Jobs explains thinking behind iPhone
updated 04:50 pm EDT, Thu June 28, 2007
Jobs on iPhone strategy
During Apple's town-hall meeting earlier today, company CEO Steve Jobs outlined his beliefs on how the iPhone will permanently change the mobile phone business. The executive also described the iPhone as the third leg to a chair -- signifying Apple's overall business -- with the two existing legs consisting of the iPod+iTunes business and the company's successful Mac computer line. The fourth leg to the chair, according to Jobs as cited by Ars Technica, is the Apple TV. Apple's chief described the company's existing Macs as the best new product pipeline, and detailed forthcoming products as "off the charts."
When asked whether Apple was concerned about consumers purchasing iPhones instead of iPods -- which would ultimately result in more iPhone owners at the expense of iPod sales -- Jobs implied that if cannibalization is going to occur he prefers it be done by Apple itself, not its competitors.
Defending the company's decision to use EDGE mobile internet connectivity, which is slower than the newer 3G networks, Jobs eluded to broader coverage for EDGE while also pointing to increased power consumption for 3G technology. When asked why Apple settled on 6:00 p.m. for the iPhone launch, the company's chief said they didn't want people to take off from work to purchase the device, according to the report.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Great
Although, he should have stopped at a three-legged chair analogy. Three-legged chairs can't wobble (though they can tilt).
Oh, and they didn't want people to take off from work? Why would they need to? Is this a one-time sales event, where if we don't buy one Friday afternoon, we can't ever get one? Why not just sell them Saturday morning? Or just put them up for sale NOW and kill the wait.