Those who are switching, are typically switching for a superior network, not a superior device.
To be honest, most users are switching for BOTH reasons. The superior device as well as the superior service.
All of my iPhone-owning friends jumped ship when the first Motorola Droid phone came out at Verizon. Their reason: A more solid phone on a more free platform. The fact that Verizon offers the better coverage was just a bonus to them and icing on the cake.
What marketing data would this be? Where can we look at a carrier, that has both options, where Android is dominating iPhone?
I guess you haven't seen the recent market reports showing the rapid decline of iPhone adoption over Android-based device adoption? It all clearly shows that people are upset with Apple not wanting to offer basic things like FREEDOM on a device you literally pay an arm and a leg for, which is limited not only in the apps APPLE decide you should and should not have, but also on hardware which is already behind the curve.
The following will all impact Android sales:
- VZW users eligible for a new device, who might have considered Android devices, would have an iPhone option
- VZW users who currently have an Android device, who would have likely purchased a new Android device, would have an iPhone option
- Disgusted AT&T customers, who might have considered Android devices, would have an iPhone option
- Disgusted T-Mobile customers, would have considered Android devices, will now have an iPhone option
Point 1: Many of whom will stick with the Android devices because, frankly, they are only getting better and better as time goes by. The HTC Incredible, the Motorola Droid line, more HTC Android options coming, Motorola obviously making the improvements based on customer feedback.
It will all continue to ensure that the Android platform overtakes and remains high on the list, unless Apple can stop their iron-fist rule.
Point 2: Pretty much the same as point 1. The users are opting for the Android devices because of not only the openness of the platform, but also the fact that it is cheaper overall to have a plan for a better device running under a better OS.
Point 3: Exactly! The people who sought out Android devices will continue to upgrade to newer and newer Android-based options!
Point 4: I live with 2 T-Mobile subscribers who tell me otherwise. They tell me how they hate the lockdown of the iPhone by Apple. I mean, really? You band a calendar app and remove it remotely from user's devices because it has semi-nude pictures? Go freedom!
iPhone is the most wildly popular cell phone in history. To believe it wouldn't impact Android, which let's face it, would have never gained this momentum had iPhone been on VZW all these years, seems crazy.
It is the most wildly popular mobile phone in history. However, it is eating itself and it is showing more and more people why Apple is a bad choice with their totalitarian administration of something people pay $600 for.
However, Apple decided to lock themselves into ATT for the carrier. That forced Verizon to toss its weight behind Android and alternative device makers and this has proven to be a MASSIVE hit to not only ATT, but the Apple iPhone as well. To think otherwise just seems crazy.
Look, I'm not questioning that Android will march on. And I have no desire to get into a debate about device quality, feature sets, etc. All I'm saying is, the iPhone has broader appeal. Forums like these, which largely target power users, have a way of distorting perspectives. The average person, when presented with the option, is going to choose an iPhone. While a wide selection of Android devices may be a good thing for you or I, for the average person it just creates confusion.
I had time with an iPhone. A lot of time (it was sort of a loaner) and I can tell you that, from my view and the view of people I know, the iPhone's appeal was mostly along the lines of "wow! no other phone does this!" in most regards. Now that other phones DO do that and more, Apple is feeling the impact of its bad decisions concerning ALLOWING people to do what they want with the property they purchase.
