Nokia N8 to date

The arrival of the Nokia N8 could not come any sooner. Notably reviews, blog post and the visibly evolutionary nature of the newest Symbian iteration (that they point out) make the N8's prospect as a game changer less and less viable. However, the fact that the N8 will be the last Symbian O.S. touting N-series phones makes it a historical marker of sorts. The N8 (and possibly the N9) also has the capacity to redeem Nokia for their N97 flip floppyiness. Furthermore, the N8 will be the first 12mp camera phone that can record video in 720p. Lastly, the N8 will be one of the 1st (if not the 1st) mobile to carry all 3G bands making it ideal for mobility between carrier's as well as international travel and resale. Oddly enough the former is not emphasized in Nokia's marketing strategy. I think this is has so far been a missed opportunity considering this phone will be an out of contract offering in the United States. Furthermore, with U.S. customers gaining access to robust mobile devices (hardware and OS wise) at severely subsidized prices, Nokia has to build a rationality or rather better vocalize an existing message if it intends to sell well among new buyers in the US. Here are some suggestions: (revised 7/12/10)

Pricing:

Offer competitive pricing ..if $450 or less is feasible for Nokia then I think it opens up the flood gates for people who are willing (or are forced to ) to shelf out a similar amount for new on-contract phones. For consumers who are use to purchasing phones out of contract this pricing would be the final ice cube in the decision making glass of lemonade.

Pricing and trade-in: Most people who are considering this phone probably own a decent phone which they will need to get rid of to make way for the N8. Perhaps Nokia can offer a decent trade-in discount that goes towards the N8's pricing?

Pricing justified by Service:

I think the service follow up is also a big place where manufactures have turned away from in terms of opportunity. Some companies are very much set in offering a short amount of hardware and software support which is further emphasized by the ephemeral life-cycle of mobiles today. Perhaps Nokia can be the one to take the first step by offering a 2 -2.5 year factory warranty service for it's Nokia N8. Not only an extend warranty but also a warranty that is international, whereby the N8 can be serviced in the country of it's user.Yes yes this may sound idealistic but if this would particularly make sense because the N8 has all 3g bands and would ideally be used by customers all around the world.

Think about it.. the Nokia N8 could be the "ideal" phone of a student studying abroad, of a tourist or better yet the one in one device one takes on vacation.


Warranty and relationships:

Companies long to inspire (or that's what they espouse) a longstanding relationship with customers and their brand (yes duhh), yet maintaining that relationship often falls through the cracks (i.e. Samsung i8910, T939 what happened?). For customers, knowing that the support is there from a manufacturer, whether it be software or hardware let's the customer know that the investment by the company goes beyond it's marketing. Furthermore, this extended warranty or premium warranty (no extra charge please) can justify a higher retail price.


Symbian and the N-series lineage:

Yes Nokia is the largest mobile manufacturer in the world (though not all of us know this). What customers want to know is what innovations does the N8 bring to the table. I think the best point to start from is to briefly show what innovations the N-series has provided throughout the years and how it's led to now (i.e. development).To some extent this is being fulfilled by Nokia via it's Nokia conversation forums. But ideally, what new customers especially need to know is how the Nokia N8 fit's among current offerings and future prospects.

Nokia Updates:

Nokia is known for shooting out devices with sketchy software but which manufacturer doesn't do this? the thing that may set Nokia apart is it's turn over, they are able to pump out OTA updates and if they truly believe in their product then they should invest the necessary resources to have a speedy, bright and quality driven force to support the N8. What I speak of as force can range from something as simple as a N8 customer service number akin to Sony Ericsson's Xperia service line to the presence of a focused group of N8 in-house developers and engineers that not only work the bugs out but also enhance the device per modern wants and needs.

Nokia labs innovations: self explanatory

Nokia's third party relations:

What can we offer the customer that's unique only to the N8? or rather what services can we get a hold of that are enhanced on the N8. For instance getting Skype as a standalone and easy to use application for the Nokia N8 would be one step. Being able to use the video call function over Wi-fi and 3G now that's impressive ( to bad Fring can't support said application anymore) . How about alittle swype action? how about alittle Dropbox (Symbian Guru and the like I feel your pain). How about being able to use the phone as mini-turn table via an application.

Asking the hard question:

what are the benefits for current companies who invest in Symbian?

Ovi suite and store:

Free maps yes we like...many many Quality apps for N8..we would like. Again third party relations ..critical after all there's the app store and Android market to primarily contend with.


The proof is in the putting:

Show people why the N8 is worth it, websites and bloggers alike have highlighted how this phone stacks up against it's competitors in terms of hardware and in most cases the N8 towers. Perhaps some of the marketing used for the Nokia N86 8mp can be applied(i.e. bungee jumping video recording). Though extreme , the strength of the N86 was highlighted through these videos. It wouldn't hurt to see Nokia offer a few of these phones to a variety of users and have them share their experience with the phone.
Alternatively, Nokia can take this everyday approach and highlight in a different way..showing off the camera, the multimedia, the office suite, the front facing camera, quality build, etc via skits.

Here's an idea:

This skit involves someone taking pictures at a wedding with a stand alone digital camera and someone else takes the same pictures with the Nokia N8, they compare the shots and the N8's snaps turn out to be of equal or better quality. The N8 owner then proceeds to instantly upload the pictures to picasa or something then the phone rings and the owner picks up... the digital camera owner is left in awe.

alternate:

Instead of the Digital camera , person B is using an Iphone 4 or something else worth comparing, Both people compare pictures, both people pick up their phones, the Iphone 4 drops bars, the N8 user walks away shaking his or her head...


A Nokia tour:

Akin to the blackberry tour, Nokia can go around different cities promoting the device..have people use the phone in real life ways( a la proof is in the putting).Have people interact with each other in different ways that are enhanced by the phones features. One project that I did enjoy from Nokia involved a music video that was filmed almost entirely by fans only using their mobiles. Nokia should also consider using the flagship stores such as the one located in NYC as a venue for a launch party, a place where the phone can be sampled, etc. Bottom line, the phone has to get out there into people's hands.


T-Mobile:

The relationship with T-Mobile USA is there..why not push for the Nokia N8 on T-mobile? with that said, the phone has to remain largely untouched, with the possible addition of T-mobile media and services.

It's soon going to be July and all consumers have of the N8 is largely official videos highlighting the N8's features in a rather tame way. As Steve Litchfield noted, these are rather uninspiring, and while they highlight some of technical prowess of the device it doesn't do much to draw the viewer in...say a la Apple or Motorola Droid..etc. The next 1.5 months will tell what Nokia's big step will be (assuming the N8 is still scheduled for August), let's hope it's something good.


Any thoughts? feel free to comment below

Sony Ericsson Satio revisit needed!!! Review Revists needed!!!

So I spent some time today researching the Sony Ericsson Satio (idou in its former life),you know Sony Ericsson's 1st 12mp smartphone totting Symbian s60 5th ed. you know.the 1st 12mp announced...2nd 12mp on the market which is now available, in black, for purchase in the US via www.sonystyle.com. Who would have thought that the "buggiest of them all" would be sold here..in probably one of the pickiest mobile markets in the world (no offense :)). Nonetheless, firmware updates have remedied some of the Satio's original flaws and have added new features (WVGA, FB integration). The $650 price tag however is a feature that will surely deter many of us...and only play the harp-like heart strings of the most devoted SE fanboys and girls. If I had the mula (USD currency) i might consider trying the Satio U1a as well..especially if AT&T was my carrier. Nonetheless, out of this muddy diatribe..I've found my original point-I haven't found any new videos or reviews of the Satio with this new firmware nor the USA version of the Satio. I think this in particular would be helpful for both potential buyers, current users and Sony Ericsson.


Potential Buyers:

Have a better sense of what the Satio is now in its product life. How it has improved and in what ways it remains flawed. A dis-benefit of latching on to some reviews is that more then often they are not done with prototype or pre-production models which contain shotty firmware or certain design features that are latter ommitted. But then again that's the nature of the beast. What would be nice is if certain reviews were revisted and updates were added to features that have been changed in some important way.


Current Users:

Not to far from the last statement made, having a sense of what the company has done to support the Satio will undoubtedly encourage some confidence in the buyer. If only the i8910 HD had the support it should have had from Samsung mobile it would be in a different place. certainly SE has the resources and if they expect people to shell out the kind of money you can use to by a well equipped HDTV then they better support the Satio. The Xperia has it's on number for gosh sakes..so software ,applications and any other support they can give should be a piece of cake..right?

Sony Ericsson:

Again not to far away from my earlier points and in simiple-errr fashion

Satio is available + Sony provides software support/firmware updates applications = People like Sony Ericsson!!!!

bonus:

SE lowers price point or makes deal with US Carrier = diversify customer segment + re-attract previous C905a/c905i buyers.


I'm curious to see what will happen in the coming months. Maybe I'll give the Sony Ericsson Satio (preferably in bordeaux red) a try.


P.S. Youtube page in the works!!!

The mobile weight of it all : Quality weight ..what does it mean?

I've been a Nokia N86 owner for the past 3 months now and my verdict is... it's pretty good. As a previous owner of a Nokia N85 I can sincerely say that branding this phone as N85 8mp would have not done it justice. In doing so, one big, but seemingly superficial characteristic that sets the handset apart would have been overlooked...the the mobile's weight.

A difference is felt from the moment hand meets handset...I like to call it quality weight. Here "quality weight" is defined as weight that is indicative of the quality materials used in the construction of your handset. Don't get me wrong there are some relatively light handsets that will surely surprise in terms of performance..but drop it a couple of times and you'll see how badly it performs.

While the N85 had it's highlights and carried some weight..it still felt..lacking...it lacked the near 400 beans I spilled for it. The explosive sound it would make when it vibrated could only be a sign of it's somewhat danty and hollow construction. Certainly The N86's all glass front, the chrome band that incases the front part of the phone and that lovely 8mp sensor surely point to it's quality weight..certainly it's quality build.

I've owned a Samsung innov8 (i8510), i8910 HD, Xperia X1 and a Nokia N97 for a very short period..and I'd go as far to say that their quality weight shares a positive correlation with the user experience. Perhaps I'm pointing out my own preferences but when's the last time you picked up your mobile and said wow this is really a "smart phone" this is something "special" ,"cutting edge" something that has "presence".

The Samsung innov8 case in point is has presence and is practically indestructible (besides the infamous paint pealing).

Now don't get me wrong..advances in manufacturing have made it easiar to make high quality gadgets out there that don't bare the cheap plastic guts of their ancestors... E71, E72 and most recently the HTC Legend are evidence. But then there's the other wave of high end phones that are manufactured out of "high quality" plastics..your $500 + that's susceptible to cracks, chips,etc. I guess my point is..if the "smart phone" and overlapping "high end" phone market is so vast now-a-days then all manufactures that are producing them should strive to build top-end mobiles out of the best materials available/possible (same difference). Besides mass production I don't understand why building a mobile with a 3.something" +screen and covering it in plastic is a right way to go. What's the real expense? What's so bad about making a weighty phone? What's wrong with adding a tempered glass front to it all.Don't get me wrong I understand sometimes it's the nature of the beast and it can't be helped. When the manufacturer delivers you the plastic unibody ..you soon realize they have created a mobile that's fragile..cheap feeling,cheap looking and inevitably for some ..unsatisfying.

In conclusion... add some more metal, some carbon fiber (think LG secret but more CF) chrome,hardened tempered glass, Kevlar, etc. Companies should invest in their handsets to make consumers feel that spending the chunk of money on their mobiles was part of the end-user experience. Undoubtedly. invest at this level might actually set consumers at easy now that they have the pleasure of owning a mobile that has some "quality weight" to it.