TRENDS Part 3

[на рус.яз. см. предыдущий пост]

In this part we will talk about personalization of electronic devices.

If you collect together top smartphones of all leading manufacturers, it is easy to see that almost all the devices resemble each other in appearance as twins. And now company Apple sues company Samsung, and the latter submits counter-claims in turn. Consumers are a bit surprised, for example TV manufacturers do not sue because of the appearance. But at the same time, many consumers worried about the problem of likeness of their devices. This is understandable, since every individual has the right to stand out from the crowd and personalize your cell phone in various ways.

For the beginning we will consider the existing ways to personalize mobile devices.

1. Exchangeable panels.

Manufacturers and consumers use this method for a long time. Exchangeable panels could be included in the delivery and / or purchased separately. The recent example is Sony Ericsson Xperia X8.

2. Interface.

More precisely look of the interface. This look implies a changeable and downloadable themes, profiles, backgrounds, etc. Perhaps now all manufacturers provide such opportunities, and almost all consumers use these features.

3. Covers.

Also cases, bags, laces, chains, etc. Here the wide range of activities was opened for device manufacturers, third-party manufacturers, as well as for consumers.

It should be noted that device manufacturers do not want to miss this market segment. For example, own production cover-holder for Apple iPad2.

  

4. Change in appearance.

Coloring, engraving, encrustation and other types of change in the look of device.

Also manufacturers do not intend to retreat, for example series Swarovski by Fly.

And now we turn to perspective method of personalization.

1. Stickers.

The U.S. study showed that 40% of Americans, who were born between 1980 and 1995, have tattoos. It is interesting this study prompted Ford to fill the tattoos on hatchbacks Focus, of course, as the stickers. Stickers for mobile devices can be widely released too, including stickers for the screens, called "masks" (more details about masks in Part 1 of this article).

2. Custom made housing.

If there are minor modifications of standard housing, it is necessary to solve the logistics and cost only. Indeed, Nike can send individual design sneakers, but manufacturers of mobile phones can't send custom made housing devices. Why not? Something tells us that this option could well increase profits.

At significant changes in the base housing, manufacturers can take advantage of the modular design solution when CPU and memory are integrated into a single unit (module). This module can be used in different mobile devices (more details about solution in Part 2 of this article).

3. The modular design of the device.

It is understood that initially the device is constructed of separate pieces which can be selected by the customer at their discretion. We observed many such concepts. For example, concept Mod by Benjamin Guthrie.

Now manufacturers started to release production models, such as mobile phone Fujitsu PRIME Series F-04B of Japanese mobile operator NTT DOCOMO.

4. Scaling.

This method becomes especially actual in connection with the emergence of smartphones with screens of 4 and 4.3 inches. Such devices are not very similar to a normal mobile phone and they are not very comfortable in a small hand. And despite the advertising, it is better to look the latest blockbuster at the cinema on the big screen. Principally manufacturers are ready to produce such series. For example, Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, X8, X10 mini and X10 mini pro.

But in this case models are still different, and decrease of screen occurs in parallel with cuts in function. These cuts are realized in the Nokia N97 and N97mini less.

We venture to suggest that modern manufacturers of electronics could well to release a series of three or four smartphones that differ only in screen size: 4.3, 4, 3,5 and / or 3 inches and do not differ functionally.

5. Additional image.

Imagine that the screen with e-ink is placed under glass on the back of Apple iPhone4. Such screen consumes the minimum energy. This decision should result to thickening, weight gain and rise in price of smartphone, but many possibilities are opened to consumers for personalizing!

6. Transformation.

Scenes from the movie "Transformers" appear before your eyes. But seriously, we will give only one example, Flip phone by Kristian Ulrich Larsen.

In conclusion, it should be noted that personalization has been, is and will be.  And in the future personalization will be more varied and deeper. The most perspective methods of personalization are custom made housing, transformation, modularity, and light method is application of stickers.

But a huge number of similar devices will remain at the same time. Sometimes it is convenient, especially if you are James Bond.

To be continued.