Development of the iPhone continues as Apple rides the wave of the recently released MacOS X Lion by announcing its plans for the launch of the iPhone 5, which will be loaded with the iOS 5 operating system. The latest product launches are indications that Apple anticipates iOS and iOS devices as the future of computing. Traditional computer use will become obsolete as mobile connectivity becomes the status quo. There has been rampant speculation about the official launch of the iPhone 5, but numerous sources point to late August or early September as the target date, just in time for fourth-quarter sales leading up to the holiday season.
Below is a list of several things that Apple will need to do to increase its chances of success:
1 – Make massive quantities of the iPhone 5.
Repeating the errors associated with the iPhone 4 or iPad 2 releases will mean disastrous results and cause more customers to explore the options Android has to offer. Hopefully, they have learned from previous setbacks and have optimized their production line accordingly.
2 – Realize that iOS 5 must be completely finished.
It’s understandable that an occasional patch is needed to fix some last-minute bugs after the initial release, but the goal should be to keep “beta testing” and “breaking bugs” to a minimum. The longer a customer has to queue during the holiday season, the more hectic they become and start exploring other options. Having large quantities of the new iPhone 5 in all major retail outlets will depend on extensive testing and completion of the iOS 5 component. Addressing this issue before launch will prevent people from queuing as long as the original Star Wars on Christmas night. opening.
3 – Don’t spoil the iPhone 5 reveal.
Once all the parts are made and assembled, making sure the phones get distributed is the trick. Logistics and delivery coordination are crucial to generating excitement. Once the phones have arrived at their destination, Steve Jobs can simply wave his magic wand and schedule a “mysterious” press conference to announce a new product launch. Of course, Apple won’t come right out and tell you what that product will be, but everyone will attend the conference and get the usual hour-long tutorial on the new features of the iPhone 5, as well as the basics of iOS 5 in general. When the product ships in the fourth quarter, it is expected that they will also have new versions of the iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle and iPod Touch 5.
4 – Announce who will be the carriers.
The iPhone is already available on AT&T and Verizon in the United States. People who are on other networks (ie T-Mobile, Sprint, etc.) are collectively holding their breath because the iPhone 5 will expand their options and be available on more networks. The chances are slim, but still cling to that ray of hope.
5 – Solve the pre-order problem.
At the big press conference, Apple representatives will announce the official date of availability of the iPhone 5 at the points of sale. Usually on Fridays, we can only hope they have enough inventory to keep the lines moving. Based on past experiences, many people will stay home and wait to read the reports and listen to their friends, whether they like it or not. Apple skipped pre-orders for the iPad 2 launch earlier this year and it’s unknown if this is a new trend for them or simply due to the fact that they knew they were severely out of inventory. If they can get enough iPhone 5s in stock, they can reintroduce the pre-order option and reduce the length of those lines on opening day.
6 – Be clear on the price point and transparent on any penalties.
If you currently have an iPhone and purchased it less than 12 months ago, you can typically expect to pay a $200 penalty or wait until your eligible upgrade date arrives. This policy isn’t relegated to just Apple, as it’s an industry-wide practice, so be sure to check with your carrier on this date. Another issue is customers who have an iPhone on the AT&T network and want to switch to Verizon and vice versa. There are early termination fees that are set for customers who want to terminate their contracts and switch. Another thing Apple should consider is a campaign to get the word out about how much the new iPhone 5 will cost. Economic times are tough, and for those who need or want the new iPhone 5, planning will be important. The dissemination of information immediately after the press conference combined with the availability of the smartphone will determine the success or failure of this product launch.