Updated 10/18/2010: It seems something was lost in the English-Dutch translation. Wozniak has now claimed that he was misquoted in the interview with De Telegraaf and that he never said that Android’s OS was superior to the iPhone’s. Wozniak clarified his thoughts on Android and the iPhone in a conversation with Engadget earlier today.
Apparently, you don’t become an Apple co-founder by being shy and reserved. This time, it’s Steve Wozniak – the other of Apple’s co-founding “two Steves” – making waves with candid comments about the tech industry, specifically targeting the company he helped to launch nearly 35 years ago.
In an interview with the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Steve Wozniak reveals that Apple had collaborated in developing a smartphone with an unnamed Japanese company in 2004. While Apple had been satisfied with the product, the project was eventually dropped. Here’s what he had to say:
“Apple was satisfied with the quality but wanted something that could surprise the world. If Apple comes with a new product it must have a real breakthrough. Companies need to wait to capture a market until they have something extremely strong. A new product was separated from the rest of the group should be developed. In addition, developers must depart from beaten paths.”
Apple, of course, would eventually go on to release the iPhone in Jan. of 2007.
Wozniak also made a prediction that’s sure to irk Steve Jobs: Android will become the dominant smartphone platform and not the iPhone. Wozniak compared the Android operating system to Windows saying that it would succeed in winning over a larger demographic of people in spite of its flaws and inconsistencies. Wonziak indicated Android’s more expansive features and openness as being its primary advantages over the iPhone.
“The iPhone has very few weak points,” he said “There are no serious complaints or issues. When it comes to quality, the iPhone leads the way. Apple has shown the world what direction we’re going. Android phones do come with more options, though.”
The interview concludes with Wozniak taking a swipe at Finnish company Nokia calling it a brand for the “previous generation.”
Thanks again, Apple, for creating a market that you will once again arrogantly allow others to dominate. No Flash support? Can't change the battery? No USB? Everything iTunes to sync? C'mon. They still have time to turn it around… but they won't. And yes, its exactly like the Mac versus Windows story. Short Apple stock. It'll be down 10% within 18 months. 20% in 2 years.
Say goodbye to Apple while you still can. I think it's going down the tubes.
http://TechReview.LIEconomy.com
Apple could have been the dominant computer system if Apple played its cards right in the 1980's. Of course Apple chose to lock developers out because they know what is best. Windows steps in with more applications and better 3rd party developer support. In a few years all the good applications and games that people want are on Windows. Apple looses market share to Windows PC's and the rest is history. Only 5% of PC's today run MAC OS, 91% run Windows.
Steve is still in charge and still playing the same game he did in the 1980's . Android is Open and developers do not have to jump through Apples hoops.
It's spelled "lose."
Well duh…of course Android will out pace iOS and there are multiple reasons for that. Its just a fact that people want Android and when people want something they take it!!
Lol ok let me calm down a bit but check out this article called "Why people truly want Android" and let me know if you agree. YOu can find the article here: http://getyourgadgetsgoing.com/2010/09/12/why-peo…
Puh-leeze. Most people don't "want" Android — they want the iPhone but can't afford it or can't get it with their carrier.
What??? Androids cost just as much or more for the phones. You can get a freakin Iphone for $99 dollars. The Android can do anything the Iphone can do and much much more!
Based on my college knowledge of Steve, I can definitely say, "Don't doubt the Woz". He was always good at identifying technology with a purpose. The iPhone may present itself as having a more complete user interface, ready to go right out of the box, but it's a user interface defined by Apple. Androids take a little more setup effort, but with their more open architecture, they can be tailored to the users' needs better. I'd have to back the Woz on this one.
You gotta love the Woz but marketing genius he's not. Comparing the smart phone market to the Windows vs. Mac market if heading down the same path that caused so many "visionaries" to predict the iPod would never succeed. Android may outnumber the iOS devices but I'd hardly say that equates to market domination.