Enough beating around the bush and let’s just face it: Some brands know how to use social media to their advantage while others don’t! It’s a rather simple statement that doesn’t need too much explanations or justifications. I mean with all the noise out there, getting your message through needs certain elements and variables which, when ignored, could turn against you.
Whether it is the fight between the iPhone and the Blackberry or the long lived battle between Apple and Microsoft, when a brand is able to use social media to capture attention, create awareness and build trust and loyalty, it has a higher percentage at succeeding and sustaining profits.
With the first BlackBerry Storm being such a disappointment and with its touch screen being as repulsive as it was, RIM still didn’t give up on the concept. By releasing BlackBerry Storm 2 they focused on making it quicker and easier to type on. Hopefully this storm will be the touchscreen fix that all those crackberry addicts have been waiting for.
BlackBerry Storm2 Specifications
Enhanced SurePress Technology; no more hideous mechanical moving parts.
JavaScript is On by default
Wi-FI 802.11 b/g
256 MB Flash Memory (Double the memory on the previous one)
2GB Onboard Media Memory (Double the memory on the previous one)
BlackBerry Handheld Software v5.0
Battery Life:
CDMA: 11.2 days standby, 5.5 hours of talk time GSM: 12.7 days standby, 5 hours of talk time
The Wi-Fi alliance, which includes Apple, Microsoft, Cisco and Intel amongst its members, announced that they will release a new technology that will make it easier for electronic gadgets to exchange data. The technology will be called Wi-Fi Direct, which will allow each device to act as its own “hotspot“. Wi-Fi Direct is expected to be certified in mid-2010 and will be built into new devices, while older Wi-Fi enabled devices will be able to download a firmware update that would provide older devices with Wi-Fi- Direct capabilities.
Wi-Fi direct will offer the same data transfer speeds currently offered by Wi-Fi and will allow devices to communicate over the range of 300ft . This places the Wi-Fi Alliance into direct competition with the Bluetooth protocol, finally, which has been the leading protocol for short-range peer-to-peer connections. The much loved to be hated protocol is more energy efficient than Wi-Fi but Wi-Fi Direct already comes enterprise ready by supporting the WPA2 protocol and providing the required security for the connection to be trusted and adopted.
While this might be great news for smartphone users, it might also put a dent into the 1$ Billion dollar market of Wi-Fi access points. The prospect of being able to extend your network indefinitely using gadgets and devices that are already available to you is certainly exciting.
This technology is certainly enticing. Beside the fact that it finally resolves issues that Bluetooth had problems with, mainly security and range, its high bandwidth opens up the window for another exciting prospect. Using the WiFi Direct technology anyone can provide wireless access to the entire neighborhood with little to no start-up cost. Maybe, just maybe, it will usher in the age where we are drowned with free wireless Hotspots wherever we go. Now let’s just hope that smartphones batteries become a bit more efficient and provide us with a bit more juice!
Do you currently use Bluetooth? Do you think you will still need to use it after the introduction of Wi-Fi Direct? Will you ever buy another wireless signal repeater?
Is social media turning into one of the main reasons for purchasing trendy, fashionable and tech products these days? How dependent are we becoming on social media channels when it comes to purchasing decisions? Is it fair to solely depend on social media channels such as Youtube in order to decide whether to purchase a certain product or its competitor?
I somewhat feel nostalgic for the good old days when all we needed was a couple or more simple radio or TV ads in order to make purchasing decisions of either cheap or expensive products and services. Back then, things were too easy and so much less burdened with the complications of having many choices and competing ads yearning for our attention!
Yet again, at those times, we were “ignorant” customers, unaware of all the ins and outs of advertising and the tricks and games of marketing! As we stepped into the world wide web and Web 2.0 at a later stage, purchasing decisions became harder, nevertheless, more conscious!
Depending on Social Media:
After watching the Blackberry Storm vs. the iPhone 3G ad campaigns, and as I eagerly listened to Jon Rettinger’s comparison and analysis of the two products, trying to decide which device to purchase. Right then and there, it struck me: What would I have done without Youtube? How could I have made the “right” decision about this particular purchase if I didn’t have this complete analysis of the features each of those phones had?
In a way, I feel that we are growing dependent on social media in many decisions that effect us on a personal level: the money we spend, the people we meet and the things we discuss. Social media channels have not only developed into a medium for two-way interactive communication and entertainment, they are turning into influencers and some sort of decision makers! [read full article >>]
