Forget the doubters, a new survey by M:Metrics Inc. predicts the iPhone will be a bigger hit than anyone suspects. According to The Wall Street Journal (registration required) the report reveals a startling piece of information: "��Two-thirds of mobile-phone users who are interested in purchasing the iPhone aren't AT&T customers but would be willing to switch carriers to obtain the device, according to a survey in May of about 11,000 cellphone users by M:Metrics Inc., which tracks wireless industry trends."
Perhaps the most surprising part of the story comes in the form of comments from competing cell phone service providers who seem content to wait flat-footed for the iPhone to launch and simply pray that it'��s not a hit.
Sprint's Aaron Radelet: "Nothing has been introduced yet. There is a big leap between curiosity and commitment."
Verizon's Jim Gerace: "We're not going to judge it until it's actually in the marketplace."��
And here I thought competitors had wisely used the last six months lead time to actually prepare for the coming of the iPhone. Cue the Philip Glass epic folly music� I�m ready to call it: The iPhone may not become a staple of the cell phone industry, but if this is really all AT&T competitors have to say about the iPhone, then for at least the next 60 days the iPhone is guaranteed to destroy the competition. But, of course, you already knew that.
Photo: AlexChoi
