Comments on: The Clock Is Ticking Research In Motion’s Consumer Hopes

By: Cragglethorpe

Cragglethorpe — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 05:25:11 +0000

Consumer phones must go touchscreen to match the Apple Phone, but avoid the Achilles heel that is touchscreen typing. The time is ripe for voice recognition even if the first step is letter-by-letter text. I do not buy into the “Blackberrys are good enough”. The time for transcendent improvement is now.

By: Mags

Mags — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 21:09:48 +0000

When you are comparing prices of service, don’t forget that AT&T is not giving a discount that ordinarly comes with signing a 2-year contract. I don’t disagree that Verizon’s programs are overpriced, but to better compare plans between AT&T and Verizon, subtract about $10 per month from a Verizon contract ($250 (the usual 2-year discount on handsets) amorized over the term of the contract). If you sign a new contract with Verizon for a BB8800 and get the cheapest data / phone program, it ends up costing less than the cheapes iPhone plan.

By: gquaglia

gquaglia — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 19:41:15 +0000

they had better start with offering consumer devices on CDMA networks

Yup, especially since EVDO blows away EDGE in speed and deployment. Verizon and Sprint are a big chunk of US users and RIM had best pay attention to that, especially in the consumer market.

By: Robb Dunewood

Robb Dunewood — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 18:59:26 +0000

Daniel,

I hear what you are saying, but, Verizon has more people paying those ridiculous prices than does any other network. Verizon recently took back the top spot as it is once again the largest U.S. based carrier.

By: James Baird

James Baird — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 18:19:01 +0000

Dont buy into the hype (as said before).
The iPhone will have all the problems that all first generation Apple devices have. And, what features does the iPhone have that a large number of other phones have?
I stick with a reliable network and a really reliable Blackberry

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:23:09 +0000

Rob – I don’t think that Verizon could ever REALLY compete in this space. Their data plans for data devices (ie, Blackberries, Treo, All WM devices) are so ridiculously overpriced that it would be impossible for a normal consumer to ever afford them. Sprint, on the other hand – there is a competively priced data plan.

Verizon -
$24.99/month – 10 MB
$44.99/month – Unlimited Data

Sprint -
$15.00/month – Unlimited Data

AT&T + iPhone -
$20 – Unlimited Data and 20 Text (Based on iPhone $59.99 450 mins plan)

Do we see the competitive space Verizon would have to deal with? They would need to seriously step up their game instead of playing the “we’re the 800 lb gorilla” card.

By: Robb Dunewood

Robb Dunewood — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:14:10 +0000

GeeB,

I think that Apple has left door wide open for a competitor by deciding to go AT&T instead of Verizon. In fact, I think I may write a post about that when I get a chance.

By: GeeB

GeeB — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:36:20 +0000

I can’t help but feel there will be some sort of backlash (maybe not HUGE, but certainly evident) simply due to the fact that, although the iPhone’s features are kick-ass, they will almost certainly be hampered by the AT&T network. Without a doubt the UI is by far the best out there, but call quality/reception? It’s will pale in comparison. And yes, the Internet capabilites are sweet. But on EDGE? Not so sweet anymore. Who knows? Maybe the the other features will be enough to compensate for most people. But I do know this: Apple products are great, but AT&T will keep this phone from its full potential. I just don’t see any other way around this.

By: BlackBerry Freak

BlackBerry Freak — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:27:09 +0000

Don’t buy into all the hype. I have one compound word for you…

Keyboard

The iphony doesn’t have one simply will not compete with BlackBerry diehards for which messaging is the killer app.