Is The Phrase "Apple Killer" the new "Heavy Duty"
In the last few years it seems that every new gadget that is announced gets dubbed an "Apple Killer" of some sort. The Apple Killer rhetoric lasts up until the point when the actual product is released to the public. Then what? Nothing, you never hear about these alleged Apple killers again. Why is this?
I think the answer is simple. They are all trying to be like Apple in some way by coping their formula for success, instead of innovating like Apple. They spend all their resources just trying to catch up, and make a product that can maybe compete on some level. All the products I have seen to date all end up falling short, and not delivering on the promise of great user experience.
In the end, what elevates Apple products to the top of the food chain is great user experience. It's not a laundry list of features, and tech specs. If these other companies are going to create a true "Apple Killer" product, they are going to have to set aside the idea that the only thing people want are more features and better specs, and actually make an innovative product.
Once upon a time, the phrases "Heavy Duty" or "High Quality" meant something. At least it did to me back then. Over time the two phrases have been so badly abused my marketing companies and manufactures, just seeing the words make me instantly think of cheep offshore junk.
Seeing the phrase "Apple Killer" in news headlines today, has the same negative effect. I no longer think, could this be a real threat to Apple? My thoughts are now replaced with, poor guys, just how badly is this product going to fail?
What about you? How do you feel about the phrase "Apple Killer"? does it still mean something to you? Or are you like me in thinking that the phrase is the new "Heavy Duty"
Past Apple Killers. Where Are They Now?
Does anyone remember these past products all touted as being "Apple Killers"? Sure people bought them, and I am sure some of them are actually happy with their purchase. Most of them were only talked about by the buzz engine created by marketing companies, but most of them have already been forgotten or barely considered a reasonable alternative.
iPhone Killers
Palm Pre
T-Mobile G1
BlackBerry 9000
BlackBerry Bold
Garmin Nuvifone
HTC Touch Pro
LG Dare
Samsung Instinct
Samsung Omnia i900
Nokia N96
Apple TV Killers
Archos TV+
Netflix‚ set-top box
Blockbuster‚ set-top box
Asus O!Play
URC PSX-2
Netgear iTV
iPod Killers
Sony Network Walkman
Microsoft Zune
Cowon iAudio
Archos Gmini
PSPgo
Samsung P3
Tags: General · Opinions & Rants
3 comments so far ↓
By calling one's product "Apple killer," they already admit that Apple's stuff is the best, and indirectly advertise for their opponent.
Same goes for video game makers who keep trying to come up with the "WoW killer."
I think you hit the nail on the head: People don't want features and specs, they want the best personal experience. Proof in the pudding: AT&T sucks horribly, but I love my iPhone to death. I'm willing to put up with a crappy network (for the time being, heh), and the complaints it solicits from my non-iPhone-using wife, for the superior product.
Also, "Google Killer" is equally ridiculous.
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