Steve Jobs is probably the best marketeer in the world!

Over the years, we have seen how much desire everybody gets onto iPhone.  It’s no doubt that there is definitely somebody out there owning an iPhone!

Marketing the iPhone

Let’s backtracked a little… The very reason why people are buying iPhone is simply because it is a mobile phone with Internet access.  Before iPhone was born, I was already using Nokia N95, which is already an Internet-enabled mobile phone.  Nokia has been the leader in the phone industry for many years (at least in my opinion!).  They gradually put in Internet applications as the mobile phones are enabled by 3G internet.  (So are other brands like Motorola, Sony Ericsson, etc)  But at that time, I don’t really see a lot of my friends using any of the Internet applications with their mobile phones.  It is really nothing new when iPhone was introduced.  Probably because they are adopting a touch screen technology with it… Probably because they look really sleek… Probably because they are simply known for this formula = Internet + Phone…

Interestingly, a mobilephone salesperson created a hilarious video about this (and he is probably losing his job because of this video). Watch it below!

You can read about this mobilephone salesman’s story at TechCrunch.

Marketing the iPod

Another scenario will be with the iPod.  I can still remember that the MP3 players have been around for quite a while… They were marketed by many other companies.  It seems like when iPod came into picture, the whole world became obsessed with having an iPod – where it works like a MP3 player but it only plays its own format of songs and not MP3.  It’s really amazing to see things like this happen!

Marketing the iPad

Next, it will be with iPad.  Tablet PCs and ebook readers have been around for a number of years.  It seems like people are more acceptable to iPad when it is released.  But for this case, I think Apple has done a good job.  Tablet PCs have never got a real good user experience of its touchscreen technology; there is bound to have a problem somewhere which is not so well-done.  And as for ebook readers, the eink technology has no doubt convinced me to buy (i didn’t buy in the end) but the software applications are not very fantastic with its costly price tag.

What can we learn from here?

I find that it is not necessary for us to reinvent the wheels in order to lead the market.  When a new technology is being released in the market by any particular company, it does not necessarily mean that this company will win the game.  They are usually the geeks (I admit I used to be one of them) who are willing to adapt the first wave of devices.  Plus, it is usually more expensive to buy the first wave!

When the first wave of technology has been introduced by a company, the next company will usually win the game simply by finding an edge over the same technology.  All that the next company needs to do, is to package the same thing nicely and create a new value proposition over it.  I find that it usually works with the ladies when you can make the device look really attractive to be associated with it.  (By the way, you don’t have to have all the functionalities built-in… Oh, how do I bluetooth a file to you?)

Branding is still important as a person will want to buy it simply because it’s from that brand.  It’s the promise of the brand, and the feel of owning this device.  I must admit that it really feels good to have an iPhone in your hand.  And I think that the antenna problem that they are having with iPhone 4 is just a matter of time to be resolved.  Ultimately, the phone must still function well at the very basic level.

P/S: I am probably going to buy a HTC Desire very soon!