What does the Google phone mean to Apple?

Earlier this week, Google released the T-Mobil G1, as it announced its entry into the mobile space. The G1 release did not have half the fanfare of the iPhone, but well, one of Google's big claims to fame has always been  its unassuming nature in the technology marketplace.

From the first impressions gathered from the web, the G1 is not big on looks but features a few built in gimmicks like the search screen with a touch of a button, Googletalk, music player, maps with street level resolution and the like.

It is not as trendy as the iPhone but does that matter? Not if we look at History. Remember how Microsoft licensed out windows and  sent Apple's closely guarded software and computer almost into extinction? The facts that the Apple computer had better quality and looks hardly made a dent on Microsoft Windows sales.

Google has advertised openness as a big facet of the Android OS. This is to entice other cell phone makers to use Android on their OS. Being close guarded about its own OS has cost apple dearly in the past. 

This time Apple has to content with the added factor that Google can give them stiff competition with quality as well.  This means that Google can commoditize cell phones with superior features in the near future. How does Jobs plan to combat the Google machine now?

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Microsoft's I'm a PC ad trumps all those recent Apple ads

When Apple first came out with its 'I'm a PC/I'm a  Mac ads, I felt that it was not effective for the following reasons:

• It was trying to target only a select few: the casual, cool jeans wearing types.
• Bringing attention to the crashes  and other well known PC problems did not seem to matter. Most users have lived with these for decades now. A clearer message that they did not have to put up with them would have delivered impact.
• Just mentioning that more people were converting to the Mac simply did not cut it for me. Even the naivest among us would demand facts and figures from the ads.
• What could Mac applications give the PC user, that she did not have already? I never got it from these ads. One  just 'claimed' that home movies were better without any 'real'  proof. The fact that you you bring down PCs by tripping on a cord is not that big a reason to switch to Mac.
• All these ads focused more on the 'entertainment' and 'attention grabbing' factors than on the 'value' factor.

The only reasons, I believe,  that Microsoft had to respond to these ads, was that there were too many of them and that they were aired too often.  Microsoft's first response using those lame Seinfeld-Gates ads turned out to be a terrible gamble gone bad. 

Microsoft has, several times in the past, brought out a winning product right on the heals of a disastrous one. This time it did the same with its marketing campaign. The "I'm a PC" ad is a big win for Microsoft for the following reasons.

• The first person we see is in the ad is the lookalike of the Apple's personification of the PC. This was a brilliant step to show that they were playing back Apple  with the same coin. It also showed that Microsoft has a sense of humor and could take a joke.
• The use of the individuals from diverse ethnic and geographical backgrounds shows  that people all over the world still use the PC and that it is a global brand.
• The use of celebrities like Deepak Chopra, Gates, Eva Longoria and to promote PCs. (Maybe, they could still have used Seinfeld in this one.)
• The direct references to glasses to show that PCs are not just for the stereotypical nerds(like Gates) who wear glasses. This was followed by a message that said that anyone can use a PC including  those who wear jeans, suits, shorts or anything else. The message here was that using a PC does not change your individuality.

As I wait on the sidelines, watching the two firms battle it out,  I would like to see Apple's repartee to this one.

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The Apple Store Boylston Street Boston

The three-floor Apple store on Boylston street, across the street from Lord and Taylor, is like any other Apple product: trendy, high tech but uncluttered. The store is spacious and features an impressive glass stairwell.

If you believe that freedom of choice is one of the big benefits of shopping in these times, this store may not be the place for you. The offerings here are few, but for some among us, more than adequate.

Sections of the floors are dedicated to iMacs, Macs, the latest iPods and, of course the iPhone 3G and its 'bulky ' older brother. There are a few non-apple items too like backpacks and some Bose speakers and headphones.

The salespeople are pleasant and merely guide you to where you want to go. Whether you are a hardcore Apple fan or just plain inquisitive this store is worth checking out.

Click here for more photos

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