Journalist reminds Apple of Newton flop, presuming iPhone will do the same
David Haskin at Computer World has written a fairly negative piece that is supposed to remind Apple of their Newton PDA and how it didn't do very well.
What does Apple's iPhone have in common with the failed Apple Newton of more than a decade ago? Nothing. Yet.
is the provocative start to the article.
He tells us what we already know. Apple don't have an 'unblemished record' when it comes to introducing innovative new devices. Sure, but by that logic, neither do a number of other successful companies. Few businesses have a 100% success rate, particularly when they are as innovative and boundary-pushiing as Apple.
Hoskin claims that the Newton failed partly due to its poor implementation of a new technology - handwriting recognition - but primarily because of its high price.
He then somehow draws the conclusion that "Apple seems to be repeating the cycle again with iPhone".
Aren't you forgetting something, David? The iPod. An absolutely phenomenal success that now has 80% of the portable music player market. You write as if Apple makes the same mistakes with every product it launches. It doesn't.
Apple's projections are to secure 1% of the global mobile market come 2008, a goal that independent analysts think is definitely achievable. The iPhone may not be a runaway, market-dominating success like the iPod is, just as Apple's computers aren't, but that doesn't mean the iPhone will flop.
Sure, there's hype and incredible excitement as we all wait for the iPhone, but there's also an incredibly hot, innovative product that other manufacturers are already taking serious note of. Would they take note of something that's destined to flop? I don't think so.
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