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What will be the key to success for 2013 and beyond?
- Thread starter Rolla
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There's always going to be SOMEONE somewhere who uses one of Samsung's features - add all these people up who use said obscure features and like was said, there are "no gimmicks".
I can't remember if it was in this thread or another, but to me a gimmick is something that doesn't improve the user experience. Therefore calling something a "gimmick" is highly subjective (Couch that has to be like an expletive to you huh).
Personally I would never use the split screen feature (screen is either too small for this to be useful of the phone is too big - maybe with a tablet this would be cool), smart stay (generally if I'm looking at my phone, I'm interacting with it - rarely am I just staring at the screen long enough for it to dim on me), flip to mute (I find a physical button MUCH more efficient and useful for this IMO), and a myriad of other "features" which don't work all the time and bloat the Touchwiz software.
Couch - your favorite "putting the 'smart' in smartphone" line doesn't really hold for me. I'd rather a company put out a truly universally useful, cutting edge feature versus trying to add everything they can think of (and not always very completely) to see if anything actually sticks.
And no, despite what you want to imply, I'm making NO statement about whether or not Apple is innovative or is "pushing the envelope". As it stands right now I don't feel there is ANY innovation in the smartphone market and won't be any for a little while. Samsung's feature list is a marketing tool - not a list of game-changing innovations (many of those features are simply Samsung versions of features that already exist - much like Siri, Apple maps, etc).
The hardware has gotten to the point of diminishing returns. Displays are as good as they can get (and going further is simply a marketing ploy that all will have to follow), smartphones are inherently expensive, somewhat fragile objects and will likely continue to be (at least until pricing on sapphire display coverings and carbon fiber comes down) - the only place I can see someone changing the game in is battery life (but even here most are content with getting a day usage and charging at night).
My point is, innovation isn't expected nor is it only used by a relatively small portion of the marketplace. Innovation changes how we interact with technology and how that technology shapes the future - and its always something we never thought we needed until we had it. Maybe there's some ground work being laid by Google (with Google Now), Samsung (with these hovering features) and even Apple (with the rumored security and smartwatch integration) - but from my perspective, it's been 5 and a half years since the last smartphone innovation (perhaps less if you count the Note as a smartphone as it has propelled the "larger screen" movement). And I don't see anything changing that in 2013.
2013 will be about the evolutionary upgrades. The GS4, an evolution of the GS3. The iPhone 5S, and evolution of the 5. HTC might be the biggest winner if they can put out the marketing dollars as they've arguably taken the biggest step forward this year so far. Google will likely put out an equally evolutionary Nexus 5 (1080p screen, ~5" display 2GB RAM, yadda yadda) and the Phone X may have the best shot at wowing us all.
As another poster has said - 2013 (and every year before and after) will come down to marketing. It's why Samsung pumps so many "features" out. It's why Android OEM's tout the 1080p displays, its why Apple calls everything they do as "the most advanced". Ultimately, all those things are marketing sheet fillers.....its who markets the best that will ultimately be victorious in 2013 and in the future, until one of these companies comes up with something truly extraordinary (and then correctly markets it as well).
I can't remember if it was in this thread or another, but to me a gimmick is something that doesn't improve the user experience. Therefore calling something a "gimmick" is highly subjective (Couch that has to be like an expletive to you huh).
Personally I would never use the split screen feature (screen is either too small for this to be useful of the phone is too big - maybe with a tablet this would be cool), smart stay (generally if I'm looking at my phone, I'm interacting with it - rarely am I just staring at the screen long enough for it to dim on me), flip to mute (I find a physical button MUCH more efficient and useful for this IMO), and a myriad of other "features" which don't work all the time and bloat the Touchwiz software.
Couch - your favorite "putting the 'smart' in smartphone" line doesn't really hold for me. I'd rather a company put out a truly universally useful, cutting edge feature versus trying to add everything they can think of (and not always very completely) to see if anything actually sticks.
And no, despite what you want to imply, I'm making NO statement about whether or not Apple is innovative or is "pushing the envelope". As it stands right now I don't feel there is ANY innovation in the smartphone market and won't be any for a little while. Samsung's feature list is a marketing tool - not a list of game-changing innovations (many of those features are simply Samsung versions of features that already exist - much like Siri, Apple maps, etc).
The hardware has gotten to the point of diminishing returns. Displays are as good as they can get (and going further is simply a marketing ploy that all will have to follow), smartphones are inherently expensive, somewhat fragile objects and will likely continue to be (at least until pricing on sapphire display coverings and carbon fiber comes down) - the only place I can see someone changing the game in is battery life (but even here most are content with getting a day usage and charging at night).
My point is, innovation isn't expected nor is it only used by a relatively small portion of the marketplace. Innovation changes how we interact with technology and how that technology shapes the future - and its always something we never thought we needed until we had it. Maybe there's some ground work being laid by Google (with Google Now), Samsung (with these hovering features) and even Apple (with the rumored security and smartwatch integration) - but from my perspective, it's been 5 and a half years since the last smartphone innovation (perhaps less if you count the Note as a smartphone as it has propelled the "larger screen" movement). And I don't see anything changing that in 2013.
2013 will be about the evolutionary upgrades. The GS4, an evolution of the GS3. The iPhone 5S, and evolution of the 5. HTC might be the biggest winner if they can put out the marketing dollars as they've arguably taken the biggest step forward this year so far. Google will likely put out an equally evolutionary Nexus 5 (1080p screen, ~5" display 2GB RAM, yadda yadda) and the Phone X may have the best shot at wowing us all.
As another poster has said - 2013 (and every year before and after) will come down to marketing. It's why Samsung pumps so many "features" out. It's why Android OEM's tout the 1080p displays, its why Apple calls everything they do as "the most advanced". Ultimately, all those things are marketing sheet fillers.....its who markets the best that will ultimately be victorious in 2013 and in the future, until one of these companies comes up with something truly extraordinary (and then correctly markets it as well).
I will agree with about 95% of that. The only part I don't agree with is the features that Samsung have added to their phones. I think they are more than just marketing tactics.
If we want to talk about useless features or apps what about Passbook?
I personally use Passbook plenty - the more apps it adds to its fold, the more useful it will be (I wish Best Buy would get on board and add its Reward Zone card to the list and I can't wait for the Rangers to be added to the MLB tickets list).
I understand there are plenty out there who don't use it at all and I am in no way saying Passbook is an innovation - though I find it hilarious Samsung is deciding to copy it.
Yea I found passbook to be an app I wish I could have removed. It seemed to me it was Apple's way of putting something like NFC on the phone without it being NFC.
This just goes to show how one app or feature can be useless to one person and one of the best for someone else. That is why I don't think any of these things are useless. I find the new HTC news feed thing useless, but it seems like a lot of people are pumped about it. One man's trash is another's treasure.
Oh and how is Samsung copying passbook? Real question cause I am not sure what you are talking about.
With Samsungs deal with Visa and the use of PayWave you'll see NFC capability with Samsung Wallet (passbook knock off) sooner then later.
The hardware is already there, the deal is done, all that needs to be done is the software written (if it hasn't been already) and released. Maybe they'll save it for the S5 or maybe not. Regardless its functionality will be leaps and bounds beyond passbook or Samsung wallet in its current form.
The nearest 80 locations that accept it from me are less then a 1.62 mile radius.
http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/card_technology/paywave.html
Some are doubles kind of. There are a couple McDonalds and 7-11's in that radius. Granted I'm currently in a city. But it's accepted at over 150,000 places in the US.
I'm sure people will still say "there's no NFC in my area!" But its just because they aren't looking for it. Unless they don't have Best Buy's, McDonalds, wawa's, 7-11's, foot locker, cvs, rite aid, old navy, gap, most gas stations, etc, etc.
I see em on soda machines!! Lol
Took that pic outside a crappy strip mall thing.
Passbook is not an "NFC" equivalent - nor is it a Google Wallet equivalent. In my mind, Passbook serves a very different purpose. I think like most people, I have a ton loyalty cards - Passbook is a great place to store those (especially ones with point balances), gift cards (like Starbucks) and boarding passes (skipping the checkin lines when I'm traveling for business is extremely helpful).
I've bought movie tickets a few times, but don't find this all that useful as I like to go to a specific theatre that doesn't support digital tickets.
http://mashable.com/2013/02/27/samsung-wallet/
Because Samsung is taking passbook and calling it "Wallet" (they didn't even try to tweak the icon that much....). Rumored to add NFC support at a later date....like when they see how Apple does so
Passbook is not an "NFC" equivalent - nor is it a Google Wallet equivalent. In my mind, Passbook serves a very different purpose. I think like most people, I have a ton loyalty cards - Passbook is a great place to store those (especially ones with point balances), gift cards (like Starbucks) and boarding passes (skipping the checkin lines when I'm traveling for business is extremely helpful).
I've bought movie tickets a few times, but don't find this all that useful as I like to go to a specific theatre that doesn't support digital tickets.
http://mashable.com/2013/02/27/samsung-wallet/
Because Samsung is taking passbook and calling it "Wallet" (they didn't even try to tweak the icon that much....). Rumored to add NFC support at a later date....like when they see how Apple does so
Ok so maybe it is not like NFC or it was not Apple trying to have Google wallet, but I don't understand it's purpose. I had an app on my iPhone 3g that put all my reward cards in one place. I just don't know why Apple felt they needed to have there own app, but again I see no need but you use it so it is not useless.
I have no problem if you feel its a gimmick - while there were third party apps that had the same function, I feel Passbook - given its iOS integration - adds some things Apple wouldn't otherwise allow a third-party app to access - though I don't know as I've never used those apps like Lemon wallet extensively (mainly a way to store cards and such rather than an interactive digital version).
I'd argue Passbook has more usefulness than something like "flip to mute"....
I'd argue Passbook has more usefulness than something like "flip to mute"....but hey, I'm a blind loyalist
How do you silence your phone when it rings and you don't want it too?
I find it a hassle to go into settings and turn vibrate off and back on for when I don't want my phone to ring.
Flip to mute/pause also pauses media and music. I find with my iPhone I'm trying to stab at the home button or on/off button then I find out the app can run for background sound. Although rare it can be frustrating.
I tap the top lock button....super easy when its in my pocket (where it is most of the time)
As far as pausing media - that's why iOS has central media controls.
The key word bring I'd. You feel that way, but I don't. I find my Samsung features much more useful than passbook.
Every time you try to draw me into this conversation, you're demonstrating exactly how far you were from understanding what I was saying about observing an operating system objectively.
Carry on, if you must.
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Y'all can call it whatever you want. Whether it be "innovation" or "gimmicks" or anything in between.
The point is, Samsung -- and really only Samsung, so far -- is pushing the boundaries and envelope of what smartphones do. No major smartphone in the past, that I'm aware of, came standard with things like Smart Stay where the device will stay awake for you depending on the human eye. Or Smart Orientation where, again, it uses your eyes to judge whether you are looking at something in portrait or landscape mode (I can't tell you how many times my device switches to landscape when I lay down and am still technically looking at the phone sideways in portrait mode. It's understandable why it does that, but now with Smart Orientation, it'll be "smarter"). How about Quick Glance, where the proximity sensor will sense you reaching or gesturing for the phone and light up with some partial information regarding missed calls, emails, messages, etc. This is activating the phone without any sort of contact be it with a screen or a button. Auto Unlock Zone is yet another feature that puts the smart in smartphone, where it'll recognize trusted WiFi zones and know you're in a safe place and unlock your device for you without the lock pins/patterns, etc.
Again, call it what you want. But the S4 is doing things for users that no phone before could do. This is without mentioning Multi-window, Air View, Gesture-based controls, etc. Again, what popular stock non-Samsung device did this before? When was the last time a major smartphone had barometer sensors?
The whole argument about how Apple waits until they can get a feature right before introducing it sounds awfully apologetic. I don't know how much more "right" you can get a notification light, for example.
Then... all these people pointing out how some of these features are half-baked, or doesn't work in the dark, or has growing pains... all you're doing is demonstrating how little you know of the progression of technology. This is how it sometimes works, folks. Not everything is fully realized right away. But it's a first step. And I'm glad there's a company out there willing to take it.
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: cough : Flyover : cough :
There wasn't another smartphone that did pinch-to-zoom before Apple, and it certainly wouldn't have been as groundbreaking if it wasn't implemented as well as it was. Samsung may indeed be the first for motion, camera, and other controls, but implementation is everything. The features are so half-baked that it undermines their utility and inventiveness (besides some of them being inherently not useful and not innovative). If Apple's multi-touch was a different, only semi-reliable gesture that wasn't as useful, more obscure, and the like, then it would've been appropriately labelled a gimmick. Samsung's much touted features are called gimmicks because they really fail in the usefulness and implementation department. That's why some people, albeit debatably, think Apple to always implement things the "right way." It just runs in Apple's design DNA to incorporate these features in a way that adds to their overall value.
Seriously... when was the last time you saw a video demonstration of a new smartphone that looked like this? Again, I'm not a huge Samsung fan, and if you see what I've written in the S4 threads or in the S4 vs HTC One threads, you'll see there are things I'm not thrilled about with the S4, but really, watch this video.
Again, you can call it what you want, but I've never seen a smartphone demonstration like this before:
Again, you can call it what you want, but I've never seen a smartphone demonstration like this before:
That's a good one. It was useless when Google did it. I don't know why Apple would follow suit.
At least on Google it made sense! It is part of Google Earth which is just for looking at satellite images and such. Plus their flyover can be a guided tour with information about landmarks around the world.
3D flyover in navigation? Why cram it in there? I don't think anyone would have missed it if it was never introduced. It's something that took time, money and plenty of other resources that could have been invested into useful things.
Z, please, don't talk to me about innovation. Do I have to remind you again that your application of innovation for Apple is different than your application of innovation when it comes to its competitors, particularly Samsung?
Please.
Having said that, I agree that implementation is important. There are people who find Samsung's Smart features useful and reliable, and there are other who don't. How much experience have you had with it yourself? I've had none so I won't speak much about how reliable they are. But again, this is how technology works. You think Apple gets everything new right the first time? Apple Maps? iOS keyboard (that gave birth to the internet phenom known as "Damn You iPhone Auto Correction")? Yet, where are you telling us how gimmicky or how much of a failure in usefulness these features are? I'm sure others can think of more.
Again, you don't have to call these Samsung features innovation if you don't want to (but also again, we know how you determine what "innovation" is when it comes to anything non-Apple so it makes this point almost irrelevant) but at least there's a company out there trying and pushing. And I'm going to cheer them on despite what growing pains there obviously will be (this is cutting-edge technology. You're foolish if you think it'll be right right away).
I only wish I could cheer Apple on for the same efforts, but when I see ads for Panoramic cameras, or auto noise-cancellation, well... there's not much to be excited about.
The day I see an iPhone demonstration that is as robust as this, then I'll get excited.
Cool video.
Here is how I could have used those features. I wanted to watch the video (I'm on my 4S) but I also wanted to keep reading on this forum. If I could do that in multi view it would have been cool.
My gf was leaving for work and I paused the video. Been cool if it paused when I stopped looking at the screen when I was talking to her. Smart pause would have done that.
Yeah I completely forgot to mention Smart Pause.
I don't know how anyone can say with a straight face that some of these features aren't making the smartphone smarter.
Just sounds like a big chunk of bitter jealousy.
I was first to post that video
to show it wasn't laggy But on a UI level it still left me cold. I just don't believe I'm the right customer for them.
I don't personally see the point in multi-view on a 5" device - I would never use it. Likewise I really hate widgets other than weather/time so the idea of sticking loads of them on my lock screen is redundant to me. Air gestures / smart pause / smart scrolling would be left permanently turned off.
Add my general dislike of UI elements in Touchwiz and total disinterest in Chaton, S-Voice (I don't even use Siri), S-Translate, the only Samsung application I may use would be S-health (but I can get MyFitnessPal off the play store to track calories) and so despite all these features that others might deem impressive or system sellers - they are all wasted on me unfortunetly, though I do appreciate that others might find them impressive and useful.
Smarter no
It knows when you're looking at the screen. It knows when you're not looking at the screen. It knows how you're looking at the screen (Smart Orientation). It knows when you've been bad or good so be good for goodness' sake.
And when it catches you beating one off from any angle it sends a text message to Santa and he marks you down as a Bad boy!