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Excellent analysis Chris. Yes, I remember the old days. My first operating system was System 6 (6.0.4, to be exact). I was one of the ones who stood by Apple when one of my relatives told me to get a "real computer." (By the way, he now owns a Mac.) I even bought a PowerMac 9600 during Apples most "beleaguered" time, 1997. I can revive all the fond memories, but I don't really mind if the Mac Fanatic fades away. The market share is sufficient now that software companies take notice of Apple, and virtualization programs are needed less and less. I don't feel like a second class citizen anymore. And I smile quietly, at last feeling vindicated.
Two words: voice dialing. It's been years since I've had a phone without it. It's nice to talk hands-free with Bluetooth in the car, but the whole purpose is defeated if you can't dial hands-free. My suggestion would be to hold down the home button for two or three seconds, then speak the name or phone number.
Apple isn't really sacrificing its high margins. They are still making a bundle from the units they sell to the carriers. The price point drop comes from subsidization of the cost by the carriers. This does provide the interesting price differential with the iPod Touch. However, because an 18 month agreement needs to be signed in the store to own a 3G iPhone, the iPod Touch still remains attractive, since it is free of obligation.
When I saw that ePocrates was in the works, I was ecstatic. I won't need my Palm|TX anymore. I would also do cartwheels (nah, I'm too uncoordinated for that) for voice dialing. Then I can answer all my voicemail while driving using bluetooth. As for games… while I'm not the average gamer, they sure do look like fun. I guess what I really want is more functionality along with the 3rd party apps. Copy and paste anyone?
I must agree and elaborate on jimrgraham's comment. Because Mac is such a small percentage of the market, mathematically it has to gain market share. It is true that most Mac users have tried Windows XP, but this doesn't apply the other way around. When given a choice to run either OS on the same machine, the better OS will prevail (OS X, of course), and as the Windows software ages, all replacement software with be Mac… until Windows is a distant memory for the user. Who still boots into Classic?
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