Unfortunate trend: smartphone companion not popular?
August 23rd, 2007
Unfortunate for Palm, that is. A comment on Engadget's story covering the Foleo delay reminded me again of how unpopular the smartphone companion angle seems to be among those interested in the Foleo. The comment comes from Yon, who really nails the needed marketing angle for the Foleo:
"I feel this would fair much better if it were to be advertised as a 'hip, instant on, reliable and cheap, take anywhere and throw around ultraportable notebook' for the college crowd, and mobile writing enthusiast.
Advertise it as such then, as a feature, list it's Treo connectivity. I mean, if you look at it as a stand alone product and get past the negativity surrounding it, it really does seem desirable, no? Did I mention it's one of the nicest looking $499 ultraportable slim-feature notebook around? I wouldn't mind being seen with it in public."
It does seem that almost everyone interested in the Foleo likes it for its abilities as a lightweight, instant-on laptop, rather than a smartphone companion. How about you? Do you want a Foleo for your Treo, or do you want a convenient laptop alternative?
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:25 pm
I agree completely. I’m a CS student, and when I buy a laptop I look for 3 things:
1. small and light
2. long battery life
3. nice keyboard
I ended up with an IBM X40. This is a great laptop, but it’s four times the price of the Foleo - and it’s twice as fast as I need it to be! Of course, most people don’t use the simplest, text-based Linux software they can get their hands on, but I prefer it, so the Foleo would be perfect for me. And it even has a trackpoint!
I don’t own a smartphone, and have no plans to get one. I don’t need one - there is wifi everywhere these days! I, like everyone else who actually wants a Foleo, do not fit into the target market. I hope that the Foleo does well at release - and, in fact, makes it to release - but honestly, I’m not expecting much success.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:01 pm
I must be in the minority, then. I have a Treo and plan on getting a Foleo. But I actually don’t use email on my Treo. maybe that’ll change when I get the Foleo.
August 24th, 2007 at 6:03 am
I’m most certainly interested in the Foleo as a standalone device, although the phone as a modem trick sounds interesting for when there’s no wi-fi available.
August 24th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
I’m a Treo owner, but I’m still more interested in the Foleo as a standalone device - WiFi is free!
I can see where Palm are coming from - it’s a given in marketing that you keep the message clear and simple, and the “smartphone companion” angle clearly separates the Foleo from the UMPCs and sub-notebooks that it might otherwise be competing against. However it’s also clear that Palm have an important potential secondary market - students, journalists and other writers - and their push to improve multimedia support hints that they now recognise this. They are also launching a new consumer smartphone (the Centro) this autumn, so maybe they will start promoting the “fun” side of the Foleo at the same time…
August 30th, 2007 at 3:10 am
For me, it’s a standalone product. Maybe my phone can one day become the companion, but I’m not sure if Nokia smartphones will be compatible. Still, it’ll work fine as a basic office document machine and email machine, which is all I want it for.
August 30th, 2007 at 8:33 am
I will buy a Foleo and, if I like it, consider a phone that is compatible. Not necessarily a Treo.