The voice of the BlackBerry community.
David Pogue, technology editor for the New York Times, once remarked that “simplicity sells.†All things considered, consumers generally opt for the most simple, elegant solution.
Consider Google: it’s the most valuable piece of web real estate in the world, and yet its home page is remarkably simple and basically unchanged from when it began. Google’s philosophy is to keep the complexity as far removed from the consumer as possible.
Continue reading ‘ThoughtPiece: Simplicity Sells’
Two weeks ago I wrote about customer evangelists and their emerging importance in shaping the market. Technology gives amplification to the concept of “word of mouth†advertising and wise companies will find ways to maximize their gains from this phenomenon. I believe that this reality impacts technology companies more so than most, as consumers of cutting edge technology tend to pay more attention to the voices using that technology.
I now wish to tie in a few fresh observations.
Continue reading ‘ThoughtPiece: Doritos with your BlackBerry?’
Thought loosens his tie a little this week with this one. Give it a read and some solid thought. Pun kind of intended, I guess.
It’s Super Bowl week in the US and in honor of all of the marketing hype that this represents, I thought I’d have some fun. I would like to comment on some celebrities that I would like to see used in advertising for the BlackBerry brand. I am a realist and so do not expect any of this to actually happen, but then again I was also foolish enough to recommend that RIM spend the big bucks on a Super Bowl ad. So, thoughtful readers, please indulge me in my flights of fantasy.
Continue reading ‘ThoughtPiece: Which Celebrity Would You Like to See in a BlackBerry Ad?’
Nice to see you again, Thought. This week, our eldest of editorial contributors strolls in with a great read about BlackBerry evangelists – folks who push the BlackBerry but aren’t really paid for it. You’re probably one of them since you’re checking out this site, and I’m pretty sure I’m one, too. So go ‘head and read on about… yourself. Thanks, Thought.
Citizen Marketers and the BlackBerry
One of the most impressive elements of the BlackBerry success story has been its ability to create consumer evangelists: customers so satisfied with the product that they voluntarily spread favorable word of mouth. Authors Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba take this concept even further with their latest book and discuss “citizen marketersâ€: those who go beyond casual advocacy of a product and begin to generate organized and regular content regarding a product or company. Current technology allows anyone to be a publisher or broadcaster.
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With all of our new staffers breaking in their shoes, it’s nice to have a nice worn in piece of work like Thought around for familiarity sake (and, you know, a good read, too). This week he examines the somewhat paltry relationship between RIM and Verizon and why things could and should be better.
Why RIM and Verizon Need to Get Closer
Let’s face it: last week Steve Jobs spoke and the whole world listened. When was the last time the announcement of a cell phone attracted such widespread attention? There is no doubt that the iPhone will sell, as long as it delivers on its promises. That is significant not just to Apple, but to the carrier with exclusive US rights for at least the next few years, Cingular/AT&T.
Continue reading ‘ThoughtPiece: Why RIM and Verizon Need to Get Closer’
I’ve a feeling today’s going to feel like Groundhog’s Day. Thought’s back yet again this week and touches down on Steve Jobs’ little announcement yesterday. Read over Thought’s views on how the iPhone will compete in the smartphone market, and what this announcement means to RIM. Thanks as always, Thought. Enjoy, readers.
The iPhone: First Thoughts
Anyone with a pulse knows that yesterday Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced his company’s first foray into the mobile phone market: the long rumored iPhone.
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Everyone’s getting their magic ball out around this time of year – rubbing their temples to discover what lies ahead in 2007. Thought returns this week with his predictions for RIM and the BlackBerry in the year of the boar. Got something to say about Thought’s thoughts? Shoot him a comment. Nice to have you back, pal.
Predictions for 2007
It’s the New Year and that means it’s time for predictions. Herewith are my humble forecasts…
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Thought turns the tables a little this week with his holiday wish list. Not your average wishlist, Thought’s contains all of his hope and dreams for RIM and the BlackBerry in 2007. Give it a read, and why not participate yourself in the comments? Let us and Thought know what you’re looking for in ‘07. Thanks for some great articles this year, Thought. We’ll see you next year, pal.
Continue reading ‘ThoughtPiece: Holiday Wish List’
The holidays are meant for family time, right? Thought’s heart is on his sleeve with his latest piece, examining if BlackBerry handhelds are actually slowly creeping into family life and reaking a tiny bit of havoc. Thanks, Thought, and enjoy the read, folks.
Can the BlackBerry be Good for Family Life?
Last week the WSJ published an article on how handheld email, for many, is infringing on family time and fracturing family relationships. Without in any way attempting to minimize the truths of that report, I’d like to examine how the BlackBerry device can make a positive difference in the personal and leisure life of individuals.
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I invite you all to check-out the near all-out-brawl that’s been going on in the comments of last week’s ThoughtPiece. Here’s hoping that this week’s sparks as much controversy. Our resident rantist Thought weighs in strong this week, wondering whether or not the music phone is the next camera phone. Let him know what you think, and thanks again, Thought, for a great contribution.
Is the Music Phone the Next Camera Phone?
A while back I commented on how the camera phone had become the de facto standard in the world of mobile phones. RIM knew that the only way to effectively compete in the consumer market was to release a camera phone device.
Continue reading ‘ThoughtPiece: Is the music phone the next camera phone?’
The voice of the BlackBerry community.
