Apple Leads In Consumer Satisfaction And Stickiness By Playing With Different Rules (And Probably A Different Game Altogether)

A couple of interesting data shows just where Apple’s iOS devices are headed – up, up, and up.  One of the things you have keep in mind is that Apple’s iOS ecosystem is like no other.  It’s closed without a doubt.  It has its limitations, obviously.  And yet, when it comes to satisfaction and retention, Apple literally has no peer.

Here are some stats that market share does not say.

Google's Webapp Now Support Multiple Accounts

Google Webapp now support multiple accounts.  A step closer to mobile nirvana if you ask me.

I have four different Google accounts.  A personal one, a work one, another one for work, and a public one which gets bombarded with spam.  And from time to time, I have to access them and I hate having to sign out of one account, sign into another, and then, if needed, sign out again so I can sign back into another.

I just tried it but it has not shown up on my browser yet.  Well, I did some checking.  You'll have to go to settings and enable multiple accounts use.  After that, it should be just fine.

The account that you sign in first will be your default account.  So, your Google+ or Reader will be directed to your default account.

Also, you can set up a separate URL for each account for easy access.  On the iPhone, you can set up an icon to your home screen for easy access.  Brilliant if you ask me.

Source:  TUAW, Google.

Apple Should Give Each Apple Employee An iPad

Apple is trying out a program that would allow employees to take home an iPad for a week so they can try it out in a setting that most iPad owners are in and prospective buyers would be in.  It's an interesting idea.  But I think Apple should go a step further.

Back in 2007, Apple gave each employee an iPhone.  It was a gesture that has yet to be repeated since.

Perhaps, Apple should give each employee an iPad, stock level permitting.  Obviously.  Maybe in January or February when demand tapers off just after the Christmas rush and anticipation of the iPad 3.

I have been to the Apple store many times in the last year.  And at not time have the stores that I've been to have Apple employees just standing around waiting for customers.  The customers were stacked shoulder to shoulder, hardly enough time for a breather.

They've worked hard to make Apple's retail a success.  I'm sure the rest of the Apple employees, in corporate and satellite offices around the world also worked really hard to help Apple become the largest company by market cap.

Certainly, now more than ever, Apple can afford to be a little more generous with its $80 billion in cash.  Supposedly, when Steve Jobs gave Apple employees iPhones, it only cost $12 million.

Source:  TIPB.

Wild Speculation But Fun Read: We Might Get Just the iPhone 4S This Fall But Could We Get Another Update In Spring And Next Fall Again?

With all the talk today about how Apple will release only one new model of the iPhone in a couple of weeks, the iPhone 4S, let me share with you a crazy scenario that just might put things over the top for Apple in the next 12 months.

Check this out.  Multiple iPhone releases in the next 12 months.

Would You Be Disappointed In "Just" the iPhone 4S?

So, let’s supposed if the iPhone coming out next month isn’t the iPhone 5 with a redesigned case but looks just like the iPhone 4 and may be dubbed the 4S, would you still be inclined to upgrade?

Would you be disappointed it’s an upgraded iPhone in the same iPhone 4 body?

I think it would be a disappointment to the current iPhone 4 users but not to those are new to scene, and there will still be millions upon millions who would want it.  There are people who are still on the original iPhone with T-Mobile who have had it with T-Mobile’s inability to secure the premier mobile device.

There are also people on the 3G or the 3GS they bought a couple of years back.

Tons of pinned up demands at Sprint and Verizon probably will get the iPhone flood flowing as well.

Still, Apple’s next iPhone, whatever it is, will face it’s most stiff competition ever.  Galaxy S II, Nexus Prime, and a recharged Windows Phone OS.

A redesigned iPhone 5 that many online is depicting as an iPod touch-like form factor would go a long way fighting off the competition, even kill some of it right out of the gate.  However, supposed we get a 4” screen, A5 chip, better camera, and bigger battery in the iPhone 4S, I’m sure it is more than enough to put it over the top.

And that wouldn’t be all there is to the next iPhone, or any iPhone for that matter.  The iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch are not just about the hardware. It’s also about the operating sytem, iOS 5, and the whole ecosystem that is still unmatched.

To answer your question, no, I would not be disappointed.  I’m still on the fence about upgrading my six month old iPhone 4 (which I an always pass along to a family member).

Can Apple Capture 20-30% of the PC Market? What Will That Landscape Look Like?

Apple's Mac sales have been on a tear in the last few years.  It's been beating PC sales and the halo effect from the iPod has been expanded by the iOS devices.  And according to iSuppli, Apple is within striking distance of being in the top five global PC makers.

By that, it means number 5.  However, can Apple go even further?  Perhaps capture 20 or even 30% of the global PC market?  

I really don't want to think that far ahead.  that's probably a decade or so away if that happens.  But if you include the iPad, Apple is already the largest PC maker in the world.  And Mac sales are just beginning to take hold in Asia.  

Furthermore, no longer is Apple's Macs considered expensive.  While you can buy a $400 or $500 Windows laptop, they don't give you the milage like a Macbook would.  Furthermore, the competition seems to be at the Macbook Air class with Intel pushing its ultrabook lines.

However, PC makers are having trouble matching Apple's $1000 entry point.  Most ultrabooks will need to use slower chips, cheaper materials and parts just to get to $1000.  Otherwise, they will have to cost on average $500 more than the Air.

And Apple could be getting unexpected help from one corner of the PC market:  Microsoft.  It just unveiled Windows 8 that won't be out until 2012, a year from now.  However, Windows 8 will be fragmented between different types of chips including AMD, Intel and Nvidia.  And the softwares may have cross-chip support.  It means that if you buy an app to run on an Intel PC, it most likely will not work in one running on Nvidia's chip.

For consistency, folks may look to Apple's Mac.  

Apple isn't out of the PC market just yet even if it has declared us in the post-PC market.  There are billions more to be made still and Apple's PC growth is capture a lot of that profit.

Source:  gigaom.

Apple's Domination at Airport WiFi Shows Affluent Mobile Warriors Picking Up iOS Devices

Apple's mobile gears controls a dominating share of devices that logs into hotspots at airports.  According to Boingo, iOS devices control more than 83% of devices that uses their network.

The closest competitor is the Android at 11.5%.  Together, it was beaten even by the iPod touch with 17.5%.  

Furthermore, the iPad is gaining fast with inflight WiFi connections.  Together, Apple controls more than 50% of airplane WiFi networks if you include Macbooks.  PC has 40%.  

The plans aren't terrible expensive if you're an exec or with money but with free WiFi now pretty much everywhere, even Del Taco I just found out, you have to be someone who travels much and has serious money.  Business type folks, ya know?  

I wonder if this will go further with Apple releasing a new iPhone in a matter of weeks.

Source: TUAW.