Google and Apple Face Off
January 7, 2010
Tuesday, January 6, 2010 marked an important date in the ongoing battle of brand supremacy between Apple and Google. That was the day that both companies made major announcements which represent a shift in the mobile phone market — the effects of which won’t be fully realized immediately.
On January 6th, Google announced it was entering the mobile phone retail business with its new Nexus One phone from HTC, which is only available through Google’s new online store. On the same day, Apple announced it was entering the mobile advertising game by acquiring mobile advertising company Quattro Wireless.
While neither announcement is an instant game changer, they do foreshadow things to come. It’s been speculated in The New York Times that Apple’s interest in mobile advertising is probably less about competing with Google in the mobile advertising market than it is about finding a way to monetize its popular apps with developers by giving them a way to generate income (since apps are currently available for free download).
Similarly, Google claims not to want to become a major player in the handset market. Instead, according to a separate article from The New York Times, Google’s hope with its new online store and the Nexus One is that more people will have access to handsets running its Android software.
As we watch this battle play out with both major players, Google and Apple, seemingly pursuing very different paths to reach their goals, it’s interesting to wonder how this will end. Can any other company compete with Google and Apple in the future? RIM’s BlackBerry still holds a sizable chunk of the business market, but with the new extensions Google and Apple are bringing to the mobile market, it makes one wonder what the industry will look like in 5-years (or sooner).
And how will the landline market be affected? I’ve read multiple predictions over the past few weeks that traditional home phones are nearing the end of their lifecycle. How soon will that prediction come true?
It’s an exciting time, particularly since consumers continue to get some great new products from the frenzied competition that really do make their lives easier.
What do you think? iPhone or Droid? What’s your prediction for the future of the mobile market?
Image: Flickr
Motorola Droid says iDon’t to Apple’s iPhone
November 6, 2009
Today is the day! Verizon Wireless is rolling out the Motorola Droid with the hope of winning back market share from customers who defected to AT&T Wireless and the Apple iPhone. With the Droid, backed by Google, Verizon Wireless just might have a chance. Where the Blackberry Storm failed, Google and Droid might succeed.
Verizon Wireless is certainly attacking the iPhone head-on with its new Droid ads. Check out one of the commercials below. There is no doubt what the message of this ad is.
Of course, it’s just Day 1, so the verdict is still out, but smartphone consumers have been waiting anxiously for Verizon Wireless, considered to have the best network in the United States, to catch up to AT&T and the iPhone. Can the Droid on the best network compete with the coolest phone on a substandard network?
Keep in mind, Verizon Wireless had the opportunity to be the “it” wireless carrier. The company was given the chance to pick up the exclusive iPhone deal with Apple, but the company passed. The result? AT&T stole some market share and Verizon Wireless hasn’t been able to recoup those customers yet. Without its superior network and the continued hold on the business marketplace by RIM’s Blackberry, Verizon Wireless would really be in trouble.
Fortunately, Verizon Wireless realized that the clock was ticking. The Storm might not have delivered (although rumors of a new version of the Storm leave some consumers hopeful of improvement), but the Droid just might. Let’s face it. There seems to be a battle to take over the world in terms of brand dominance. For the tech-related world, Google and Apple are leading the pack but in very different ways. Now, they’re poised to battle somewhat directly. Who will win? This should be fun to watch!
And that brings me to my question — what smartphone would you get? The Droid on Verizon Wireless’ network or the iPhone on AT&T’s network?
What Will Google Think of Next? GPS for Smartphones
October 30, 2009
It’s TomTom and Garmin’s turn to be worried. Google has rolled out its free navigation service using Google maps available through Motorola’s Droid smartphone (and coming soon to more phones).
It appears Google has done it again. What do GPS companies have to worry about? Let’s take a look:
- Google’s navigation tool is free: Instead of paying for a GPS or a mapping service subscription through cell phone providers, consumers can benefit from Google’s usual model — free.
- Google provides one-stop-shopping: Yes, this navigation tool is just one more way that Google is on track to rule the world by providing access to every kind of information you could possibly need at your fingertips at anytime and on one device.
- Google is a brand people know and trust: Like it or not, people know the Google brand and trust it. That ready-made brand recognition and trust is likely to go a long way in terms of shifting consumers from stand-alone GPS devices and subscription services.
Put it this way — if Google’s new navigation tool for smartphones works well and keeps its free price tag (and becomes available on more smartphones than Motorola’s Droid), there will be little need for anything else. In other words, the same things that happened with online search, online email, and so on, will happen to GPS.
The question becomes not whether or not Google will be successful in its new venture into GPS, but will any other company be able to challenge Google in that new venture?
According to the New York Times, even the progressive Apple is behind in this area. Can anyone ever compete with Google? What do you think?
Which Brand Will Die in Britain – Orange, T-Mobile or Both?
September 9, 2009
This week, Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom announced that they plan to merge, forming the largest mobile operator in Britain. Currently, Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom hold the third and fourth highest market shares in Britain behind O2 and Vodafone, but the merger would streamline operations for both Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom, making the new company more efficient and effective.
Should O2 and Vodafone be worried?
The more interesting question from a branding perspective is which brand name, Orange (French Telecom) or T-Mobile (Deutsche Telekom), will live and which will die after the merger. While the tentative plan reported by the New York Times says that both brands will live for 18-months, there is no word on what will happen to them in the future. Or will both brands die off in favor of a new brand that better reflects the new company’s position as market leader with 37% market share (beating O2′s 27% market share and Vodafone’s 25% market share)? Read more
Nokia Siemens Website — Taking On The Financial Crisis
August 13, 2009
I happened to come by this website and found some interesting content. First there is a reference that offers current and prospective clients advice on how to deal with the Financial Crisis. This is a very innovative approach that is in line with the idea that crises include not only danger but opportunities. This graphic is displayed on the Credit Crunch page
Some creative thinking here — they are offering advice to Communications Services Providers (CSPs): companies that might use the company’s products and services. There is more information on this page, including a comprehensive PDF download that includes case studies. But there’s more. On this page is a link to a page called Unite –
This image is just the top of the page. There is a storehouse of references on this page. Note the theme from the previous page, “Reducing loss, improving efficiency and increasing revenue”, is continued on the left navigation with added information on each topic and even more related resources. For example–
Additional information
- Telcos and the Economic Crisis
- How can operators survive the credit crunch?
- Managing customer experience
- End-user insights (pdf)
- Monetizing Web 2.0 (pdf)
- Connectivity Scorecard
- Customer success stories
- Nokia Siemens looks for the silver lining
Now that is really trying to help your customers.
While I was on the company’s site, I decided to look at other sections, and found–
a Solutioneering section where you will find an innovative approach to testimonials
In summary, Nokia-Siemens provides its customers with a unusually robust and well displayed set of information. Self-serving and a sales approach? Perhaps, but the depth and breath of assistance provided is noteworthy.
Get our updates
 |