Galaxy Note and its Nebulous Future

Samsung Galaxy Note was introduced in October 2011. It was launched in the North American market by February 2012. It is an Android smartphone and tablet combined into one. And because of that… it is rather.. er large.

I am no tech expert so I will not delve into the specs. I will dive into the marketing aspect (from my perspective). I first saw a commercial for it in Taiwan last Christmas. My first impression of it was nothing unique. I just saw a really large, clunky phone. Not for me… but maybe for really big people or people with giant pockets (literally). By March 2012, Samsung has sold 2 million units worldwide since its launch and is looking to sell another 10 million units before the end of 2012. Currently, the general North American consensus is similar to my first impression of the “phablet.” As proven by this recent viral commercial, it’s hard to imagine who could use it other than a customer that size. Elephants, although cute, aren’t usually the ones with deep pockets.

After some thought, I believe the adoption of phablets will grow… but slowly. Remember when phones were simply used to make calls? Remember when people used to carry mp3 players along with their cellphones? Remember when people started phasing out their desktops in exchange for laptops? Remember when people questioned the benefits of a tablet when they have their trusty laptops? Remember when people carried BOTH their laptops and cellphones? Oh wait, we’re still there. The phablet is the ultimate platform that eliminates carrying both a laptop and a cellphone.

The Galaxy Note obviously isn’t for the consumer who prefers the convenience of a small smartphone. With a processor of a tablet and portability of a phone, the Galaxy Note is for more serious note-takers, data-collectors, and integrators on-the-go. These pockets of people are around but currently do not view the Note as their solution just yet. I believe it’s just a matter of time (and effective marketing) before phablets are THE next thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple has something up its sleeve already but is just waiting for the right time to release its version. Samsung will eventually reach their 10 million units goal but probably not by the end of 2012.

Instagram Coming to Android!

Update – It has arrived!!! Follow me on anitapitafajita 🙂

Update #2 – Facebook bought Instagram... I am not sure what my thoughts are about that. Facebook must have felt threatened. People moving away from tagging on Facebook and sharing photos on Instagram must have tickled Facebook in the wrong places.

Short post – but Instagram is coming to the Android platform very soon! I have signed up to be notified when they do. You can do it on their site:

I realize quite a few of my posts have been drifting more towards the mobile side of things rather than the “internet” but mobile and online are becoming so interconnected nowadays. As smartphone adoption increases, mobile is no longer just a phone. It’s a device that allows users to connect beyond their phone lists. It’s internet on-the-go.

Grocery Price Discrimination

Recently I have noticed a rise of bulk discount on groceries. Being a subscriber of WagJag (a deal-site similar to Groupon), I receive alerts of food products that are sold at a discount around my area. The latest one is a kilogram of sliced, smoked salmon for $45. That is a lot of salmon but no doubt a good deal.

Riding along the bulk grocery trend is a mobile app developed from a French company called Zéro Gâchis. Zéro Gâchis means “Zero Waste” in French. The overall goal of the app is to minimize the amount of waste that other people are still willing to pay for. Zéro Gâchis developed an app that alerts users who are geographically close to businesses that are willing to quickly sell their food products at a discount price. The company saw a demand of merchants looking for ways to get rid of food products that are close to expiry and consumers who are looking for savings. Talk about price discrimination in action. Entire article can be read here.

Tweet Seats!

“There is a growing trend in US theatres to reserve seats in one area of the auditorium for members of the audience who wish to tweet while the performance is taking place, so that they don’t disturb fellow spectators. Do you like the idea of ‘tweet seats’ in theatres?”

I do like!

Rather than barricading technology and its lovers from live performance/theatres, tweet seats may be the solution for a happy audience (with the exception of a few eye-rolls). Real-time online updates allow people to share their excitement with others and serve as free marketing. I believe this trend is ongoing – coming soon to a theatre near you.

Starbucks Ad Throw Up

Looks like Starbucks threw up on my weather network page….

 

I’m unsure if the weather network website allows for customizable ad banners so I’m uncertain if this is targeted advertising or not. Either way, I do notice Starbucks getting more and more comfortable with using mass advertising when it use to rely mainly on experiential marketing and word-of-mouth. Nowadays we see Starbucks advertising on television, transit ads, and even coupons in newspapers. Whether it’s the company’s new strategy or act of desperation, it’s hard to ignore this recent online tactic… a Starbucks explosion while I check up the weather.