You Pay for Texts? Really?
Comments(0) BlackBerry has BBM.
Android has TextPlus.
Now Apple is coming out with iMessage.
The iMessage of Apple is essentially the BBM of BlackBerry. It allows iPhone and iPad owners to text other iPhone and iPad users through some form of internet connection. Now this technology has not just suddenly appeared, it has existed for a long while through the forms of MSN Messenger, Skype, etc. but it has not actually caused a large number of customers to cancel their text messaging plans altogether. However, this release from Apple may just push people into doing just that, and in return it could have a pretty large effect on the mobile carriers.(1)Consumers may no longer be willing to pay for over-priced text messaging plans. With customers who are always looking for ways to save money, this could be a huge blow to phone carriers if they do not manage technology well.
Study says in Dec. 2009, 42% of U.S. uses a smartphone(2), which means that there will probably be an even larger number of smartphone, and by extension iPhones, used today. Although Apple wont be the first company to be in the messaging segment, it will definitely become a major competitor and possibly even achieve parity with BlackBerry and nullify their point of difference.
1) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/technology/paying-to-text-is-becoming-passe-companies-fret.html?src=me&ref=technology
2) http://mobihealthnews.com/6178/study-42-percent-of-u-s-uses-a-smartphone/
Picture taken from: http://blog.etelesolv.com/Telecom_Expense_Management_Blog/bid/67530/What-will-Apple-s-iMessage-mean-for-carriers
http://blog.mqgroup.com/index.php/2010/01/22/smartphones-continue-to-be-the-way-of-the-future/