last week I saw the new Samsung handset that is running the latest Google Android Operating System: “Ice Cream Sandwich”.

it’s a good device.

…seriously.

solid. and, the OS feels vibrant.

here is some recent press that adds some relevant perspective:

“Google is also helped by its expansion into mobile phones with its popular Android software. The company’s mobile revenue is now running at about $625 million per quarter, a crowing [Larry] Page said Thursday. He sounded confident that mobile will become an even bigger moneymaker with next week’s scheduled release of updated Nexus phone from Samsung and Google’s proposed $12.5 billion acquisition of cell phone maker Motorola Mobility Inc.”

but,  all that said, there’s been some media “stuff” around Samsung and Google holding-off from announcing the Samsung device running the newest Android Operating System out of respect for Steve Job’s recent passing.

that’s rubbish.

and, it’s “reverse marketing” with them trying to come-off like nice guys. the reality is Steve would have RELISHED the competition, and APPRECIATED any announcement coming out, even at his service, because he believed with all his heart that ANY innovation was great for us all. he was confident in his own vision-driven road-map to stand before all-comers.

see a pending Blog post for more. but, of miner consequence, here is a recent article from the The Milton Herald that includes a few quotes from me around Jobs.

now we have even more perspective as to why Apple stuck to it’s standard product roll-out strategy in rolling with the “4S” and not appeasing some people with a preemptive “5” (well… other than the fact that Apple always sticks to it’s, collective, guns). ha! once people see the iPhone 5 (the iPhone 4S is really is already quite a remarkable upgrade), Android will have to stop trying to compete.

and, for the record, the following press offers additional, and relevant, perspective…

Apple has claimed that pre-orders of the iPhone 4S are breaking prior records.

NEW YORK (AP) — Apple says first-day pre-orders of the iPhone 4S topped 1 million, breaking the record set by last year’s model.

Apple Inc. and various phone companies started taking orders for the phone only last Friday. the new iPhone hits stores today. it looks the same as the base “4”. but, in truth, it’s a significant upgrade – but barely heralds the great promise of the iPhone 5.

so… first-day orders for the iPhone 4 were 600,000 when it launched last year (that puts the numbers above around Google in it’s place. “crowing”, indeed.). and, as most of you know, it was then sold in the U.S. only by AT&T Inc. now, the iPhone 4S is also sold by Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp.

keep watching Sprint. as I predicted several weeks ago, it’s offering unlimited DATA for Apple’s iPhone users, something AT&T and Verizon can’t and won’t do, [yet]. I’m planning on making the jump to Sprint, myself. and, Sprint has something up their sleeve. look at China as part of the plan. any Android device strategy is going to be kicked-in-the-teeth.

Sprint did not fall over itself committing to buy Android devices, did they?

I’ll be arguing, sooner than later, that Android devices are for losers. or, possibly simply for those that don’t mind losing. stand by for that. but, when I unleash that hell on Google you can be certain there will be yelling, fist-shaking, and a fair amount of pushing and shoving in many a hallway and Starbucks.

perhaps of more concern, in terms of the immediate, I’ll be discussing the new iPhone shortly, but consider only the recent news regarding Sprint Nextel Corporation. late Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported that as Apple Inc. prepared to release the new(ish) iPhone Tuesday, the terms it has squeezed from Sprint reveal the leverage it has over the telecom companies that once drove decision-making.

this is important information for both perspective and as a back-drop for future decision-making.

the Wall Street Journal reported (but, I already knew) that Sprint, the No. 3 U.S. wireless carrier behind ATA&T and Verizon, is making a multi-billion-dollar gamble on the Apple iPhone. Sprint has apparently committed to buying at least 30.5 million iPhones, in a deal the company will lose money on until 2014. but, just so we are clear, this is, in fact, a BILLION DOLLAR BET, on Apple.

prediction – and, you read it, here, first.

watch what happens with Sprints indirect “partners” in China. this way you (as defined by those that do the research) won’t be surprised by the nationalization of the cellular industry and where the supply of iPhones comes from. and, whom buys a lot of those phones committed to by Sprint. the demand for iPhone (and, NOT Android devices) coming from that region is going to be insatiable.

short Google, and buy Apple.

meanwhile…

looking at the new(ish) iPhone 4S… here is a valid line of thinking that I know analysts (and consumers) will pick-up on…

don’t look for a detailed technology overview from me. NOTE: I underutilize technology, but I understand and appreciate it. my role, here, is to add perspective.

so… the new(ish) iPhone 4S is evidently twice as fast as the original 4, and jammed with new features and upgraded hardware (most people will never buy an actual camera again – so, Apple has changed camera-use behavior, if not an entire and separate industry).

the voice recognition software called “SIRI” is stunning, and cool, and I’m already spoiled by it.

there is no bottom-line. the story will only get bigger and Apple technology more impactful to our lives, collectively. the simple fact is that the iPhone 4S is an almost entirely new and very much upgraded iPhone. but, in typical Apple fashion, they are down-playing that and sticking to their road-map strategy and simply calling it the (S), just like they did with the 3S.

the best news is Apple consumers expect miracles. The stock is a miracle. Apple continues to lead down more roads than most people could ever hope to travel.

peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

brian patrick cork