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Historically, we are used to thinking of Apple as a niche player, it still is in many ways, but its new businesses appear to be scaling pretty fast.

Movies

According to Variety, Apple's move into the movie business appears to be working quite well.

"Studio execs said that iTunes movie sales and rentals -- which the computer company said tops 50,000 daily -- dominate the small but closely watched digital movie biz. Apple is now on track to sell or rent 18.25 million movies a year, or triple the number of last year, before it inked deals with all major studios for new-release rentals and sales."

Phones

Apple placed an order with Samsung for 50 million NAND flash chips. It's basically taken over Samsung's production. The order is so big, Samsung is asking its other customers to wait. A fascinating development when you consider that Samsung also wants to play in the phone wars, but here it is helping a foe with a critical component.


Posted by Ed Cotton Nice piece from The Economist that follows the life of Nokia's Jan Chipchase (see our previous post)

It's a film that uses photos and a phone recording.

Jan offers his observations on technology in his work life and life in general.



Posted by Ed Cotton It must be pretty tough playing in the watch market these days.

Most people under the age of 30 are using their mobile phones as a replacement and aren't even wearing a watch at all.

At first glance, it appears this might be what TAG Heuer is thinking with the launch of its new phone.

However, instead of trying to appeal to the teen and twenty something crowd, the luxury watch maker's new phone costs around $6,000 and is going for the niche uber luxury market.

It remains to be seen how other players in the watch market respond.

Do the luxury brands extend their brands into a new category?

    Where would that leave Nokia's Vertu?

Do the lower cost manufacturers move into the low cost phone business?

    Could they compete with Sony and Nokia?


Posted by Ed Cotton "So far, the throngs of iPhone-demanding humanity beating on the glass shells of Apple Stores across the globe haven't materialized -- at least not here in Apple's backyard. At this point, the line consists of about one woman, four gentlemen, and three clowns."

Via Engadget

Posted by Ed Cotton Dolce and Gabbana started it, Prada was next and now Levi's plans to continue the trend by launching a mobile phone of its own. It makes total sense that fashion brands should move where fashion is moving. Since technology has now acquired fashion status, fashion brands should be there.

How they do it will be the secret ingredient to success.

Just another phone with a fashion brand's name on it, isn't going to seal the deal, but if it's different and truly represents the equities of the brand, it might stand a chance.
 
Perhaps the real win, is for partnerships between the handset guys and the fashion houses.

You can understand why Levi's wants a piece of the fastest growing element of teen expenditure in the last ten years, but it's got to compete with brands who've been building credibility and equity in that space for a long period of time.

Handset makers aren't going to be rushing out and embracing deals with the fashion houses, they don't think they need to do it.

The houses will need to come to them first, perhaps the opportunity to gain additional distribution avenues could be very attractive for the handset guys.

Any takers for a Gap phone?


Posted by Ed Cotton Interesting presentation from Jyri Engestrom of Jaiku about "Microblogging".
A new form of communication that's all about regular contact with your network. Simple messages and information sent evey hour. This is obviously far simpler and easier than blogging and an interesting alternative to help people stay connected. Similar to Twitter.

Posted by Ed Cotton