Another iPhone Killer? Yeah Right!
By James Falconer on Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 at 9:46 AM PST In AT&T, Samsung
As Will reported yesterday, the next in a long line of ‘iPhone Killers’ could be coming to AT&T (NYSE: T) shortly. The Samsung Omnia (the iPhone Killer) will be coming to AT&T as the AT&T Mirage. The Omnia is a fairly popular Windows Media device, and it would be a valued addition to the AT&T lineup. We’ll see if this shakes out…
…But seriously, what is the deal with everyone calling a device with a touchscreen device an ‘iPhone Killer‘? Touchscreens have been around for a long time. There are a lot of great new looking touchscreen devices that are coming out, including the BlackBerry Storm, but why would it be an iPhone Killer? People for the most part are loyal to their brand. Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) lovers will stick with their iPhones, and BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) addicts will stay with their berry’s. Any other new devices like the Mirage will probably be a drop in the bucket. Don’t get me wrong, there will probably be a solid sized following for them, but to be an ‘iPhone Killer’ would mean the device in question would have to be truly revolutionary.
Bud Light was supposed to be the Miller Light killer, but that didn’t happen because Miller Light tastes great and is less filling than Bud Light.
I can’t stand when people refer to a device as an “iPhone Killer.”
It’s daft, that’s for sure. However, I think the reference is to the fact that to be “the best” (in this case that would be selling LOTS of devices), then you have to beat “the best” – which in terms of touchscreen, is the iPhone.
Personally, I just can’t see anyone improving upon the touch sensitivity that the iPhone has – it’s phenomenal. Sure, it has got some awesome faults (low-res camera, no cut and paste, etc), but it’s got the one thing that you can’t buy, no matter how much PR cash you throw – fans who love and adore the device (and Apple products generally) – that kind of end-user loyalty is GOLD.