One of them most overused terms in the mobile phone industry is the term “iPhone killer.” For awhile there, everything was being termed as an
iPhone killer. The BlackBerry Storm, the BlackBerry Bold, the Palm Pre, and countless others were basically set up for failure. Now sure perhaps the companies are not entirely to blame, pundits and other tech analysts are sometimes responsible for attaching that phrase to a next generation product that appears to be the next step in mobile phone development, so when it fails to provide a quality of service the customer expects, the entire ship goes down in flames. Well folks, not every phone needs to be an iPhone killer.
The LG Mini understands that, and purposely sets out to fit the niche it was created for, the socially engaged. There are times when we don’t need the “smart” in our phones, we just want it to do a few things well and we’re happy. This is the case with the LG Mini which does not attempt to be a smartphone, nor does it attempt to conquer any other phone out there. The Mini simply serves as an amazing phone that touts a strong social networking presence with Social Network Connect, a Social Network Feed, and a Social Address Book.
Aside from having those strong social functions, the phone offers Wi-fi, GPS, built-in FM radio, microSD storage, and a 5-megapixel camera. The strength is evident, but the obvious selling point is the social functions. If you’re one of those that can look past the face that this isn’t the iPhone, then perhaps this little device might be worth it’s weight in social contacts.
When the Apple iPhone came out there was a massive rush onto the AT&T Network in the US. Now that everything is calming down a little and the world is used to the idea of the iPhone, the other main networks in the US, Verizon and Sprint are at each others throats.
Sprints CEO, Dan Hesse shot down claims by Verizon that Verizon would be getting the Palm Pre sooner than expected. Sprints CEO, who was due to launch the device the next day on his network made firm comments about their exclusivity deal concerning the Palm Pre phone.
He said that “they need to check their facts” and “That just is not the case. Both Palm and Sprint have agreed not to discuss the length of the exclusivity deal. But I can tell you it’s not six months.”
If Verizon go ahead with their aspirations to have the Palm Pre on their network by 2010 then indeed it won’t be six months. It will be seven.
It should come as no huge shock because both carries operate using the same technology and thus they both are ideal to carry the Palm Pre which is seen as one of the main competitors to Apple’s iPhone in the US.
However, I think that Sprint really does need this phone on their network. Thy have developed a bad reputation for poor quality service and bad connections and have worked tirelessly to fix the problem. This phone could be their one shining light. Hesse said “We are very different company than we were 12 months ago,”. “And the Pre is the coming-out party for the new Sprint that shows off our fantastic data network and rate plans.”
There has been a lot of talk about the new BlackBerry Storm. The BlackBerry Storm is going to be the new touchscreen phone from RIM. Here at Crenk we haven’t yet had a chance to play with the new phone, but we think this could take a large share of the market.
The BlackBerry Storm is aimed to help RIM get into the touchscreen market, while at the same time help Verizon Wireless (its exclusive U.S. carrier) have a decent smartphone competitor to the Apple-AT&T iPhone.
However, as this is the first real touchscreen from RIM it is always going to have its drawbacks. Unlike the iPhone when the touchscreen is easy to use and has good sensitivity, the RIM BlackBerry Storm however is currently a little less touchy and more pushy (if that makes sense), but all the same still works.
There’s still some variables to get ironed out, like pricing. And the phone has some glaring shortcomings, like no wi-fi, no support for iTunes-DRM-encoded music and movies, and a tiny third-party app platform. But last we checked, the iPhone, for all its merits, was still just 24% of the U.S. consumer smartphone market — meaning three of four buyers were putting their money elsewhere. Bottom line: There’s plenty of room for competition, and with Verizon’s marketing dollars behind it, we think RIM’s new phone will do well.
