The iPhone is a revolutionary new product that has the potential to turn the technology world on its ear and with the anxiously awaited Apple product expected to be available this June, Harris Interactive recently took a quick pulse of American adults to determine how strong the buzz really is. Although iPhone is not yet a household word, 47 percent of respondents were aware of the product and a full 17 percent expressed interest in purchasing it, which makes for a pretty loud buzz from consumers for a product that isn’t yet available.
These are just some of the results of a new study conducted by the Harris Interactive Technology Practice, which were presented through the company’s latest webinar. Harris Interactive fields ongoing studies on a range of topical issues within the technology industry and presents the information quarterly. The studies are conducted online with consumers from a multimillion member panel created and maintained by Harris Interactive.
Perhaps a more interesting question to ask is when U.S. adults would buy this product. Of those expressing interest to purchase, nine percent say they would buy at product launch and another eight percent would buy before their current wireless service contract expired. About 17 percent say they would wait for their current wireless contract to expire before purchasing and 25 percent would purchase it – when their existing wireless carrier offers the iPhone. Finally, a full 40 percent of buyers intend to wait for the price to come down.
Survey results show the hottest iPhone feature was its large storage capacity (37%), begging the question — is this a better phone or a better iPod? This is followed by iPhone quad band worldwide capabilities (36%) and its easy to use/drop dead cool user interface (31%). Overall, high powered multi-functional mobile devices like the iPhone have strong appeal (or Apple-al) to about 31 percent of the marketplace. The remainder does not need, or care to pay for, all those bells and whistles and seek simpler solutions.
In June look for a nice pop in iPhone sales out of the gate and some additional subscribers lining up at AT&T/Cingular to switch their carrier and get their iPhone. Longer term, look for continued success for iPhone and continued churn among wireless service providers. Another announcement for a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) version of iPhone could really add gasoline to the fire, which leads to speculation about Apple’s pricing policy and the introduction of additional products to their lineup (iPhone nano anyone?).
Commenting on the survey results Joseph Porus, Vice President of Harris Interactive’s Technology Practice said, “Apple’s new iPhone has shaken the industry to its core. Look for strong sales and a new cult to develop around iPhone. Also expect increased orders for midnight oil as competitors scramble to play catch-up.”
This survey was conducted online within the United States between February 13 and 19, 2007, among 1,116 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.
More info here.
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Midnight Oil!
Not sure how listening to politicized Australian rock bands will help?
Mind you the line “your dream world is just about to end” does seem strangely apropos.
I heard some quotes by Warren Buffet yesterday on NPR.
He was talking about the companies he is investing in, and there were two he would not name, because, he said, “I’m still buying shares.”
Makes you wonder.
-c
MW: ‘inside’
“Look for strong sales and a new cult to develop around iPhone. Also expect increased orders for midnight oil as competitors scramble to play catch-up.”
Priceless…
Shake the industry to its core? I don’t see how a cell phone lacking vibrate, video, video conferencing, voice commands, G3, and memory/hardware upgradeability will do that. I see it as something people will be paranoid to carry around in fear of dropping it. Hell, can you even protect the screen with a layer and still have touch controls enabled? I think Apple may be in for a few unpleasant surprises. That said, I still can’t resist getting one.
macaholic!
“Midnight Oil!
Not sure how listening to politicized Australian rock bands will help?”
Sarcasm? Or are you dead from the neck up?
tr
I especially find it revolutionary the way Apple comes out with a phone based on EDGE. EDGE is shite. It’s old outdated tech in case someone didn’t notice. Check out the speeds you get on EV-DO networks. Within 3yrs WiMAX will be the standard in Europe – will Apple launch a 3G iPhone by then, or what?
iPhone Bitch!
Yes, it’s still funny.
macaholic,
That sat-phone interface on lost was unlike any sat-phone I have ever used. The video sat-phone doesn’t look like that either.
I just love paying dollars per minute. At least you can scramble the calls for privacy.
The Wow starts in June
It’s iiiiiPhooone Bitch and I laugh everytime I see it.
Nuggies Nuggies for the nerd.
LOLOLOLOLOLOL.
iMaki:
” don’t see how a cell phone lacking vibrate, video, video conferencing, voice commands, G3, and memory/hardware upgradeability will do that.”
Your kidding right? I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming your post is a parody, because otherwise you have to be just about the dumbest, and most ignorant clown on the planet.
First, we do not know whether the phone will have vibrate, and video.. video conferencing.. on a phone? Maybe some day.. and of COURSE there’s the bone headed usual FUD about G3.. G3 is not in wide use in the US yet, and the iPhone has WIFI.. hello? What rock are you living under that you’re not aware of what WIFI is and how it blows away G3 et all. Even if the iPhone had G3 I don’t know I’d want to be paying through the nose for that battery draining network all the time, I’d still be looking for WIFI hot spots.
Now to the “memory” and “hardware upgradability”..
Okay that’s just simply the dumbest FUD I’ve EVER heard… no really.. and not just about the iPhone.. no you won the prize. You’re seriously the dumbest person who ever managed to crawl out from under a rock if you meant for that to be taken seriously.
Please tell me your post was a joke, because otherwise you are.