iPhone influence stretches to RCA’s gathering

LAS VEGAS-Apple Inc.’s influence has apparently spread far and wide as various speakers at the Rural Cellular Association’s annual convention cited the company and its products as something to aspire to.
Consultant Mark Landiak of Corporate Dynamics Inc. urged small carriers to think about maximizing their profits by keeping tabs on how subscribers are using their phones. He said that, due to the interest in Apple’s forthcoming $500 iPhone, consumers are apparently interesting in paying a premium for high-end cellphones.
Landiak also noted that, as more high-tech companies such as Apple and Microsoft Corp. enter the mobile arena, it’s important for smaller players to stay ahead of the technological curve. If rural carriers and other small players fall behind, they may lose sales to larger, quicker companies, he warned.
Frank Tyneski, senior director of industrial design for Kyocera Corp., pointed out to the RCA audience how Apple’s stock price has risen over the years in conjunction with some of its best steps forward in product design, including the candy-colored iMac and the iPod. Customers of all demographics appreciate good design, he said, citing the success of Apple as well as retailer Target and furniture maker Ikea. Tyneski also pointed out that good design doesn’t need to be limited to high-end devices.