Toby
Member
Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034 |
quote:
Originally posted by ubik
I was not trying to pin the Beta argument on anyone in particular. I was simply commenting on the use of the Beta argument in general
Then perhaps you should be more careful what you quote before going off on a rant?quote:
See, I thought that we were talking about the survivability of a format in the real world, not arbitrarily divided abstract market spaces.
No, the original poster was saying basically that Springboard was going to become the Beta of the PDA world when compared to 'standards' like SD, CF, or MS.quote:
No, my entire point is that it is a mistake to try and view this in any kind of Beta vs. VHS context.
And my point was that you're directing that at the wrong person if that's your point.quote:
The Beta vs. VHS myth has become kind of a rallying call for people who feel that everything should be based on open standards, and it is a truly false analogy. People have this vague, but powerful, memory of Beta being a Sony proprietary format that failed miserably due to the fact that it was proprietary.
Gee I could have sworn that I posted a link which clearly illustrated that I most certainly did not think that.quote:
The fact is that VHS was a proprietary format as well. However, JVC wanted half as much for their licensing fees as Sony did, so VHS won in the consumer market where the largest concern at that time was which unit had the lowest price.
If you'll go to the link which I posted, you'll see that price was also not the reason why Beta didn't succeed. Fact is that JVC was not the only player. Panasonic (Matsu****a) was also in the game. Ironic that Panasonic is also apparently picking the leading horse with SD also.quote:
There is no argument that Springboard is the most flexible of the formats. But SB was abandoned by its parent leaving it an orphaned technology barely two years into its development. The reason SB failed is because it was aborted along with the Visor line of products.
Actually, it hasn't totally been abandoned yet. There's still time for Handspring to change its mind (although I don't see it happening). However, there will likely still be niche markets for Springboard in the PDA space (there's a line of Auto diagnostics that comes to mind) for a few years at least.quote:
However, the real point is that none of this Beta/8track/Neo Geo stuff is a really valid as it applies to the "PDA space."
Why not? If one can accurately construct the analogy, it's quite valid.quote:
This is really more of a fountain pen vs. ballpoint vs. felt tip kind of argument. You see, if they stop putting out new tapes for your Beta, or 8track, then the machine that plays those tapes is no longer of any real use.
Well, its useful life will certainly be limited, but considering that there are still Palm Pilots in use, 'real use' is an elusive term.quote:
By the same token, if they stop putting out new games for your Neo Geo, then it is also of no real use. However, if they stop coming out with new expansions for whatever your particular PDA expansion slot, then you still have a fully functional PDA.
And I still have a fully functional 8 Track (along with media), so...?quote:
All of these arguments would all be fine if people were really that concerned about expansion technology, however they aren't.
If the people involved in the conversation are concerned about expansion, how can it not be valid? No, Sony isn't going to change its direction because of me, but I'm not going to change my expectations or usage because of Sony's assumptions either.quote:
To most people that slot is just a place where you keep extra memory.
Source?quote:
Even those who have a wonderful expansion technology like Springboard, typically just use it to stick in a memplug, and then use the storage slot type they personally prefer.
Source?quote:
No handheld is going to "win" or "lose" the PDA market based on what kind of expansion slot the device has. It is that simple. People are buying PDAs based on a different set of personal preferences, and then they will go out and buy whatever type of memory they need to in order to fill their expansion slot.
That's the problem with anecdotal evidence. Our anecdotal experiences differ _drastically_. I tend to see the opposite extremes. Either people couldn't care less about expansion and likely won't use the thing beyond its PIM functionality (I got this free card with my Palm, do you want it?), or they're looking for a specific functionality which may only be available via one option.quote:
Fine, however there are thousands of companies worldwide that HAVE already invested MILLIONS of dollars in Sony's products.
And what exactly is the difference when it comes to PDAs?quote:
That means that there is no concern that Sony is one day going to unexpectedly orphan MemoryStick in a conference call to investors.
Perhaps not on a grander scale, but there is most certainly the possibility that they'll orphan all sorts of products within the PDA space.quote:
That is a major differentiation between MS and Springboard.
Ahh, but not a major differentiation between the Visor and Clie lines. Sony could just as quickly doom their users to having no Stowaways or other such accessories by discontinuing a line.quote:
I am not trying to say that any of these technologies are the Beta!
What a coincidence. Neither was I. RedSoxPDAer was though.quote:
In fact, I am trying to point out that even Beta wasn't really the Beta people think of.
Yes, and if you'll notice, I gave you some real ammunition for that very point.quote:
My whole point has been that this Beta vs. VHS thing is an oversimplified false dichotomy massaged over the years to make a great sounding argument for one particular point of view, and is not a realistic way to view a tech market.
Lemme guess, you didn't bother clicking the link I had in my post.
|
What's to come of all this....?
05-05-2002 05:13 AM
Email This Page to Someone! |
Receive updates to this thread
]