Robert Scoble says "Apple has slipped", so he's switching to Android

posted by Michael H. / Feb 19, 2013, 9:57 AM

Robert Scoble holds a lot of sway in the tech world. There's a reason why Scoble can take over any social network you follow him on, if you don't properly sequester his posts: because people listen to and trust his opinions. While some consider Google+ a "ghost town" (because they don't understand the service), Scoble has amassed over 3 million followers. What he says holds weight, and Scoble is now saying that "Apple has slipped", so he's switching to Android.

In a Google+ post today, which was intended as a response/apology to Matthew Ingram, Scoble reiterated the news that he is "no longer an Apple fanboy", and that he is in the process of switching to Android. Part of the reason for the switch is that Scoble is one of the lucky few (read wealthy enough to afford a $1500 developer unit) who is going to be getting the early build of Google Glass. But, Scoble had more reasons for the switch:

Apple lately HAS slipped in my eyes and there are lots of examples how (Google Now, Waze maps, and tons of apps that are here already and coming on the Android platform, like SwiftKey keyboards) are examples of why I'm getting ready to leave the Apple platform and switch to Android.

Scoble doesn't want people to think that things are all great though, saying that there are things he misses about Apple products "like AirPlay and better video compression, not to mention most apps are smoother and have fewer problems on iOS."

Still, Scoble is a big name to be making the switch, and he's not the first, as Guy Kawasaki also switched because he believed that Android had leapfrogged iOS. It'll be interesting to see if Scoble sticks with Android as his primary driver throughout the year.

source: Robert Scoble via The Next Web

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50 Comments

1. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

This is huge news. Scoble has been an ardent Apple fanboy for a long time.

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:05 AM 37

3. Mxyzptlk unregistered

I don't see how this is huge news.

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:09 AM 4

21. htc_prep

Posts: 303; Member since: Oct 09, 2009

@Mxyzptlk he just planted a seed of doubt in the eyes of Apple users everywhere (although i doubt those were his intentions). not that there is a better option but other options than Apple. so the huge news is more of a trickle down effect. people (nerds an ceos) will begin to look at other platforms as they see that IOS isn't a one stop shop. then as the wow factor fades so will general population consensus of the ecosystem and they will look for the next trend. its not going to be an over night Pied Piper procession, but the mindset of a Utopian OS is beginning to wane.

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:39 AM 11

30. rusticguy

Posts: 2828; Member since: Aug 11, 2012

You need eyes to see and brain to interpret the signal .... BRA-inwashed cannot see ... :D

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 12:09 PM 4

35. donfem

Posts: 708; Member since: Mar 30, 2011

When the veil is lifted, user is freed.....

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 1:39 PM 3

2. SIGPRO

Posts: 2817; Member since: Oct 03, 2012

True i don't like Android or ios but ios is getting out of date!. Ok the userinterface is smooth......but thye are way behind the market! WP will gain on ios, ios is doomded give it 3 more years and it will be dead!

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:06 AM 17

4. Mxyzptlk unregistered

iOS just works. It will not meet the same fate BB and RIM met along with webOS

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:10 AM 5

7. vandroid

Posts: 405; Member since: Sep 04, 2012

both were out dated and ios is going down that path

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:11 AM 30

10. Mxyzptlk unregistered

No it isn't.

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:16 AM 2

12. vandroid

Posts: 405; Member since: Sep 04, 2012

if the co-founder says his own software is behind then that's when you know its going down

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:18 AM 29

15. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Based on some of his comments and actions, I'd say the co-founder is a little nutty at times. Besides he didn't come up with the iPhone.

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:23 AM 0

20. androiddownsouth

Posts: 598; Member since: May 02, 2012

Of course Mxy, b/c everyone who says anything negative about iOS is a little nutty in your eyes....smh

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:39 AM 11

16. SIGPRO

Posts: 2817; Member since: Oct 03, 2012

Yes listen to vandroid he is telling the truth, Steve Wozniak (co founder of Apple) said ios is outdated hell he even uses a Lumia phone! Than you know iphones are doodmed give it a few years...people will say iphone??? Whats that ahhahaha.

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:26 AM 11

18. vandroid

Posts: 405; Member since: Sep 04, 2012

iphones are a damn good looking smartphone but they look the same and have the same boring os each year without any major changes and thats the only thing that holds me back from getting an iphone

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:29 AM 8

39. -box-

Posts: 3991; Member since: Jan 04, 2012

I agree with most of what you said except that it's a good looking series of phone. They're really not. They look like kids' toys, simplistic, boring, and horrendously derivative of mid-20th century designs. It surprises me that Dieter Rams hasn't visited jonathan ives and slapped him across the face for his blatant plagiarism.

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 4:46 PM 2

19. iOS.and.WP.is.the.new.bb

Posts: 3; Member since: Feb 19, 2013

@Sigpro Woz didn't use WP on daily basis... Woz try WP but that's it... Woz said he HATE Windows/WP. Woz said iphone were arrogant, he like larger phone Woz said he DIDN'T hate android... need I say more? news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57530563-71/woz-apple-got-arrogant/

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:30 AM 5

24. protozeloz

Posts: 5396; Member since: Sep 16, 2010

Ha can you please tell us how it just works? Like how maps just work, or how that alternative browser you got opens all your links or how you share stuff with other social networks without going through the app? And how it needs you to type your dammed password every time you try and update an app? IOS just works at not working at all

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:59 AM 8

31. rusticguy

Posts: 2828; Member since: Aug 11, 2012

Hi Bot ... There's nothing new about it except that it Just doesn't work all the time ... the toy is exposed and all are scrambling to relly find some means to fool the "flock" into buying new version of the same old version ... again and again ... and they lost some one :D

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 12:13 PM 1

48. syedzain

Posts: 175; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

i totally agree with u.. IOS it just works.

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 8:10 PM 0

13. iOS.and.WP.is.the.new.bb

Posts: 3; Member since: Feb 19, 2013

Are you kidding me??? Bill Gates said WP is CLEARLY A MISTAKE & doomed communities-dominate.blogs.com/brands/2013/02/nokia-if-microsoft-chairman-bill-gates-calls-microsofts-smartphone-strategy-clearly-a-mistake-and-on.html and Steve Wozniak said Apple were too arrogant news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57530563-71/woz-apple-got-arrogant/ and Jim Basille silently said BB10 is not gonna success phonearena.com/news/Former-co-CEO-Jim-Balsillie-sells-full-5.1-stake-in-BlackBerry_id39797

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:20 AM 6

22. jsdechavez

Posts: 814; Member since: Jul 20, 2012

I think Mr. Gates said that there was a mistake in their smartphone strategy... not in the OS.

posted on Feb 19, 2013, 10:45 AM 3

40. -box-

Posts: 3991; Member since: Jan 04, 2012

No, no, no, no, no. He said the speed at which they released their smartphones was a mistake, and it was related to Windows MOBILE, NOT PHONE. Read the ENTIRE INTEVIEW, don't just pick and choose snippets.