3 Reasons Why People Love the Droid
The answer is: Simplicity Sells! People love tools, gadgets, remotes, computers, etc. that are SIMPLE and MULTIPURPOSE. This has always been one of the strongest selling features of the iPod and the iPhone; One device, with a simply interface, that plays your music collection, your movies, makes calls, with hundreds of games (you get the point).
Well Verizon, Google and MOTO (VGM) have been working on a similar strategy and their first love child is the Droid (Sholes). Why do people love this device (it more than just a phone of course) so much, even before it has launched?
1) They (VGM) took their time and clearly designed a device that would be more than just a phone, check the video below (provide by BoyGenius)
The point here is not that the device also acts as a night stand alarm clock; but that VGM took the time to think about the true, desired user experience. You have to charge your phone, why not put the thing to good use while it is charging? With Android as the operating system, clearly the device could act as an alarm clock, or a photo frame, or a weather channel, maybe a stock tracker, maybe even a podcast or Pandora player (now I know you get the point).
2) The fact that the charging stand changes the traditional use of a “cell phone”, allows software developers to dream wildly. This is always a WINNER for everyone involved. It means that we will see new “horizontal” apps for the device, which makes Droid owners happy, thus VGM will sell a bunch more phones – nothing beats a bunch of crazed device loving customers running around evangelizing your product.
The same opportunity will happen when Apple introduces its iPad or iTablet (you pick), but it is damn nice to that type of innovation and opportunity on the Android side as well. Maybe we will see similar thinking from the Nook?
3) The “night stand / alarm clock” mode keeps the device top of mind and always within reach of its owner. Does this mean that the Sholes will occupy the same level of importance as your wallet and your keys? Maybe. Most can’t live without the internet or our cell phone, but making the Sholes a 24/7, always ready to go at a moments notice type product was a brilliant move by VGM.
If they (VGM) have put half this much thought into the packing, installed apps, and support for the Sholes then we are in for lots of 30 and 40 somethings running around the house like little school girls on Christmas day, giddy with joy over their new Droid!
Nice work guys (and gals).
