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In those other countries though sales are low from the start... In part that's because of Apple's insistence of supporting only specific carriers and entering into binding contracts with them (which limits market penetration by design), in part because of the supported physical networks which make it less suitable in many countries (GPRS, UMTS, etc.). And then there's the cost of the device. I can get a Samsung i780 here for 10-20% less than what the iPhone is likely to be priced at, and in combination with the type of contract my network provider would offer me with that iPhone I'd probably get that i780 for half that again. And the i780 offers a lot more to most people than the iPhone does, so is better value for money even without the discounts network providers give on phones (and which their contract with Apple prevents them from giving to iPhone customers).
There's the real reason for the iPod's lack of continuing success. The impending announcement of the Mk.2 in the US has little to do with it. All the Apple fanboyz (and girlz) already have them, and they're the main targes for the Mk.2 anyway. Most other potential customers don't really care as they want a phone that works and would just as soon buy an older model if it works and is cheaper.
In the end I think Apple chose an incorrect business model when they tried to market the iPhone in the same way they marketed the iPod and iMac originally, as fashion icons for teenagers rather than serious tools. Apart from being a fashion icon the iPod is affordable as well as being best in breed, which makes it a logical choice for the masses. The iMac ran on a platform of "difference" which gave it some leeway in the mass market but mostly has to depend on users of other Apple systems buying into them as an upgrade. The iPhone has none of that. It doesn't offer anything cheaper phones on the market don't, is clumsy due to its size, and overly expensive. Once the hype wore off, it lost momentum and I don't think the new model is going to do more than cause a minor blip in sales volume (not counting, possibly, replacement sales to current Mk.1 customers). |
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