“Sun Microsystems Inc and Samsung Electronics Co are jointly developing a mobile phone to challenge Apple Inc’s iPhone, a South Korean newspaper reported yesterday, quoting Sun chairman Scott McNealy,” The Associated Press reports.
“McNealy said on Tuesday in Seoul that the companies were working on a “Java phone” that would surpass Apple’s iPhone in functionality and cost less, the mass-circulation JoongAng Ilbo reported,” AP reports.
“Spokespersons for Sun in South Korea and the US could not immediately be reached for comment,” AP reports. “Samsung spokeswoman Lee Soo-jeong in Seoul said ‘no decision has been made regarding co-development of the Java phone.’ She said that a meeting has taken place between the two sides “to introduce the idea” but would not elaborate on its timing or any details.”
Full article here.
Good luck with that guys — don’t forget to peruse Apple’s granted and pending iPhone-related patents while you develop your “killer.”
If you believe the dorks on Gizmodo and Engadget, Samsung already has an “iPhone Killer™” in the F700. Guess that’s not going so well after all…
He he
People can very well cope without the multi touch, but with the right apps.
Set the iPhone free!!!
MDN –Sun has patents on touch remember two years ago before the iphone was announced that Sun live on a stage demoed a touch technology. Sun’s OS are as good or better then apples, apple actually license many of Sun’s OS elements.
I’m so scared!
What would Sun be supplying to this joint venture? Certainly not that horrible suckfest Solalris. Scott McNealy needs to retire.
hahahaha…. sorry for misspelling Solaris…
I remember when Sun was hot.
Sadly, their fusion petered.
“that would surpass Apple’s iPhone in functionality”
thats just it, functionality isnt everything, and thats why it wont be an iphone killer.
lots of functions that noone can use.
There is absolutely NOTHING like free advertising for one’s product. Every time one of these “inspired” companies announces something like an “iPod Killer” or “iPhone Killer,” it’s money in the bank for Apple.
Keep going, guys. Without OS X and the vaunted “economy of scale” that Apple enjoys, there’s just no way you can produce a device as sophisticated and economical as the iProduct line. No way.
But it’s fun to watch you try!
Hmm. Nowhere in the original article is iPhone killer even mentioned. More of MDN’s National Enquirer-style sensationalism?
Marketing 101 Playbook:
When you don’t have something to launch yet, stall sales of the competition by pre-announcing.
Reality:
No one gives a patooty Scott what you’ve got
A. By the time it arrives to market Apple will have an iPhone nano to contend with, and your product will look like an out-of-date Zune attempt.
B. It won’t connect to iTunes, where over 125 million store, manage and acquire more conent (soon to be 150 million…).
C. You don’t have anything but carriers or your own lame non-consumer friendly advertising agencies to work with – good luck with all that.
D. Lastly, you are just using Apple’s iPhone name in an attempt to ride the PR wave and get some free play for a me-too device – whenever it might show up.
If Sun and Samsung develop something that is “better” than the iPhone, Apple will just leapfrog it.
Everyone is talking. No one has delivered. I love how they say it will be an iPhone “killer” before they have a product. Shut up and get to work! Let us know when you have the “killer” instead of talking about it. No “me too” product is going to kill the iPhone or the iPod or iTunes for that matter. They call it a “killer” to get publicity plain and simple.
“surpass Apple’s iPhone in functionality”
If this is their goal, they’ve already failed. I’m amazed how many people just don’t get it.
They all can come out with a copy of the iPhone, but one thing they can’t copy is the cool factor “Apple”
All of these companies just don’t get it. People are not clamoring for a phone that jam packs every feature you can think of into a small package. They are looking for something that works well and is easy to use. My 4 year old cell phone does most of what the iPhone does (except movies), but I NEVER use any of the scheduling or calendaring features because the UI is HORRIBLE! This is the difference that Apple brings to the table. They make those features accessible, easy to use, and fun. No other phone does that…none. The iPhone is a pleasure to use, and its fun! Every other cell phone I have owned was awful and a pain in the ass the use. Until they nail down the user interface and user experience NOTHING will kill the iPhone. Thankfully for Apple, no other company seems to know how to do that.
TrevX
@Jake
“apple actually license many of Sun’s OS elements.”
So what. — Solaris is itself a variant of BSD with a lot of AT&T;Unix SVR4 thrown in for good measure. My 16 year old daughter could care less about any of that. She likes the iPhone because it is “the coolest thing ever”.
I’ll hold my AAPL stock. SUNW hasn’t done anything cool in years.
Isn’t every new device an iPhone killer?
Why the hell is this news? Should not everyone try and compete with the leader? Is that not competition?
I welcome it – sincerely. When the competition is hot that means I get better products at better prices.
no competition is not good for anyone.
However, Apple marches to the beat of their own drum and don’t seem to need the comp to innovate and improve. The competition does help bring the price down though.
A Java bases phone…..i find that hard to believe..seems like a huge step back.
why do they have to keep making a “killer”?
I just don’t get it.
All they will ever do is copy half-ass.
What? Samsung aren’t teaming up with Microsoft?!
“why do they have to keep making a ‘killer’?”
Because a “maimer” just pisses them off. Finish the job or go home.
P.S. “All they will ever do is copy half-ass”
I disagree. They’re all ass.
“MDN –Sun has patents on touch remember two years ago before the iphone was announced”
Apple didn’t develop the iPhone the day before they announced it.
Three years dude. Amazing to me how people can’t seem to understand product development lead cycles.