Apple’s rivals mock new handset’s lack of innovation

Last week’s Apple announcement was one of the most hyped in recent history, and it appears that the products didn’t quite live up to expectation. Reaction to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus has been lukewarm, and many people have accused Apple of playing catch up with rivals such as Samsung and HTC, rather […]

Last week’s Apple announcement was one of the most hyped in recent history, and it appears that the products didn’t quite live up to expectation.
Reaction to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus has been lukewarm, and many people have accused Apple of playing catch up with rivals such as Samsung and HTC, rather than leading the way.
An image titled ‘Dear iPhone 6 users: Welcome to 2012’ has even gone viral, which lists many of Apple’s latest features that have existed on Android phones for years.
But reaction to the Apple Watch, as well as the tech firm’s mobile payment system Apple Pay, has been much more positive – despite the firm’s admission that the gadget will need to be recharged every night.
The devices were unveiled at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts at De Anza College in Cupertino last week.
The iPhone 6 has a 4.7-inch screen, as does the HTC One and Amazon’s Fire phone.
 The iPhone 6 Plus has a 5.5-inch screen, putting it in the same league as the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge and Galaxy S5.
Similarly, many Android devices have featured Apple’s NFC (near field communication) chips for swipe-payment since 2012, as well as keyboard apps, which will be new to Apple devices through iOS 8.
Elsewhere, Google launched its own mobile payment system, similar to Apple Pay, back in 2011. Following the announcement, rival HTC tweeted: ‘Happy to congratulate Apple on joining the world of big screens!’
The image titled ‘Dear iPhone 6 users: Welcome to 2012’, was created by New Jersey-based Google+ user Ron Amadeo.
It places the Apple iPhone 6 alongside the Nexus 4 and reveals that features such as the larger screen, NFC, third-party keyboards, widgets and cross-app communication have been around since at least November 2012.
Ernest Doku, tech expert at uSwitch.com, told MailOnline: “As expected, Apple is taking the fight to Samsung, delivering a big screen experience to muscle in on the Korean manufacturer’s lucrative bite of the phablet market.
“This launch marks a notable change in tactics for Apple. ‘‘I think Apple is playing catch-up. It’s no secret it’s been aware of Samsung’s success, and that the iPhone was reaching its apex with popularity.
“Everything that has been released post-Steve Jobs jobs has been reactionary. For example, they launched a smaller iPad to compete with Kindle and Nexus 7.
“Jobs would give customers the device he thought they wanted, while Samsung has been clever throwing all manner of devices at a market to see what sticks. Apple is now standing on the shoulder of giants.
“The firm has gone from the innovator to the iterator, and Samsung, HTC, and all other manufacturers, have wasted no time in mocking them for a market they had to begrudgingly enter.
“But, these sizeable introductions nestle nicely alongside the existing 5S and 5C, which have both been slashed in price, creating an iPhone family that courts mobile fans at all screen sizes and price points.
“It’s a tactic which has served Samsung very well in recent years.”