Apple is brilliant when it comes to smartphone product launches and marketing strategy. Already people are lined up and camping outside of their stores. Why? A new iPhone was announced earlier this week. SO why then did the stock market pricing for Apple drop? Immediately after the announcement of the new Apple iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, the market price dropped by about 5%. Some of the social media techno geeks immediately started to belittle the latest iPhone and express their opinion that Apple has stopped being a force to reckon with in the smart phone marketplace.
I say they are wrong.
What’s amazing with the new iPhone 5s is what’s under the hood. I have to say that the 64 bit processor, the first of its kind in the industry, may have been missed by the naysayers. Also, the m-7 processor was mentioned, but I’m thinking that there is more to this little device than meets the eye. Apparently the purpose of the m-7 is to evaluate all the little datapoints captured by the gyro and other spatial metrics to do something with them. My guess is that the apps to take full use of this feature are in development and not ready for prime time yet, which is disappointing, but not unheard of in a product launch.
In fact, I bet there were a few things that were not ready for the launch, such as a new Apple TV, which has been rumored, or the software update/upgrade to the current Apple TV. Also new iPad models, sizes, or improvements. Notably the event was limited to just the two iPhones.
And while the iPhone 5c may seem silly, there is a whole audience of parents who are supplying these devices to their kids, for whom a colorful, perhaps more durable version would be very welcomed. I know my daughter is using a 4s, so the 5c would definitely represent an upgrade for her (she’s not reading this, right?).
The fingerprint security is a welcomed improvement. I am guilty of not using the two step verification or locking my phone because it’s a pain in the bottom. This fingerprint swipe seems a lot easier and a lot more reasonable. I also am intrigued with the improvements to the camera and the flash. I use my iPhone as a camera all the time. Yes, I have a DSLR, but it’s big and awkward – using it is a dedicated photography adventure. My iPhone is always with me and in a snap, I can have the photo app up and snag those pictures. I am not sure how I feel about the burst determining which picture will be the best, but for most consumers, I think that’s a brilliant feature.
I have my own impression of why the stock market tanked immediately after the presentation. In my humble opinion, the marketplace was looking for more products. I don’t feel it’s a reflection of the iPhone or the new features or whether it’s a vast improvement over the existing iPhone 5, I think it’s because we are spoiled and we want more toys to drool over. What about the watch? New iPads? I betcha there will be another announcement soon and before Christmas about some of these. Why give the competition all the information. After all, Apple has been brilliant in marketing and product launches. We have come to expect so much from them, that even with an exciting new powerful device being launched, some folks says they want more.
What do you think? Is Apple brilliant or have they lost their luster? Will you be waiting in line on the 20th of September to nab a new iPhone? Or are you contemplating that your Droid or Blackberry or Windows Phone will be good enough. Aren’t you even a bit jealous of that 64 bit processor? Or the fluidity of the iOS platform versus the Apple Wannabe interface?
As for me. I am thinking that Champagne Gold will look good on me…. Stay tuned!