Which Apple co-founder named Steve thinks Android will surpass the Apple iPhone?

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak sat down for an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraff. The outspoken Wozniak told the paper that because it has more features than iOS, he sees Android winning the battle to be the top OS in the long term. He commented that the Apple iPhone is not for everyone and that the Android OS appeals to a wider range of people.

Wozniak wasn't totally against Apple. He praised his creation and said that the Apple iPhone has few weaknesses. "When it comes to quality, iPhone is leading," he said. Thanks to breakthroughs in manufacturing, technology, battery, screen and memory, Apple took a 2-year lead over other smartphone manufacturers that most have not been able to close. For example, because Nokia was late to market touchscreen smartphones, the Finnish based firm is known for its QWERTY keyboards which gives the brand a somewhat stodgy image.

Wozniak also told the interviewer that back in 2004, Apple and an unnamed Japanese consumer electronics company developed a mobile phone that was never released.  Although Apple was happy with the quality. he said that the company wanted something that would have surprised the world. That happened 3 years later when the first-generation Apple iPhone was launched.

source: De Telegraff (translated)


It turns out that Steve Wozniak never said that Android would overtake the Apple iPhone. The co-founder of Apple was misquoted by a Dutch newspaper and said, "I’m not trying to put Android down, but I’m not suggesting it’s better than iOS by any stretch of the imagination. But it can get greater marketshare and still be crappy."

According to Wozniak, he simply was explaining how Android users can say, "Navigate to Joe's Diner" and get turn-by-turn navigation. He said that Apple would soon follow up with the same capabilities. And while Steve did predict that Android would soon be more popular than the Apple iPhone, he simply was repeating back what he has heard in the media. After all, the man did say, "Almost every app I have is better on the iPhone."

source: Engadget



1. JeffdaBeat unregistered

Even as an Apple fan, he is right. There are so many different kinds of Android phones that it's hard not to find one that fits your needs. With the iPhone, it's one phone and one phone only... But my one warning about Android is look at Windows Mobile. Microsoft made the OS and had little to do with what handsets it could be applied to. Because of that, there were some absolutely dreadful Windows Mobile phones due to the hardware being underpowered or added software done by the manufacturers. That's a lot of what Android is right now. Instead of Google dictating updates, it's left up to manufacturers and service providers. I just don't know if that's smart in the long term...sure wasn't for Windows Mobile...

3. protozeloz

Posts: 5396; Member since: Sep 16, 2010

I believe Google might figure that out, i hope its not too late by them, Google can create a line of phones with manufactures that gets direct support from Google and let some other play around with the OS and come "Google Based Phones" I personally think there should be 2 lines of phones: -"Powered By Google"---> phones that will be 50/50 Google will be there giving support and updates for those. -"Android Based" Manufacturer phones that gets updated by the manufacturer I bet some manufacturers would like to take some weight of their shoulders especially their "top devices"

2. mattot24

Posts: 4; Member since: Oct 31, 2010

Im doing a term paper on the history of Apple Computers, Inc and in my research i found that after Woz was hurt in a plane crash he left apple for a while...maybe some mixed feelings with jobs?

5. Brett unregistered

After doing some quick research into it - Appears Wozniak suffered short term memory loss and went back to school after his crash.

4. Whateverman

Posts: 3295; Member since: May 17, 2009

Jeff, I agree with you for the most part. But the problem with many Windows phones was that they were never user friendly or appealing to most people. Many of my customers have complained about how hard it is to do simple things like MMS on a Windows device. And when you couple that with terrible hardware you see mass migrations to the new hot OS on the market. First it was to iOS but the iPhone exclusivity for 5 years left the market wide open for Android! And if there is no VZW, T-Mobile, Sprint or any other carrier iphone soon, Apple will have to play some serious catch up in 2012. Many iOS fans are getting tired of waiting, and Android just keeps getting better. Google is different because Android is fun to use, explore, and customize. The Motorola Cliq would have never survived as a Windows device, but Android made it an okay phone and even a good phone for many who own it. The problem I see now is that the "Average" consumer is becoming a lot more tech savvy or at least more aware of the specs that they never paid attention to before Android. So many more people are now aware of camera megapixels, screen sizes/types, and even processor speeds. Because of this we may soon see the demand for "entry-level" smartphones take a nosedive in favor of more flagship type devices. As fas as the carriers and manufactures...their all stupid. Why add bloatware that no one needs nor wants to pay for, but give the great UI's away for free? I like many other Android users spent $1.99 on a widget to make my Droid look similar to the Sense UI from HTC. Why not ship out vanilla android devices, and offer the UI on the market? That's a win-win for us all because that means more cash for the manufactures/carriers and customers wouldn't have to wait for updates anymore!

6. protozeloz

Posts: 5396; Member since: Sep 16, 2010

ha ha yea, didn't noticed, I've always checked on phone specs, and now that you say it people are being less like this: "My phone is awesome" "why?" "cause it plays music..." and more based on looking at phone specs. thats one of the reasons we see more phones with power some of the other things i hope they work on its that they find a way to lower prices a bit, without compromising the integrity of the phones, or the safety of their employees (apple is not the only one with this issue)

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