Okies … another quickie !
Flip phones have made a grand comeback into the Indian market with a large number of users going in for these models of phones in India!
Motorola introduced clamshell models ( popularly known as flip phones) in 1996 and they made an entry into India a bit later than that. Initially although such phones did create a buzz in the market, just as the Irridum project did. But ‘flip-phones’ took a beating in the Indian market due to various reasons. The popular reasoning that gained acceptance during that time was that such phones required use of both hands. This was a disadvantage that was seen to be root cause of non-acceptance of the users who, in those times, were mainly business-class.
There were other disadvantage like the form factor, the non-sturdiness and the lack of ease in use, when compared to the normal phones.
Now – it seems all disadvantages are forgotten and there is nobody who does not fancy a flip phone. !!!!!
Mainly due to intelligent marketing by Motorola who wanted to associate their brand to a niche design like the flip phones and also due to the change in the mindset of the users of mobile phones in India.
I am amazed to find that all my classmates from my PG days, after getting a job, the first thng they do is to change their handsets ! Funny, eh! And most of them have gone in for flip phones !!!
I don’t know if they are all trying to make a statement that they are successful and upwardly mobile – a common perception among non-users of flip phones. Whatever be the reason, but it’s a very commonly known fact proven through research, that mobiles phones are perceived to be a fashionable accessory and many people want to show-off their handsets, since they equate it to their status and fashion sense! True – if watches, clothes, caps, spectacles, belts etc can be used to show-off, why not mobile phones !!!!
But all said and done, the disadvantages with the flip phones still stay and are here to stay. Just that people have found a way to justify their more fashionable choice. Nokia would be wondering why they went into designing ’user-friendly’ models !!
As I write this, I can see my friend who passed out with me in college, trying to write something, type something on his PC and also attend to his ringing phone … yeah flip phone… wonder why people who are in sales and other such professions who require to multi-task, go in for such phones when a simple traditional design would have served their purpose much better… maybe there is a reason that I am not able to comprehend.
There are many other friends of mine who too went in for a flip phone as soon as they got a chance to buy a new phone. Now I wonder whether I too will fall into that trap.. after all who does not like to be admired ! But as of now, I can just laugh at all my peers who bought a flip phone and are trying to justify it … he ! he ! he ! What a funny situation !
But Motorola needs to be appreciated for their persistent and intelligent marketing. They used the famous personalities well ! Whoever classified customers as ‘logical’ and impulsive’? All customers are illogical after a certain point of time – read after getting a new job !! he ! he ! he ! I can see at least one of my room-mates getting ready to beat me up for this piece !!!
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