Why iPhones Are So Popular

[moonman239]

The iPhone 4, 3GS and 4S are the most popular smartphones in that order. Why?

1) Simplicity. A lot of people want a smartphone with as small of a learning curve as possible - in other words, one that "just works."Apple prides itself in delivering that phone. For example, I can switch between apps simply by double-tapping the home button, swiping left or right if necessary, then tapping the app. I didn't have to tweak the phone so I could do that.

2) Siri (iPhone 4S) is currently the only "personal assistant" I am aware of that is available on a cellphone.

3) Some people have or had an iPad or an iPod touch. So using an iPhone is even easier than it would be if they didn't have an iDevice. Plus, the apps that work on an iPod touch also work on an iPhone.

That's my list of reasons.

[szlamany]

Doesn't Android has iRis?

Or is that some kind of urban legend?

[moonman239]

Doesn't Android has iRis?

Or is that some kind of urban legend?

Yes, and Google's working on an AI assistant named "Majel."

[baja_yu]

I don't get all the fuss about Siri. Even if it was an actual person with an IQ of 150, assigned to sit there and server only my request whenever I want it to, I still think talking to a device is stupid. It's slower, prone to errors and most importantly you look like a douche.

[Icyculyr]

There are other software solutions trying to compete with Siri, but ultimately Siri's got a more solid base than any of them, as it understands context and natural input, which... makes it easy to use and easy to learn. Only new services (to access more data) need to be added, and they'll come over time.

I don't get all the fuss about Siri. Even if it was an actual person with an IQ of 150, assigned to sit there and server only my request whenever I want it to, I still think talking to a device is stupid. It's slower, prone to errors and most importantly you look like a douche.

I think Siri is quite useful, for now the majority of what I use it for is alarms, jotting down notes quickly, setting reminders, and checking the weather. I don't often find that it misunderstands me either -- in fact, almost never.

[venerable bede]

I don't get all the fuss about Siri. Even if it was an actual person with an IQ of 150, assigned to sit there and server only my request whenever I want it to, I still think talking to a device is stupid. It's slower, prone to errors and most importantly you look like a douche.

I talk to myself all the time.

[venerable bede]

Yes he does. He is also a douche !

[dilettante]

Ouch, I feel my jaw breaking from yawning so damned hard.

Oh crap he's like 7 years old! Sorry guy, I'll cut you more slack in the future.

[FunkyDexter]

I think Siri is quite useful, for now the majority of what I use it for is alarms, jotting down notes quickly, setting reminders, and checking the weather. I don't often find that it misunderstands me either -- in fact, almost never.

I guess I'm lucky on this front because I've got these wiggly things called fingers. I'd recommend you pick up a set if you can, they're perfect for operating devices.

I'm with Baja on this. Talking to an electronic device in public makes you look stupid. Almost as stupid who wander down the highstreet making a call via bluetooth. Everyone around you just thinks you're talking to yourself.


On the "ease of use" thing, I can't speak for the iPhone but I bought a touch-screen ipod nano. The interface is horrible and totally counter-intuitive to me. When I'm playing a track and I swipe right, sometimes it takes me to the song list, sometimes it takes me to the album list - I don't know why. When I'm playing a track and press skip forward, sometimes it skips forward and sometimes it takes me to an alphabetical list of tracks - I don't know why. Once I found myself at a screen that showed me the progress of the current track - I don't know how I got there and can't work out how to get there again. Also, I tend to use it to drive my stereo in the car which means I want to use it while driving - the screen presses require pin-point accuracy making this impossible, or at least unsafe enough to prevent me from doing it. And worse still, Apple's hubris in believing their interface is infallibly simple means they've never written a manual for it. So when it does something I don't expect, I don't know why and can't find out.

[moonman239]

I guess I'm lucky on this front because I've got these wiggly things called fingers. I'd recommend you pick up a set if you can, they're perfect for operating devices.

I'm with Baja on this. Talking to an electronic device in public makes you look stupid. Almost as stupid who wander down the highstreet making a call via bluetooth. Everyone around you just thinks you're talking to yourself.


On the "ease of use" thing, I can't speak for the iPhone but I bought a touch-screen ipod nano. The interface is horrible and totally counter-intuitive to me. When I'm playing a track and I swipe right, sometimes it takes me to the song list, sometimes it takes me to the album list - I don't know why. When I'm playing a track and press skip forward, sometimes it skips forward and sometimes it takes me to an alphabetical list of tracks - I don't know why. Once I found myself at a screen that showed me the progress of the current track - I don't know how I got there and can't work out how to get there again. Also, I tend to use it to drive my stereo in the car which means I want to use it while driving - the screen presses require pin-point accuracy making this impossible, or at least unsafe enough to prevent me from doing it. And worse still, Apple's hubris in believing their interface is infallibly simple means they've never written a manual for it. So when it does something I don't expect, I don't know why and can't find out.

Well, you have your opinion and I have mine.

[baja_yu]

Well, you have your opinion and I have mine.

You're the one that asked people for their opinions so why get defensive when they give them to you.

[Shaggy Hiker]

You're the one that asked people for their opinions so why get defensive when they give them to you.

Actually, I can't figure out what this thread is about. I don't see a question, and I don't see much of a point. Was anybody asked for an optinion? I don't see it. The original post, as it currently stands, could actually have been added to the Golden Chair thread as a clever commentary on the thread itself.

[Hack]

I'm with Baja on this. Talking to an electronic device in public makes you look stupid. Almost as stupid who wander down the highstreet making a call via bluetooth. Everyone around you just thinks you're talking to yourself.

Did you ever read something and shout at the top of your lungs AMEN!!!!!!!!!!? And then follow that up with "Man, I wish I'd written that."

Well, I just did, both. If I could rate a chit chat post this one would have all the stars I could muster.

[InvisibleDuncan]

Did you ever read something and shout at the top of your lungs AMEN!!!!!!!!!!? And then follow that up with "Man, I wish I'd written that."

Well, I just did, both.

And yet you think people talking on bluetooth headsets look strange.

[SambaNeko]

Also, I tend to use it to drive my stereo in the car which means I want to use it while driving - the screen presses require pin-point accuracy making this impossible, or at least unsafe enough to prevent me from doing it.

Yeah, this is the only thing I miss about my old mp3 player with real buttons (which are now a sin to put on portable consumer electronics, right?).

I don't care much about Siri; it's kinda neat, but not a feature that sells the phone for me.

What I like most is simply the stability/dependability. Maybe I just had rotten luck, but my previous smartphone (Palm Treo) had issues. Like crashing upon incoming calls, randomly reassigning custom ringtones amongst contacts, crashing some more, touchscreen being slow or unresponsive, etc. I hate the "it just works" slogan... but it does, and I appreciate that.

[moonman239]

Yeah, this is the only thing I miss about my old mp3 player with real buttons (which are now a sin to put on portable consumer electronics, right?).

I don't care much about Siri; it's kinda neat, but not a feature that sells the phone for me.

What I like most is simply the stability/dependability. Maybe I just had rotten luck, but my previous smartphone (Palm Treo) had issues. Like crashing upon incoming calls, randomly reassigning custom ringtones amongst contacts, crashing some more, touchscreen being slow or unresponsive, etc. I hate the "it just works" slogan... but it does, and I appreciate that.

Did you try taking a picture or recording a video? I bet my laptop you'll like the camera. I'll even send you a hammer so you can have the pleasure of destroying it.

[FunkyDexter]

randomly reassigning custom ringtones amongst contacts,

For a while I had a phone that actually shuffled the telephone numbers between contacts. Honestly, making a phone call from the contacts list was like a game of social russian roulette. You haven't lived until you've phoned up the girl you cracked onto in the pub last night only to realise your speaking to your Aunty Agnes.

With a forum being: "A meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged."

That's the latin definition of the term. The modern definition is "a place where people come to anonymously belittle each other". Noob!

Your fingers are wiggly?

The guys I climb with have nick-named me "Uncle Fiddle Fingers". It's actually a reference to my guitar playing but it's led to a few unpleasant conversations with young parents who've heard me called it for the first time.

I find Siri can manage my alarms, reminders, notes, and calendar events faster than I can do it manually. If I use Siri, I say "Create an event at 5 PM on Monday with SuchnSuch", and then, "yep", and voila, if I do it manually I have to swipe to my first home screen, open Calendar, tap the add event button, swipe through a bunch of stuff to select the date, type the name... blah blah. Much quicker to use Siri

So what you're saying is that the on-screen interface is difficult to use...

Apple's got some multi-touch functions written out here: http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/design.html

That might be handy. I'll give it a good look later. I do find I struggle with touch screen though. I think I just have clumsy fingers and thumbs so swiping when I meant to tap or swiping in the wrong direction is exactly the sort of thing I do. I can't play shooters on a game pad for similar reasons - lack of co-ordination. That's not an apple problem, though, it's a problem with any touchscreen device. But Apple's championing of touchscreen is probably part of the reason I'm not so keen on their products.

[Icyculyr]

The guys I climb with have nick-named me "Uncle Fiddle Fingers". It's actually a reference to my guitar playing but it's led to a few unpleasant conversations with young parents who've heard me called it for the first time.

Ah I bet

So what you're saying is that the on-screen interface is difficult to use...

Haha no, I'm saying it's quicker to perform those tasks by speaking than touching. The same would be true of any OS, using Siri is faster.

That might be handy. I'll give it a good look later. I do find I struggle with touch screen though. I think I just have clumsy fingers and thumbs so swiping when I meant to tap or swiping in the wrong direction is exactly the sort of thing I do. I can't play shooters on a game pad for similar reasons - lack of co-ordination. That's not an apple problem, though, it's a problem with any touchscreen device. But Apple's championing of touchscreen is probably part of the reason I'm not so keen on their products.

Ah yeah, I see. If you owned an iPad or any slate, your touch screen skills may level up

[baja_yu]

Haha no, I'm saying it's quicker to perform those tasks by speaking than touching. The same would be true of any OS, using Siri is faster.

Actually no. You would be amazed at what kind of automation and shortcuts you can make with Android. Even to the point of automated actions based on date, time, state (charging, hardware connections...) and location.

[kareninstructor]

I have an iPhone because I purchased an iPad first and wanted same controls on both devices. Personally I think the iPhone is over rated but have no issues with mine. It is simply a device like any other device, serves a purpose, nothing more nothing less.

[Shaggy Hiker]

I have an iPhone because I purchased an iPad first and wanted same controls on both devices. Personally I think the iPhone is over rated but have no issues with mine. It is simply a device like any other device, serves a purpose, nothing more nothing less.

HERETIC!!!

On a related note, how would you like your stake: Well-done, rare, pine?

[kareninstructor]

HERETIC!!!

On a related note, how would you like your stake: Well-done, rare, pine?

ROTFFL . . . well-done, yum

[Shaggy Hiker]

Bluetooth has been a boon to all the people who were already talking to themselves. They now have the benefit of the doubt, even hairy guys like me.

[kareninstructor]

Bluetooth has been a boon to all the people who were already talking to themselves.

For some odd reason this reminds me of Scotty in one of the Star Trek movies talking to the computer mouse "Oh Computer . . ."

[Shaggy Hiker]

For some odd reason this reminds me of Scotty in one of the Star Trek movies talking to the computer mouse "Oh Computer . . ."

Yeah, I remember that one. I forget the name, but it was the Enterprise Saves the Whales movie. The one where some destructive force was approaching because it no longer heard whale songs....in space.

[Icyculyr]

I guess I'm lucky on this front because I've got these wiggly things called fingers. I'd recommend you pick up a set if you can, they're perfect for operating devices.

I'm with Baja on this. Talking to an electronic device in public makes you look stupid. Almost as stupid who wander down the highstreet making a call via bluetooth. Everyone around you just thinks you're talking to yourself.

Your fingers are wiggly?

I find Siri can manage my alarms, reminders, notes, and calendar events faster than I can do it manually. If I use Siri, I say "Create an event at 5 PM on Monday with SuchnSuch", and then, "yep", and voila, if I do it manually I have to swipe to my first home screen, open Calendar, tap the add event button, swipe through a bunch of stuff to select the date, type the name... blah blah. Much quicker to use Siri.

Same is true of Siri, "wake me up at 10", or "set an alarm for me at 10", etc., much easier than navigating through the alarm app, it's just quicker with voice.

On the "ease of use" thing, I can't speak for the iPhone but I bought a touch-screen ipod nano. The interface is horrible and totally counter-intuitive to me. When I'm playing a track and I swipe right, sometimes it takes me to the song list, sometimes it takes me to the album list - I don't know why. When I'm playing a track and press skip forward, sometimes it skips forward and sometimes it takes me to an alphabetical list of tracks - I don't know why. Once I found myself at a screen that showed me the progress of the current track - I don't know how I got there and can't work out how to get there again. Also, I tend to use it to drive my stereo in the car which means I want to use it while driving - the screen presses require pin-point accuracy making this impossible, or at least unsafe enough to prevent me from doing it. And worse still, Apple's hubris in believing their interface is infallibly simple means they've never written a manual for it. So when it does something I don't expect, I don't know why and can't find out.

Apple's got some multi-touch functions written out here: http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/design.html

I think when it shows you the tracks, you've accidentally swiped up or down, else swiping right should take you back to where you were last, until you're back at the home screen, or touching and holding anything for a certain period of time will take you back to the home screen straight away.

Tapping an album brings up song controls, which I think you may have done also, and swiping left on the album brings up repeat.

[Hack]

Yeah, I remember that one. I forget the name, but it was the Enterprise Saves the Whales movie. The one where some destructive force was approaching because it no longer heard whale songs....in space.

Star Trek IV - sigh

[RhinoBull]

The iPhone 4, 3GS and 4S are the most popular smartphones in that order. Why?.

IMHO because the quality is absolutely superb.

[akhileshbc]

I wish to post something about it. But I don't have an iPhone at all.

Anyway, if you wish to ask me my opinion about iPhone, you better send me one on or before this Christmas, to try it out.

I have started accepting all kinds of gifts like iPads, iPhones, iPods, or anything that starts with the letter "i".

I think the quality of the product is what it makes so popular. Another fact is that, people like you and me are posting comments, sharing news about the latest "i" products, etc. praising it's features and providing free advertising for them, which inturn increases it's popularity.

[Hack]

I have started accepting all kinds of gifts like iPads, iPhones, iPods, or anything that starts with the letter "i".

Well no wonder you didn't get my iGift....I sent it last Tuesday, but since you weren't accepting gifts back then, it got returned, so I gave it to my neighbor.

[moonman239]

I wish to post something about it. But I don't have an iPhone at all.

Anyway, if you wish to ask me my opinion about iPhone, you better send me one on or before this Christmas, to try it out.

I have started accepting all kinds of gifts like iPads, iPhones, iPods, or anything that starts with the letter "i".

I think the quality of the product is what it makes so popular. Another fact is that, people like you and me are posting comments, sharing news about the latest "i" products, etc. praising it's features and providing free advertising for them, which inturn increases it's popularity.

An iPhone was on my wish list, and then I got one for my birthday this year! One more thing I should be grateful for.

Your last paragraph sums up what I said in my first post nicely.

[visualAd]

The iPhone 4, 3GS and 4S are the most popular smartphones in that order. Why?

1) Simplicity. A lot of people want a smartphone with as small of a learning curve as possible - in other words, one that "just works."Apple prides itself in delivering that phone. For example, I can switch between apps simply by double-tapping the home button, swiping left or right if necessary, then tapping the app. I didn't have to tweak the phone so I could do that.

2) Siri (iPhone 4S) is currently the only "personal assistant" I am aware of that is available on a cellphone.

3) Some people have or had an iPad or an iPod touch. So using an iPhone is even easier than it would be if they didn't have an iDevice. Plus, the apps that work on an iPod touch also work on an iPhone.

That's my list of reasons.

I got an iPhone, but I use Linux, I am the living definition of an oxymoron

[Shaggy Hiker]

I got an iPhone, but I use Linux, I am the living definition of an oxymoron

If you stopped being so negative, you'd be a regular moron.

Ok, that's probably about the most obscure chemical pun that can possibly be made. If anybody needs a hint, it has to do with Oxidation.

[visualAd]

Its a good phone; I don't really want the flexibility the Linux brings in a phone, just the ability to make phone calls and use other features like camera and email, etc.

[capsulecorpjx]

The iPhone 4, 3GS and 4S are the most popular smartphones in that order. Why?

1) Simplicity. A lot of people want a smartphone with as small of a learning curve as possible - in other words, one that "just works."Apple prides itself in delivering that phone. For example, I can switch between apps simply by double-tapping the home button, swiping left or right if necessary, then tapping the app. I didn't have to tweak the phone so I could do that.

2) Siri (iPhone 4S) is currently the only "personal assistant" I am aware of that is available on a cellphone.

3) Some people have or had an iPad or an iPod touch. So using an iPhone is even easier than it would be if they didn't have an iDevice. Plus, the apps that work on an iPod touch also work on an iPhone.

That's my list of reasons.

I think it's more to do with:
1) Hardware design (iPhone 4's glass and metal case feels like jewerly, other phones are made of plastic). Even the shape feels classier (the rounded corners,but straight sides).
2) iTunes and the appstore. Even if you don't buy music, the huge number of free podcasts and university lectures are appealing, along with free apps.
The android stores seem a bit more fragmented? I'm not too certain as I haven't used it.
3) Lets be honest, Google did outright steal most of Apple's intuitive designs (or at least the Apple developer who designed it), like the swipes and zooms.

[baja_yu]

1. Not all phones are plastic... unless it's Samsung, then yes, they're all plastic
2. Android has waaaay more free apps. Even Angry Birds is free on Android.
3. Are you seriously suggesting that Apple invented swiping?! And they didn't "swipe" anything from Google, like the notification center for example, or wireless syncing. And not to mention what other platforms like Symbian did yeeears before Apple even considered making a phone. Everyone 'borrowed' from everyone, but only Apple stoops to being a pissy cry baby about it, all the while doing the same thing to others.

[Shaggy Hiker]

Only the users, not the company, as far as I can see. They used to complain about Windows, too. They seem to feel that you should have special rights if you were the first to steal something.

[baja_yu]

Only the users, not the company, as far as I can see. They used to complain about Windows, too. They seem to feel that you should have special rights if you were the first to steal something.

Not according to the latest biography: http://www.macrumors.com/2011/10/20/...stroy-android/

Actually, when you think about it, throughout Apple's existence they always had some "supervillan" they hated and wanted to destroy. First it was IBM, the beige big brother, then it was Bill Gates and Microsoft who "stole Windows and everything else" from them, and now it's Google.

[FunkyDexter]

They seem to feel that you should have special rights if you were the first to steal something.

Hey! That's a fine British tradition. We built an empire on that basis.

[visualAd]

An then when they give it back, sue them for stealing our way of life? Nice one