09:41   VOD Vodafone trumps Apple with download deal - Times of London (32.55 -0.10)

Times of London reports the co moved today to spoil iPhone’s (AAPL) imminent UK launch by presenting itself as the exclusive partner of an ambitious rival mobile music service, MusicStation. The mobile giant revealed that MusicStation — which gives users access to more than one million tracks for a flat rate of 1.99 pounds a week — will be available to its 17 mln customers from November. The tie-up was announced only days ahead of an expected announcement from Apple about the launch of its iPhone in the UK. MusicStation, which has been four years in the making, is regarded by analysts as a serious contender in the mobile music mkt.

Re: Vodafone flogs dead horse, new music service

[quote author=“Tommo_UK”]09:41   VOD Vodafone trumps Apple with download deal - Times of London (32.55 -0.10)

Can I just say: iTunes WiFi music store.

Re: Vodafone flogs dead horse, new music service

[quote author=“wheeles”][quote author=“Tommo_UK”]09:41   VOD Vodafone trumps Apple with download deal - Times of London (32.55 -0.10)

Can I just say: iTunes WiFi music store.

And remember SJ’s zing against all carriers - Wi-Fi is MUCH faster.

HAB

When will this industry learn?

It’s like standing on the tracks expecting the iPhone/iPod bullet train to stop because there’s a horse and buggy in the way.

[quote author=“DawnTreader”]When will this industry learn?

It’s like standing on the tracks expecting the iPhone/iPod bullet train to stop because there’s a horse and buggy in the way.

That train may just be the wireless spectrum auction and AAPL’s involvement. What a punch that would be if AAPL snaps that up and introduces free Wi-Fi nationwide for iPhone users. Or perhaps introduce a VOIP iPhone on their own w/o T.

I find it very interesting that AAPL is even mentioned as being interested in that auction along with GOOG. GOOG has at least said they want to provide free Wi-Fi across the country so that those that couldn’t afford broadband could utilize the ‘net.

HAB

I find it unlikely that AAPL will bid for a license. Of course, they could, but I believe there are better ways to spend Apple’s cash pile. It would be far better (and cheaper) for Apple to let Google grab a license, keep a Google bigwig on the Apple board and then partner with Google and the likes of Starbucks to provide a real alternative to the money-grubbing telecom companies.

[quote author=“wheeles”]I find it unlikely that AAPL will bid for a license. Of course, they could, but I believe there are better ways to spend Apple’s cash pile. It would be far better (and cheaper) for Apple to let Google grab a license, keep a Google bigwig on the Apple board and then partner with Google and the likes of Starbucks to provide a real alternative to the money-grubbing telecom companies.

I agree. Getting into the provision of network services is a mug’s game. You wouldn’t want BMW building and running toll roads would you?

I agree and stated that on another thread. Let GOOG build the network (with ad support, etc.) and the iPhone and iPods take use of it. That would drive an enormous amount of sales of both. GOOG has a stated vision of providing free Wi-Fi, Schmidt is on the board, just connect the dots.

FWIW, I do not see a gPhone coming to market without some serious partnership between AAPL and GOOG since Schmidt sits on AAPL’s board - huge conflict of interest if GOOG were to all-of-a-sudden start competing head-on with an AAPL product.

HAB

[quote author=“HotAirBaffoon”]FWIW, I do not see a gPhone coming to market without some serious partnership between AAPL and GOOG since Schmidt sits on AAPL’s board - huge conflict of interest if GOOG were to all-of-a-sudden start competing head-on with an AAPL product.

HAB

Of course, there’s the possibility that Apple partner with Google on the gPhone. I’m not certain that Apple would do this, but there’s always the possibility.

[quote author=“wheeles”]Of course, there’s the possibility that Apple partner with Google on the gPhone. I’m not certain that Apple would do this, but there’s always the possibility.

As you say, its probably unlikely. I think both companies would want clear blue water between their products.
Unlike some people, I don’t see a gPhone as out of the question simply because of the relation between Apple and Google. I see no reason why Google isn’t free to pursue its own commercial interests even if those might be (to some degree) competitive with Apple. Better for other handset manufacturers to be squeezed between innovation from Google and Apple than for Apple to have to fight them all on its own.
I’m sure that whatever Google did in this space, it will be on its own terms, unencumbered by Apple’s concerns, and sufficiently differentiated for there to be clear distance between the iPhone and any gPhone.

Schmidt has a fiduciary duty to AAPL and its shareholders - introducing a competitive product at GOOG would introduct a conflict of interest and the very real possibility of the misuse of proprietary information.

HAB

More news on Vodafone flogging a dead horse:
4:50 EDT VOD, AAPL
theflyonthewall.com:  Vodafone going head to head with iPhone-Guardian
Vodafone (VOD) is planning to launch a mobile music service, called MusicStation, in order to compete with the Apple (AAPL) iPhone. The MusicStation service will be launched in time for Christmas, the same time Apple plans to launch the iPhone in Europe. Vodafone is understood to have walked away from a deal with Apple over the iPhone due to the large share of revenues that Apple was demanding.

[quote author=“HotAirBaffoon”]Schmidt has a fiduciary duty to AAPL and its shareholders - introducing a competitive product at GOOG would introduct a conflict of interest and the very real possibility of the misuse of proprietary information.

I completely agree. But who is to say that Apple’s board aren’t fully aware and happy with Google’s gPhone plans?

[quote author=“Tommo_UK”][quote author=“HotAirBaffoon”]Schmidt has a fiduciary duty to AAPL and its shareholders - introducing a competitive product at GOOG would introduct a conflict of interest and the very real possibility of the misuse of proprietary information.

I completely agree. But who is to say that Apple’s board aren’t fully aware and happy with Google’s gPhone plans?

Always a possibility, but in today’s litigious world I just don’t see it without SJ’s blessing. I do see the strong possibility of a partnership (maybe AAPL supplies the OS and iTunes library???).

HAB

[quote author=“HotAirBaffoon”][Always a possibility, but in today’s litigious world I just don’t see it without SJ’s blessing. I do see the strong possibility of a partnership (maybe AAPL supplies the OS and iTunes library???).

I don’t see a gPhone offering any access to iTunes or the OS, but I can see Google getting Jobs’ blessing to go ahead with a gPhone. The two needn’t necessarily be competitive. We’ve no idea what shape, type, or form such a device would/will take. I am still more inclined to believe (and always have) that this is about a Google OS for mobile phones - a platform - but I don’t discount the possibility of a gPhone. Certainly not just because Eric sits on AAPL’s board.
People who want an iPhone - or any Apple product - are unlikely to buy a Google phone. The branding and the appeal is all different. Between them, Apple and Google might seriously screw the other manufacturers from opposite ends of the market.

[quote author=“Tommo_UK”][quote author=“HotAirBaffoon”][Always a possibility, but in today’s litigious world I just don’t see it without SJ’s blessing. I do see the strong possibility of a partnership (maybe AAPL supplies the OS and iTunes library???).

I don’t see a gPhone offering any access to iTunes or the OS, but I can see Google getting Jobs’ blessing to go ahead with a gPhone. The two needn’t necessarily be competitive. We’ve no idea what shape, type, or form such a device would/will take. I am still more inclined to believe (and always have) that this is about a Google OS for mobile phones - a platform - but I don’t discount the possibility of a gPhone. Certainly not just because Eric sits on AAPL’s board.
People who want an iPhone - or any Apple product - are unlikely to buy a Google phone. The branding and the appeal is all different. Between them, Apple and Google might seriously screw the other manufacturers from opposite ends of the market.

I think GOOG is realizing it must chose its battles and now is not the time to compete on a hardware product with Apple. I agree even if a gPhone is released, GOOG and AAPL can offer products in a huge global market without crossing each other’s paths.