Smartphones appear to be losing their luster, and the king of smartphones — Apple — clearly is not having a good year. Suddenly, I’m hearing that there is an upswing in flip phones, making this feel a bit like a Game of Thrones episode, when a believed-dead king returns to seize the throne by surprise. Clearly, the market is looking for the next big thing. There was a lot to love about the flip phone, and phones have been a rather fluid environment for a time.
If the market remains stale for too much longer google's project ara is gonna take the stage here. With an even moderately successful execution, I can see modular phones being to be the successor to the Iphone-style smartphone era. VR is steadily creeping over the game industry as well, so I'd keep an eye out for mobile tech that uniquely integrates VR.
Ironically I still use a circa 2007 flip phone. I have been waiting for a "phone" on which I can touch type with two hands, a 12-incher (10" is too small)! I know, that there are external keyboards. The weird thing is that no voice phone is built into anything with a full-sized keyboard on it, either actual or virtual. Is this something which cell carriers prohibit, or something which tablet and laptop makers just don't think that there is a market for? I would be a buyer. Asus teased me, a number of years ago, with something which approached this functionality, but it never came to actual market. The fact is that a 12-inch cell phone would be unwieldy, but I might compromise with a two-part device, like you are suggesting. (I know, an iPhone/iPad Pro (has 12-inch virtual keyboard) combo might do it, depending on the degree of integration of the two devices.) Still waiting on my 12-inch cell phone. One other alternative for someone like me would be complete voice control and input, except for the privacy issue when not alone. That may be a larger leap (yes, voice recognition is pretty good now, but complete control?); also what about blabbing away for all to hear, when not alone?
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Could the Next Disruptive Consumer Product Be a Flip Phone?
Posted by: Rob Enderle May 16, 2016 08:00 AMSmartphones appear to be losing their luster, and the king of smartphones — Apple — clearly is not having a good year. Suddenly, I’m hearing that there is an upswing in flip phones, making this feel a bit like a Game of Thrones episode, when a believed-dead king returns to seize the throne by surprise. Clearly, the market is looking for the next big thing. There was a lot to love about the flip phone, and phones have been a rather fluid environment for a time.