News Analysis: Repeated delays in the production of Apple's White iPhone 4 raise the question of whether it's really worth the trouble now that it won't hit store shelves until spring 2011.
Apple announced recently that it has officially delayed its
white iPhone 4 until next spring, due to more manufacturing challenges that it
didn't anticipate when it first announced the device earlier this year. At this
point, few are surprised by the delay. Originally, the white smartphone was
supposed to be made available in July. It was then pushed back to sometime this
year. Another delay is nothing new.
But by delaying the white iPhone 4 until next year, Apple is
causing some critics to wonder why the device is even worth pursuing. Apple
might not want the white phone to give it a black eye, but if it's having such
trouble getting the device produced properly, it shouldn't waste its time. Apple
is a major company with tons of cash. If that isn't enough to save the white
iPhone, why should it continue to try?
So,
give
up on the white iPhone 4, Apple. It's the smart move right now and here's
why:
1. It isn't necessary
Let's face it, the white iPhone 4 is a neat-looking
smartphone, but it's not really necessary. The black version of the device is
doing just fine, and considering that the delayed smartphone only offers a
color change, it's hard to see why many folks would even care if Apple didn't produce
it. If Apple was, in fact, performing poorly at retail with its iPhone, the
company might be able to make a case for pursuing the white version-but, as we
all know, the iPhone is doing just fine without it.
2. It's obviously hard to manufacture
There comes a point at which it's simply not worth pursuing a
product when it becomes too difficult to manufacture. It seems that, thus far,
Apple has hit that point with the white iPhone 4. The company has had nothing
but "challenges" trying to build this smartphone model. And chances are that
Steve
Jobs has been stewing over these issues. Apple has reached that point: The
best course of action now is to simply cut its losses and acknowledge that the
device is too difficult develop.
3. Wait for the next iPhone
If Apple definitely wants to offer a white iPhone, maybe the
company should consider waiting until next year when it releases an update to
the iPhone 4. At that point,
the
time crunch will be gone, and customers will have a new perspective on securing
a white iPhone. What's more, it would preserve Steve Jobs' desire to never
admit when he's wrong about something.
4. Most have gone to the black version
Even though some folks are still holding out hope for a white
iPhone 4, the vast majority of customers have happily opted for the black
version of the device. They've reasoned that waiting for the white model just
isn't worth it, and attempting to gauge when Apple will finally get around to
releasing one is more trouble than it's worth. Realizing that, maybe it's time
that Apple follows suit and ditches any hope of getting the white smartphone to
store shelves.
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