

A new iPhone hater has emerged and it is none other than the outspoken founder of EarthLink, Sky Dayton. Dayton recently told The New York Times, “There has never been a massively successful consumer device based solely on a touch screen.” Dayton also happens to be the CEO of the mobile phone company Helio.

Despite his status as a competitor, learning that Dayton is willing to publicly cast doubt on the Steve Jobs mojo adds some heft to the growing concerns that the iPhone might not actually be “The God Machine” so many seem to think it is. Even Walt Mossberg, someone I’ve always felt was an Apple fanboy posing as a skeptic, seems hesitant to give the iPhone his blessing even though he’s one of the only (possibly “the” only) journalist I know that has one. I have to admit, Dayton has keyed in on the one thing I’ve been concerned about: The seemingly unlikely wide adoption of a touchscreen mobile device. T-minus 18 days until we know for sure if Jobs has another Newton on his hands.

Photo: DuncanDavidson