When It Comes To Today's Cell Phones, The Hardware Is The Easy Part
from the new-markets,-old-problems dept
Faced with stagnating sales as consumers upgrade their computers with less frequency, several PC makers are eyeing the smartphone market as their next growth target. It makes sense to them: their technology is getting smaller and smaller, while demand for more powerful handsets is growing. And smartphones are basically becoming tiny laptops, right?Well, not exactly.
Smartphones and computers might be sharing more components and technology these days, but just as the PC hardware market became a commodity one, the handset hardware market is moving that way, too. The hardware is the easy part: there are dozens of ODMs around that are more than willing to design and build handsets for anybody with the cash. The real innovation these days is in software -- and designing great mobile user interfaces, as well as applications and services, will determine who wins in the market. Consider the iPhone: its tech specs, perhaps beyond its touchscreen, aren't head and shoulders above other high-end handsets, and are surpassed by a number of competitors' devices. But what's won so many fans is its software, in particular its user interface, its web browser and the App Store. Making the leap from PC to smartphone isn't an easy one -- just ask the likes of Microsoft, whose dominance of the desktop hasn't lead to a similar position for Windows Mobile.
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Perhaps...point in case?
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The damn thing can't even copy-paste. Neither does it let you forward SMS's.
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comment from a reader
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comments
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Re: comments
Hrmm, I think you're mistaken, actually. I don't remember seeing any marketing material for the iPhone pre-launch at all. All I remember is hype from the press. Why was the press all over it like hotcakes? cause of the revolutionary interface and software.
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Re: Re: comments
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http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/03/12/iphone-sales-grew-245-in-2008-gartn er/
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Re:
In order to see the real marketshare, you need a seperate class of phones. One that has "a real browser capable of browsing the real internet".
All those other things are glorified pagers masquerading as "smart"phones. (some of those smartphones have a lower resolution screen than my stupidphone, "RAZR", thats not too smart if you ask me)
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Bill Gates was right.
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Windows mobile is software?
I should know. I use it on my BlackJack II. I'm not a fan of it at all. It's clunky, definitely not user friendly or customizable, and it lacks features I want, not what they want me to have.
6.2 is in the works, and it'll be interesting to see what changes they'll make. I'm hoping they'll create a home screen manager system that's easy to use, despite not having a touch screen.
As far as Apple goes, there's no way in hell I'd support that company who will instantly shut off any app it wants, especially after having paid for it.
While I do agree the smartphone usage has increased, cell companies are going to have to realize customization is the key here.
Just because I buy an AT&T plan doesn't mean I want 50% of my phone icons to be AT&T links to overpriced music, apps, or services.
GREAT software is the key.
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Re: Windows mobile is software?
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Re: Windows mobile is software?
There are more than 100,000 windows mobile applications. You are running a bunch of custom software from ATT, but they cannot limit what you install on it. Go get some software for whatever you want!
Also, WM6.5 is coming out at the end of the year, but it will NOT be put onto your device, so don't hold your breath.
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Hardware easy.. why does it fail
I think that the durability of hardware these days is shocking.
My of my iPone chums told me how good there replacement service was (replaced in store on the spot) but they should be made to last the contract.
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Innovation
I think the last killer app I got for a PC (that is something that just made things so much easier and made a big difference) was Winfax Pro everything else seems to be just incremental
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PC to smart phone
Finally, we have solidified on a market for normal books and not-too-small pocket books. The tiny books have largely gone away.
It will be the same in the computer market - we will eventually settle on a "normal" PC, with a smaller, but strong market in iPhone-type appliances.
For now, though, iPhones and Blackberrys are "IN", so naturally, for a while they are the "next big thing".
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rating the site
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