iPhone v. 4 Falls on its Face

First, before we get into this I have to ask you a question. What is really important to you? Think carefully for your answer, and then keep it in mind as you read this.

The iPhone v.4 is a flop. It's eye candy without functionality. Sitting the phone down on the desktop, the phone will go from nearly a dropped call - to half the signal strength of the previous version. In local access point configuration, the phone is consistently one bar below whatever the older version of the phone is. As a network engineer (and research scientist) I find the concept that having a sharper display bound up to a downgraded network connection - ridiculous. This is a cellphone not a status symbol or latest must-have gadget. Stick with android operating systems, the ERIS browser that plays flash - and a host of nearly free, open applications that are growing rapidly - if you want to get a functional device.

Now, back to the question that I asked you. Do you feel that money, is the most important thing? If so, then look at the numbers the iPhone posted - first week sales in the millions. But look more closely. Each iPhone is now generating hours of tech support calls. The margin for these devices was roughly 60% , so the approximately 180.00 of profit per unit that Apple is trying to draw from this device - is rapidly being eaten alive by their support costs. The iPhone v. 4 is falling on its face.

But what about the concept that form follows function.. what if money wasn't the important thing? What about design, and utility. In that case, you have a very tiny but very sharp little screen upon which almost nothing of any real significance will run except perhaps your cameraphone, and Nikon makes a better one than Apple.

I am looking at the Motorola i1 and the next series of DROID applications - with a special eye toward whether or not GPS will be sold as a service, the performance of the phone itself, battery life - and other features.

I'm not saying that I believe the iPhone is dead. Far from it. With applications like Universal Remote (to control your TV, stereo, etc.) the iPhone and other smart phones will be involved in a standards war that will set the next computing device standard for the millenium. People need a portable computer. And they are rapidly beginning to see life without a cellphone as something strange and alien.

In four, the iPhone became a cartoon of itself. Its strongest design feature would have been improved reception - multitasking, and its new screen. In the end, all it really delivered was a neat package - its popularity speaks to that element of the Apple loyal who really don't understand technology at all, and simply want something easy to use. Sometimes its better to just keep looking.