darkswordsman17
Lifer
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2...ed-iphone-on-its-own-network-carrier-free.ars
Note: My assumption is that Google would aim for this from the start with Android, and Microsoft would have done this with the launch of WP7, so different timelines.
This was something that I think Google, and then Microsoft failed to capitalize on that could have really set them apart. For Google, it would have really set things on its end and I think things would look a lot different now (I think it would have put a big kibosh on iPhone - no, not killed it, but it wouldn't have the hold it does now - and well, since we seem to almost be moving backward as far as service goes; although finally are starting to really move to higher speeds, but it'd have had a big impact on the current data limit trends I think). For Microsoft, I think if they'd have done this it would have helped WP7 out tremendously, especially if they paired it with the cloud setup they had going with Kin (which is what the Kin phones needed, a better service that didn't hamper it as much).
I don't think Apple could have pulled it off at that time for two reasons. They're too focused on tight internal design. Take the issues of iPhone 4 and then have Apple be trying to figure out if its the phones or their network. I don't see Apple willing to have someone do the network for them, which is how I think Microsoft would have handled it (sorry, not to be confused with them pairing with a carrier, but rather a networking company say Cisco although I don't know that Cisco would fit). The other is that, at the time, Apple had not shown a willingness (not sure if they even had the cash reserves at the time either) to buy up companies to integrate like they did with some of the processor companies. Plus that would have delayed the launch of it, and that alone could have had a pretty big impact on its success.
Oh, and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that if Microsoft or Google had done it, they'd have been guaranteed success. It would have been a pretty tall order for Google and I think they're overall plan on Android clashes. I think Microsoft would have been a good fit, as they were behind with their new mobile OS and it would have helped them make up a lot of ground. They'd shown some interesting ideas with Kin, they just needed something less niche (although, so far I'm not sure that would describe WP7...not to mention their weird off beat development thus far). I think it would have been a better gamble than some of stuff they've done (like Kin, or the Yahoo bid) the past few years.
It might have been an all time blunder too. Aside from the carriers, has anyone shown they could have even attempted something like this? Initially it would have been relegated to probably a few urban centers, whereas now even people out in the sticks can get an iPhone. My guess is that the cost and unknowns were too much for Google, it would be likely close to hedging the entire company on it. For Microsoft, I think it probably would have made too much sense and they seem to have no aggressiveness in the mobile space. It probably would have been a huge FCC deal as well, especially after the privacy issues/tracking stuff.
Oof, hope that's all comprehensible.
Note: My assumption is that Google would aim for this from the start with Android, and Microsoft would have done this with the launch of WP7, so different timelines.
This was something that I think Google, and then Microsoft failed to capitalize on that could have really set them apart. For Google, it would have really set things on its end and I think things would look a lot different now (I think it would have put a big kibosh on iPhone - no, not killed it, but it wouldn't have the hold it does now - and well, since we seem to almost be moving backward as far as service goes; although finally are starting to really move to higher speeds, but it'd have had a big impact on the current data limit trends I think). For Microsoft, I think if they'd have done this it would have helped WP7 out tremendously, especially if they paired it with the cloud setup they had going with Kin (which is what the Kin phones needed, a better service that didn't hamper it as much).
I don't think Apple could have pulled it off at that time for two reasons. They're too focused on tight internal design. Take the issues of iPhone 4 and then have Apple be trying to figure out if its the phones or their network. I don't see Apple willing to have someone do the network for them, which is how I think Microsoft would have handled it (sorry, not to be confused with them pairing with a carrier, but rather a networking company say Cisco although I don't know that Cisco would fit). The other is that, at the time, Apple had not shown a willingness (not sure if they even had the cash reserves at the time either) to buy up companies to integrate like they did with some of the processor companies. Plus that would have delayed the launch of it, and that alone could have had a pretty big impact on its success.
Oh, and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that if Microsoft or Google had done it, they'd have been guaranteed success. It would have been a pretty tall order for Google and I think they're overall plan on Android clashes. I think Microsoft would have been a good fit, as they were behind with their new mobile OS and it would have helped them make up a lot of ground. They'd shown some interesting ideas with Kin, they just needed something less niche (although, so far I'm not sure that would describe WP7...not to mention their weird off beat development thus far). I think it would have been a better gamble than some of stuff they've done (like Kin, or the Yahoo bid) the past few years.
It might have been an all time blunder too. Aside from the carriers, has anyone shown they could have even attempted something like this? Initially it would have been relegated to probably a few urban centers, whereas now even people out in the sticks can get an iPhone. My guess is that the cost and unknowns were too much for Google, it would be likely close to hedging the entire company on it. For Microsoft, I think it probably would have made too much sense and they seem to have no aggressiveness in the mobile space. It probably would have been a huge FCC deal as well, especially after the privacy issues/tracking stuff.
Oof, hope that's all comprehensible.
