05/30/2007, 4:20pm, EDT
Wednesday, May 30thAT&T: iPhone hype "too low"
AT&T feels it worthwhile to drum up anticipation in the few weeks ahead of the iPhone's release, the company's COO (and future CEO) Randall Stephenson said at a conference today. The executive was convinced that the Apple device would be a "game changer" for the cellphone business and make many customers -- and operators -- rethink their approach to phones. Many casual users were now more receptive to smartphones and other multi-purpose devices than they were in the past, Stephenson said, which reportedly merited far more publicity and praise than had already been given so far.
"I don't know what your expectations are for the iPhone, but I would tell you they're probably too low at this point," he claimed.
AT&T as a whole is also said to eagerly anticipate the iPhone for more than just phone sales. The company is counting on the device to not only attract more longer-term contracts, such as the two-year deals that may be required, but also to earn more revenue from Internet access. Most phones typically consider data as only a secondary feature, but the iPhone will place e-mail, web, and widget access at the heart of its strategy.
In separate news, Asian suppliers have noted today that the iPhone's touchscreen is likely being mass-produced by two unnamed Japanese firms, according to industry sources. The choice reportedly deprives Taiwan of the business it often receives for such devices. A single Taiwan firm will serve as a backup supplier, the contacts said.
Reasons for the unconventional choice weren't explained.
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IS there any executive out there on the planet [besides Jobs himself] that is in touch with the customer base_
Did he not hear the news of Google and Yahoo reporting recently that inquiries for the iPhone were the top rated search on ALL of the internet for weeks now ?
Several TV shows in the apst couple of years have been canceled that had high viewership - But the "executives" felt it necessary to cancel them 'cause they "felt" there was not enough viewrship_
I guess 90% of the world should be glad that Steve Balmer at M$ hasn't decided to cancel Windows [or Vista for that matter] 'cause there isn't enough customer interest [maybe they should do that with the Zune though]
iDigress_ The point is that every few days I hear of some mainline decision maker that does not have their finger on any pulse anywhere [much have have a pulse of their own] and they make these unilateral decisions - statements - announcements without pulling their heads out of their arses_
Oh let's not forget that Apple has already run 1 commercial months ago [that definitely added to the hype_ http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8708568618021736202
Someone should write a book about the dumb things executives say_
I don't see anywhere in the article where he mentions "hype" for the iPhone. He mentions people's expectations of it:
"I don't know what your expectations are for the iPhone, but I would tell you they're probably too low at this point,"
He's saying whatever you expect it to be, it will be way better. He was praising the iPhone, not bashing it or the industry in any way.