Apple’s iPhone was the talk of the town after its January 9 launch. Industry observers were by and large impressed with the new device, praising its user interface, innovation, and seamless integration. But two senior ABI Research analysts — wireless research director Stuart Carlaw, and principal mobile broadband analyst Philip Solis — point out that while the iPhone is undoubtedly clever and capable, it is not correct to call it a smartphone, as much of the media has done.
ABI Research defines a smartphone as a cellular handset using an open, commercial operating system that supports third party applications. The iPhone runs the Apple Macintosh computer operating system, OS X, so at first glance it would seem to fall into the smartphone category, which might help justify its announced $500+ pricetag. But, says Solis in a press release, “It turns out that this device will be closed to third party applications. Therefore we must conclude at this point that, based on our current definition, the iPhone is not a smartphone: it is a very high-end feature phone.”
Feature phones’ functionality (dictated by the software which controls the hardware) is closed and controlled by an operator or the device manufacturer, whereas smartphones are supported by a third-party ecosystem, where competition in the software space creates applications that add value. “Sure,” concedes Solis, “feature phones have third party applications too – but these are relatively weak and limited applications that work with the middleware such as Java and BREW. Applications designed for smartphones can be written to access core functionality from the OS itself, and are therefore usually more powerful and efficient. The competition in an open environment also yields more cutting edge, rich applications.”
Stuart Carlaw adds, “Consumers will not be willing to settle for a second-rate cell phone just to have superior music. Apple must get the phone engineering part of the equation right, and it is difficult to see how they will accomplish that with no track record in the industry. Even though they are working with some prominent suppliers, the task of putting all of the building blocks together cannot be underestimated.”
More info: http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Mobile_Devices_Research _Service
Correct. Apple’s iPhone is not a so-called “smartphone.” It’s much, much more; as Tim Bajarin, principal analyst with Creative Strategies, said of Apple’s iPhone, “This goes beyond smartphones and should be given its own category called ‘brilliant’ phones.” At least initially, iPhone users will get software from just one source. Thankfully, that sole source, Apple Inc., just happens to make the best software in the world. Apple understands very well that too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth.
In the future, we expect Apple to follow along the lines of iPod and vet third-party software (ie., games) to ensure the best possible iPhone user experience. When the first iPhone game from Electronic Arts appears for sale on the iTunes Store, will ABI Research then define iPhone as a “smartphone?” As if it matters what ABI Research’s definition happens to be. Apple doesn’t usually conform to someone else’s definitions, they often creates new ones.
Related articles:
Research in Motion downgraded due to Apple iPhone competition – January 23, 2007
RealMoney: Apple just blew up the whole damn mobile-phone supply chain with its new iPhone – January 11, 2007
eWeek: Apple iPhone fallout: ‘They must be crying in Nokia-ville and other telephony towns today’ – January 10, 2007
Jefferies downgrades Motorola on fears of market share loss to Apple iPhone – January 10, 2007
The massive FUD campaign against Apple’s iPhone ramps up – January 10, 2007
Time: ‘iPhone could crush cell phone market pitilessly beneath the weight of its own superiority’ – January 09, 2007
Analyst: Apple iPhone should be given its own category – ‘brilliantphone’ – January 09, 2007
Apple debuts iPhone: touchscreen mobile phone + widescreen iPod + Internet communicator – January 09, 2007
can they show that they used this particular definition before the iphone was announced? or is it an opportunistic redefinition of ‘smart’?
who died and made these guys the boss???? who decided that they were able to unilaterally decide what a smart phone is? talk about arrogance.
O RLY!?
Any connection between “broth” “brothel” “brother”? Weird. And isn’t it simply, “too many cooks spoil the broth?” Whatever. The iPhone will seriously rock! (Just don’t let your brother at the brothel drop it in the broth!) 😀
Just for fun. Wiki’s definition:
A smartphone is any electronic handheld device that integrates the functionality of a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or other information appliance. This is often achieved by adding telephone functions to an existing PDA (PDA Phone) or putting “smart” capabilities, such as PDA functions, into a mobile phone.[1]
A key feature of a smartphone is that applications for enhanced data processing and connectivity can be installed on the device[2], by contrast to regular phones which support sandboxed applications. These applications may be developed by the manufacturer of the device, by the operator or by any other third-party software developer. “Smart” functionality includes any additional interface including a miniature QWERTY keyboard, a touch screen, or even just secure access to company mail, such as is provided by a BlackBerry.
It amazes me how analyst after analyst can underestimate Apple, Inc. in the year 2007.
Apple has said it won’t allow third party apps to be downloaded and installed on the iPhone, not that it won’t allow third party developers to develop apps, submit them to Apple for testing and approval, and be available for sale through iTunes.
These guys kill me. The iPhone is not a “SmartPhone” because it doesn’t support third party install-when-you-want apps? So the phone’s not a SmartPhone because you can’t buy crap to put on it? A SmartPhone should be defined by what it can do, not by who can install apps on it.
I have installed a bunch of apps for my Palm, or at least looked at a ton of them. Most weren’t worth $5, never mind the $30 they were asking for.
Wikipedia discusses a definition of what constitutes a smartphone and specifically lists the iPhone as one. But the article does mention that it’s difficult to specify exactly what qualifies as a smartphone.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone
Note that Master Huckster Steve had three of ’em on the podium – an indication that there was an expectation of the dreaded failure during the keynote. So, there is every reason to believe this thing may not be as magic as all the fawning would seem to indicate.
I’ll be waiting to see what kind of consumer experience breaks out in June. Will it work or will the screen go black when the finger is applied. Most important question of all: will Cingular make reliable connections or will Cingular perform in June as they are in January – which, as we have heard over and over and over on this forum, is very lousy.
Fork over $500 or $600 for one of these and hold your breath that it meets your expectations, especially when you walked right by a half dozen cell phones that do all these things that cost absolutely nothing.
Will Steve be available to answer the question of why did the thing go black when I tried to send the photo? Why did the thing go black when I tried to conference in Fred. Why did the picture not tilt over, as it was suppose to, when I wanted to view it in landscape? Or, will both Steve and Cingular offer some recorded message from China that says how much they appreciate your business and please press 2 for more options. Huh?
What Wiki says:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feature_Phone
iPhone deserves its own category.
Boy oh Boy, what duffus er duffi, er what ever you call really dumb bunnies. LOL
“ABI Research defines a smartphone as” something that they have no clue to. They may also define a personal computer as a machine that runs Windows operating systems. YEP. Duffi to be sure. LOL
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All I can say is, when the iPhone comes out you better have a clear line to your broker and plenty of liquid cash. All of this yapping-dog-at-the-heals yoddle will fade quicly as we watch our Apple investments steadly rise from April-December, and break well over $120/share.
Whoa – where did that come from – its like I was having a vision. I’m calling my broker right now… See ya.
Now I can’t wait to get this phone just to rub it in the faces of everyone else.
“Oh look. Your phone has a keyboard. How cute. Awwwwwwwww.”
Of course you all realize that Micro$oft is going to find some “friendly” people to edit that smartphone definition…
Right, a better name would be overpriced dumb phone.
“We’ll See” –
Speaking as someone who has organised and run mac based conferences and presentations, it’s not unusual to have three of every piece of equipment (like Steve had with the iPhone) when the event is on.
It’s called “proper back up” and every serious professional will have it as a matter of course.
Frankly, at this stage I no longer care until it gets launched and we can actually try it and know exactly what it can and can’t do or be made to do.
You’ve got to listen to the analysts. My friggin God, man. There is sense and there is a non kind of sense.
Irrelevant example: A vampire is not a vampire if the vampire clips off the vampires own toe tag. Sure, it’s a technicality but is this really irrelevant? Oh, God, yes! See, so it is with smartphones and analysts. If the analyst removes the smartphone from his ass it’s still a phone but no longer a ‘smart’ phone and no longer is the analyst qualified to address the subject.
Now, imagine yourself an analyst with a smartpphone up your ass. I think you’re finally getting it.
This is true even steve jobs calles it a “Smarter Smartphone”!
Smartphone is what I have a drawer full of… Blackberry, Palm, Treo all SUCK !!!
I get more spam on my Blackberry than office mail.
Anything would be better, and if Apple controls the software all the better. Then I can get it to sync with my phone.
Business needs an IT enima and Apple will do it.
Babs
“ABI Research” ???
Yeah right….what dribble….what an obvious attempt to get noticed.
The thing isn’t out yet…we are all going on demo’s…..and the demo’s i’ve seen make it the “Smartest” smartphone i’ve ever seen.
friggin idiots….
I have not seen, and perhaps you can enlighten us all, any study that compares QOS (quality of service) from Verizon, T-Mobile and Cingular. All we ever hear is
“Everyone knows Cingular is lousy”….or “T-Mobile is crap” or “Verizon sucks”…By what measures are all cell phone carriers rated. Fewest dropped calls? That’s what Cingular claims.
Until I see a truly credible story I won’t criticize Apple’s decision. All cellphones and carriers have their limitations and problems. I hear it about all of them.
Anyone care to show us all a study that demonstrates who is really “best?”
mw=real … as in Get Real
They are right, it is not a smartphone. That would be a disservice to Appl who I think has created a new, higher echelon category…called Brilliant phone.
Sure, the iPhone doesn’t fit ABI research’s definition of a smart phone. But it’s smart in a way no one else has been able to achieve–the way humans can intuitively interact with it. IMO, that’s as smart as you can make a device designed for humans who can reason and have human sized fingers.
True, the iPhone won’t be pigeonholed with all the rest. It’s a whole new category unto itself.