The iPhone Faces Competition
Helio Mobile Has It All & Then Some
This looks like a very cool new phone from Helio. Opting for a more 'traditional' keyboard unlike the iPhone, this device goes beyond the iPhone in that it is GPS enabled, so you can beam your position to your friends or know where your 'buddies' are, locate yourself or the nearest pizza restaurant to you on Google Maps. Designed to interface with MySpace and other social networking sites as well as having all the usual music and video capabilities in a compact design, and at a much cheaper price than the iPhone. Check out the slide out keyboard that changes from numeric to alphanumeric depending on which way you slide it out from under the screen....neat!
Trend Themes
1. Gps-enabled Phones - Helio's GPS enabled phone poses a threat to traditional phones, allowing for location sharing and easy navigation.
2. Social-network-integrated Devices - Helio's phone integrates social networking sites to provide an all-in-one device for personal and professional use.
3. Affordable Smartphones - Helio's cheaper alternative to the iPhone indicates a trend toward affordable, yet capable, smartphones.
Industry Implications
1. Telecommunications - Telecommunications companies should invest in developing affordable, feature-rich smartphones to compete in the market.
2. Social Media - Social media companies can explore partnerships with tech companies to integrate their sites into smartphones for a streamlined experience.
3. Retail - Retailers should recognize the trend toward affordable smartphones and create marketing strategies around that demand.