> The video notes that unlike existing iPod car integration systems that provide basic playback controls, the iOS iPod Out feature exposes more advanced features such as Genius Mixes and presents a familiar Apple interface, “which is one of the main advantages of the system,” the company notes. I remember when iOS4 was announced saying “What the heck is ‘iPod Out?'” Well, I guess this is it. Pretty cool. Something I’ve been wanting since the original iPod. (Took them long enough).

The big issue, though, is that it only works with iOS devices, meaning the iPod Touch or iPhone. I have no interest in making my phone my car music player. There are just too many inconvenience factors there, putting your phone in the glove box every time you go for a ride. Even with a good bluetooth integration system in the car, there are always times when serving those dual purposes is a bad idea. And the iPod Touch and iPhone still don’t have nearly enough capacity to carry my music library with me in the car, anyway. I still rely on my 120 GB iPod Classic for that reason.

So until we see a 128 GB iPod Touch, and unless these ‘iPod Out’ systems take off with more car manufacturers, I can’t get too excited about this yet.

> Google has tested the software in schools “with groups that included sixth graders, high school girls, nursing students and university undergraduates who are not computer science majors,” according to the *New York Times*. Just what every Android developer wants: to be competing with sixth graders for Android users’ attention.

I fail to see how this addresses the much larger issue of app QUALITY on Android. This will do far more to turn talented developers away than it will to bring them over to the platform.

Google seems to think that this is just a numbers game. If they sell more phones by having hundreds of different models coming out every few months, and they have more apps because they recruit sixth graders to write them, then they win. But what will they win? They’re not going to make money, or provide others with a decent revenue stream. And they are not going to breed loyalty with the user base.

I’ll say it again; the Microsoft strategy of the 80s is not going to work in 2010. Just ask Microsoft.

> comScore was careful to note that this data came from just before the iPhone 4 launch (which happened in late June), so there’s some possibility that Apple’s share will see an uptick before the next report. Keep in mind, too, that there was a [high-profile leak about the new iPhone](http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/04/apparent-next-gen-iphone-front-facing-camera-better-battery.ars) in mid-April, which many believe to have depressed iPhone 3GS and 3G sales as users awaited the new model. Gee. Do you really think so?

So what we’re seeing here is that in the US only, where people can only get an iPhone if they want to use AT&T, dozens of Android models on all four carriers can combined sell a little more than half of the number of iPhones in the few months leading up to a new iPhone release?

Talk to me next quarter, when iPhone 4 sales are factored into the mix.

The real news here is that Microsoft is on its way out in a big way, which we’ve all known for some time now.

It’s also very important to remember that US numbers are very small potatoes compared to the rest of the world, where Android is still doing rather poorly, mostly because people in most other countries have a few choices of carrier for the iPhone, whereas here, we’re stuck with AT&T.

If (when) the iPhone makes it to Verizon, Android will see an immediate stoppage of major growth in the US, too. While there is plenty of Microsoft market share left to grab, Android will only make it so far before running out of new people.

If Android had more time to take more market, it might stand a chance of taking over the world, or at least the US. But I seriously doubt that we’ll go another year, two years max, before we see other US carriers get the iPhone.

> The advertisement also makes note of reception with the device. > > “Most importantly, it comes with a double antenna design,” the advertisement reads. “The kind that allows you to hold the phone any way you like and use it just about anywhere to make crystal clear calls. You have a voice. And you deserve to be heard.” > > Of course, the advertisement is referring to recent [widespread reports](http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/06/24/some_iphone_4_launch_units_lose_signal_when_held_with_left_hand.html) that the iPhone 4 can lose signal when held in the left hand. Users can cause their handset to experience a reduction in reception when using their palm to cover a seam that separates the device’s two perimeter radio antennas. And people still think that the Verizon iPhone is coming any day now? I’d say ads like this one aren’t going to be helpful in the negotiating room with Steve.

Also, god help them if anyone has any sort of reception issues with this phone. “Hold the phone any way you like and use it just about anywhere” is not exactly smart text . You’re practically daring someone to take that very literally.

> The debate over the iPhone 4’s supposed reception problems continues, including a new class-action suit. Underplayed in the discussion is the fact that all phones are subject to interference from the human who is using them. And even if the alleged signal loss is real, there’s an absence of hard evidence that iPhone 4 reception is problematic compared to past iPhones; indeed, there’s evidence of just the opposite. Not that it will stop the true Apple haters, but this should close the books on this “Death Grip” issue. Won’t be seeing this story on CNN anymore, at least.