previously on the martini shaker*
Does Sprint get the iPhone’s impact?
I read a Sprint document entitled We’re ahead of Apple’s iPhone in many ways that illustrates how the carrier feels it is just that. I’m not going to put the entire document here, mostly because it’s not overwhelmingly interesting, but here’s a few of the paraphrased bullet points:
- Sprint leads the mobile music space, having launched the first over-the-air download service in the U.S. in October 2005.
- Sprint is not only a leader in music within the mobile phone business; we’re innovators in providing navigation, video, picture services and more.
- The Sprint Music Store offers tremendous value … compared to other MP3 players that don’t even have voice service and other features, and that savings allows customers to spend a little more on the convenience of over-the-air song downloads.
- The iPhone will cost customers $499 and $599, and only one model will be available. We offer 10 phones, seven of which are priced below $100.
The other bullet points I omitted altogether had to do with their music service as well. Ultimately, with all their posturing, I just don’t think that Sprint gets it. For the core iPhone customer, the iPod/music aspect of it is only a scratch on the surface. It’s all the other connectivity functions (push email, full web browsing, the rest of its tech sexiness) that are the attraction to this device. Sprint’s document only addressed that aspect in the one bullet point that I included above. If Sprint keeps on holding this viewpoint, 2007 may be a rollercoaster ride for them.
And with that, this is the last I’m going to talk about the iPhone until it becomes carrier agnostic.
//UPDATE: Apparently Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer doesn’t get it either.
//UPDATE #2: For the countless many of you Googling “when will sprint get the iphone” and landing on this page, it’s said that Apple and AT&T have a 5 year exclusive agreement with the iPhone. So, in 2012 you might be able to get probably a third-generation iPhone on the Sprint network. Hold tight.
[tags]iphone, sprint, apple[/tags]
Kyle says:
It sounds like they’re trying to make excuses for themselves. Anyone (especially mobile carriers) who thinks they won’t feel the the impact of the iPhone is delusional.
Maybe they should try a Pepsi challenge; hand customers a 4 gig iPhone and a decked out top of the line Samsung and see which they prefer.
One just has to look at the trash heap of mp3 players that tout more features and a better experience — all crushed by the iPod. The same scenario will apply to phones.
Submitted 01/17/07 at 7:51 pm
Douglas Porter says:
I’ve been with sprint since 1999 and I would switch for the iPhone if I could stand Cingular but I can’t. I live in Iowa and Cingular has horrible coverage. Sprint’s network is faster. I’m not huge into music and still want the iPhone. Sprint’s music is $2.50 a song. That’s a rip! It’s the full web browsing that gets me. And the widgets. Basically that it’s a computer. I’m just gonna have to settle for the Q Sprint just release until the get their own version of the iPhone if they ever do.
Submitted 01/18/07 at 8:34 am
Jeremy Fuksa: Creative Generalist says:
Hear, hear, Douglas. I’m actually going to look at the MOTO Q this weekend. I also noticed on the Sprint store yesterday that they have a Blackberry 8073e that has built-in GPS. That’s an attractive feature, but the Q definitely has me on sexy factor.
Submitted 01/18/07 at 8:45 am
Jeff says:
From the sounds of that document, Sprint really doesn’t get it. Maybe they’re just trying to sound like their not shaking in their boots, but if they really believe anything they listed is actually beneficial in combatting the iPhone, they’re delusional. …and that spells bad news for the hopes of ever getting a CDMA/EVDO version for Sprint.
Submitted 01/24/07 at 4:53 pm
JSR says:
My friend was contacted by Sprint yesterday, offering promotions, etc., which will eventually LOWER his monthly bill and an additional line for free. The lady operator DID NOT even tell him (until he later asked) that it requires another 2-year contract. He backed out of the deal telling her that he wanted to get an iPhone later this year, and is wanting to get out of Sprint. She then assured him saying Sprint will carry the iPhone, which we both found hard to believe considering all the news about Apple’s exclusive arrangement with Cingular. My friend insisted on making sure, and after being put on hold, she comes back apologizing and that they wont have that info after later on. SPRINT’s being agressive about this - but i dont think they even have their sh*t together.
Submitted 02/22/07 at 3:02 pm
Jeff says:
To be honest…….no one at Sprint cares or really knows what they’re talking about…they only care about the amount of money getting drafted from your bank account, to theirs… I guess we better face the news…….. Sprint and Cingular are both all talk, and so is Verizon…… I’ve been with Sprint since 2003 and my plan has been extended (3 times)to 2009 because I changed my phone number and plan(2 times)…. I have a Treo and wanted an iPhone…..but after hearing the politics behind the phone everyone seems to be coveting… I’m making plans on checking into a Pocket PC instead, something with a Windows Mobile OS… I’m getting sick of Palm OS…. Apple looked inviting…. crap….maybe I should just go back to using my old Samsung flipphone…. but yeah……….. I have no idea why they (Sprint & Cingular) are getting so aggressive about promising something that may never be made available…….. Now that I think of the music thing…… 2.50 a song is a ripoff….. I do however, have an application on my Treo that plays webradio threads from Shoutcast(and podcasted radio shows)…… which I get to download…….and they are FREE…… I don’t know why anyone would want to pay for music…. I think it should be free….. After all, do you pay to hear music on the radio?……
Submitted 04/17/07 at 4:28 am
lucas says:
All I can say is that “wait until other carriers provide the iphone” & ” wait for the next version of iphone” iphone is cool and everthing, but it’s not that perfect. I have the Treo 755p with sprint, and I’ve been with sprint for four years now, they have good plans for the phone, sprint also has the power vision for the evdo phones like the treo 755p, the power vision provides you with streaming t.v. and radio which is really worth your money. the treo 755p also has great features compared to iphone, but the iphone is really cool! and i’m going to get it! if the 2nd version of it comes out with other carriers!
Submitted 07/02/07 at 9:38 am
Jeremy Fuksa: Creative Generalist says:
I hear ya, Lucas. I just got a Treo 755p this weekend and it’s a nice upgrade from my Treo 650. It’ll be able to tide me over until iPhone 3.0 comes out on the Sprint network 5 or so years from now.
Submitted 07/02/07 at 9:41 am
David says:
Sprint needs to be worried and the tale will be told today.. As most of the people who purchased the Iphone on the 29 will be canceling their old plans today or taking the Iphone back. But for me I will be canceling later as I got mine last weekend. I have MotoQ and can’t keep that thing charged and its three months old. Web pages suck and the phone requires hacks to make it function.
Been with Sprint for a long time and have tried out several of their PDA style phones none of them compare to the Iphone and the 3G is really is not that good on a Windows mobile IE.
Maybe the Windows Mobile 6 is better unknown not willing to go there again.
Sprint has a attitude that they do not need the customers, proof is with them canceling customers the same week that Iphone was released for complaining. Next week I will be terminating my service with sprint and will not look back.
Submitted 07/13/07 at 12:00 pm
Tommy says:
I was contacted by Sprint the other day. They offered me 100 dollar credit to renew my contract for 2 more years. My contract was up to expire in December 2007. The woman on the phone made it quite clear that it was a contract renewal and she made it quite clear that there would be a penalty fee for breaking the new contract. Since I have been very pleased with Sprint’s service, especially in the last 2 or 3 years, it was a no brainer; I renewed.
I love Apple products. Their computers are all that I use. I have an ipod, too. I would love an iphone, but It’s AT&T that I don’t want. I’m happy for the time being with my Treo 700P. It’s more about the service than the device for me. I think Sprint is excellent.
Submitted 07/31/07 at 2:20 pm
Michael says:
I have been a long term Sprint user- I had the 750 and was an upgrade regular. They also offered mea discount which I got for our other 7 phones and have serious harrasement from my end- was able to do so without a new contract agreement- basically I told them make the switch now or I am moving all the phones- they were polite and did so. Regarding the iPhone- man- wow o wow- what else can I say- comparing any other phone out there is a huge mistake- nothing even gets close- the rest are all junk compared to this. Try comparing a free calculator with a business card - a throw away- to a brand new state of the art computer- try comparing a Ford Pinto to an SS Trailblazer - get out of your contract- get an iPhone- you will be in paradise. This is it- anything else you read are by company loyalists trying to play it down. Apple did everything right- I would pay 3 times more- the decrease in price is welcome because I will get all of my family one- and Jobs knows what he is doing. A pocket PC- dream on- junk- a stocking stuffer- and the most amazing thing- ATT has actually improved by tiein in with Apple- I did not get great reception at my home- they fixed it- they are on it and sharp as a tack. The breeze of application to application- the speed the internet- the email- the maps… then the vdeo the ipod player which sounds improved and I have every model… get one - anything else is 5 years out of date.
Submitted 09/09/07 at 1:22 pm