TIC's Picks: How Can Others Respond To The iPhone

Since it's "iPhone Day," and there have been a ton of stories about the iPhone that focus on the wrong thing ("oh look, shiny new toy!"), we thought it would be good to consider the more important impact that the iPhone will have on the mobile phone ecosystem -- and who better to dive in and provide the analysis than our very own Techdirt Insight Community. As is standard with the diverse group of experts in the Techdirt Insight Community, we received fantastic, detailed, well thought-out analysis that goes a lot deeper than most of what's coming out today. Here is the best analysis from the experts within the community:

• Vinaya.HS explains why it's a mistake for other device makers to simply copy the iPhone, rather than leapfrogging it with new innovations (even though he knows that's where they're heading). He also plays up the benefit of separating the device from the operator (and ending operator subsidies).
• Joe Hunkins explains the two likely strategies that other device makers will follow: trying to catch up and surpass the iPhone's high points, but at a cheaper price point, or giving up on competing and focusing on totally different markets (such as low-end users).
• Derek Kerton has an exceptionally detailed analysis on how the iPhone will end up benefiting everyone -- even competitors and customers who choose not to buy an iPhone.
• Tim Marman focuses on how this could set off a change in distribution methods for mobile phones, as Apple proves that it's possible to do things in a very different way.
• Rafe Blandford highlights the limitations of the iPhone and suggests there's more to learn in how Apple went about marketing the device.
• Steve Litchfield points to the key ease of use features of the iPhone, where simplicity trumps feature creep -- noting how difficult it will be for others to not fall victim to the allure of piling on additional confusing features.

There's plenty to chew on here, from a variety of different perspectives -- so for those of you hoping to dig in and understand what changes the iPhone will unleash on the market, we hope this is a good starting point. If you would like to get further analysis from these experts, along with other experts within the Techdirt Insight Community, please let us know.