[sa_kiran]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

Not only that but it's a way to make money as well. They come up with such proprietary connectors and then they charge royalties from accessory makers to provide support for their connectors. The accessory makers can't ignore Apple devices (at least in the US) as it's a huge market to give a miss.

It is not unusual for companies to maintain proprietary standards. As far as I'm concerned, they are OK with good quality is maintained with good features. I was using Sony Ericsson phones for about 6 years, a lot of proprietary stuff, including the data cable. But, they delivered, so no complaints.

In this case, Apple has been the pioneer of smart phones and portable music. Though Apple did not invent them, they made them fashionable, almost to the extent of indispensable. Given the kind of influence they have had on the industry, they can get away with proprietary stuff and premium. Remember how Steve handled the signal problem in iPhone 4? Nobody in the industry could have handled that better.

[mayankk]

Originally Posted by sa_kiran

It is not unusual for companies to maintain proprietary standards. As far as I'm concerned, they are OK with good quality is maintained with good features. I was using Sony Ericsson phones for about 6 years, a lot of proprietary stuff, including the data cable. But, they delivered, so no complaints.

In this case, Apple has been the pioneer of smart phones and portable music. Though Apple did not invent them, they made them fashionable, almost to the extent of indispensable. Given the kind of influence they have had on the industry, they can get away with proprietary stuff and premium. Remember how Steve handled the signal problem in iPhone 4? Nobody in the industry could have handled that better.

Its probably not alright when you deviate from your own proprietary standards in the name of good features. Apples own devices have been rendered obsolete because of this. Guess where you can- or will be able to - buy compatible ones from?

[sa_kiran]

Originally Posted by mayankk

Its probably not alright when you deviate from your own proprietary standards in the name of good features. Apples own devices have been rendered obsolete because of this. Guess where you can- or will be able to - buy compatible ones from?

The only way to beat Apple at its proprietary game is for a competitor to come out with such blockbuster products with open standards. Are there any such competitors? Microsoft/Nokia seems to be capable, though may take many years. Samsung, phewww, my view is that they are an excellent copycat.

[Gandhi]

Originally Posted by sa_kiran

The only way to beat Apple at its proprietary game is for a competitor to come out with such blockbuster products with open standards. Are there any such competitors? Microsoft/Nokia seems to be capable, though may take many years. Samsung, phewww, my view is that they are an excellent copycat.

Micro-USB is a standard which has been accepted by EVERY manufacturer except Apple.

[mayankk]

Originally Posted by sa_kiran

The only way to beat Apple at its proprietary game is for a competitor to come out with such blockbuster products with open standards. Are there any such competitors? Microsoft/Nokia seems to be capable, though may take many years. Samsung, phewww, my view is that they are an excellent copycat.

say what?
I am talking about docks, data cables, av outs, chargers and the like.

[sa_kiran]

I’ve a strange problem with Waze (iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1.1).

I drive Honda City (ANHC), it has iPod integration, which plays music from iPods and iPhones. I use Waze during my drives in the city while playing music. Whenever there is an announcement from Waze, music playback stops. I’ve to stop the music system and start for music to play. This problem is unique to Waze, because music continues seamlessly after interruption by e-mail or SMS or calls. Has anybody else faced this problem and what is the solution?

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

Micro-USB is a standard which has been accepted by EVERY manufacturer except Apple.

+1 and it is the proverbial thorn in the side of every Apple smartphone owner. I, as other owners, need to be told WHY a proprietary connector is better than the micro USB.

Apple spews marketing BS. While I admire their products, as a long time Apple IP owner their refusal to accept universally accepted connectors and standards really upsets me. Changing the dock connector and charging $30 for an adaptor is adding insult to injury.

Originally Posted by sa_kiran

The only way to beat Apple at its proprietary game is for a competitor to come out with such blockbuster products with open standards. Are there any such competitors? Microsoft/Nokia seems to be capable, though may take many years.

Call Samsung a copy cat or whatever, but it is the only smartphone mfr in the world that can give Apple a run for its money. The fact that Apple sues them vigourously is a clear indication of Samsung being viewed as a threat.

Remember that Samsung is already ahead of Apple in terms of overall smartphone market share worldwide, while Apple slowed down. Samsung has gone from 17% to 32.6% while Apple has DROPPED from 18.8 to 16.9%. Every other manufacturer has seen their market share shrinking including HTC

http://articles.timesofindia.indiati...ne-smartphones

As for Nokia and MS - only time will tell. They have lost far too much ground and will take ages to recover their market share, if ever.

[sa_kiran]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Call Samsung a copy cat or whatever, but it is the only smartphone mfr in the world that can give Apple a run for its money. The fact that Apple sues them vigourously is a clear indication of Samsung being viewed as a threat.

Samsung is not the real target of Apple's law suits, it is Android. Remember Steve's thermonuclear war rumblings?

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by sa_kiran

Samsung is not the real target of Apple's law suits, it is Android. Remember Steve's thermonuclear war rumblings?

Mate, Jobs is dead, his thermonuclear war and other histrionics have no relevance today. He also liked to believe his customers are morons and dictated everything that HE believed they should use. By comparison Tim Cook is a reasonable person.

Google makes the base OS and there are backdoor discussions already going on between Apple and them. Also, every Android mfr customises the shell (skin) that runs on their phones. A Motorola ICS release is visually different from a Samsung ICS release.

However, that does not do away with the fact that Samsung is the only mfr that can give Apple a run for its money. The other Android manufacturers are too small to matter.

Trust me buddy..I have been using a high end Android phone with my IP4s. Guess what? It keeps up with the IP4s every step of the way and offers me more freedom to customise what **I** want on the phone, not what the manufacturer thinks is right for me. Freedom is addictive!

Unfortunately this new connector has only served to tell me that Apple will not mend its ways. So will I upgrade to an IP5? Maybe after I see the prices in India and am convinced it is worth the upgrade. Otherwise this gen gets a skip.

[lazybrain]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Call Samsung a copy cat or whatever, but it is the only smartphone mfr in the world that can give Apple a run for its money. The fact that Apple sues them vigourously is a clear indication of Samsung being viewed as a threat.

the big difference between apple and Samsung from my POV is after sales service. One of my friend owns a samsung Galaxy series phone (purchased it just 3 months back). The phone started developing hardware problem and authorized service center is neither able to solve the issue nor giving him any replacement device (the fact being its still under warranty) - Thats the big difference compared to apple. We all know how apple handles hardware issues with all their idevices in India. If my friend would have owned an iPhone he would have got replacement by now straightaway with no questions asked

[IronH4WK]

Originally Posted by lazybrain

If my friend would have owned an iPhone he would have got replacement by now straightaway with no questions asked

indeed! i had a problem with the speaker in my iPhone 4 and i took it to the service center. they explained that they'll run diagnostics on it and if found faulty, will replace the handset. 2hrs later they called to come and pickup my new iPhone 4!

so, will i buy the new iPhone 5? not at the moment. i'm happy with the iP4, but my next upgrade will be an iPhone

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by lazybrain

the big difference between apple and Samsung from my POV is after sales service. One of my friend owns a samsung Galaxy series phone (purchased it just 3 months back). The phone started developing hardware problem and authorized service center is neither able to solve the issue nor giving him any replacement device (the fact being its still under warranty) - Thats the big difference compared to apple. We all know how apple handles hardware issues with all their idevices in India. If my friend would have owned an iPhone he would have got replacement by now straightaway with no questions asked

Yes Samsung is known for it's hardware problems, my bro's Galaxy Note has an issue with the microphone and needs to be taken back to SE Asia where he is based for repairs. He's pretty frustrated with the experience which occured when he travelled home to India on a visit.

My 'droid handset is a Motorola Razr - rock solid hardware by comparison. Unfortunately Moto is scheduled to trim or even close Ops in India. So looking to sell off my Razr now..albeit with a heavy heart.

As for Apple, do keep in mind that they replace any faulty handset with a refurb unit. Not brand new as one would expect.

[lazybrain]

Originally Posted by R2D2

As for Apple, do keep in mind that they replace any faulty handset with a refurb unit. Not brand new as one would expect.

Not necessarily they will give you on refurbished unit as replacement. It all depends on timing and availability. They will give you whatever unit is available at that point of time (either refurbished or brand new). I never had this specific experience with iPhone but my iPad 3 developed hardware issues within 1.5 months of purchase and I got a brand new unit and not refurbished ones as replacement. (May be i was lucky)

[ajay_satpute]

Originally Posted by lazybrain

the big difference between apple and Samsung from my POV is after sales service. One of my friend owns a samsung Galaxy series phone (purchased it just 3 months back). The phone started developing hardware problem and authorized service center is neither able to solve the issue nor giving him any replacement device (the fact being its still under warranty) - Thats the big difference compared to apple. We all know how apple handles hardware issues with all their idevices in India. If my friend would have owned an iPhone he would have got replacement by now straightaway with no questions asked

Good point there.

So many of my friends who owned Samsung phones, have had trouble with the A.S.S. One of my friend's Galaxy Ace's motherboard was replaced twice, once within warranty and once outside. Outside warranty cost was 4.5k. The phone was lying at the service center for a week, before the part could be sourced. One week without mobile is unimaginable these days.

I once had an issue with my iPod touch and the problem was rectified by the Apple certified engineer in 15 minutes without any fuss. The engineer told me that they go through a proper training program on troubleshooting Apple devices with least turn-around time. The service center also offers user training programs for first time users of Macs.

[sa_kiran]

I've an iPod Classic for about 6 years, iPhone 4 for over a year, iPad 2 for about a year and iPhone 4S for 9 months. I've NEVER faced any problem with any of them :-) I'm happy and my next purchases will also be Apple products.