Comments on: HTC HD2: A Clear Picture of Where the Industry is Headed

By: therealmusashi

therealmusashi — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:42:51 +0000

This phone (and others like it) is exactly why the iPhone is succeeding. Mobile is about the user experience, and the user experience of WM is horrible. Usability tests conducted by major firms, and the buying trends of consumers confirm this.

This article is all over the place! First you claimed that the RAZR only sold because it was beautiful hardware, not because of any tech specs. In reality, the RAZR line went through several iterations, and the RAZR v3xx was one of the most capable phones on the market, especially at the end of its lifecycle. 3G data, Opera Mini browser, OBEX bluetooth, best-in-class reception & call quality (Moto’s been making radios *forever* and they do it better than anyone), 2.0 MP camera (in 2006), 3gp video recording, POP email, the Euro version had 2-way video calling…the list goes on. You have obviously never used that phone.

Then you herald the superior tech specs of the HTC HD2 yet you wonder why it isn’t selling or receiving the buzz of the iPhone or Nexus One?

HTC has put some good lipstick on this pig, but WM is still a pig, and you even admit that in your article, albeit in different words. So, in spite of some superior tech specs, people continue to choose the iPhone over this phone – why do you think that is?

Per your headline – do you really believe that WM is a clear picture of where the industry is heading? WM is a fragmented, touch-hostile, desktop OS that was shoved onto a phone. Microsoft has a long way to come before they are even close to the experience on iPhone, Palm or Android – that’s the industry consensus. How can you call that a “clear picture of where the industry is headed?”

I think you might want to re-evaluate…

By: hilzfuld

hilzfuld — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:39:34 +0000

Thanks for all your feedback. Sharone, I must disagree. As much as I respect your opinion and vast knowledge of the mobile market, have you heard any hype or buzz about the HD2? Based on its specs, it should be all over the place, it should be talked about more than the Nexus One, but the reality is different. The bottom line is people want apps. As for the WM offering, not sure where you got your numbers but WM has WAY less free apps than the iPhone, and I am not talking 10% less, I am talking more like 75% less. Palm Pre is the same deal, an awesome phone, which is failing due to a lack of a complimentary ecosystem.

Anyway, thanks for reading, but we are going to have to agree to disagree.

By: Sharone

Sharone — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:31:17 +0000

I think that’s a really surprising assessment – WM actually has way more open source/free app options than Apple where everything virtually has a pricetag…moreover, take a look at the Palm Pre – how many apps does Palm have?! But that phone is one of the more impressive phones that has been released lately.

I’m definitely impressed with the HD2 hardware – and when it comes down to it – that’s what matters – and not the apps. Apps are the wrapping – not the candy.

With all the options xda-developers and other such sites provide – I think WM actually has more to offer.

By: Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:02:50 +0000

Your article also assumes that the hardware advantage of the HD2 will stay in place for a long enough period to affect buying decisions. Apple’s refresh cycle will lead to a new iPhone which has 2010-quality hardware in June or July at the latest. How many people are going to buy the HD2 because they can’t wait for 6 months, especially if they are already on a contract with a termination fee?

By: AlfieJr

AlfieJr — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:35:15 +0000

sure, the HD2 has great specs. but it is still just “another phone”. in today’s crowded smartphone marketplace, the question is what really matters to buyers?

the whole world, so to speak, is being adapted for iPhone interface. i’m talking about third party accessories, cars and hotel rooms, stores and entertainment, “brand” apps, etc. etc. product tie-ins are turning up everywhere, because the iPhone has set a new standard of utility. if Apple adds RFID, which is likely this year, that will further cement this situation. and Apple’s own ecosystem makes this all very smooth and easy for consumers. so they can do a lot of neat stuff with their phone, and do it easily. that sells.

Android promises much of the same, but has yet to deliver. its fragmentation is an obstacle for easy adaptation to other purposes, and aside from Google’s “cloud” there is no ecosystem. dozens of competing models will further confuse consumers.

RIM does one thing, but does it well: communication, with an enterprise ecosystem. WinMo and Symbian? Nada. they both have the same fragmentation/confusion problems as Android and even less of an ecosystem (they always promise to get one together … next year).

so the “clear picture” that emerges is there will be two companies that each have a solid, large, and very profitable chunk of the market, while all the other OEM’s battle for slivers of the remainder of the market with models using various OS’s that are popular for the short period they are the latest thing – and relentless price cutting that kills profits.