Iphone Vs Blackberry

IPhone vs.
Blackberry: Business or
Fun
NOV 152008By Duran
Research in Motion (RIMM) is stepping up in order to expand their market share while
competing with their rival, iPhone from Apple, to maintain its preference among high-end
users.
The makers of BlackBerry are expanding their market from high-end business users to
consumers. BlackBerry has always been very strong in the commercial market, mainly
because of its ability to help people access their e-mail, contacts, and calendars. After
Apple’s iPhone Division introduced a handset version design to appeal to the business
users, Research in Motion is responding to this by announcing new features to appeal to a
broader group of consumers.
This new rivalry could be seen as destructive for both companies, but it is rather beneficial.
Since both companies are getting into each other markets’ niche, this will benefit
consumers. Both companies are investing more money to develop new features and may
even lower prices to increase their sales. This may expand the already growing market for
smart phones and with more sales the wealth of the firms will increase and consequently
they will continue investing; a virtuous cycle of sorts. This is a win/win situation for the both
the firms and consumers. For example, RIMM plans to announce new features for their new
cell phone that allows clients to control their TiVo and have access to their MySpace
network. So, do not be surprised if one of these days you can watch your favorite TV
program, be in contact with your friend via e-mail and manage your business all at once
with your smart phone.
I have worked with both the Blackberry and the IPhone, due to its advantages for me, I
prefer the IPhone. However, the Blackberry is coming out with much improved designs and
uses for their phones making them a much tougher competitor vs. IPhone. I never had
thought about the price. Yet if the blackberry lowers their prices, they are going to have a
much wider range of customers than IPhone. Even though IPhone has lowered prices, it’s
still more expensive than Blackberry. I think that even within the same segment, they have
different subgroups who buy their products. The blackberry is much more of a business
phone and appeals to many people in high-end business, while IPhone appeals more to the
entertainment side of costumers. It is a close call for both companies, yet I do believe that
their rivalry can be of good to them both with different target groups and different market
strategies. Maybe one day they could join their innovations and make a phone that would
wow the imagination.
One could also argue the fact that when it comes to iPhone vs. Blackberry the question is
not which one appeals to business and which one appeals to regular consumers, but its
marketing. Both products have almost the same features like email, speed and ergonomic
looks. While Blackberry has always focused on a business type consumer, Apple found a
way to appeal to both business and regular consumers. iPhone is a better marketed
product. The iPhone can most definitely be used for business purposes As a matter of fact,
that’s the first reason it came out. Now with the new features like the application store, it
can be used as more of an everyday phone. Granted, Blackberry isn’t too far off the
competition, now with their soon to be launched “Blackberry Storm” they will be appealing to
regular consumers. Blackberry is getting better at marketing to a bigger audience but
iPhone is still way ahead from purely a marketing and general population appeal point of
view.
Duran Inci
By Michael Foschetti
Smartphones such as BlackBerrys
and iPhones are quickly becoming
standard operating procedure for
many Fortune 1000 companies
and their employees.
Initially, Research In Motion Inc.’s
BlackBerry owned the wireless
email and communication
segment. BlackBerry technology
allowed 24-hour global access to
anyone within the corporate
ladder able to sync up with the handheld device. Apple and the
iPhone have now officially challenged that domain.
The beauty for the mobile marketing industry is that, with the
nearly-compulsive use of these devices, a fantastic marketing
opportunity is in the palm of our hand.
The seasoned businessperson – the BlackBerry’s initial consumer
demographic – fell within the age range of 30-55. Advertisers and
BlackBerry began looking for a way to market the technology to the
younger general consumer.
It was during BlackBerry’s concerted effort to reach the younger
demographic that the iPhone was introduced.
The creative powerhouse of Apple launched the iPhone in
BlackBerry’s wake. Buzz around the iPhone has never been greater,
and Apple has successfully accessed the younger target
demographic.
According to Rubicon Consulting, as of April 1, there were 3 million
iPhones activated by AT&T in the United States. Nearly half of these
users are under the age of 30.
However, with the release of the $199 iPhone, which syncs with
Microsoft Outlook on a PC, Apple clearly hopes to seize a piece of
that professional arena as well.
There is no doubt that Apple will succeed in reaching a greater
audience with its most recent iPhone.
The recent release of the new iPhone 3G, both $199 and $299
versions, has already prompted sales of more than 1 million units
and Steve Jobs plans on selling 10 million units this year.
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