> The phones are actually quite good-looking but somehow
> the branding seems to be an issue (power generators, washing machines, and
> keitai perhaps don't go as well together lifestyle-wise as rubber-boots and
> keitai :-)
Branding is important but there's also hidden values in branding; if you buy
a brand X phone you can expect it work like brand X. When you upgrade your
phone to a better it's an advantage if the user interface is similar to the
old one.
I switched to Ericsson T68 a long time ago and I still miss a number of
features from my previous Nokia phone, and still sometimes struggle with the
ackward and illogical user interface. I'm reluctant to buy any Motorola
phone because the Timeport I used several years ago had such a bad user
interface. Some people say that Siemens is even worse, although faster.
For the Nokia-generation, remember all those kids using their 3--series, a
phone with external antenna will be a tough one.
Anyway, how important is the branding in Japan? Do the ordinary people want
to have e.g. Sony or NEC made i-mode phone because they have the best brand?
Do the kids on the street use the oldest or the latest phones?
From the asian people queueing to the Louis Vuitton stores wearing the
mandatory Prada bags one could assume that branding is even more important
over there. Or is the mobile branding more between NTT Docomo/i-mode and
the others?
Best regards,
Petri
Received on Fri Mar 15 12:20:42 2002