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Mobile/ProductPlanning/Notes-2014-07-22: Difference between revisions
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== Insights == | == Insights == | ||
''Note: Kev will be on PTO July 28 through Aug 8, so will miss the Jul 29 and Aug 5th calls'' | ''Note: Kev will be on PTO July 28 through Aug 8, so will miss the Jul 29 and Aug 5th calls. No one will be taking his place. He apologizes for this, and his use of the third person.'' | ||
===Something to Think About=== | ===Something to Think About=== | ||
Today, [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/china-s-xiaomi-unveils/1276732.html Xiaomi released it's Mi4 flagship phone today] for $320-400. The news isn't really about the Mi4 - although it's a nice looking phone - it's around how Android handset prices are continuing to see downward pressure. $350-400 is the new sweet spot for super phones. It's eating into the profit margins of organizations like Samsung (draw parallels to Sony as you see fit), and making a whole lot of power even more accessible for Android users. <br /> | Today, [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/china-s-xiaomi-unveils/1276732.html Xiaomi released it's Mi4 flagship phone today] for $320-400. The news isn't really about the Mi4 - although it's a nice looking phone - it's around how Android handset prices are continuing to see downward pressure. $350-400 is the new sweet spot for super phones. It's eating into the profit margins of organizations like Samsung (draw parallels to Sony as you see fit), and making a whole lot of power even more accessible for Android users. <br /> | ||
'''Why we should care:''' We consistently see metrics that more than 2/3 of buyers will spend more than $150 on their phone. The downward push on prices for hardware that continues to grow in capability and performance means even more people will be able to take advantage of a full-featured web on (what is usually) their primary communications and computing platform. | '''Why we should care:''' We consistently see metrics that more than 2/3 of buyers will spend more than $150 on their phone. The downward push on prices for hardware that continues to grow in capability and performance means even more people will be able to take advantage of a full-featured web on (what is usually) their primary communications and computing platform. | ||
===Worth a Read=== | ===Worth a Read=== | ||
* As part of Microsoft's refocusing on its core product offerings, [http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jul/17/microsoft-killing-nokia-x-android-smartphones the handsets in the Nokia X line will be discontinued or repurposed as Windows Phone devices]. Nokia's feature phone business is also [http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-to-discontinue-nokia-asha-and-s40-feature-phones-7000031731/ being killed off], and approximately [http://bgr.com/2014/07/17/microsoft-layoffs-18000-employees/ half of Nokia's workforce] will be laid off. It's possible we'll see an exit entirely from handset manufacturing, but that will rely heavily on Windows Phone performance in the coming year. | * As part of Microsoft's refocusing on its core product offerings, [http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jul/17/microsoft-killing-nokia-x-android-smartphones the handsets in the Nokia X line will be discontinued or repurposed as Windows Phone devices]. Nokia's feature phone business is also [http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-to-discontinue-nokia-asha-and-s40-feature-phones-7000031731/ being killed off], and approximately [http://bgr.com/2014/07/17/microsoft-layoffs-18000-employees/ half of Nokia's workforce] will be laid off. It's possible we'll see an exit entirely from handset manufacturing, but that will rely heavily on Windows Phone performance in the coming year. | ||
* Continuing on last week's theme, [http://www.techtimes.com/articles/10932/20140721/chrome-embraced-by-schools-not-so-much-by-enterprise.htm 1M new Chromebooks were sold] into schools in Q2. The service and support offering is a good way to make them more attractive, and while the article says it's tougher sledding into Enterprise, the continued adoption of Apps by developers and companies, and [http://www.androidcentral.com/google-gives-few-details-enterprise-management-tools-coming-android-l anticipated new features for Android] and Chrome OS, will continue to make the Chromebook an attractive platform. | * Continuing on last week's theme, [http://www.techtimes.com/articles/10932/20140721/chrome-embraced-by-schools-not-so-much-by-enterprise.htm 1M new Chromebooks were sold] into schools in Q2. The service and support offering is a good way to make them more attractive, and while the article says it's tougher sledding into Enterprise, the continued adoption of Apps by developers and companies, and [http://www.androidcentral.com/google-gives-few-details-enterprise-management-tools-coming-android-l anticipated new features for Android] and Chrome OS, will continue to make the Chromebook an attractive platform. | ||
===Notes=== | ===Notes=== | ||
* Samsung and Google reportedly continue to have the odd bunfight, this time around Samsung's [http://bgr.com/2014/07/18/google-samsung-fight-on-wearables/ promotion of Tizen as a wearable platform over Android Wear]. | * Samsung and Google reportedly continue to have the odd bunfight, this time around Samsung's [http://bgr.com/2014/07/18/google-samsung-fight-on-wearables/ promotion of Tizen as a wearable platform over Android Wear]. | ||
* [http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2356537/us-doj-charges-six-for-android-apps-piracy Pirated apps continue to be a revenue opportunity], although not always the best long-term play. | * [http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2356537/us-doj-charges-six-for-android-apps-piracy Pirated apps continue to be a revenue opportunity], although not always the best long-term play. | ||