“Phabulous Phablet”

This new term simply fascinates me–PHABLET; the synthesis of a phone and a tablet. Roughly three years ago, Apple introduced the iPad and ever since then, the table computer industry has been on the roll. Just recently, there is a new category of mobile device that has been realized and it is the phablet. Closing the gap between a cellphone and a tablet, electronic companies, such as Samsung, not only manage to provide customer with a device of greater value but also enjoy great profit.

Fighting against the incredible heat generated by the iPhone 5s, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, classified as a phablet, is still enjoying great volume of sales. The incredible specs of Note 3 include:

  • 5.7 inch display
  • 3 Gb RAM
  • 32GB built-in storage
  • Quad core, 2300 MHz

For aesthetic reasons, Samsung replaced the signature smooth plastic back cover with a faux-leather back with fake stitching, giving its flagship product a more business touch. Also, this gear comes with an S Pen, which might make it the first successful mobile device which comes with a stylus. From Samsung’s TV commercial, we can see that the company is stressing its ability to replace the need to carry a phone and a tablet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baTh1jeObRw

Competition certainly comes along. Nokia just announced its latest addition to the phablet family–the Lumia 1520 earlier today. Blackberry’s 5-inch smartphone Z30 is rolling out in the next few weeks. There is even rumour about iPhone 6 entering the phablet category.

While Samsung is targeting the high-end consumers, Apple tries to expand its market by extending its brand breadth–introducing the new iPhone 5c. Look at what my classmate Charlie, has to say about this new product.

https://blogs.ubc.ca/charlieshi/2013/10/17/a-5colourful-phenomenon-marketing-genius-or-design-failure/

All in all, it will be an interesting journey for us consumers to see what more “phabulous phablets” electronic conglomerates will come up with.

 

Related sources:

Iphone with 4.8-inch display?

Nokia’s Lumina 1520 is the latest massive ‘phablet’.

 

What does “TWO no. 1 albums in ONE year” tell us?

How do you have TWO No.1 albums in ONE year?

Well, first of all, you gotta be someone like Justin Timberlake.

Ok, I think most of us can agree that we will never get to where megastar JT is right now; but let’s still take a moment to appreciate and applaud to his second no. 1 album–The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2.

But what can we take away from JT’s massive success in his discography career?

Here are a few tips I concluded:

  1. SUSPENSE is almost always a good thing for marketing! Was it not true that part of your mind went to wonder about where the rest of the album was when you noticed the tracks did not add up to 20?
  2. Pick the right partner. It is quite evident from his 2006 album that JT and his long-time friend/collaborator Timbaland are a combination to do some good. So why not work together again?
  3. Be the ASPIRATION. From the sexy falsetto, handsome dance moves to his classy suit & tie outfit, timeless fedora and Louboutin shoes, JT demonstrates perfectly from head to toe how to be an aspirational figure.

So, in addition to enjoying his new CD (through legal sources I hope!), take a minute and appreciate the effort that was done in order to market this album successfully.

 

Sources:

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5748190/justin-timberlake-scores-his-second-no-1-album-of-2013

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/on-the-charts-justin-timberlake-debuts-at-number-one-again-20131009