Apple sues HTC over iPhone patents

[QueBert]

Maybe in the past that would be the case, but right now it wouldn't be. Every other network except maybe Sprint has a better phone than the Iphone already on it and they aren't any more expensive than the Iphone. The only people that would buy an Iphone on Verizon or T-Mobile would be uninformed and uneducated impulse buyers.

Android is growing way faster than the Iphone is.

Fail, a guy a few blocks down just left Sprint to go to AT&T because he wanted an iPhone, his contract was up last month. Sprint has by far the best network in my area and he knows AT&T sucks out here. When you say by far a better phone that's an opinion. I know a shit ton of people who have regular old iPods, and the fact the iPhone ties into their iTunes seamlessly is a huge plus that no other phone offers. Well except the Pre, which oddly enough the iTunes feature was a big selling point for a lot of people. And there's some sort of Apple phone coming to Verizon in 2011, you're crazy if you don't think Apple won't have huge success on other networks. My neighbor isn't that uncommon. He left great service to get sub par service, simply because of the phone. You can say he's one of the uninformed, but that's still money for AT&T & Apple. Uninformed people are everywhere. Android is growing faster because more hand sets are being offered on more networks. iPhones are a single handset on a single network (in the US) Make it a fair comparison, when the Android phone that's coming to AT&T is finally out. Wait 6 months and see how it does on AT&T vs iPhones sales. It won't even be close.

 

[dguy6789]

Apple will fail vs Android for the same reason Apple fails vs Windows.

 

[theblackbox]

Apple will fail vs Android for the same reason Apple fails vs Windows.

i don't see that as a good comparison.

iphone is wildly popular and holds a majority of the market. apple as far as computers fits a niche community and not the majority of computer users.

i'm not sure how any one could say that the iphone is better in any way when compared to the htc sense UI on android. when the iphone is able to run multiple widgets on the UI apple will be catching up. i think android has taken a technological lead, iphone just has the masses because the iphone is trendy.

i am an apple user (computer) and use an android phone.
before this becomes anything about apple vs windows, i use apple because the complete cost of hardware and software is cheaper on the mac then it is on an equivalent pc. before you argue, price avid mc4 or symphony and a box to fcp and a box.

the iphone has controlled the market up until now because no one knew how to compete. winmo and rim have been on the losing edge for a while. google knew what was needed, and with their partners have offered a better solution. we are just starting to see the 2nd gen of android smartphones, just wait until they are 3rd or 3rd and a half gen.

 

[dguy6789]

On the desktop computer market, if you spend the same amount of money on a Windows computer as an Apple computer, the Windows computer will have superior specifications and have an OS that runs a wider range of applications.

The case is similar for the mobile market.

In the mobile market, if you spend the same amount of money on an Android phone as you would the Iphone, the Android phone will have superior hardware specs and have an OS that isn't hard to argue for being better than the Iphone OS. Multi-tasking, open source, soon to have flash, soon to have a larger software market due to being open source and not needing to be approved by Apple etc...

This comparison can also be made with the iPad and Netbooks.

I believe that the Iphone only sold well because comparable devices didn't exist until recently. That, and marketing. Apple = Bose = Monster Cables, etc..

 

[Strk]

Fail, a guy a few blocks down just left Sprint to go to AT&T because he wanted an iPhone, his contract was up last month. Sprint has by far the best network in my area and he knows AT&T sucks out here. When you say by far a better phone that's an opinion. I know a shit ton of people who have regular old iPods, and the fact the iPhone ties into their iTunes seamlessly is a huge plus that no other phone offers. Well except the Pre, which oddly enough the iTunes feature was a big selling point for a lot of people. And there's some sort of Apple phone coming to Verizon in 2011, you're crazy if you don't think Apple won't have huge success on other networks. My neighbor isn't that uncommon. He left great service to get sub par service, simply because of the phone. You can say he's one of the uninformed, but that's still money for AT&T & Apple. Uninformed people are everywhere. Android is growing faster because more hand sets are being offered on more networks. iPhones are a single handset on a single network (in the US) Make it a fair comparison, when the Android phone that's coming to AT&T is finally out. Wait 6 months and see how it does on AT&T vs iPhones sales. It won't even be close.

I believe he was just referring to phones, not networks. Sprint's phones are ok. Sure, they have the Hero and Pre, but that's it. Then again, AT&T just has the iPhone.

Sprint does have some really nice ones coming though (the Supersonic probably being the best one they're getting). And even if you don't get a Sprint signal, their phones roam on Verizon towers.

 

[theblackbox]

On the desktop computer market, if you spend the same amount of money on a Windows computer as an Apple computer, the Windows computer will have superior specifications and have an OS that runs a wider range of applications.



I believe that the Iphone only sold well because comparable devices didn't exist until recently. That, and marketing. Apple = Bose = Monster Cables, etc..

but if you spend the same amount of money on the hardware and software, apple will take you much further, at least when it comes to video and film work. until avid drops their prices quite a lot, or someone else comes on the market.


i don't think apple marketing is as big with the iphone. why? i know many very anti apple people that have more then one iphone. i think the iphone succeeded because it did something no phone before it had done, it integrated everything with a simple interface. now, that interface isn't nearly as slick, it's a little old now.
why people keep going back for more baffles me.

i'm not sure i would equate apple to bose or monster cables. if you are familiar with shake you would understand what i was talking about. apple is more then a trendy name.

and granted, if you look at normal everyday computer uses, you are right, a pc is much better for the price point, it's when you factor in the professional solutions the price starts favoring apple. don't believe me, price symphony on the pc.

this is the year android is going to shine, with all the phones falling in line with the current release of the OS, and no more of this might work on one, not on another crap.
apple had better release an amazing 4g phone, otherwise they'll need to sue htc more to slow them down.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I believe that the Iphone only sold well because comparable devices didn't exist until recently. That, and marketing. Apple = Bose = Monster Cables, etc..

Take a gander at this match up, I really don't think it's fair to compare Apple products to Monster Cables. Some of the desktop offerings are IMHO pretty outrageously priced for their performance compared to a Windows desktop and the highly optioned MacBook Pros are pretty high, but:

http://gizmodo.com/5431521/the-best-alternatives-to-every-apple-product/gallery/

Everyone wants to bag on Apple, I think it's a knee jerk reaction that they really don't deserve.

Did anyone look at the chart and link I posted, Apple got backed into a corner by multiple suits and responded in kind. IMHO, Nokia is the real bully in the industry and started this mess...

 

[jpeyton]

iphone is wildly popular and holds a majority of the market.

Wait, are you talking about the overall cell phone market worldwide? Because they don't hold a majority of that market.

Or are you talking about the overall smartphone market worldwide? Because Apple doesn't hold a majority of that market either.

 

[QueBert]

Apple will fail vs Android for the same reason Apple fails vs Windows.

iPhone is not OSX, Apple does well with the iPhone & the iPod. Also the iPhone had years head start over Androids and has some of the most loyal users in existence. The iPhone is currently the most used camera to upload pics to Flickr, and the day the 3GS came out Youtube saw a 400% jump in the number of videos uploading.

Sorry, but Android won't dethrone Apple, it will offer an alternative that will no doubt do well. But the iPhone isn't going anywhere. Apple isn't failing, they have one of the largest cash reserves of any company and they have the iPod which has just sold it's what 300 millionth unit? Also the App store is set in stone and nobody will catch up. I was playing GTA on my iPhone and it was fun as hell. Soon UT is coming to the iPhone? Android won't ever offer the level of apps the iTunes Store has.

 

[zerocool84]

iPhone is not OSX, Apple does well with the iPhone & the iPod. Also the iPhone had years head start over Androids and has some of the most loyal users in existence. The iPhone is currently the most used camera to upload pics to Flickr, and the day the 3GS came out Youtube saw a 400% jump in the number of videos uploading.

Sorry, but Android won't dethrone Apple, it will offer an alternative that will no doubt do well. But the iPhone isn't going anywhere. Apple isn't failing, they have one of the largest cash reserves of any company and they have the iPod which has just sold it's what 300 millionth unit? Also the App store is set in stone and nobody will catch up. I was playing GTA on my iPhone and it was fun as hell. Soon UT is coming to the iPhone? Android won't ever offer the level of apps the iTunes Store has.

Well duh they won't have as many apps cus Apple had years of a head start. iPhone OS is just so damn restrictive and people think it's so great. There's a reason why so many people jailbreak it cus it sucks and can't do basic functions.

 

[DivideBYZero]

iPhone is not OSX, Apple does well with the iPhone & the iPod. Also the iPhone had years head start over Androids and has some of the most loyal users in existence. The iPhone is currently the most used camera to upload pics to Flickr, and the day the 3GS came out Youtube saw a 400% jump in the number of videos uploading.

Sorry, but Android won't dethrone Apple, it will offer an alternative that will no doubt do well. But the iPhone isn't going anywhere. Apple isn't failing, they have one of the largest cash reserves of any company and they have the iPod which has just sold it's what 300 millionth unit? Also the App store is set in stone and nobody will catch up. I was playing GTA on my iPhone and it was fun as hell. Soon UT is coming to the iPhone? Android won't ever offer the level of apps the iTunes Store has.

Now try saying that again without Steves tool in your mouth.

Fanbois.

 

[theeedude]

Apple wouldn't be suing HTC if they weren't afraid of Android commoditizing their Phone market like Microsoft commoditized their computer market back in the Macintosh days.

 

[Slick5150]

I believe he was just referring to phones, not networks. Sprint's phones are ok. Sure, they have the Hero and Pre, but that's it. Then again, AT&T just has the iPhone.

Sprint does have some really nice ones coming though (the Supersonic probably being the best one they're getting). And even if you don't get a Sprint signal, their phones roam on Verizon towers.

Or they'll give you one of their Airrave femotocell devices for free like they did for me when I told them I didn't get a good signal at my office. Got it, hooked it up, and bam, 5 bars in my office now.

<-- Very happy Sprint customer.

 

[preslove]

Apple wouldn't be suing HTC if they weren't afraid of Android commoditizing their Phone market like Microsoft commoditized their computer market back in the Macintosh days.

This is the main issue of why they're suing & also why am upset over it.

Android is the most likely way we'll see $200 unlocked touchscreen phones in ~5 years. Hell, there are a couple no-name brand Android phones that are going to market in Europe for ~200 Euros.

Apple doesn't want this to happen.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Out of 100% marketshare possible, Apple is losing marketshare that it could have otherwise had if not for Android.

For example, the smartphone market consists today of 10 people. 6 of those 10 use Apple because there wasn't anything better. 2 of those 10 uses Android. 2 use others.

However, 10 people are only the beginning. When the market is completed saturated, there will be 100 people. But these 90 newcomers will be looking at iPHones and Android phones. Apple may very lose marketshare soon, because even if raw numbers are still growing slightly, the % is all that matters.

If Android takes 100% of new buyers for example, they would now have 92% of the marketshare, while Apple maintains 6% or less. Apple went from 60% marketshare to 6%. That's a theoretical 90% loss of marketshare. Even if Apple gained the rest of the 2% that were part of "others", they may have a net gain in raw numbers, but their marketshare still dropped from 60% to 8%.

You're acting like the smartphone industry didn't exist before iPhone. Maybe just in the US it was all about RIM, but the rest of the world used WinMo a lot more and Symbian. It was already a huge market. Just not the touchscreen market that the iPhone went out to start.

 

[theeedude]

This is the main issue of why they're suing & also why am upset over it.

Android is the most likely way we'll see $200 unlocked touchscreen phones in ~5 years. Hell, there are a couple no-name brand Android phones that are going to market in Europe for ~200 Euros.

Apple doesn't want this to happen.

It's also about maintaining installed base for apps to where users will have to pick iPhone because that's the only platform that has all the apps they want.
Once Android reaches critical mass, all the developers will see the $$$ and write apps for it too, and then poof, there goes the app lock in. Especially if Android has Flash and iPhone doesn't, and if Android allows you to have all the apps that you want, not just the ones Apple wants you to have. Then it's advantage Android. So now is sort of last ditch effort for Apple to slow down Android before its too big. Probably too late, it's going to take years to work itself out, and that's an eternity in this market.

 

[BoberFett]

I understand how competition works.

Then why is the term "market share" so hard for you to understand?

 

[TheWart]

It's also about maintaining installed base for apps to where users will have to pick iPhone because that's the only platform that has all the apps they want.
Once Android reaches critical mass, all the developers will see the $$$ and write apps for it too, and then poof, there goes the app lock in. Especially if Android has Flash and iPhone doesn't, and if Android allows you to have all the apps that you want, not just the ones Apple wants you to have. Then it's advantage Android. So now is sort of last ditch effort for Apple to slow down Android before its too big. Probably too late, it's going to take years to work itself out, and that's an eternity in this market.

I think some of you are reading waaaaay too much into this. It seems far more plausible that instead of some grand master plan to "stop" Android that Apple is merely being super/over protective of its IP, just like every other large tech firm.

It makes me laugh how so many people see the smartphone market as a binary Android wins or Apple wins. You don't think there is room for multiple OS's?? What about WM7, what about Blackberry? The smartphone landscape is - and increasingly will be - fractured between the big shots. In a perfect world (from Apple's POV), sure, Android wouldn't exist, but I can't imagine that anyone at Apple really expected to be the only game in town.

 

[PCboy]

Nothing new.

 

[Pliablemoose]

 

[theeedude]

I think some of you are reading waaaaay too much into this. It seems far more plausible that instead of some grand master plan to "stop" Android that Apple is merely being super/over protective of its IP, just like every other large tech firm.

It makes me laugh how so many people see the smartphone market as a binary Android wins or Apple wins. You don't think there is room for multiple OS's?? What about WM7, what about Blackberry? The smartphone landscape is - and increasingly will be - fractured between the big shots. In a perfect world (from Apple's POV), sure, Android wouldn't exist, but I can't imagine that anyone at Apple really expected to be the only game in town.

If Apple was super protective of its IP, it would be suing Google, which is the company supplying the bulk of the "infringing" software. It is suing HTC because its the weakest link and that has the highest success of slowing down Android adoption. So no, I don't think I am reading too much into this. Now if you only want to be able to purchase devices that the big shots decide you should have with everyone else squeezed out by patent lawsuits, then continue supporting Apple's lawyers with your tech spending. I will not be doing that with my budget. I was considering Apple for my next laptop, and iPhone for when I decide to get a smartphone, now they are both out.

 

[theeedude]

Looks like the other shoe has dropped:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/12/htc-files-patent-complaint-against-apple-asks-for-iphone-ipad/

HTC files patent complaint against Apple, asks for ban on iPhone, iPad, and iPod

 

[Brian Stirling]

Looks like the other shoe has dropped:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/12/htc-files-patent-complaint-against-apple-asks-for-iphone-ipad/

First it was the Droid, then it was the N1 and HD2 (WinMobile), and now it's the Evo -- the days when Apple could accurately claim to dominate the smart phone market are not yet over but the writing is on the wall and they know it!

I predict that Apple will continue to gain in number of units in use for 1-2 years but from that point on they will LOSE units and big time lose market share -- to Android! Also, I expect the total number of Android apps will SURPASS Apple within that same time frame. And oh yeah, Android will, in that same interval, be selling more tablets!


Brian