4 ms·
Anyone who can manufacture an iPod Touch competitor can also manufacture an iPhone competitor. So, in order to choose to compete with the iPod Touch, the manufa
by portman 16y ago
Anyone who can manufacture an iPod Touch competitor can also manufacture an iPhone competitor. So, in order to choose to compete with the iPod Touch, the manufacturer would have to believe their profits would be higher than if they built a phone.
This is unlikely, because:
(1) Phones are more expensive. ($400-$800 vs $200-$400)
(2) Carriers help market the phone.
(3) Carriers handle telephone support.
For the manufacturer, making a phone offers both higher revenues and lower costs.
It would seem that the only company with an incentive to manufacture a viable iPod Touch competitor is Google. But they don't have any manufacturing capabilities.
Of the three points, I suspect (1) is most important, which is why you're seeing iPad competitors but no iPod Touch competitors.
- semanticist 16y agoPhone manufacturers do provide telephone support. I worked for Nokia's tech support and the same outsourcing company did Samsung and Motorola. The call volume is less than the network will get, largely because the average person can manage to pound '333' (or whatever) on their phone but won't find the number for Nokia.
- hapless 16y agoThe iPod Touch is successful specifically because it is a non-phone device that resembles a really hip phone. It appeals to many people who are not interested in paying for a high-end service plan. So here's the underlying question: Why is it that no Android handset or Blackberry is made available without the cellular equipment ? What's special about the iPhone/Touch that it can hack it as a lifestyle gadget? (P.S. Samsung Galaxy Tab doesn't count. It's not even close to the same form factor as the Galaxy S.)
- corin_ 16y ago"The iPod Touch is successful specifically because it is a non-phone device that resembles a really hip phone." Disagree. From my personal view, I have an iPod Touch and love it, but I'm really not a fan of the iPhone (I have a blackberry, and if I were to look for a non-blackberry, iPhone wouldn't be near the top of my list). From a non-personal point of view, iPod Touch was popular long before iPhones existed, so you can't explain its popularity with "it looks like an iPhone".