Quitting On The iPhone

“I have loved the iPhone, but now I am quitting the iPhone.” That’s not me saying it. That’s Michael Arrington, the legendary tech blogger saying it in his post on TechCrunch. If you haven’t noticed, Apple has been going on a rampage in the past few days by rejecting Google Voice, announcing that jailbreak codes put pressure on its networks, and forcing Google to stick with the web version of Google Latitude. So Apple is now using its power to do evil things. What’s surprising about that? I am not surprised that some folks may be getting tired of their iPhone and  seriously looking at other solutions to replace their Apple phone. But Michael Arrington’s post on TechCrunch is inconsistent and sensationalist at best. It certainly didn’t make a good case for having Google Voice on iPhone.

You don’t have to be a genius to figure out what Michael Arrington is doing. He is trying to rally the troops and put more pressure on Apple to do the right thing. What Apple is doing with new innovative apps is simply incomprehensible. The company that used to listen to its customers is now keeping its ear open for AT&T first. Both Apple and AT&T have made huge investments to bring iPhone to you and I. So it’s not really a surprise that Apple is exerting some of its power to control what goes on its mobile device. Quite honestly, Google Voice‘s rejection was not a surprise at all. But is it enough for consumers to abandon their iPhone?

Mr. Arrington claims that he was hoping to use Google Voice on his iPhone and since Apple doesn’t quite allow that, he won’t upgrade to iPhone 3GS and will pay the $175 termination fee to switch to a whole new phone. What will be his new phone? Probably Palm Pre. Palm Pre is a great phone but it’s no iPhone. And Google hasn’t made Google Voice available on the device anyway. So he is going to switch to MyTouch 3G for now, wait for Google to bring Google Voice to the Pre and switch to it then. But Michael doesn’t stop there. He is still planning to switch back to iPhone when Apple changes its mind. Wait. That’s just too many switching back and forth for me.

Mr. Arrington’s article is a sensationalist post that will be hailed by “hardcore” iPhone fans. Folks who are tired of “tyranny” and want others to drop their iPhones (not themselves I might add). The truth of the matter is, a lot of people depend on their iPhone to manage their daily lives. For them, the decision between Google Voice and iPhone is not as easy as Michael Arrington has put it. And if all “loyal” hardcore Apple customers drop their iPhone, there will be no one to fight the fight. Some people like to talk the talk but I rather walk the walk. If I ever decide to drop my iPhone, it will take some extraordinary changes by Apple to bring me back on board. And I would certainly decide on a new phone before getting rid of my iPhone and paying the termination fee.

Apple and AT&T have done a lot of wrong things in the past few months. I do hope they listen to the likes of Michael Arrington. He is a legend and his words matter more than mine, which is why top bloggers need to be responsible enough to avoid sensationalism and fake rage. Do I want to see Google Voice on iPhone? Absolutely. Will I drop my iPhone due to Apple’s decision to reject the app? Absolutely not. That’s just asking to much. At least I am being honest about it.

Your take: how far would you go to see your favorite app/service on your iPhone?