Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!
I really like Sony's Xperia devices. It's saddening what they're doing with them right now. Incremental upgrades that don't fix any problems and just add new ones. I hope the Z5 is an improvement.
Truth be told, HTC and Sony are facing similar set of problems. As a Z3 + Z3 Tablet Compact owner, the hardware is good enough. The problems both companies share in common are:
1) Poor marketing strategies
2) Too many offerings. Moto isn't rolling in the cash but they've realized it is better just to have a smaller lineup, put some of that other cash into something unique like customizations.
3) Improve after care sales service. This, sadly, inlcudes putting out faster updates, as well as honoring warranties and better access to accessories. The regulars here know I knock Sony all the time for this. Their accessories are overpriced and hard to get. WTF?
4) Better overall strategy, which includes pricing. Sony cannot do this every six months crap in their current setup as it devalues their phones quicker...and 99 will tell you that brand name is everything in Android in terms of resale value. HTC cannot have five million versions of the same phone either.
Folks, there is no hero phone. This statement applies to WP as well. So if MSFT is thinking people are sitting on their hands and knees praying for their Talkman and Cityman phones to buy them at any price, they're crazy.
If it were up to me, I'd tell Sony and HTC to streamline their line up.
Sony can get away with:
1) a good entry level,
2) a big screen mid range,
3) a Compact flagship in the upper midrange slot
4) a true flagship
5) a Compact tablet and
6) a full size tablet
7) an Android Wear device
That's 7 devices to support annually and keep it like that...and pump money into after care and software updates.
MSFT can get away with:
1) entry level
2) mid range
3) flagship
4) bigger screen flagship
5) Surface
6) Surface Pro
HTC:
1) entry level
2) Desire series for the mid range
3) One series or One series successor
HTC could get away with maybe 5 devices. The biggest threat these guys don't understand is from the Chinese OEMs like ZTE, Xioami, Huawei, etc. While no one is making money in Android - not even Samsung - the Chinese are building a good base so that when they iron out their software issues, traditional powers are in for a world of hurt....
But hey, I'm an armchair CEO so WTF do I know...
Posted via Xperia Z3