Comments for Damián Spoke

Comment on Can we have more phone-less handheld computing? by Damián Esteves

Damián Esteves — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:02:57 +0000

Good points, Pincho. For most companies, your argument is dead on, but I think at least Microsoft should get in the market. They have all the R&D done basically, the OS is done, the apps ecosystem is there. What’s stopping them from making an Xbox-branded WP7 device to compete with the iPod Touch. And while they might not be able to pick up any of Apple’s market share, they can sure as hell pick up from Sony and Nintendo’s shares of handheld gaming, and all the other features of WP7 are just bonus (and gets you to buy into their ecosystem).

The Nook Color intrigued me, but I’m going to wait and see what new tablets come out over the next few months, before plunking down some cash.

Also, I just remembered the Dell Streak (5″) That would’ve been a great little handheld computer if they hadn’t shoehorned it into being a phone.

Comment on Can we have more phone-less handheld computing? by Pincho

Pincho — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 07:53:03 +0000

If MS knows about this computing space (or at least they are aware of a technique that would naturally point to the computing space you just mentioned), then everyone knows about this computing space, therefore everyone is actually ignoring this computing space either because it is not profitable or it is not possible to compete, however I do agree that there is a market for low cost ultra-portable computing. I think companies are racing to occupy a market space in handheld computers that Apple currently has in mp3 players: High margin devices that are, from the spec point of view, overpriced. Competitors to Apple are also avoiding the cheap handhelds to prevent from being in the wrong side of the wasteland that has become of mp3 players where everything that isn’t made by Apple is pretty low margin, a commodity where the business unit that provides the product is only good for divestment. Entering the ipod touch’s target demographic now will be seen as a “me too” move and will pretty much by itself admit that Apple is an innovator, which will lead to a reduction in the premium any brand will be worth, thus reducing the entering device’s price, which will make it then look like the “commodity” alternative, and it is mp3 hell ver2.0. So if you are trying not to thin out your company’s resources too much your choices are either to compete with a chance of becoming the high margin provider of handhelds by avoiding cheap devices, or to compete in cheap devices where you will be no higher than #2 and with low margins. The second alternative is harder for the investors to swallow, unless you are a Chinese firm. And don’t get me started on Android, it just aggravates the whole race to the bottom. I bet that thing can even run on toasters.

I can still feel that same void as you. But like you said, we are all aware that there is a holy grail in handheld computing (one that can do everything, in your pocket, and runs on cold fusion) and so long it this idea persists there will be no incentive for anyone to be in this transient market, save those who are in a privileged position to do so or have some other motive other than direct profit. I also think the big companies have also not aged very well and are unable to really take advantage of these new trends, but that is another topic.

Why not hack into a cheap hand held in the mean time? The nook color is $250 and can be rooted to run Android OS rather than the factory make.

Comment on Sony brought PS3 security breach upon themselves by Chip

Chip — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 02:37:45 +0000

Pretty dumb move on Sonys part. Hopefully we will see some good homebrew come out for the PS3

Comment on Sony brought PS3 security breach upon themselves by Memz

Memz — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 02:09:58 +0000

I’m so happy to see you posting again and even happier to see that the PS3′s security system has been hacked. I guess, Sony was a bit overconfident.

Comment on Apple Stickers Create Fanboys – Marketing Genius by eva

eva — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:42:07 +0000

i agree with you, especially the part where you said it’s personal. i showed the video iphone vs evo to a friend who owns an iphone.. everyone got so tense. the party was over, i even had to leave because he was so offended, which proved my point even more. anyway, i laughed my ass off and went home, haven’t heard from him since..

Comment on Apple Stickers Create Fanboys – Marketing Genius by Alexander Burgos

Alexander Burgos — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:12:41 +0000

Agreed. I know a bunch of people who have told me that having an apple sticker in the back of their car makes them feel cool and original since they own an “Apple” product. All they own is an iPod and can barely use it.

Comment on Apple Stickers Create Fanboys – Marketing Genius by Rogelio

Rogelio — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 06:22:05 +0000

Agreed. It is genius marketing. I guess it’s partly due to technology not being for technology enthusiasts. The target market (people who aren’t techie – programmers, system admins) craves a sense of uniqueness and originality that Apple caters towards. If you look towards the campaign slogan “Think Different”, it’s all about providing a sense of originality. Amazingly, the campaign fuses “originality” with the product itself, so Apple users feel this “need” to brand all their stuff with the Apple logo to show you and everyone else how much they “Think Different”.

Comment on Apple Stickers Create Fanboys – Marketing Genius by memzz

memzz — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:22:40 +0000

I really couldn’t agree with you more. Brand loyalty is perfectly fine when one is reasonable.

Comment on New Desk for My Room! by Ranger Custom92

Ranger Custom92 — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:27:54 +0000

Sweet setup man! I’m gonna yoink those plans from you, if you don’t mind bro.

Comment on New Desk for My Room! by Ismakun

Ismakun — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:16:17 +0000

Nice dude! I plan to do something like that when I start living in texas now. Thats if the strike ends. But I’m doing it for my future TV area.