[QE2]

Honestly I thought the question was rather pointless to begin with.

Sprint didn't make the Pre. Sprint doesn't compete with the iPhone. The iPhone is a device, Sprint is a carrier. The iPhone may very well end up on Sprint in the not-too-distant future.

Also, if you look at the subtext, you might see that Hesse is delivering a veiled attack on the iPhone--that it's all about branding and hive mind. Michael Jordan was a great basketball player, but he was far from the greatest, even during his career. His style and flash are what got him his place in the spotlight, just like the iPhone.