The Big “If”
05.29.07 - 05:33pm
There are two aspects to the success of the iPhone: The first being of course how great a device it actually turns out to be - whether the bang will really be worth the buck. The second, whether or not AT&T can provide the service it must if others are to leave their current carries and hop over. Basically if the service is lousy it won’t matter if the phone is awesome.
Michael McGuire of Gartner research said, “If AT&T and Apple create an experience that is markedly different, entertaining to consumers, resistance to the price and carrier exclusivity could melt away quickly. But that is a big ‘If’.”
Mark Siegel,a spokesman for AT&T said “I think this partnership is going to redefine the mobile experience for people in the United States. It is one of these perfect marriages. We do wireless exceedingly well and Apple does a brilliant job of developing technology that is easy to use. This is a big opportunity for us. We get to attract new customers with the buzz.”
The question however remains - are there perfect marriages? Analyst Rob Enderle says, “Apple has a history of leaving its partners bleeding or bloody in the dust. You have the most powerful brand with the most powerful carrier. If it works out, you have a powerful partnership. But, this has all the earmarks of a really expensive divorce that will be historically memorable.”
So either we get a “Faith Hill and Tim McGraw marriage” or a “Donald and Ivana Trump marriage”, either way they’ve already exchanged rings and walked down the aisle, all that’s left is for the rice to be thrown. “Here comes the bride.”
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