Andrew Wirtanen is a usability specialist in Cary, NC More »

Apple’s iPhone will Change U.S. Cell Phone Market

Apple did it to MP3 players, and they are about to do it to cell phones (yes, after years of rumors the patent has finally surfaced for the iPhone). This is only my prediction, but I think it’s fare to assume that Apple is going to change the way people think about their cell phone. If I am wrong, I would be very surprised. It seems like one of those things you can see from a mile away.

We have all been through the experience of picking out a phone in the Verizon/T-Mobile/Sprint/Cingular store and deciding upon a monthly package. Non-geeks generally pick out the cheapest or the best looking phone, and most people probably go with the cheapest monthly rate. The phones are pretty cheap, since most people sign up for a 2-year deal. This kind of makes the phone feel cheap too.

Well, now Apple is about to release the iPhone, and it is going to succeed. Why?

• The Motorola RAZR opened the doors to phones being fashionable. The iPhone will take the place of the RAZR.
• Cell phone-accessible music stores have not succeeded due to being too costly. An iPhone will be able to use the familiar iTunes software and make purchasing and listening to music easy and affordable. People will be able to listen to music they already bought on iTunes.
• With rumored price tags of $249 and $449, the phone will not be viewed as expensive because it will also be (and supposedly look like) an iPod.
• If Apple sells it unlocked (rumor has it they will), the phone can be used by any cell phone network.

Hi Andy,

I am really excited for this release, but I do not understand how they can make the phone be able to use on any network. Are they going to release different models (since verizon, sprint, etc are on different networks than Cingular), or am I missing something really cool. I would love to get the Apple smartPhone that is anticipated for release in the third quarter of next year, but I just expected that it would not work with my Sprint plan since I do not have any way to use a GSM phone.

–Joe

Apple will have to release different models for different network types (GSM, CDMA, PCS). A phone made for a particular network type can only be used with a network of the same network type (e.g. Cingular is GSM, but so is T-Mobile… so you could use either carrier). I don’t really know any details beyond that… I’ve always had Verizon and never had a SIM card.

Nobody knows the details of their partnerships with the any carriers yet…

I’m looking forward to the iPhone as well though… The more I read about it, the more it makes sense for music and phones to converge like this.