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Computer hardware has a low replacement rate. And this: 4Gb of RAM and 128Gb of storage. Is simultaneously too much for a phone and around the low end for any
by 6d0debc071 13y ago
Computer hardware has a low replacement rate. And this:
4Gb of RAM and 128Gb of storage.
Is simultaneously too much for a phone and around the low end for any computer released in at least the last half decade.
They've gone the wrong way, it seems to me. What was impressive was the fact that you could move your user environment around in your pocket. They chose to make the hardware a small computer to accomplish that though. People already have computers at their workplace already plugged in, they've either got laptops or desktops at their homes.
You're not just asking them to get another phone, you're asking them to replace their computers.
They've decided to compete in both the markets at once - and that only works if you can leverage needs that overlap at the same time in both markets that they don't natively address. Otherwise, you just end up crippling your ability to optimise for both markets as individuals and the natives in those areas eat you alive.
A saturated marketplace where people rarely replace their hardware and where your features aren't impressive, I suspect - might be wrong, does not have those features.
- pestaa 13y agoOne could also argue they are discovering a niche (developers who need to get on the go really fast, really often), so they're entering a tiny fraction of one market only. I guess it all comes down to perspective.
- Systemic33 13y agoI think the problem is that this niche, is really only worth the maybe $10M that have roughly been given so far. The niche consists of developers, who are happy to produce all the apps they need for themselves (since the app market is at 0), they like Ubuntu (since this is really what they have now chosen to buy into, they want to give up their current phone and laptop setup in no less than 30 days max, and last but not least; is ready to shell out $800+ for a non-existing phone, that could be out of date by the time its in their hands. To me that sounds like an incredibly tiny fraction of the smartphone market. If I were Canonical, I would use this as a survey, that tells you that you've got X amount of people ready to shell out $10M within 30 days of announcement. Surely the rest of the money could be earned from people who are aren't looking to change phone right now, and maybe wants to test the waters by seeing it in video reviews or in stores, and then pay the price. After all, isn't that what companies do? Take risks, and get rewarded if it works, instead of this extremely carefull investment (even Apple is more risky with its money for crying out loud).
- rsynnott 13y agoI'm not sure if this is a real niche. For the device to be any use to a developer, you'd really need an external monitor and keyboard. So you're looking at a developer who for some reason can bring a phone places, cannot bring a Macbook Air or something places, and has monitors and keyboards available everywhere they bring the phone. Does this actually fit anyone's situation?
- namlem 13y agoMaybe it'll become useful in the future with thin, flexible screens. You could carry your 21" monitor in your backpack and your computer in your pocket.
- jiggy2011 13y agoAt that point you may as well just take a laptop. The only real advantage I can see might be cost saving, but this is probably fairly negligible.