iPhone & Innovation Wars over new Features incl. GPS
So it’s pretty well known that the iPhone will not include a GPS in its first incarnation, the simple unveiling has created a whirlwind of activity in the mobile phone space. Phone makers are working hard to keep up with the new design reality created by the iPhone from the iPhone look alike types to the ones that are pushing the envelope with features that include GPS functionality like the Samsung Upstage or the Nokia N95.
Yesterday the Wall Street Journal had an interesting front page article with insight into the mobile phone market and how the handset makers in the US square off against the wireless providers in a battle for control. This battle appears to be slowing the speed of innovation to consumers as wireless carriers tie innovation to new, higher revenue streams. So, while handset makers want to offer free mapping features, wireless carriers want you to subscribe to monthly navigation subscription packages. The fear is that the wireless carriers become “Dumb Pipes” that are nothing but commoditized bandwidth instead of carriers offering innovation (for a fee). The one wildcard at the party right now is the iPhone. As you might recall, Apple had Cingular/AT&T change how they had their systems configured to offer more and distinctive features.
Today the WSJ (p.B4) reported that over half of mobile phone subscribers in the US are aware of the iPhone (hard to imagine why it's not higher), and 12% have postponed buying their next mobile phone to wait for the iPhone release. Sounds like some pent up demand for innovative features. Let’s hope Steve Jobs is able to leverage the much hyped iPhone into a market boom and further drive innovation in the market.
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Posted by Scott Martin at June 15, 2007 11:02 AM
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