over to Cingular.”
Joseph Mensah ’08 is embracing the fact that Apple has collaborated with Cingular. “I have built up credit with Cingular, so as soon as the iPhone is released, I can use the credit and upgrade my phone. The deal is too sweet to pass up.”
The iPhone’s price tag, currently at $499 for a four-gigabyte model and $100 more for the eight-gigabyte model, has some PA students cringing.
Brianna McCarthy ’09 said, “The iPhone seems really cool but what if I lose it? It’s too expensive to take that risk.” Other students agree. They fear that in one fell swoop everything – music, videos, phone, Internet, and photos – can be lost.”
Perhaps for some, the price is more acceptable when they consider all the features and bragging rights that come when you are one of the first to own an iPhone.
Even with debates of whether or not the convenience and reliability of the iPhone is worth the price, one thing is for sure – the iPhone lives up to its hype.
The device is 0.46 inches thinner than many popular competitors, including the Blackberry Pearl and Palm Treo. There will inevitably be comparisons between the iPhone and many other smartphones like Motorola’s Q, but the completely flat 3.5-inch screen stands out from the others.
Also, upon first sight, many people confusedly ask, “But what about all of the keys and buttons?” This is another aspect to the iPhone’s genius. If the phone function is in use, a touch sensitive number pad appears on screen. Searching on the Internet? A full QWERTY keyboard appears that is so intuitive that it senses any range of mistakes and automatically corrects itself.
Furthermore, the iPod feature on the device can be used for sixteen hours of audio playback and five hours of video watching. However, unlike the swirling finger motions to control the iPod, all one has to do to scroll through playlists is sweep one finger up or down. With up to eight gigabytes of storage, it has roughly the same amount of memory as the highest volume iPod Nano. For watching TV shows or movies from the iTunes store, the device can be laid on its side, whereupon the iPhone will sense the switch in orientation and transform into widescreen mode.
A similar aspect can be used on the photo feature of the iPhone. The innovators at Mac even flawlessly integrated a two megapixel camera into the phone. Many iPod users will really appreciate this new feature, especially since iPods can only store and display photos.
Finally, the breakthrough feature of this gadget is the highly advanced Internet feature. Access to the Web is gained through WiFi, the common wireless medium, or Cingular’s EDGE system. Unlike viewing microscopic and condensed versions of a website on current cell phones, the iPhone allows one to view the exact same thing as one would on a computer monitor with just as much clarity. Also, if the type is too small to read, with a simple and literal pinch of the screen one can easily zoom in.
The iPhone almost seems like a misnomer because all of the special features overshadow the actual phone feature. The phone is accessed through the home screen, which shows a contact list, favorites, recent, and keypad tab. In addition, voicemail appears in a list and can be accessed and listened to individually. Text messaging, which is also done using the touch screen keyboard, appears on the screen like instant messaging.
As of now, there is no other product that is on the same level as the iPhone. The quest to find out whether or not Andover students are in love with Apple’s iPhone must be postponed. Andover can only wait until next Fall Term to see whether students embrace or hate the new iPhone.
Apple, Cisco extend talks on iPhone deal
Apple and Cisco Systems have pushed back a deadline in their legal battle over the iPhone in order to keep working toward a settlement.
Cisco sued Apple last month in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California over its use of the iPhone name, which Cisco uses for some of its own products. The companies have now agreed to give Apple more time to respond to Cisco's suit so the two parties can keep talking in hopes of reaching an agreement on trademark use and interoperability, they said in a brief joint statement Thursday.
Cisco's Linksys consumer products division sells VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) phones under the iPhone name, which the company said it acquired in its purchase of Infogear in 2000. Apple introduced its iPhone to great fanfare at the Macworld conference last month, and Cisco later said the companies had been negotiating use of the name before the show but never reached a deal.
According to published reports, Cisco would have been willing to license the iPhone name in exchange for Apple making the handset interoperate smoothly with Cisco's products. Linksys is the biggest seller of consumer Wi-Fi access points and is expanding its home product line into the voice and entertainment realms. Apple's iPhone is equipped with Wi-Fi and includes audio, photo and video player software.
Neither Apple nor Cisco could immediately be reached for comment.
Cisco sued Apple last month in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California over its use of the iPhone name, which Cisco uses for some of its own products. The companies have now agreed to give Apple more time to respond to Cisco's suit so the two parties can keep talking in hopes of reaching an agreement on trademark use and interoperability, they said in a brief joint statement Thursday.
Cisco's Linksys consumer products division sells VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) phones under the iPhone name, which the company said it acquired in its purchase of Infogear in 2000. Apple introduced its iPhone to great fanfare at the Macworld conference last month, and Cisco later said the companies had been negotiating use of the name before the show but never reached a deal.
According to published reports, Cisco would have been willing to license the iPhone name in exchange for Apple making the handset interoperate smoothly with Cisco's products. Linksys is the biggest seller of consumer Wi-Fi access points and is expanding its home product line into the voice and entertainment realms. Apple's iPhone is equipped with Wi-Fi and includes audio, photo and video player software.
Neither Apple nor Cisco could immediately be reached for comment.
Apple's iPhone stirs up rivals, who question `revolutionary' claim
Pablo Gonzalez, a Prada shoe-wearing mobile phone connoisseur who jumps from one new handset to the next, is ready to ditch his $1,000 (euro768) touch-screen mobile phone for Apple's iPhone when it becomes available in June.
Tark Abed, on the other hand, just got the new Samsung BlackJack smart phone a month ago. The industrial designer at Palo Alto-based Speck Design is not keen on spending $500 (euro384) even though he finds the iPhone's sleek interface alluring and innovative.
"I upgraded to an unlimited data plan and got the BlackJack for $149 (euro114)," he said, "and that's a lot of phone already for $149."
Their divergent views underscore why Apple Inc.'s much-hyped seminal mobile phone is all the rage and why, at the same time, incumbent rivals are stirred but say they are not shaken.
The iPhone got everybody _ from techie bloggers to late-night TV hosts _ talking when it arrived fashionably late on the wireless communications scene. Would-be rivals are welcoming the challenge but questioning Apple's claim that the iPhone is "revolutionary."
Apple's competitors predict that even as the gadget will likely boost the company's fortunes, it will have limited market share and fall short of the successes Apple has seen with its iPod portable music player. They contend some of the phone's much-touted features _ such as its touch screen, movement sensors and music player _ are not innovative or new.
"They're just jumping into the party where everyone else is," said Peter Skarzynski, a senior vice president at Samsung Electronics Co.'s telecommunications unit in North America.
Apple is getting in at a time when competition in the mobile phone business is, as ThinkEquity Partners analyst Jonathan Hoopes puts it, "as hot as Hades."
Because nearly everyone already has a wireless device of some sort, the success of the iPhone will depend on whether Apple's notoriously slick marketing machine can persuade consumers to replace their current phones with an iPhone that costs $500 (euro384) or more. In some cases they will have to switch carriers as Apple's gadgets will work only through Cingular Wireless.
"This is not just as easy as going out to buy an iPod," Hoopes said.
The mobile phone market is crowded, yet still growing, and its biggest players are looking for ways to squeeze more profits from declining prices and ever-fickle consumer tastes.
One of the brightest growth spots for the industry has been in mobile phones that function as do-it-all devices capable of not only voice communications, but also data, such as Web-browsing and e-mail.
It is precisely this category called smart phones that Apple is targeting with the iPhone, which triples as a phone, a music player and a mobile Internet device.
Sales of smart phones in North America are estimated to grow from 11 million units in 2007 to 55 million in 2010, according to market research firm Gartner Inc. Worldwide unit sales are projected to nearly quadruple, from 122 million in 2007 to 450 million in 2010.
Nokia Corp. Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo told analysts last week that he doesn't think Nokia, the world's No. 1 handset maker, needs to change its business approach because of the iPhone.
But Apple's entry "will stimulate this market, it's very clear," he said. "The fact that we will see multipurpose devices from many manufacturers, I think it will be good for the industry. And in that way, I very much welcome (Apple to the market)."
Handset makers, which already face cutthroat design and pricing battles among themselves, will be watching as well. Samsung, the third-largest mobile phone maker, is paying particular attention to effects on its line of mid- to high-end phones.
"It'll definitely impact us, but how much, it'll depend," said Dong Jin Oh, president and CEO of the American unit of Samsung.
Samsung and its rivals were just as curious as everyone else Jan. 9 when Apple, after more than two years of rumors and development, finally delivered on the hype.
Nokia employees watched online demonstrations of the iPhone from their trade show booth at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Padmasree Warrior, chief technology officer for No. 2 handset maker Motorola Inc., posted a "morning after" blog saying she had always been a fan of Apple's creativity. She called the iPhone a "compelling concept," but she also outlined its potential shortcomings.
"There is nothing revolutionary or disruptive about any of the technologies," she wrote.
With the iPhone still months away from the market, no one knows all its features or how well it functions in real life.
Any criticisms leveled now _ the high price, the exclusive distribution through Cingular Wireless, the choice to use the slower 2.5G data network, the apparent lack of support for Microsoft Corp.'s business e-mail programs, the lack of a traditional QWERTY button keyboard _ could become moot or insignificant later.
If the incumbents are nervous, they are not saying it.
"The iPhone appears to be aimed at consumers; Palm targets prosumers and business customers who require a rich e-mail experience," said Marlene Somsak, a spokeswoman for Palm Inc., maker of Treo smart phones. And those customers also need a full keyboard, she said; typing on the iPhone is done by finger taps on the 3.5-inch (9-centimetre) touch-screen instead of regular buttons.
The Treo was among the smart phone models Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs portrayed as clunky to use and "not so smart" during his inaugural demonstration of the iPhone.
Samsung knows consumer tastes for mobile phones are diverse. In any given year, Samsung has 30 or more models distributed through multiple carriers in the United States and more than 100 worldwide.
"One size doesn't fit all," Skarzynski said. "One look doesn't fit all."
But analysts say mobile phone makers should still be concerned about Apple making inroads into their territory.
"There is now clearly an extremely savvy marketing competitor with a huge user base," Hoopes said. "They better be nervous. But they are all trying to feign complacency."
Tark Abed, on the other hand, just got the new Samsung BlackJack smart phone a month ago. The industrial designer at Palo Alto-based Speck Design is not keen on spending $500 (euro384) even though he finds the iPhone's sleek interface alluring and innovative.
"I upgraded to an unlimited data plan and got the BlackJack for $149 (euro114)," he said, "and that's a lot of phone already for $149."
Their divergent views underscore why Apple Inc.'s much-hyped seminal mobile phone is all the rage and why, at the same time, incumbent rivals are stirred but say they are not shaken.
The iPhone got everybody _ from techie bloggers to late-night TV hosts _ talking when it arrived fashionably late on the wireless communications scene. Would-be rivals are welcoming the challenge but questioning Apple's claim that the iPhone is "revolutionary."
Apple's competitors predict that even as the gadget will likely boost the company's fortunes, it will have limited market share and fall short of the successes Apple has seen with its iPod portable music player. They contend some of the phone's much-touted features _ such as its touch screen, movement sensors and music player _ are not innovative or new.
"They're just jumping into the party where everyone else is," said Peter Skarzynski, a senior vice president at Samsung Electronics Co.'s telecommunications unit in North America.
Apple is getting in at a time when competition in the mobile phone business is, as ThinkEquity Partners analyst Jonathan Hoopes puts it, "as hot as Hades."
Because nearly everyone already has a wireless device of some sort, the success of the iPhone will depend on whether Apple's notoriously slick marketing machine can persuade consumers to replace their current phones with an iPhone that costs $500 (euro384) or more. In some cases they will have to switch carriers as Apple's gadgets will work only through Cingular Wireless.
"This is not just as easy as going out to buy an iPod," Hoopes said.
The mobile phone market is crowded, yet still growing, and its biggest players are looking for ways to squeeze more profits from declining prices and ever-fickle consumer tastes.
One of the brightest growth spots for the industry has been in mobile phones that function as do-it-all devices capable of not only voice communications, but also data, such as Web-browsing and e-mail.
It is precisely this category called smart phones that Apple is targeting with the iPhone, which triples as a phone, a music player and a mobile Internet device.
Sales of smart phones in North America are estimated to grow from 11 million units in 2007 to 55 million in 2010, according to market research firm Gartner Inc. Worldwide unit sales are projected to nearly quadruple, from 122 million in 2007 to 450 million in 2010.
Nokia Corp. Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo told analysts last week that he doesn't think Nokia, the world's No. 1 handset maker, needs to change its business approach because of the iPhone.
But Apple's entry "will stimulate this market, it's very clear," he said. "The fact that we will see multipurpose devices from many manufacturers, I think it will be good for the industry. And in that way, I very much welcome (Apple to the market)."
Handset makers, which already face cutthroat design and pricing battles among themselves, will be watching as well. Samsung, the third-largest mobile phone maker, is paying particular attention to effects on its line of mid- to high-end phones.
"It'll definitely impact us, but how much, it'll depend," said Dong Jin Oh, president and CEO of the American unit of Samsung.
Samsung and its rivals were just as curious as everyone else Jan. 9 when Apple, after more than two years of rumors and development, finally delivered on the hype.
Nokia employees watched online demonstrations of the iPhone from their trade show booth at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Padmasree Warrior, chief technology officer for No. 2 handset maker Motorola Inc., posted a "morning after" blog saying she had always been a fan of Apple's creativity. She called the iPhone a "compelling concept," but she also outlined its potential shortcomings.
"There is nothing revolutionary or disruptive about any of the technologies," she wrote.
With the iPhone still months away from the market, no one knows all its features or how well it functions in real life.
Any criticisms leveled now _ the high price, the exclusive distribution through Cingular Wireless, the choice to use the slower 2.5G data network, the apparent lack of support for Microsoft Corp.'s business e-mail programs, the lack of a traditional QWERTY button keyboard _ could become moot or insignificant later.
If the incumbents are nervous, they are not saying it.
"The iPhone appears to be aimed at consumers; Palm targets prosumers and business customers who require a rich e-mail experience," said Marlene Somsak, a spokeswoman for Palm Inc., maker of Treo smart phones. And those customers also need a full keyboard, she said; typing on the iPhone is done by finger taps on the 3.5-inch (9-centimetre) touch-screen instead of regular buttons.
The Treo was among the smart phone models Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs portrayed as clunky to use and "not so smart" during his inaugural demonstration of the iPhone.
Samsung knows consumer tastes for mobile phones are diverse. In any given year, Samsung has 30 or more models distributed through multiple carriers in the United States and more than 100 worldwide.
"One size doesn't fit all," Skarzynski said. "One look doesn't fit all."
But analysts say mobile phone makers should still be concerned about Apple making inroads into their territory.
"There is now clearly an extremely savvy marketing competitor with a huge user base," Hoopes said. "They better be nervous. But they are all trying to feign complacency."
Apple's iPhone stirs up rivals, who question 'revolutionary' claim
SAN JOSE, California: Pablo Gonzalez, a Prada shoe-wearing cell phone connoisseur who jumps from one new handset to the next, is ready to ditch his $1,000 (€768) touch-screen cell phone for Apple's iPhone when it becomes available in June.
Tark Abed, on the other hand, just got the new Samsung BlackJack smart phone a month ago. The industrial designer at Palo Alto-based Speck Design is not keen on spending $500 (€384) even though he finds the iPhone's sleek interface alluring and innovative.
"I upgraded to an unlimited data plan and got the BlackJack for $149 (€114)," he said, "and that's a lot of phone already for $149."
Their divergent views underscore why Apple Inc.'s much-hyped seminal cell phone is all the rage and why, at the same time, incumbent rivals are stirred but say they are not shaken.
The iPhone got everybody — from techie bloggers to late-night TV hosts — talking when it arrived fashionably late on the wireless communications scene. Would-be rivals are welcoming the challenge but questioning Apple's claim that the iPhone is "revolutionary."
Apple's competitors predict that even as the gadget will likely boost the company's fortunes, it will have limited market share and fall short of the successes Apple has seen with its iPod portable music player. They contend some of the phone's much-touted features — such as its touch screen, movement sensors and music player — are not innovative or new.
"They're just jumping into the party where everyone else is," said Peter Skarzynski, a senior vice president at Samsung Electronics Co.'s telecommunications unit in North America.
Apple is getting in at a time when competition in the cell phone business is, as ThinkEquity Partners analyst Jonathan Hoopes puts it, "as hot as Hades."
Because nearly everyone already has a wireless device of some sort, the success of the iPhone will depend on whether Apple's notoriously slick marketing machine can persuade consumers to replace their current phones with an iPhone that costs $500 (€384) or more. In some cases they will have to switch carriers as Apple's gadgets will work only through Cingular Wireless.
"This is not just as easy as going out to buy an iPod," Hoopes said.
The cell phone market is crowded, yet still growing, and its biggest players are looking for ways to squeeze more profits from declining prices and ever-fickle consumer tastes.
One of the brightest growth spots for the industry has been in cell phones that function as do-it-all devices capable of not only voice communications, but also data, such as Web-browsing and e-mail.
It is precisely this category called smart phones that Apple is targeting with the iPhone, which triples as a phone, a music player and a mobile Internet device.
Sales of smart phones in North America are estimated to grow from 11 million units in 2007 to 55 million in 2010, according to market research firm Gartner Inc. Worldwide unit sales are projected to nearly quadruple, from 122 million in 2007 to 450 million in 2010.
Nokia Corp. Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo told analysts last week that he doesn't think Nokia, the world's No. 1 handset maker, needs to change its business approach because of the iPhone.
But Apple's entry "will stimulate this market, it's very clear," he said. "The fact that we will see multipurpose devices from many manufacturers, I think it will be good for the industry. And in that way, I very much welcome (Apple to the market)."
Handset makers, which already face cutthroat design and pricing battles among themselves, will be watching as well. Samsung, the third-largest cell phone maker, is paying particular attention to effects on its line of mid- to high-end phones.
"It'll definitely impact us, but how much, it'll depend," said Dong Jin Oh, president and CEO of the American unit of Samsung.
Samsung and its rivals were just as curious as everyone else Jan. 9 when Apple, after more than two years of rumors and development, finally delivered on the hype.
Nokia employees watched online demonstrations of the iPhone from their trade show booth at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Padmasree Warrior, chief technology officer for No. 2 handset maker Motorola Inc., posted a "morning after" blog saying she had always been a fan of Apple's creativity. She called the iPhone a "compelling concept," but she also outlined its potential shortcomings.
"There is nothing revolutionary or disruptive about any of the technologies," she wrote.
With the iPhone still months away from the market, no one knows all its features or how well it functions in real life.
Any criticisms leveled now — the high price, the exclusive distribution through Cingular Wireless, the choice to use the slower 2.5G data network, the apparent lack of support for Microsoft Corp.'s business e-mail programs, the lack of a traditional QWERTY button keyboard — could become moot or insignificant later.
If the incumbents are nervous, they are not saying it.
"The iPhone appears to be aimed at consumers; Palm targets prosumers and business customers who require a rich e-mail experience," said Marlene Somsak, a spokeswoman for Palm Inc., maker of Treo smart phones. And those customers also need a full keyboard, she said; typing on the iPhone is done by finger taps on the 3.5-inch (9-centimeter) touch-screen instead of regular buttons.
The Treo was among the smart phone models Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs portrayed as clunky to use and "not so smart" during his inaugural demonstration of the iPhone.
Samsung knows consumer tastes for cell phones are diverse. In any given year, Samsung has 30 or more models distributed through multiple carriers in the United States and more than 100 worldwide.
"One size doesn't fit all," Skarzynski said. "One look doesn't fit all."
But analysts say cell phone makers should still be concerned about Apple making inroads into their territory.
"There is now clearly an extremely savvy marketing competitor with a huge user base," Hoopes said. "They better be nervous. But they are all trying to feign complacency."
Tark Abed, on the other hand, just got the new Samsung BlackJack smart phone a month ago. The industrial designer at Palo Alto-based Speck Design is not keen on spending $500 (€384) even though he finds the iPhone's sleek interface alluring and innovative.
"I upgraded to an unlimited data plan and got the BlackJack for $149 (€114)," he said, "and that's a lot of phone already for $149."
Their divergent views underscore why Apple Inc.'s much-hyped seminal cell phone is all the rage and why, at the same time, incumbent rivals are stirred but say they are not shaken.
The iPhone got everybody — from techie bloggers to late-night TV hosts — talking when it arrived fashionably late on the wireless communications scene. Would-be rivals are welcoming the challenge but questioning Apple's claim that the iPhone is "revolutionary."
Apple's competitors predict that even as the gadget will likely boost the company's fortunes, it will have limited market share and fall short of the successes Apple has seen with its iPod portable music player. They contend some of the phone's much-touted features — such as its touch screen, movement sensors and music player — are not innovative or new.
"They're just jumping into the party where everyone else is," said Peter Skarzynski, a senior vice president at Samsung Electronics Co.'s telecommunications unit in North America.
Apple is getting in at a time when competition in the cell phone business is, as ThinkEquity Partners analyst Jonathan Hoopes puts it, "as hot as Hades."
Because nearly everyone already has a wireless device of some sort, the success of the iPhone will depend on whether Apple's notoriously slick marketing machine can persuade consumers to replace their current phones with an iPhone that costs $500 (€384) or more. In some cases they will have to switch carriers as Apple's gadgets will work only through Cingular Wireless.
"This is not just as easy as going out to buy an iPod," Hoopes said.
The cell phone market is crowded, yet still growing, and its biggest players are looking for ways to squeeze more profits from declining prices and ever-fickle consumer tastes.
One of the brightest growth spots for the industry has been in cell phones that function as do-it-all devices capable of not only voice communications, but also data, such as Web-browsing and e-mail.
It is precisely this category called smart phones that Apple is targeting with the iPhone, which triples as a phone, a music player and a mobile Internet device.
Sales of smart phones in North America are estimated to grow from 11 million units in 2007 to 55 million in 2010, according to market research firm Gartner Inc. Worldwide unit sales are projected to nearly quadruple, from 122 million in 2007 to 450 million in 2010.
Nokia Corp. Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo told analysts last week that he doesn't think Nokia, the world's No. 1 handset maker, needs to change its business approach because of the iPhone.
But Apple's entry "will stimulate this market, it's very clear," he said. "The fact that we will see multipurpose devices from many manufacturers, I think it will be good for the industry. And in that way, I very much welcome (Apple to the market)."
Handset makers, which already face cutthroat design and pricing battles among themselves, will be watching as well. Samsung, the third-largest cell phone maker, is paying particular attention to effects on its line of mid- to high-end phones.
"It'll definitely impact us, but how much, it'll depend," said Dong Jin Oh, president and CEO of the American unit of Samsung.
Samsung and its rivals were just as curious as everyone else Jan. 9 when Apple, after more than two years of rumors and development, finally delivered on the hype.
Nokia employees watched online demonstrations of the iPhone from their trade show booth at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Padmasree Warrior, chief technology officer for No. 2 handset maker Motorola Inc., posted a "morning after" blog saying she had always been a fan of Apple's creativity. She called the iPhone a "compelling concept," but she also outlined its potential shortcomings.
"There is nothing revolutionary or disruptive about any of the technologies," she wrote.
With the iPhone still months away from the market, no one knows all its features or how well it functions in real life.
Any criticisms leveled now — the high price, the exclusive distribution through Cingular Wireless, the choice to use the slower 2.5G data network, the apparent lack of support for Microsoft Corp.'s business e-mail programs, the lack of a traditional QWERTY button keyboard — could become moot or insignificant later.
If the incumbents are nervous, they are not saying it.
"The iPhone appears to be aimed at consumers; Palm targets prosumers and business customers who require a rich e-mail experience," said Marlene Somsak, a spokeswoman for Palm Inc., maker of Treo smart phones. And those customers also need a full keyboard, she said; typing on the iPhone is done by finger taps on the 3.5-inch (9-centimeter) touch-screen instead of regular buttons.
The Treo was among the smart phone models Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs portrayed as clunky to use and "not so smart" during his inaugural demonstration of the iPhone.
Samsung knows consumer tastes for cell phones are diverse. In any given year, Samsung has 30 or more models distributed through multiple carriers in the United States and more than 100 worldwide.
"One size doesn't fit all," Skarzynski said. "One look doesn't fit all."
But analysts say cell phone makers should still be concerned about Apple making inroads into their territory.
"There is now clearly an extremely savvy marketing competitor with a huge user base," Hoopes said. "They better be nervous. But they are all trying to feign complacency."
Apple, Cisco, Ready for an IPhone Truce?
Apple Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc. are apparently suspending their court battle over the iPhone to return to the negotiations table.
Although Cisco's lawsuit against Apple remains pending, the two companies have agreed to extend the time Apple has to respond so that the parties can discuss trademark rights and interoperability, the companies said late Wednesday. The aim, they said, is to reach an agreement over the matter.
San Jose-based Cisco, which makes routers and switches to link networks and power the Internet, has owned the trademark on the name "iPhone" since 2000 and began shipping its own line of iPhone-branded Internet-enabled phones in the spring of 2006.
Then when Apple announced its mobile phone-iPod-Internet communications device last month and called it "iPhone," negotiations between the tech companies ended with a loud thud. Cisco sued Apple the following day claiming trademark infringement.
Cisco claims Apple's new device is "deceptively and confusingly similar" to its own line of wireless phones from Cisco's Linksys division. Cupertino-based Apple says it's entitled to use the name "iPhone" because its device operates over a cellular network, unlike Cisco's phones, which use the Internet. Apple plans to start selling its iPhone in June.
During a recent conference call with analysts, Apple's Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook called the Cisco lawsuit "silly" and said Cisco's trademark registration was "tenuous at best."
"If Cisco wants to challenge us," Cook said, "we're confident we'll prevail."
Under federal law, two companies may share a trademark as long as their uses aren't confusingly similar. Apple has battled another Apple over trademark before: Apple Corps, the Beatles' recording company, had sued the computer company over its entry into the music business.
Despite the more recent legal skirmish, Cisco is pushing ahead with its own Linksys iPhone. It took out a full page ad in Thursday's edition of The New York Times to promote the product and included the small "R" for registered trademark next to the name.
The ad, touting "iPhone: More than talk!" featured two women sitting back to back on a grassy field, one using a phone and the other a laptop _ an Apple laptop.
Although Cisco's lawsuit against Apple remains pending, the two companies have agreed to extend the time Apple has to respond so that the parties can discuss trademark rights and interoperability, the companies said late Wednesday. The aim, they said, is to reach an agreement over the matter.
San Jose-based Cisco, which makes routers and switches to link networks and power the Internet, has owned the trademark on the name "iPhone" since 2000 and began shipping its own line of iPhone-branded Internet-enabled phones in the spring of 2006.
Then when Apple announced its mobile phone-iPod-Internet communications device last month and called it "iPhone," negotiations between the tech companies ended with a loud thud. Cisco sued Apple the following day claiming trademark infringement.
Cisco claims Apple's new device is "deceptively and confusingly similar" to its own line of wireless phones from Cisco's Linksys division. Cupertino-based Apple says it's entitled to use the name "iPhone" because its device operates over a cellular network, unlike Cisco's phones, which use the Internet. Apple plans to start selling its iPhone in June.
During a recent conference call with analysts, Apple's Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook called the Cisco lawsuit "silly" and said Cisco's trademark registration was "tenuous at best."
"If Cisco wants to challenge us," Cook said, "we're confident we'll prevail."
Under federal law, two companies may share a trademark as long as their uses aren't confusingly similar. Apple has battled another Apple over trademark before: Apple Corps, the Beatles' recording company, had sued the computer company over its entry into the music business.
Despite the more recent legal skirmish, Cisco is pushing ahead with its own Linksys iPhone. It took out a full page ad in Thursday's edition of The New York Times to promote the product and included the small "R" for registered trademark next to the name.
The ad, touting "iPhone: More than talk!" featured two women sitting back to back on a grassy field, one using a phone and the other a laptop _ an Apple laptop.
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