It seems that people are referencing the Apple Newton more and more when talking about the iPhone these days. Although I don’t remember the poor launch back in 1993, (I was about 9) growing up around Apple computers I have read quite a bit about it. Unfortunately, I can see the similarities between the two launches.
Two of the most notable similarities are the introduction of new technology, and the price. The Newton brought us the first handwriting recognition software that, although it was a technological leap, barely worked at all. Now the iPhone is introducing the multi-touch user interface which is also very new technology.
The second similarity is the price. When the Newton was introduced in 1993 it fetched around $700. That was a lot of money to spend on a portable device, especially when the handwriting software barely worked. The iPhone is going to start out at $499, which is a lot for a cell phone these days. Yes, I know that the RAZR debuted in a similar price bracket, but you could get discounts for signing up for service contracts. Apple won’t be giving out discounts.
There is of course, one big difference between the 1993 launch of the Newton, and the June 2007 launch of the iPhone. Steve Jobs. Jobs wasn’t with Apple when they launched the Newton, and he’s really turned around the whole company since his return. There is no doubt that he can turn the iPhone into the same success story as the iPod.
Hey, Apple: Remember the Newton before releasing iPhone [via ComputerWorld]
Excellent point – Scott! In many cases, the single leader of a company (in this case Steve Jobs) will make or break the launch of new products and services.
“There is no doubt that he can turn the iPhone into the same success story as the iPod.”
Actually, I have a lot of doubt that even grand poobah Steve Jobs can sell units. We’ll see.
Hey there Andrew, thanks for visiting my iphone!
Jobs will get no less than quantity of 5 iPhone sales from us. My senior staff will get the iPhone.
If when people get their hand on it and it will do all the things that steve has said it will do. Sales will go, I have just converted from windows xp to mac mini and it works like no ms windows computer can. If the iphone will do the same it will become a very popular cell phone.
congrats on migrating to mac – “once ya go mac, you don’t go back!”
I converted our shop into an all mac nearly a year ago and don’t miss windows one iota.
The iPhone will deliver as promise and then some…don’t be fooled into believing that what Jobs showed us at Macworld Expo 2007 is all there is to the iPhone. There’s too much at stake for Apple to fail. This is Steve’s last “big thing” being that he’s near retirement. What a shame it would be for the world to remember him as the guy that failed at launching the most hyped gadget in the history of humankind!