by admin | May 25, 2021 | Branding, Business, Investing, Markets, SMEs, Social Media, Technology
By Nishant Arora,
New Delhi : If you are constantly worried about an elderly person in your family suffering a fall in the bathroom or in the garden, the Apple Watch Series 4 is what you need.
Being utilised the world over for various health-related research — from decoding binge-eating disorder to connecting hip and knee patients to doctors — the new Apple Watch houses a feature called “Fall Detection” that will alert emergency contacts saved in your iPhone in case you meet with a hard fall — in the restroom or outdoors while performing routine activities. A timely response will not only save lives but also minimise the consequences.
In Series 4, the next-generation accelerometre and gyroscope are more powerful. Custom algorithms use data from both sensors to analyse wrist trajectory and impact acceleration, so that the Apple Watch can determine if and when a hard fall has occurred.
When an incident like this occurs, a hard fall alert is delivered to the Watch, and you can easily initiate a call to emergency services or dismiss the alert.
If Apple Watch detects you have remained motionless for one minute, an emergency call will be placed automatically and a message with your location will be sent to your emergency contacts. The feature is automatically enabled for users over age 65.
Apple Watch Series 4 is now available in India — the GPS+Cellular variant starts from Rs 49,900 and GPS-only model from Rs 40,900.
When it comes to design, the display of new Watch is over 30 per cent larger than the previous S3 generation, introducing a new technology called low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) for better power efficiency.
The back of the Series 4 models is made entirely of black ceramic and sapphire crystal for improved cellular reception.
The Series 4 comes in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. The cases are just slightly taller and a bit wider but thinner, making them smaller in volume.
With the GPS+Cellular model, you can make calls, reply to messages, stream Apple Music and Apple Podcasts — even when you’re away from your iPhone. Jio and Airtel are the two carriers who provide cellular connection for the new Watch.
The user interface and apps have been redesigned and optimised for the new display. Text is larger, so it’s easier to read; buttons are bigger so are easier to tap.
Apps like Maps and Photos now go edge to edge so you see more on the larger display. The watchOS 5 brings innovative features like automatic workout detection, Activity Competitions, Walkie-Talkie and more.
When it comes to health, the new Watch has and electrical heart sensor with two new features — low heart rate notifications and faster heart rate reading.
The moment you get furious — in office or at home — Watch Series 4 sends you an immediate notification about your heart rate going through the roof, requiring you to cool down.
Notifications for low heart rate could be a sign of a serious health condition. The optical heart sensor checks in the background and alerts you if it detects a heart rate that is below a specified threshold for 10 minutes.
The electrical heart sensor is also capable of taking an electrocardiogram (ECG) using the ECG app, which will be available in the US later this year as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it.
Apple will bring this feature to more countries, including India, once the necessary approvals from relevant stakeholders and regulators are granted.
The 10.7mm thin (Series 3 was 11.4mm thin) S4 Watch has 64-bit dual-core S4 processor which is up to two times faster than the S3 (which had Dual-core S3 processor).
The 16GB Watch is water resistant up to 50 metres, comes with W3 Apple wireless chip, and has built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that gave nearly day-long power.
The speaker is 50 per cent louder than the previous generation and the new mic location reduces echo for clearer phone calls.
Apple has also made sure your health and fitness data is secure with the S4 Watch and is encrypted on devices and in iCloud.
Conclusion: With the unique “Fall Detection” feature, Apple Watch Series 4 is an apt gift for the elderly. For meeting daily health and fitness goals as well as connecting with family and friends, it is a great companion for millennials.
If you have tried the Apple Watch earlier, this is a great upgrade and for those who are new to the ecosystem, wear it once to experience the innovation.
(Nishant Arora can be contacted at nishant.a@ians.in )
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Branding, Business, Investing, Marketing Basics, Markets, Sales, SMEs, Technology
By Nishant Arora,
New Delhi : When Apple announced its 2018 line-up of iPhones last month, one thing was clear: The brand is getting bigger with top-of-the-line innovations in the premium and luxury smartphone market — dictating the rules for its rivals.
For an Indian smartphone user, carrying an iPhone has always been a style statement, irrespective of the price.
Most of us still look at Apple like owning a Ferrari but those who are in the Apple ecosystem for years know how it feels to own an iPhone and the experience is matchless.
The hardware is what keeps Apple top on the chart and with three new iPhones — iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR — the Cupertino-based giant has brought an amazing camera, A12 Bionic processor and more storage — all screen and no buttons.
iPhone XS with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage costs Rs 99,900; 4GB and 256GB variant is priced at Rs 114,900 and the 4GB with 512GB variant will come for Rs 134,900.
Let us see what the 4GB+512GB variant has to offer.
Love at the first sight, we must say. Although there is no radical design change, the stainless steel frame and glass back with 5.8-inch OLED display and Super Retina HD screen allow for a good grip — an ideal size of a smartphone that fits in your palm.
The device houses the ground-breaking A12 Bionic chip, 12MP+12MP dual rear camera and 7MP front camera.
Sensing the growing love among the millennials for smartphone photography, iPhone XS has brought some great innovation to its camera system.
With “Smart HDR”, we were able to capture more highlight and shadow detail in scenes where we previously could not. It allowed photos with high dynamic range (HDR) and great image detail.
For example, scenes like a person with a back-lit background or a subject in deep open shade of a building in a city can now be captured in high precision.
The camera has capabilities like advanced depth segmentation using the Neural Engine, advanced bokeh quality in Portrait mode photos and dynamic depth of field that is user adjustable in the Photos app.
Blue skies were not washed out and images in low-light conditions were great.
In a nutshell, a true camera smartphone that matches a DSLR and you do not definitely need a digital compact camera anymore.
Security has always been core to Apple iPhones and iPhone XS is no different.
The technology that enables Face ID is some of the most advanced that Apple has ever created.
The TrueDepth camera captures accurate face data by projecting and analysing over 30,000 invisible dots, to create a depth map of your face and also captures an infrared image of your face.
In case there is a change in your appearance, the Face ID automatically adapts to those changes, such as wearing cosmetic makeup or growing facial hair.
If your device is lost or stolen (this will be the last thing you want, given the price), you can prevent the Face ID from being used to unlock your device with “Find My iPhone Lost Mode”.
iPhone XS gave us a full-day battery life with moderate-to-heavy usage.
The battery life on the iPhone XS is better thanks to A12 Bionic chip, helping the device last up to 30 minutes longer than iPhone X on similar level of usage.
The device supports wireless charging and a lightning connector can be used for fast charging.
iPhone XS has a rating of IP68 (maximum depth of two metres in water up to 30 minutes) and is splash, water, and dust resistant (a perfect companion for the Indian weather).
The device is also resistant to accidental spills from common liquids such as soda, beer, coffee, tea and juice (in the event of a spill, rinse the affected area with tap water, then wipe your iPhone off and dry it).
The dual SIM device has an eSIM (electronic SIM), apart from space for one nano SIM space.
An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without having to use a physical nano-SIM. Currently, Jio and Airtel are offering eSIM in India.
Both of your phone numbers can make and receive voice calls and send and receive SMS and MMS. If one number is on a call, incoming calls on the other number will go to voicemail.
The iOS 12 software is another key part in the iPhone XS. With the release of iOS 12, developers have created incredible experiences for iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.
Siri Shortcuts and Screen Time help users manage their time spent on the device.
Let us see what does not work.
Apart from its price, nothing appears out of sync with the iPhone XS.
Conclusion: Apple CEO Tim Cook aptly said that the new iPhones replace digital camera, video camera and music player so you get three devices in one. It is how you should also look at the iPhone XS.
If you skipped iPhone X last year, go for iPhone XS. Take an EMI route (Rs 4,499 for 24 months) to own your fresh style statement. The iPhone Xs is available in India at retails stores from Friday.
If pricing is still a concern, the Rs 76,900 iPhone XR that comes in late October should fit the bill.
(Nishant Arora can be contacted at nishant.a@ians.in)
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Branding, Business, Marketing Basics, Markets, Sales, SMEs, Technology
By Nishant Arora,
New Delhi : As Apple refreshed its luxury iPhone line-up last week, Manu Jain who is Vice President, Xiaomi Global and Managing Director, Xiaomi India, tweeted: “Choose wisely — MI (Xiaomi) or EMI”.
Jain reacted to a follower who mentioned that one has to shell out Rs 12,075 a month as zero-cost EMI for a period of one year to own the 512GB variant of iPhone XS Max that will come for a mind-boggling Rs 144,900 in India.
Apple this month announced two other new models. The iPhone XS with 512GB storage model will cost Rs 134,900 and the cheapest of the lot, the iPhone XR, has a starting price (64GB) of Rs 76,900 in India.
The message from the $1 trillion company is loud and clear: Come what may, either own a new iPhone with a higher price tag or adjust with older and discounted models.
Here is the truth: Apple shipped 63 million iPhone X’s (now discontinued) till August this year. According to Counterpoint Research, iPhone X is on track to become the most successful revenue and profit-generating iPhone ever.
These 63 million-odd consumers are set to upgrade to new “luxury” iPhones – down payment or via EMI route — so the global smartphone powerhouse is safe here.
India contributed to just one per cent of the total iPhone X shipments till August. In 2017, Apple sold nearly 3.2 million iPhones in India and the company does not appear to be either in a panic or aggressive mode to change the status quo at the moment.
The company is also not in a mood to compete with Xiaomi or other Chinese brands but aims to keep its brand image and aspirational value intact, say experts.
“Apple remains a luxury brand and this has been their overall strategy for years. India is not in the list of top 10 global markets for them when it comes to new iPhone launches. The company has a strong loyal base globally who will buy its devices despite the hefty price tag,” Jaipal Singh, Associate Research Manager, Client Devices, IDC India, told IANS.
“For the Indian market, Apple will never compete with Chinese brands by lowering prices of new iPhones,” Singh added.
According to Tarun Pathak, Associate Director, Mobile Devices and Ecosystems at Counterpoint Research, hardcore Apple users would be willing to shell out the hefty price because owning a new Apple device is a status symbol for them.
“However, that section is still small. We believe that Apple strategy in India should be to sell more iPhones rather than new iPhones. Given the stickiness of the iOS ecosystem, these older iPhone users are likely to upgrade to iPhone only,” Pathak told IANS.
This is exactly what Apple has done. The company has slashed prices of older iPhones for the Indian consumers who want to upgrade to iPhone 7, iPhone 8 and even iPhone X.
Apple has discontinued the “super premium” iPhone X that actually did quite well despite low sale predictions.
The Cupertino-based company has also bid goodbye to iPhone SE – its least expensive model which was being assembled in India and the iPhone 6s — marking the end of iPhones with headphone jacks.
According to Pathak, the fact is that aspirational user audience is more in number than hardcore iPhone users in India. So there can be uptick in Apple numbers driven by cheaper older generation iPhones.
Depending on the quarter, the older generation iPhones capture somewhat half to two-third of Apple’s total sales in India.
“As custom duty continues to have impact on iPhone prices and making new iPhones is costlier, the price cut and subsequent promotions of older generation iPhones can increase iPhone sales in India. iPhone 7 can be the new iPhone 6 for Apple in the country,” noted Pathak.
Since Apple does not manufacture or assemble its products in India, the price will always be on the higher side.
“What Apple can do for the Indian market is to open experiences centres, the way Samsung and OnePlus have done, to pull more Android users towards its ecosystem. A bigger retail presence will help Apple gain more share in the price-sensitive Indian market,” Singh emphasised.
Apple is currently going through an overhaul under Michel Coulomb, the new head of the India operations who took over from Sanjay Kaul in December last year.
The iPhone maker is also seeking tax relief and other incentives from the government to begin assembling more handsets in the country and its proposal to set up a manufacturing unit is reportedly being evaluated.
According to Pathak, new iPhones can still be a good upgrade for users in India which have skipped the previous iPhone generations but the company will never lower the prices for new iPhones.
In a nutshell, CEO Tim Cook has clearly told India that Apple is the Ferrari in the world of smartphones and to own that exclusiveness, shell out extra – cash down or EMI — as others are doing.
(Nishant Arora can be contacted at nishant.a@ians.in)
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Branding, Business, Marketing Basics, Markets, Sales, SMEs
New Delhi : Chinese tech conglomerate Huawei surpassed Apple to become the second largest smartphone brand worldwide in the second quarter of 2018 as South Korean giant Samsung continued to be the global leader, two reports said on Wednesday.
Samsung had 20 per cent share, followed by Huawei at 15 per cent market share and Apple with 11 per cent as global smartphone shipments declined 2 per cent to 360 million units annually in Q2, said Hong Kong-based Counterpoint Research’s “Market Monitor” service.
“Huawei had a good second quarter in 2018 as it shipped more smartphones than Apple to capture the second spot in the global smartphone rankings, after 7 years of Apple-Samsung dominance,” said Tarun Pathak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research.
Huawei with its sub-brand, Honor, is offering a broad and refreshed portfolio at affordable prices which is driving growth in the overseas market.
“Honor, which is already strong in the e-commerce segment, is now adopting a multi-channel strategy through branded stores in the southeast Asia market. We expect store counts to increase in the future,” Pathak noted.
According to Singapore-based market research firm Canalys, Huawei shipped 54 million handsets, up 41 per cent year-on-year.
“Despite its failure to strike a US carrier partnership earlier this year, the company has turned around quickly, moving away from its drive for profitability and focusing instead on finding volume growth at the low end,” said Mo Jia, Canalys Analyst.
“Honor, which has long been a major brand in China but relatively small overseas, has taken a pivotal role in this strategy,” he added.
Samsung shipped 73 million units while Apple shipped 41 million iPhones..
“Even as Samsung smartphone shipment volumes declined globally, the brand posted a record second quarter in India, regaining its top position in Indian smartphone market,” according to Counterpoint.
Samsung will launch its Galaxy Note 9 flagship soon to counter the string of premium segment launches by its competitors and to gain some momentum before the launch of new iPhone in September.
Top 10 players now capture 79 per cent of the market, thereby leaving over 600 brands to compete for the remaining 21 per cent of the market.
“Major Chinese brands like OPPO, Vivo, Huawei are now focusing on increasing their average selling prices (ASPs) by bringing in features like artificial intelligence, bezel-less displays, dual cameras and innovative industrial designs in the affordable premium segment,” explained Counterpoint Research Analyst Shobhit Srivastava.
Xiaomi was on the fourth spot, capturing 9 per cent market share with shipments of 33 million smartphones globally.
OPPO and Vivo were the fifth and sixth largest brands during the quarter, capturing 8 per cent and 7 per cent market share, respectively.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Opinions
By Faisal Kawoosa,
This has so far not been a great year for Apple in India, if we talk specifically about iPhones. Preliminary estimates suggest it has shipped just around one million units in the first half of 2018. Compared to this, in 2017, Apple shipped over 3.1 million iPhones in the country, according to CMR’s India Monthly Mobile Handset Report.
It is only in Kerala and Punjab, as per CMR Mobilytiks, that Apple figures among the top three smartphone brands by installed base. In Kerala, it stood third with 5.25 per cent of installed smartphones share as of March-end 2018. In Punjab, it ranked second with 8.03 per cent.
So, the big question is: “Has iPhone reached the saturation point of its addressable market?” Well, to my mind, No!
There are three segments that could potentially buy an iPhone in India.The first is a technologically-evolved segment. They are well aware of the product and the brand and capable of making the decision on their own.
The second segment cmprises those who can afford, and want, the iPhone only because it has a premium tag. Whether or not they understand the iPhone, they would still keep on upgrading to the latest.
There is yet another segment, which Apple is not looking at in any significant way. This segment is of potential buyers who have the pockets to buy the iPhone, but do not understand Apple as a brand and the iPhone as a product. For them, it is just another brand and eventually they buy something comparing features and specifications.
In that decision-making process, Apple is always a loser as it has never been in the specs race. Most of these potential buyers go with Android smartphones where they get a huge number of specs at probably half the price of an iPhone.
Converting this segment has never been a focus at Apple India. Over the past few years, we have seen Apple busy only in streamlining its retail channel.
Well, I am a strong believer that, among smartphones, Apple is the only one that has brand-pull and it does not need a push approach where channel becomes paramount. It’s a phone that should have pioneered online sales and that would have worked very well for the company.
So, what is it that needs to be fixed? Here are some India-specific points that should constitute its strategy.
First and foremost, it has to be consistent in marketing. In a country with an overcrowded smartphone market — where there is a “flagship” launch of one or the other brand almost every week — it is important that a brand that launches just a couple of models a year communicates.
This has not been happening so far with Apple in India. It does sometimes get aggressive, painting all newspaper front pages with its ads; but then it goes into hibernation. This is not going to work in India. They have to be consistent in outreach.
Second, it is a very closed ecosystem. I have been talking to co-analysts as well as senior media people and all have one feedback: Apple India does not engage with them. The same holds true for the larger ecosystem around devices, especially smartphones. Apple is not engaging the ecosystem and influencers. This is again not creating enough talking points for the brand in India.
Third is about educating potential buyers. There are unique features in Apple as an ecosystem which could still excite someone having the capacity to buy an iPhone. For instance, Apple holds very high equity where privacy and security of data are concerned. This is what is being currently aggressively debated in the country. But there is hardly any participation from Apple to make potential buyers aware about how Apple treats privacy and security.
Since this segment of potential buyers is not an evolved one, they would need a bit of hand-holding to understand Apple and the iPhone. This requires a persistent campaign.
Moreover, from the products’ point of view, Apple has not invested much in creating India-specific content or apps that could give more reasons to iPhone users to enjoy their smartphones as well as make them productive. There are still several apps of enterprises and small and mid-size business (SMBs) in India which have a presence only on Android.
Lastly, it is almost absent digitally in India. Apple has to activate itself digitally and engage with the audiences over social media as well as other digital platforms. Otherwise, it looks like one of the icons of technology is not so social.
These actionable points could support the iPhone, which is still one of the best smartphones we have, and increase its potential in India. Here, just having a well-engineered product is not enough. Spice needs to be added to the marketing.
(Faisal Kawoosa is Head, New Initiatives, at CyberMedia Research. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at releases@cmrindia.com)
—IANS
